The monumental Bratislava Castle can be seen from a great distance. Its distinctive silhouette can be seen by every visitor to Bratislava. The majesty of the Castle is enhanced by the hill on which it stands. It rises to a height of 85 m above the level of the Danube River.
At the end of the 9th century, it was an important settlement settlement. The first written mention of Bratislava from 907 is related to this period, which mentions the battle between the Bavarians and the old Hungarians under Brezalauspurc Castle. In the 11th and 12th centuries, a pre-Romanesque stone palace was built on the castle hill. The magnificent reconstruction of the castle began in 1423 and resulted in a Gothic castle known as Sigismund Castle. The last stage of major construction modifications to the castle was carried out by Maria Theresa. She gradually had all the fortifications removed from the Pálffy Castle and at the same time highlighted, improved or expanded its residential functions in the most luxurious form. The most interesting building, which was later called the Theresian, was added to the eastern façade of the palace after 1768.
The magnificent Rococo palace of smaller dimensions was the residence of Governor Albert, who came to this important position thanks to his marriage to Archduchess Maria Christina, daughter of Maria Theresa. As art lovers, the two spouses began to collect numerous works of art in the castle, which later became the basis of the now famous Albertina Gallery in Vienna.
In May 1811, a devastating fire broke out in the castle. Nothing happened to the huge ruins of the burnt castle palace for 150 years. It was not until 1968 that the reconstruction of the castle palace was completed.