Holiday apartment in Borinka – castle ruins and karst of the Little Carpathians

The ruins of Pajštún Castle stand on a 486-metre-high limestone crag and date back to the 13th century. From Borinka, the castle can be reached on foot via a red-marked trail with a steep ascent in about 45 minutes.

Landscape

Borinka lies at an altitude of 203 metres in the valley of the Stupava stream, on the southwestern edge of the Little Carpathians. Above Borinka is the Borinský Karst area.

The landscape thus combines Borinka’s valley location with the higher-lying karst areas. Medené Hámre is also one of the diverse local landscapes around the municipality: the area lies within the cadastral territory of Borinka and at the same time in Malacky District. Its almost central location in the Devín Carpathians adds another regional reference to the landscape setting.

History

Near the municipality of Borinka are the remains of the medieval Dračí hrádok watchtower. Dračí hrádok is a watchtower ruin built in the 13th century near the present-day municipality of Borinka and probably served as a guard post protecting the route through the Little Carpathians. Copperware was historically produced in the former settlement of Medené Hámre.

The historical traces therefore range from a castle on a limestone crag to the remains of a watchtower. In Medené Hámre, the former production of copperware also points to the craft history of the former settlement.

Activities

The climbing area at Pajštún has around 70 routes, each 25 to 30 metres long. Alongside easier routes, there are also more challenging ones.

For active days at Pajštún, both the marked ascent to the castle ruins and the climbing area with its different routes help define the character of the place.

Nature and places to visit

Medené Hámre is a former settlement in the cadastral territory of the municipality of Borinka in Malacky District. The picturesque area lies in an almost central location in the Devín Carpathians and is now known as a tourist destination and a place for walks.

From Borinka, Medené Hámre can be reached via a paved road or hiking trails. There is also a small reservoir near Medené Hámre. On its shore, a statue of Saint John of Nepomuk dating from 1731 stands on a prismatic pedestal.

Medené Hámre therefore brings together several different features: the former settlement, its present-day use as a destination for excursions, the routes from Borinka, the small reservoir and the historic monument on its shore.

Faith and customs

In the lower part of the Calvary at Pajštún, there is a statue of Saint Michael and an altar; the upper part contains the Stations of the Cross. The Calvary at Pajštún was completed and consecrated in 1940.

The Stavanie máje event is held annually in Borinka.

Those choosing a holiday apartment in Borinka can regard the accommodation as a starting point for a trip with various themes: Pajštún and Dračí hrádok represent history, Borinský Karst and Medené Hámre represent the landscape, while the Calvary and Stavanie máje highlight religious and local traditions. For each individual property, its specific details regarding the layout, self-catering facilities and occupancy remain decisive; this information must be checked independently of the local features described.

Other places: Stupava, Malacky, Marianka, Lozorno.

To the overarching travel overview: Malatzka.