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Small Carpathians (5 hours) |
These mountains are mostly under nature protection; they start in Bratislava and continue to the North-East and are 100 km long. The beautiful nature scenery begins by the castle ruin of Devin, exactly of the confluence at the river Danube and the river Morava.
The rivers are creating the state border with Austria. In the past the Small Carpathians created the northwestern border to the Hungarian Kingdom with numerous castles. Along the Small Carpathians, there are also many vineyards with a long wine-grower tradition going back to the time of the Roman and Celtic settlements. The cities like Sv. Jur (St. George), Pezinok or Modra provided their good Small Carpathian wines to the royal court already in the medieval times. Also the hand crafts, like ceramic making, have a long tradition beneath the Small Carpathians. The majolica ceramic is being produced here since 16th century – the present folk majolica of Modra. These products like vases, plates, jugs, cups with a unique floral and wine décor are known and desired today.
The Small Carpathian tour begins in Bratislava. We drive direction Devín, then over the Small Carpathians through the towns Pezinok and Modra to Častá. Over the village, there is a former royal castle Červený Kameň (Red Stone). Here we visit the fancy collection of historical furniture. On the way back you have the chance to taste the wines from the region in a wine cellar, where you learn also the history of wine-growing closer. Afterwards we visit a small private ceramic manufactory with a practical demonstration of pottery. At the end follows the way
back to Bratislava. |
