Lost in Translation
Looking for meanings in words, images and sounds
A Walk around Devin Castle
A 10 minute drive from Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava, will take you to one of the best preserved castle ruins in the country. It is the famous Devin Castle or as Slovaks call it Hrad Devin (the word devin is derived from the Slavic word deva which means girl). Why the castle got this name I am not sure, but the most photographed tower within the castle complex is called the Maiden Tower and many legends are told about abducted virgins that killed themselves by jumping from the top of it.
The castle occupies an excellent position for defensive and lookout purposes, standing on a massive rock hill above the confluence of the Danube and Morava at a stone’s throw away from Austria.
History tells us that the area was inhabited as early as the 5th century B.C., 400 years before Celts came to the area. In the 8th century it was a wooden fortification, and a few centuries later it was replaced by a stone fortress. During the Middle Ages it served as a boundary fortress, military station and a trade centre. It changed owners and they changed its appearance according to their needs. In the 19th century the castle was heavily damaged by Napoleon’s army, and in the 20th it stood at the border between the Eastern Bloc and the West.
Today, visitors to the ruins have an opportunity to see a permanent exhibition on architectural development of the castle from the 11th to 19th century, but I had to skip it since I was in Bratislava just for a day. Nevertheless, I think it was sufficient time for me to “sample” what I liked about Slovakia’s capital and its surroundings.
The last photo in the gallery is showing Devin from a few kilometre distance, from the site that translates as Sandberg which I am planning to show in some of my future posts.
The first glance of the castle
Here is the second
I took a turn towards Danube and the light got better
Do you recognise this tower?
I couldn’t resist taking another snap of the Maiden Tower
A bleeding heart?
A beauty, isn’t she?
This gives a whole picture 😉
This is my contribution to Jo’s Monday walk. Pay her a visit and see where her tireless feet are taking you today.
Lost in Translation 
A fascinating bit of culture and history to start the day, thank you Paula 🙂
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Thank YOU, Mike, for this nice visit. I guess this part of the world must look pretty exotic to you 🙂
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Fabulous, Paula! And you shared your heart with me 🙂 🙂
Thank you so much. It’s a privilege to have you taking part. I would love to visit this castle in person, as well you know, so thanks for taking me there. Hugs! A bientot! 🙂
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Ate logo minha querida 🙂
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🙂 🙂
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Interesting history and tower. Looks like a great place to successfully commit suicide!
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A photogenic place
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Thank you Paula for a wonderful visit to Slovakia! 🙂
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Have you ever been there, Barbara?
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Truly impressive. I can only imagine the labour required to build this in such an isolated spot. Great shots.
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Thanks a bunch Draco. The age of it and the fact that it still hangs on there is what impresses me most. If it weren’t for the flies I would have stayed longer. How was your day? Lucky you, your Monday is almost over….
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It will be good to get some sleep. But dinner first. 🙂
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🙂
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Internet in post Paula. It is amazing that they managed to build something on the pinnacle of the mountain – and without modern machinery.
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Yes, well observed, Colline 🙂 I wanted to get closer to that particular tower, but it included some jumping over the fences, and hubby said no. I think I would have done it (I like breaking law 😉 ) if it had not been for flies…
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Your photos have a distinct Paula-signature I think. You capture atmosphere beautifully, especially sombreness. You’ve just added Bratislava to my list. I look forward to your post about it.
I’d love to see an exhibition of architectural changes: my imagination can’t do it when I just have words.
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First time I’ve heard of flies as law and order enforcers!
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😀 hahaha a good one, Meg 🙂
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An amazing history and such beautiful photos. That Maiden Tower is something else.
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love the music too, can you say what it is please, I have not heard it before, thanks 🙂
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2 steps from hell by Thomas Bergersen. Thank you 🙂
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Fab shots Paula. Is that gorgeous tower accessible? The view from up there must be unbelievable!!
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Unfortunately, it is not. It’s an area with great landscape but the haze was too thick that day resulting in poor visibility. I had crappy weather the whole time I was in Slovakia. I hope it will be better in Tuscany in October which is my next trip 🙂
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(Talking of the weather , I’ve never experienced a summer like this in all my life!
Wish you something better for your October holidays!)
The photos and the place are spectacular , thanks for this share dear Paula
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I really miss Italy, Anna. I have high hopes for October. Will you give an update on how you are doing by email? You promised. Baci
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Spectacular scenery and shots Paula! That Maiden Tower does have rather a sacrificial look about it . . .
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😀 you are right Patti
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Such a magnificent place, Paula. The Maiden Tower and the Bleeding Heart are so amazing. Enjoyed the dramatic music. 🙂
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Certainly looks like beautiful country. Tremendous images!
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🙂 It is an interesting country to see. If the light had been better during my visit, the shots would have turned out more presentable. I still prefer the pics I brought back from England. Thank you for your nice visit Phil. I need to see what you have been up to recently 🙂
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I have never been to Slovakia Paula. thank you for this tour,. I must say the images have an eeriness to them.
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🙂 the country has its charm though to tell you the truth both hubby and I feel more at ease in the west… Thank you kindly Sue for your visit and appreciation.
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Fascinating. We think we are so smart and advanced but I wonder if anything that we build today will be around in hundreds of years.
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I am sure it will be, but will the future generations be impressed with it – I hope not 😀
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I adore ruined castles, as anyone knows. 🙂 But my experiences of them don’t stretch to include other than Spain, France and Italy; and as it turns out (through following your blog) they exist in all manner of places !
Thank-you for widening my castle ruins horizons, Paula – please feel free to do so whenever you like ! 😀
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I have noticed that. I have a few more to share, true, and I expect you to share all of your travel pics with me 🙂
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That looks like an incredible place. Another place on my list of travel destinations has been added:)
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I like the photo of that heart sculpture, nice.
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Thank you SBP 😀 It was a very odd find 🙂
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Amazing pictures…
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Terrific drama.
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🙂 thanks Hilary
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Beautiful walk! great shots, Paula.
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Thank you very much Amy. It would have been a lot better if it hadn’t been for poor visibility and thousands of flies.
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very cool walk – and the heart art is my fav!
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🙂 that’s an odd installation. I liked it too. Thank you for commenting.
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Local fantástico! Deve ser espectacular estar lá em cima e apreciar a paisagem. 🙂
Bonitas fotos!
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Nao foi. Foram muitas moscas e tive que tragar uma :S e poi o tempo nao fez bom e a gente nao foram simpatica 😀
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😦
Mas com bom tempo (e sem moscas) deve ser lindo. 😉
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Isso sim 🙂 e lindo, mas depois de ir nas montanhas de Eslovaquia decidi voltar na casa 5 dias mais cedo….
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😉
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Very nice set of images, Paula. The photograph of the tower is excellent.
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Hello Uday 🙂 It was one of those hazy, hot humid days with bad clearance, a disapointment when one travels, but the site is exceptionally picturesque. I am always happy to read you. Thank you so much for taking time 🙂
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A beautiful place to be at and enjoy the breath of history that can be felt on every step. Amazing shots, Paula!
Passing Bratislava on highway I have noticed two impressive old castles on the road, not too far from the city but I have the feeling none of them is Hrad Devin. I hope one day there will be enough time to get off the big road and have a proper look at them to be able to find out more. 🙂
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Hello Ese, you probably saw Hrad Bratislava. I’ll show it soon :). Thank you dear for the comment.
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This post makes me homesick for Europe. Where I grew up there was at least one old castle/fortress near every town or village.
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Now I’m curious as to if the suicidal story is true. I think I’m going to have to do some digging.
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Good luck with the digging Allan 😀
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I knew it rang bells! 🙂 Ate logo!
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