plan of the castle according to M.Bóna and M.Plaček
reconstruction of the castle after rebuilding in the 17th century according to Zahradnik, L.Reharik
History
Pajštún Castle was probably built in the second half of the 13th century as part of the defense system along the Czech-Hungarian border. During the Middle Ages it often changed its name: in 1271 it appeared as Stupava Castle, in 1314 as Pelystan or in the German-language Paylstein variant, later in 1349 it was called Perostyan and in 1390 Prostyan. Initially, it belonged to the royal domain, in the beginning of the next century it fell into the hands of the magnate Matthew Csák, and after his death in 1321 it returned to the king. In 1390, its owners became the Svätýjur family, which remained at the castle until expired in 1526. Due to the lack of heirs, the castle was taken over by Emperor Ferdinand Habsburg, who quickly gave it as a pledge to subsequent noble families. In 1599, the Palffy family came into the possession of Pajštún, who thoroughly rebuilt the castle based on a system of early modern fortifications. The castle became a mainly defensive building, and served as a residence for a short time. It was maintained until 1810, when it was destroyed by Napoleon’s army.
castle plan according to M.Bóna and M.Šimkovic: A-upper ward, B-first outer bailey, C-second outer bailey, D-access road, 1-gate corridor, 2-gate passage, 3-palace’s buttress, 4,5-fortification and buildings of the second outer bailey, 6-ditch and entrance to the first outer bailey, 7 to 10-fortification and buildings of the first outer bailey, 11-ditch and entrance to upper ward, 13-cannon tower, 12 to 17-north-east range, 18-polygonal bastion, 19 to 23-south-east range, 24 to 26-south-west range, 27 to 30-north-west range, 31- courtyard with a water tank
Architecture
The original medieval castle was a small building situated in the eastern part of the rocky promontory.The defensive walls were closely fitted to the edge of the hill, which protected it from three sides and allowed the only access road from the north-west.This area was additionally secured by a ditch.There is no indication that the castle had a tower, whether bergfried, or keep.Its defense was probably based on perimeter walls and high and inaccessible slopes.In the 16th century, new defensive walls were erected and a corner horseshoe cannon tower defending the path to the castle.The entrance gate was in the same place, but it was placed in a four-sided gatehouse.On the west side, an outer ward was formed.
Current state
To this day, the front wall and fragments of side walls of the gatehouse, a cannon tower, as well as external defensive walls have been preserved.Only small, loose fragments remained from the upper castle.The most interesting are stone corbels of balconies, decorated with mascarons.Entrance to the castle is free.
castle Pajštún, photo: Wikimedia Commons
gatehouse
gatehouse, photo M.Berta, Wikimedia Commons
ruins of residential buildings
cannon tower, phot. M.Berta, Wikimedia Commons
corbels with mascarons, photo, L.Kovac, Wikimedia Commons
