Bratislava Castle in Slovakia

On June 15, 2021June 15, 2021 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Slovakia5 Comments

Sitting on the hill above the city of Bratislava is the historic Bratislava Castle, the Bratislavský hrad in Slovak. The original castle dates back to the 13th century, but it was obviously modified many times over the centuries. By the early 1800’s, the castle was in a state of deterioration and was being used by the military for barracks. It was also damaged more during the world wars, but in 1953 the decision was made to restore the castle to its former glory and it is now a popular tourist site within the capital city of Bratislava.

We visited the Bratislava Castle in May, so the gardens were just beginning to bloom, but we can certainly can imagine what they must look like in the summer months. The castle itself is a rectangular building with four towers, one on each corner. Although there is apparently only a single window left from the original building, the castle is still quite beautiful. We spent about an hour walking the grounds and enjoying the wonderful views of the city below. There is also a statue of King Svatopluk that was added to the courtyard in 2010, which apparently caused some controversy.

Bratislava Castle as Viewed from the War Memorial

The history of the region, with its importance to Hungary and then recent gain of independence, the Bratislava Castle is a source of pride to the people of Slovakia. It is an interesting theme that we found during our tour of Bratislava of how the castle and the city were a seat of power for Hungary for centuries, which obviously is a frustration for Slovakians, but at the same time the country has recognized the importance of this period as part of their own history. Add to that the other occupations, including that of the Soviet Union, and the country has overcome a variety of historical obstacles. Needless to say, any visit to Bratislava should include going to the castle that overlooks the city.

Part of the Wall that Surrounds the Castle

Kilkenny Castle in Ireland

On February 18, 2021February 18, 2021 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Ireland8 Comments

During our trip to Ireland, we really enjoyed visiting Kilkenny Castle in the quaint city of Kilkenny. We were staying in Dublin and hired a guide to take us to a variety locations as we headed from Dublin to the coast. Seeing this wonderful castle was certainly the highlight of the tour, but just driving through the countryside made the trip worthwhile. Construction began on the castle in the twelfth century and it is truly a magnificent residence. You are able to take a self-guided tour of the interior and exterior of the castle and it is well worth taking a couple of hours to visit the beautiful castle and gardens.

It may have been a cloudy day during our visit to Kilkenny, but that didn’t distract from the beauty of the historic home. It was the home of the Butler family from 1391 to 1967 when it was granted to the people of Kilkenny. The rooms have been preserved to show the day-to-day living of the previous residents and provide a glimpse into the lives of the wealthy inhabitants. They are decorated so well that you could truly imagine that someone was still living in the castle.

The views from the castle’s rooms as well as the lawns are spectacular. The River Nore runs next to the castle and leads towards the heart of the city, where, in the distance, the cathedral towers dominate the skyline over the heart of Kilkenny. We visited many castles all throughout Europe and Kilkenny Castle is definitely one of the best preserved castles and was well worth taking the time to visit.

The Statues of Budapest’s Castle District

On November 16, 2020November 16, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn HungaryLeave a comment

Walking around the Castle District that sits high on the hill of the Buda portion of Budapest is certainly a wonderful experience. In addition the Royal Palace, Matthias Church, and Fisherman’s Bastion, you will see a variety of statues as you walk around the area. From popes to kings, there are many different statues on the grounds. Some of the more interesting statues aren’t necessarily dedicated to any particular individual.

There are statues of people riding horses including those of St. Stephen, Prince Eugene of Savoy, Andras Hadik, and Gorgey Artur. One of the more interesting is actually a fountain that is on the side of the palace of King Matthias and his hunting party. The Holy Trinity Column outside of Matthias Church is probably the most recognizable with all of the different features.

Historian that is Part of King Matthias’ Hunting Party

There is also a statue of Pope Innocent XI and the Memorial of Buda Castle Recovery. The gate leading into the palace courtyard is adorned with a variety of statues. It wouldn’t be a palace without a statue of a lion guarding the entrance. All of the statues located throughout the castle district simply adds to the historic feel of the area.