At the point where the Morava river flows into the Danube stand the looming ruins of Devín Castle perched on a high rock. The rock was once the site of a Celtic settlement; later on the Romans built their fortress here; and in the 9th century Prince Rastislav, King of Great Moravia, chose it for his stronghold. It changed hands many times until in 1809 it was blown up by the French during the Napoleonic Wars.

In the 19th century, during the period of national rebirth, it became a prominent symbol in the shaping of Slovak national identity, promoted by the nationalist L’udovít Štúr.

During the 1980s the castle area, separated from Austria only by the Danube, was closed to the public. Now it is a favourite spot for a stroll for Bratislavans. It also features the remains of the Roman fortress and a museum of archaeological finds in a reconstructed fragment of the castle.