Palace Art Hotel Pezinok

During 13th century, the original water chateau served as seat of magnates from Svätý Jur and Pezinok. Eight hundred years later the renewed chateau opened own gates. Štefan of the Šimák generation established there winery, hotel and exhibition of wine, glass as well as of the Pálffy family.

The end of the Austro – Hungarian Empire, creation of Czechoslovakia and the two world wars represented hard times for chateau Pezinok. In 1930, the Pálffy family sold the chateau in devastated condition to the town of Pezinok.

Starting from 1936, the chateau operated as seat of the Slovak Wine Grower Association, which in 1951 was swallowed by the state Winemaker Factory. A part of the factory represented a distillery, which starting from 1968, produced the world-known Carpathian Brandy Special with a knight on label.

ROOMS & SUITES
Palace Art Hotel Pezinok, a boutique hotel, in noble atmosphere offers exclusive services in 48 rooms and apartments. You will be fascinated when entering the reception as well as the Palffy Restaurant – the gastronomic temple. The hotel, fully equipped with modern technologies, is located in the new part of the chateau.

Select a room with a view to medieval courtyard and non-typical half tower of the knight Ján Krušič, or a view to the quiet surface of the fishpond located in the chateau park. Comfort and silence is guaranteed in each room, on all 120 beds. You will enjoy the charm of the chateau in all hotel premises, especially in luxury rooms, original apartments and unbelievable gorgeous Royal Apartment with own terrace and pretentious equipment.

ROYAL APARTMENT
The best chateau rooms were always prepared for the king. Enjoy these superb moments, luxury of space, uniqueness of moment. Grandiose rooms will offer to you everything what you would need for complete break and intimacy. Two double bedrooms and one living room on an area of 104 m2, plus spacious bathroom with a shower as well as large whirlpool and sauna.

This space is sufficient not only for a pair but also for several friends. Agreeable seating offers a spacious terrace on 82 m2, including luxury outdoor furniture. Royal apartment will guarantee to you absolute serenity and discreet service.

TOWER SUITE
Chateau tower offers not only exclusive living, but also gorgeous views to different directions. Thick walls are ideal for total repose, plus non-typical circular bedroom and magnificent living room – these are conveniences of the medieval building.

Tower apartment offers luxury on 75 m2 and in the bathroom you will find a modern shower as well as design bathtub with a view to nature. Comfortable privacy will offer to you soft down and feather duvets and exclusive mattresses.

JUNIOR SUITE
Elegant privacy on 55 m2 with luxury living room and bedroom represents an excellent solution for living in a chateau. View to park will always supply to you energy of nature. Pillows and down and feather duvets with anti-allergy treatment and luxury beds and mattresses will guarantee agreeable and generous sleeping. Spacious bathroom with large shower offers plenty of comfort and relax.

FAMILY ROOM
The spacious family room is especially suitable for 2 adults and 2 children up to 12 years old. Scenery of huge trees, narrow paths as well as glittering lake surface – that is beauty during each season. In extraordinary pillows, down and feather duvets with anti-allergy treatment in beds with luxury mattresses, your sleeping will be agreeable. Spacious bathroom with large scale shower offers plenty of comfort and relax.

PALACE ROOM
Spatial luxury and views from the window to Chateau Park represent the advantages of this spacious room on an area of 32 – 35 m2. Scenery of huge trees, narrow paths as well as glittering lake surface – that is beauty during each season. In extraordinary pillows, down and feather duvets with anti-allergy treatment in beds with luxury mattresses, your sleeping will be agreeable. Spacious bathroom with large scale shower offers plenty of comfort and relax.

DINING
Unique art of the chef will provide a new dimension to that what in prose is called meals and beverages. Enjoy the delicious experience finalised by extraordinary wines of the Castle Winery in the noble Palffy Restaurant on sunny terrace during agreeable summer meetings, consuming home-made delicacies in the Castle Tavern, or finger food and beverages on the highest castle floor in the Palace Lounge

PALFFY RESTAURANT
Fresh, local resources, prepared alongside the international culinary trends are the base for quality, unique meals. Specialties served with nobles, in an elegant restaurant and for the guest we guarantee a premium gastronomical experience.

Our concept of food preparation is based on the combination of fresh, local resources and french table manners in modern style. Premium gastronomy will speak to you through quality food. The approach of the Chef is special, a little different, he serves local food with a french tint. He always makes sure that on every plate, there is something actual, that goes with the wine that is in season.

ZAMOCKA VIECHA
In a stylish environment we offer simple classic meals of amazing quality. Honest domestic cuisine follows the tradition of typical delicacies of the past. With respect to the individual processes involving fresh local resources in a calm atmosphere.

You will be greeted with simple seating meant for meeting friends and meals enriched with wine from the local menu. As if you were not in a Château in the centre of the town. Even if you only come in to take a peek, the family atmosphere will definitely win you over with relaxation and happiness from pleasant moments. All of this under the mediaeval canopy, where in the hot summers, you will experience real shade.

PALACE LOUNGE
Below hundred years old wooden beams of the castle ceiling you will find a charismatic place to sit down or for social skills games. Offer of beverages, peaceful silence and comfortable equipment will speak to you. An ideal place intended not only for meetings but also for undisturbed entertainment.

EVENTS
We offer to you the Middle Ages atmosphere, unique experience and different options, exclusive and cosy premises, inventive ideas in the PALACE ART HOTEL PEZINOK, primarily, we offer an excellent team. In the ŠIMÁK ZÁMOK PEZINOK you will experience unforgettable business as well as private meetings.

From a ball and gala evening in the magnificence of the KATARÍNA PÁLFFY GOLDEN HALL to a conference in the JÁN KRUŠIČ KNIGHT HALL, teambuilding in the courtyard, terraces or garden, wine tasting in the CASTLE WINERY chillout party in the PALACE LOUNGE.

All these activities we would prepare for you in order to gain unusual experience from the castle, cuisine, wine and beverages. Our gastronomy is unique and therefore family celebration of birthday or graduation in the PÁLLFY RESTAURANT will represent a gourmet experience. Exclusive premises for presentations you will find in our galleries – glass, Pálffy’s apartments or in wine cellars.

WEDDINGS
There is no more beautiful and suitable place for a wedding than a castle. During this day the bride will become a princess, dreams of splendour and extraordinary moments with groom, chosen partner. During this moment two worlds would be interconnected and a new universe, family, bond for life will be created.

Our castle thanks to the Middle Ages splendour and helpful employees represents a perfect choice for your dream wedding. Castle wedding will be unique, with many different options and all your wishes and expectations could be satisfied.

It is also a charming place for wedding in the surroundings of Bratislava, not only for ceremony and wedding banquet but also for entertainment and taking photographs. ŠIMÁK ZÁMOK PEZINOK offers variable premises, professional gastronomy, high quality winethèque of the CASTLE WINERY and elegant, broad-minded furnished PALACE ART HOTEL PEZINOK.

The castle is at reach, near from each direction and directly in the centre, with grandiose entrance, quiet background, adequate parking and surrounded by Municipal Park, with trees, fishpond and peacocks.

GOLDEN HALL KATARINA PALFFY
This real banquet hall – 150 years of history, has eight metres high ceiling, golden stucco decoration and crystal chandelier three metres long. Its adjacent two floor balcony provides this space with bird’s-eye view and elegance. The Golden Hall is suitable for 200 wedding guests.

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHAPEL
Renewed chapel in the original section of the castle represents a unique place for fateful moments. Consecrated and prepared for religious as well as civil marriages, suitable for approximately 30 persons. The area in front of the chapel could be changed to an original terrace for wedding banquet.

FAMILY EVENTS
We are your background for family events and provide you and your loved ones with everything you really need for family celebrations. Unique environment at exceptional moments of life. In the ŠIMÁK CASTLE PEZINOK family business, family cohesion is honored.

From christenings, graduations, birthday parties, men’s and women’s farewells, parties, various anniversaries, engagements … weddings, we can all set it up. Gradually, you can try all the corners of the lock and the quality of our services.

Major milestones in the pleasant environment of our premises, terraces, gardens. At PALACE ART HOTEL you will find the ideal combination of options for your guests close up and far, family, friends and friends. Everything to make you feel comfortable.

CONGRESSES & MEETINGS
In the castle in the center of Pezinok, only 20 km from Bratislava, there are ideal opportunities for any type of work event. Our offer is comprehensive, with accommodation, delicious food, exceptional wine, wellness, parking and a discreet environment.

We will prepare working meetings, such as conferences, congresses, business breakfasts, lunches, undisturbed workshops, meetings in apartments. We have experience in organizing corporate activities of sports and relaxation character, accompanied by wine tasting, corporate evenings and parties.

We can also prepare spectacular events – balls, parties, festive gatherings for your company – in our special premises, especially in the GOLDEN HALL OF CATALIN PÁLFFY or the RYTIERTS HALL OF JÁN KRUŠIČ.

WELLNESS
Separate world of luxury, deeply hidden in the castle premises, will fascinate our guests by its atmosphere of serenity and relax. The herbal aroma in diffused drops of water will bring to you harmony of mind and body. At least for a short moment you will forget tiredness, stress, or the surrounding world. Enjoy the art of living…

Vast area intended for body relax and calming of the mind is guarded by a mosaic with peacock. As the grandness of peacock feathers would come from the castle park to this world of water, relax and bubbles. Enjoy the unexpected water flows, heat flowing throughout your body, agreeable touch during massage and mainly undisturbed rest.

WATER
Water – hot or warm, always remains vital. It will bring to you relax, entertainment, tranquilization of pain and remove your stress. Submerge and relax.

SAUNA
In the soft light of hot stones, warm vapour and infrared rays you will strengthen your immunity, gain new forces and acquire the lost inner energy.

RELAX
Silence interrupted only by bubbling of water and hot beach chairs. The rest zone you will use above all for rest and calming view from the terrace.

MASSAGE
Use the hands of professionals in order to reduce your pain as well as stress and enjoy desired relax. Your physical rest will later calm down your senses

THE CHATEAU WINERY
All of our wine, ŠIMÁK ZÁMOK PEZINOK – Roman Janoušek edition, is born in the almost mysterious cellar premises of Château Pezinok. White, rosé and red. Rich in colour and with a seductive scent. With taste in which temperament dominates.

The unmistakable temperament, which is a combination of the technology, in the past years used by our fathers and our own adaptations to it. Let’s stop for a moment in space and time and we promise that we will be friends.

We want this relationship to be real and we hope to achieve that with the help of wine that is full of passion, with a guaranteed Slovak passport. Wine is made from grapes from our own vineyards, in the south of Slovakia. In Dubník and in Svodín, where we grow grape-bearing vines in the area of 100ha.

Our Château Winery is located right under the château, which shelters 800 years old cellars with apostolic wine barrels, a storage cellar with hundreds of barrels, but also a Museum of Viticulture. Another element is also the process of making the wine. In Château Pezinok we process the harvest with the latest technology.

We are the only ones in the country who have a frugal vibrating wine-hopper. We use modern rotating vinifiers, sludge removers, filters and computer managed anti-corrosive tanks, able to maintain the correct temperature, which the wine and the winemaker require.

The whole process finalises in our own bottle filler. Modern technology is however just an assistant, doing whatever our specialists allow and require. Our wine is an honest product, with fresh colour and a tasteful smell. In taste it is exemplarily clear, without any disturbing elements. The hundreds of years long story of Château Pezinok wine has started its new chapter, this time with the ŠIMÁK ZÁMOK PEZINOK label.

THE ARTISTIC GLASS GALLERY
The artistic glass gallery in Šimák Château Pezinok belongs amongst the most complex and unique art collections of its own kind, not only in Slovakia, but also in Middle Europe. The additional value to this rare collection of Artistic Glass is the passion of the collector and its sensitive placement inside the restored premises of the almost 800 years old, what used to be a Water Château.

The glass gallery installed directly in the Château represents new, innovative positioning, which might come as a surprise to the art enthusiasts and visitors of the gallery. Cold, mostly minimalistic modern galleries have been swapped for a lavish room between the thick castle walls.

There are tens of breath taking art pieces from contemporary artists, but also pieces from some of the most significant artists, when it comes to glass. The Gallery is unexpectedly situated in spaces overloaded with history, but it strikes a masterful impression, that it belongs there.

The history of our ancestors ingeniously marries the present, modern art and peaks in perfect symbiosis of experiences. You will be surprised by an almost alive statue of Messerschmidt, made by Martin Janecký, or the universe evoking objects made from optic glass by Ján Zoričák, placed next to a two hundred and fifty years old silk tapestry capturing a live scene from the roman antiquity…

Some of the most resonant contemporary artist names, which from the larger part figurate in the local Château galleries are from Slovakia and its neighbouring country Czech Republic: Palo Macho, Lukáš Mjartan, Miloš Balgavý, as well as Martin Janecký, Štepán Pala together with international artists Dale Chihuly, Latchezar Boyadjiev and the duo Philip Baldwin & Monica Guggisberg. Artistic artefacts from glass of various shapes, colours and sizes, diverse original techniques and processes can be found at the gallery.

They are a beautiful illustration of how far the skill and imagination of contemporary glass-blowers can wander. It is a combination of old techniques enriched with new ideas.

That defines the art work of Vladimír Klein, created amongst other tools with a chainsaw, or the interesting structured surface of the glass vases in the shape of a falling napkin from an American artist Toots Zynsky, or an innovative technique ,,inside sculpting“ by Martin Janecký, which leaves not a scar on his realistic sculptures, blowing life into individual faces and figures.

Expressive explosions of the colour palette in artwork designed by Dale Chihuly are next to the monumental torsos of graceful shapes by Latchezar Boyadjiev, or the colourful vases from the very motherland of glass art, Italian island Murano, from the likes of: Paolo Venini, Fulvio Bianconi or Adriano Dalla Valentina.

Her place in the collections has also been earned by the first lady of Slovak contemporary glass-blowing, Zora Palová. She attracts the interest of the visitors with her never-ending thought process blown into life through the colour palette of the water element, which she melts into dimensional sculptures from melted glass.

A little more than a century later the testament of the last owner of the Château from the Pálffy family, Ján, who wished to instil into people their own passion for beauty, art and collecting, is fulfilled in The Glass Gallery.

PALFFY CHAMBERS
It was more than a century ago when the foot of Count Ján Pálffy last set foot in these chambers. Once gorgeous rooms have survived destruction and looting and for a couple decades became an imaginative residence for ghosts… After years of decaying they have now again acquired their long lost noble fame. It Has again been filled with furniture, paintings and accessories that used to accompany the daily life of the last heir of the Pálffy dynasty.

ENTRANCE HALL
Portraits of the long gone owners and husbands of Katarína Pálffy – Ján Krušič, Štefan Ilešházi, but also other family members of the powerful family, accompany us on a thrilling journey into the past…The entrance saloon excites the visitors with a generous dose of taste and luxury, which however is only a fragment of the scattered fame of the residence of Ján Pálffy, art lover and one of the biggest collectors in the middle Europe.

Thanks to the preserved photographs and the assistance of historians and experts, who were helping the current owner, whilst searching for and purchasing the precious inventories and furniture, they have managed to return the nobles into the oldest part of the Château Šimák Pezinok.

The golden rococo seat set, from the time of the French King Louis XV, baroque armchairs coated with valuable embroidery, or the massively standing baroque clock, decorated by precious, wooden veneers, create an atmosphere, as if the Count Pálffy had only, just left, for a moment.

The Quote on the face of the clock, which is in Latin, „Tempus Nascendi, Tempus Moriendi – It is time to grow, It is time to die”, reminds us that the time of the powerful Pálffy Family has passed and it is time, for the new owner of the Château to take over the sceptre from the resurrected Château.

STUDY 
The bronze statue, placed on the hearth plate, depicting the elegant body of the ancient god Mercury, is proof that the collaboration of the owner and the historians was a success. Judging by the preserved photographs, which the visitors are also able to flip through, it is one of the art pieces that truly could be found in Pálffys apartments, in the past.

It is however not the only one. As the visitor walks through the luxurious chambers, he stops in the Study of Ján Pálffy himself, decorated, not only by the portrait of its most famous user, but also a valuable 19th century desk, originally from France, decorated with a veneer made from ebony and an ivory marquetry.

We can easily imagine the figure of the famous count, standing there in his traditional aristocratic hungarian coat, with a hat decorated with a colourful feather with a focused expression on his face, carefully signing with tidy writing, the receipts for another art piece, which are to enrich his collection.

LADIES LOUNGE – COLLECTION OF CABINETS
The largest part of the collections in the historical apartments is occupied by cabinets, which were for centuries a part of the residencies of aristocrats and the rich townspeople, that was unthinkable to live without. These cabinets were used to hide secrets, jewellery and other valuables.

Even though their outside shape depended on the progression of styles and in the course of history, it always kept changing, a characteristic part of these cabinets is their central, sometimes even, seemingly architectonic form with many drawers and shelves, often completed by a front double-door.

This unique and for Slovakia quite a rare collection of cabinets is part of the historical exposition of the restored Palffy Apartments, depicting various time periods and styles. Mahogany, maple and ebony can all be found in the Châteaus collection. The masters carpenters were using these in luxurious combinations with the precious ivory, semi-precious stones, or even with marquetry, made from turtle shells.

One of the oldest cabinets currently being exposed is an almost three hundred and fifty years old, this uniquely preserved cabinet is originally from the Flemish Antwerp, miraculously they have been able to preserve the charming brocade embroidery, with an animal motive, completed by the magic of the shiny pieces of glass and golden silk threads.

One of the most valuable pieces is without a doubt the baroque cabinet in the reception hall, made between the years 1745 – 1750, from the workshop of Carl Maximilian Mattern, the Master Carpenter of Wutzburg. It is a perfect example of how a piece of furniture, meant for everyday use, can become a true piece of art.

The valuable wooden veneers carefully placed into complex intrusions, create fascinating flower-like and mythological scenarios on the surface of the cabinet. The famous “historicism” era of the 19th century, which drew inspiration mainly from the later ages, e.g. Gothics, Renaissance or Baroque, interestingly substitutes the neo renaissance cabinet, in which the dark ebony veneer marries the soft elegance of the ivory, in a truce with the turtle’s armour and the half-precious stones, playing with all the colours.

BEDROOM
The owner’s taste, sense for the past ages, but also the thorough work of the experts, is noticeable in the Count’s bedroom, which is nearly unrecognisable compared to the original room from the break of the 19th and 20th century.

The room is dominated by the breathtaking baroque bed from the later stages of the 17th century, decorated with a detailed and complex carving embellishment, in which the typical motifs from baroque like: winged angel heads, mussels and rich floral patterns are predominant.

The painting placed in the bedroom is closely tied to the history of Pezinok. Ján Kupecký, one of the most notable baroque portraitists, who operated at the break of the 17th and the 18th century, in the area of the Habsburg monarchy is until today a renowned personality, filling the hearts of the people of Pezinok with pride and happiness.

Even though his art can be found in every big European gallery of old art, in Slovakia, we only have three paintings with his signature. A portrait of a young man with a feather decorating his hat, holding a sabre, which hangs on the opposite wall in the bedroom, is being credited to his anonymous pupil, judging mostly by the painters thorough work, including playing with the dark colours, chiaroscuro and almost mystical lighting of the young man’s face and hands.

Ján Kupecký, however, broke out from the creation of baroque art pieces established by the likes of Rembrandt and Carravaggio. Mastering the tenebrismo technique (sharp alternation of light and shade) of which representatives were before mentioned artists, is notable in one of the biggest art pieces of the Château Pezinok.

DINING ROOM 
The dining room is a remarkable part of the Palffy Apartments, here you can find the oldest and one of the most valuable paintings inside the Château. An oil painting from the first half of the 18th century, depicting St. Francis of Assisi, well known for its typical baroque emphasis, therefore depicting a tense religious rapture, ecstasy, which were typical for this time period.

However in Ján Kupecký’s artwork this element is rare. A mysterious source of light falls onto the saint’s head and softens the monochromatic brown, earthly tones, from which mostly the hands and the face of St. Francis emerge. An experienced eye of the visitor can notice how much attention the author puts on eyes, which come alive with the unearthly light, amongst the emotional expression of the Saint.

SERVANT ROOM – FORMER COUNT BOUDOIR
The historical Pálffy Apartments are concluded by an inconspicuous room, which in the past used to serve as the count’s boudoir, or a servant room. The valuable chests made from oak wood are the most dominant in this room. The younger Tyrolean chest from the break of the 17th and the 18th century, is noticeable for its provencale decoration, with a literal folk tint.

The jewel of the collection is an almost 500 years old renaissance chest made from walnut wood, originally from France. Monumental architectural shape of the chest is precisely decorated with gothic ornaments, including stained glass windows, gothic roses, or silk, curved window arches.

JAWA MOTORBIKES EXHIBITION
The desire to care for beautiful, historical things was characteristic not only for the last owner of the Château Pezinok, Count Pálffy, but also for the current owner, Štefan Šimák. In this case the apple has not fallen far from the tree and his fathers passion for collecting has been passed onto one of his son’s, Štefan, who’s collection now enriches the Château’s expositions.

Carefully fixed and treated JAWA motorbikes, which many may still remember from recent history, or bikes unique in the whole world, which have for years been hunted by the European transportation museums, creating a very special motoring collection.

The JAWA motorbike collection owned by Štefan Šimák Jr. focuses mostly on road bikes, mainly unique pieces of the world-known Czechoslovak and now Czech brand of motorcycles JAWA. On the premises of Château Šimák Pezinok, you can see tens of unique machines and even one prototype.

The company JAWA was established in 1929, when František Janeček founded it, when he bought a licence to make Wanderer motorcycles. Later out of the first two letters of this brand and his surname JA, WA, the name of his company originated.

The first piece in the collection was a black “Zetka” – ČZ 125 T, then Štefan Šimák Jr. found the red JAWA motorbikes, fell in love, and now focuses mainly on pre-war pieces. His collection is truly exceptional in both Czech Republic and Slovakia, not only because of the individual bikes, but also the condition they are in. Shiny, red steeds with chromated works, they will mostly please the men, who visit the exposition.

EXPERIENCES & ACTIVITIES
The experience number one of this region is represented by wine and wine stories. Curled vine roots were growing in this region for a long time and extraordinary is the history of wine cellars and wine small towns. Enjoy walking, active breaks on ski or in horse saddles. Find your way to monuments and curiosities of the Small Carpathian region.

WINE ROUTES
The Small Carpathian Wine Route represents an offer of year long program of events, typical for this winegrowing region. The largest winegrowing region in Slovakia is exactly the Small Carpathian region, where winegrowing is mainly located on south eastern slopes of the Small Carpathian Mountains.

The Small Carpathian Wine Route combines several phenomena – wine, land, history and gastronomy of the region located between Bratislava and Trnava. Three smaller towns – Pezinok, Modra and Svätý Jur, proud of old tradition of free royal towns, are located between Bratislava and Trnava.

The Small Carpathian Wine Route – the year-long activities for wine lovers. Close to the end of winter period and in spring, wine will be tasted during local wine presentations, which culminate with Wine Markets in Pezinok. Summer time offers guided tastings and the winemaker’s year will culminate for tourists in autumn by vintage and wine blessing.

Day of opened wine cellars in November represents the most famous winemaker’s event in Slovakia, attracting thousands friends of wine from Slovakia and abroad. This is the first celebration of results of work of wine growers and wine makers – of the new wine.

Wine pilgrimage will start at Devín, directly below the ancient castle and continue in small cosy wine cellars as well as in modern wineries from Bratislava even to Trnava. The accompanying program of this event is interesting, includes excellent regional gastronomy, but mainly profiles of individual wine makers and their wineries.

During this day – actually as of today during two days – wine cellars will open and wine maker operations for everybody, who wishes to pilgrim in the Small Carpathian country. 60 are the approximate number of wine cellars and their offer wine of close to one hundred small as well as large wine makers.

The Small Carpathian Wine Route will make happy not only wine lovers – equal chance would also have people interested in architecture, history or walking in nature – walking in vineyards would refresh body and soul.

BRATISLAVA
Bratislava – the capital and largest town of the Slovak Republic is only at a distance of 28 kilometres from Pezinok. The dominating monument of this town, with official population approximately half million, plus other 200 thousand commuting for work, is the Bratislava Castle with four towers.

The first settlement of Bratislava dated from the early stone-age. Celts lived there and the town belonged to the Samo’s Empire and Great Moravian Empire. In 1291, Bratislava was granted town privileges and 500 years later in the St. Martin’s Cathedral, Maria Theresa was crowned as the Queen of Hungary.

There are many monuments, mainly in the Old Town – the largest monument zone in Slovakia. Present Bratislava represents a modern centre with all state, central institutions, universities, schools; it is a town of trade, culture and art as well as of education.

THE SMALL CARPATHIAN REGION 
The Small Carpathian region offers different options for active break. Popular is mainly walking. Enjoy the day long hiking combined with ascent of 11 Small Carpathian hills higher than 700 m above the sea level.

We also recommend visit of the popular observation tower on Veľká Homola, opened after two years, ascent of Čmeľok from Pernek and ascent of Vysoká from Kuchyňa. Excellent tips for excursions in the surrounding area you will receive directly at the hotel reception.

Observation Tower on Veľká Homola offers magnificent views to tourists and visitors. In September 2016, the tower was closed due to technical reasons. After complete reconstruction in 2018, tourists can again enjoy the view of the panorama of the Small Carpathians, Danube Lowland, White Carpathians, Veľká Fatra, Pavlovské vrchy and Chřiby in Moravia or Eastern Alps in Austria.

HORSEBACK RIDING
The best known place where you could enjoy views of the wine growing and wine making region directly from the horseback is the riding complex Rozálka. Individual horseback riding or driving a horse or pony you could also try out at Štefanová Farm or in the riding area Čierna Voda.

Guided excursions in saddle for advanced riders are also prepared to Červený Kameň Castle, Budmerice Manor House, Smolenice Castle, excursions in saddle for several days, farmer’s activities with horses and for horses, horseback riding in open riding ring, excursions in yokes and other you can order in the Margita’s Dvor or at the Leonard Farm – JK Doľany.

CYCLING
The best known cycling route is represented by the Small Carpathian – Šúr cycling major road JuRaVa, connecting Svätý Jur, Rača and Vajnory. Recently opened and unique pump track at Zochova chata in the Small Carpathians is ideal for cyclists, skaters, skateboarders, as well as scooters.

Green Bike Tour belongs to the most demanding but beautiful mountain routes in the Bratislava region. It is a large route across the entire mountain range connecting Bratislava and Pezinok Baba. You will enjoy on this route climbing and coast, but mainly wonderful views of the Small Carpathians and the Danube Lowland. This route is 72 km long.

Kuchyňa – Šenkvice Route, 25 km, in the direction Kuchyňa – Pílanské – Piesok – Kamenný most – Harmónia, old water station – Harmónia Obloze – Modra, fishpond – Modra, behind the cemetery – Zadný šúr – Stoličný potok – Šenkvice.

Route Vysoká pri Morave – Stupava – Borinka – Košarisko – Svätý Jur – Ivanka p. D. – Hamuliakovo, 41 km. The less demanding cycling routes Pezinok – Senec, 17 km, from the Pezinok railway station via Viničné – Svätý Martin – Senec. Agreeable route Zumberg – Harmónia, 13.6 km and Častá-Červený Kameň-Píla, 5 km.

SKIING
The skiing centre Zoch’s Chalet – Piesok is located in the tourism area of the Zoch’s Chalet, 7 km from the town of Modra. It is suitable mainly for beginners and families with children. There are three ski lifts, funicular and sliding belt. The centre offers services of ski rental, ski servicing and ski school.

The skiing centre Pezinok’s Baba is located on the Small Carpathian ridge, close to the road II/503 Pezinok – Malacky. It has three main downhill tracks of a length of 500, 700 and 1000 m, plus ski servicing, ski rental, ski school, buffet and restaurant. The centre offers also tracks for cross-country skiers.

CASTLES 
Picturesque Small Carpathians hide extraordinary historic monuments, which will fascinate thousands of tourists every year. Castles, chateaus or manor houses… all will slake your thirst for learning more about the history.

Červený Kameň Castle (Red Stone, Rothenstein) belongs to the best preserved castles in Slovakia. Starting from 1583, until the world war second, history of this castle is related to the Pálffy family. This important Hungarian generation rebuilt stepwise the castle to a representative seat with rich stucco and fresco decoration of interiors. Presently, the castle museum presents historic residences of aristocracy.

Every year fencing festivals and presentations of falconry are organized in the castle. You would enjoy the unusual atmosphere of the summer night visits of the castle Červený Kameň Castle is well known for film and fairy tale shooting – Fantagiró Princess, Dragon Heart and Cinka Panna. The castle is accessible by car and on foot from Píla and Častá municipalities and open to visitors year-long.

On a not very high hill above the Smolenice municipality towers the Smolenice Castle, originally guardian castle built probably in the 14th Century in order to protect the Small Carpathians passes and Czech trading route. At the beginning of the 15th century it belonged to the royal properties, later to counts of Pezinok and Svätý Jur and from the beginning of the 16th century to Ország family. Later the castle was owned during close to two centuries by the Erdődy family.

At the end of the 18th century, the castle was deserted and at the beginning of the 19th century burnt out and destroyed by fire left in ruins. At the beginning of the 20th century the last castle owners, the Pálffy family, started to build in the castle area a modern family seat.

Only after1945, the construction of the castle was completed. The Romantic castle appearance underlines the extensive surrounding English park with meadows and you could enjoy its beauty during summer months from castle tower.

Rooms: 50

Price: from 153 EUR per night

Source: www.palacearthotel.sk