Bratislava: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Slovak Republic Peter Pellegrini visited Devin Castle in Bratislava. The visit took place on December 8, marking an important cultural engagement between the two nations.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, President Aliyev was informed about the historical significance of Devin Castle, which is located at the confluence of the Morava and Danube rivers. The castle is recognized as one of Slovakia’s national cultural monuments. Historical records first mention the name Devin in chronicles from 864. The fortress played a pivotal role during the era of Great Moravia, existing from 822 to 907. In the 13th century, it was transformed into a royal and border castle under Hungarian rule.
The narrative of Devin Castle took a dramatic turn in 1809 when Napoleon’s army mined and destroyed it. A monument commemorating this destruction was erected in 1896. After World War I, archaeological interest in the area surged with the discovery of the first caves in the mountain massif housing the castle ruins. Archaeological efforts have continued intermittently for over a century, uncovering evidence of the site’s role as a settlement and gathering point for ancient communities, merchants, and warriors.