Classroom lesson 路 Bratislava Castle馃嚫馃嚢 Slovakia

Bratislava Castle

The big white castle watching over Slovakia's capital

Photo 路 Wikimedia Commons

What is it?

Bratislava Castle is a huge white castle that sits on a hill in the middle of Slovakia's capital city. From far away it looks like an upside-down table, because of its four tall corner towers - one pointing up from each corner of a long flat roof. The Danube River flows past its feet.

Tell me more

The castle hill has been used for over 5,000 years. Long before there was a castle, people lived on the top because it was easy to defend and gave a brilliant view in every direction. From the walls today, you can see three countries at once - Slovakia, Austria and Hungary - all just a short drive away.

The castle you can visit today was rebuilt about 70 years ago after the old one burned down. The bright white walls and red roof make it visible from almost anywhere in Bratislava. Children in the city grow up with this castle in their everyday view, like a friendly white block on the hill.

Inside, the castle is now a museum. You can walk through grand halls with painted ceilings, climb into the corner towers for views over the Danube, and see exhibits about how people in this area lived hundreds and thousands of years ago - including some of Europe's oldest pottery and jewellery.

Around the castle is a garden in the old French style - all neat hedges and walking paths. In summer, families come up for picnics. In winter, the whole hill sometimes turns white with snow, and the castle blends right in.

In the classroom

Walk your class through this in 15 minutes.

Talk together

Discussion prompts

  1. 01Why might a hill make a good place to build a castle?
  2. 02From Bratislava Castle you can see three countries. What would it feel like to have other countries that close to your home?
  3. 03What is one building near where you live that is so well known that everyone uses it to give directions?
Try this

Classroom activity

Sketch your own 'castle on a hill' for your town. Where would you put it? What shape would the towers be? On the back, draw a map showing what you would be able to see from the top.