30/08/2022 - Stage 19 from Bratislava, Slovakia to Kridla, Czech Republic (156 kilometers)

This morning we set off to the castle that Ben had actually seen on the internet. It was Devin Castle, or in German, Theben Castle. The castle is a ruin in the district of the same name in Bratislava, just 12 kilometers from the historic center. The castle cliff played an important role even before Christ due to its exposed location. The castle is located 212 meters above the ground and we enjoyed a beautiful view of the landscape, the confluence of the Danube and the March, and the remains of the fortress. The museum has a small exhibition on the history of the old walls. Then we went to the next destination. We drove north and crossed the border into the Czech Republic. We visited Lednice Castle in South Moravia. It dates back to the 13th century and is one of the most visited places in the country. In numerous construction phases, this magnificent building was built by members of the Liechtenstein princely house and today, along with its park, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A very beautiful and huge complex. Just about 15 minutes away by car is the small town of Mikulov. We strolled through the interesting center, over the town square with the twin towers of the Dietrichstein crypt church to Mikulov Castle. Once again, a magnificent building that we thoroughly admired. There was a delicious lunch in a small restaurant and after a successful meal, we continued heading north to the capital of South Moravia. Brno is the second largest city in the Czech Republic and we were greeted by an old town full of historical buildings. We strolled through the busy pedestrian zone, across lively squares to the Peter and Paul Cathedral. It is the landmark of the city and can be seen from almost anywhere. With its location on Petrov Hill, you also have a good view over the city. It was built as early as 1180, rebuilt several times over the years, and today it is the cathedral of the diocese of Brno. We also discovered some interesting fountains and a special equestrian statue, and then we said goodbye to Brno. After this day full of sights, we drove to the small village of Kridla to spend the night in the house of a nice family.