Malé Karpaty (Small Carpathian Mountains) - Slovakia

Extent: 820 square kilometres.

This mountain range is located in west part of Slovakia and divide - similarly as fortification - Záhorská plainland from  Danube plainland. The complex belongs to Fatra-Tatra area, which forms a part of West Carpathian Mountains. It is divided into four next parts, such as: Devínské, Pezinské, Brezovské and Čachtické.

Highest peak: Záruby (768 m).

Surface: afforested, including beech-wood and oak forests.

Climatic area: rather warm, in higher localities moderately warm area.

The territory was declared as Preserved Countryside Area in 1976.

Go back with us the the period of baroque which you can admire during the visit of the greatest baroque castle complex in Austria - Schloss Hof in Marchfeld. It is a rural residence which was originally built for Prince Eugene of Savoy and later it became a property of kaiserin Maria Theresa, who improved the castle. Today is Schloss Hof together with its gardens one of the most impressive architectonic-artistic works of European baroque. There are various concerts, interesting gastronomical events, events for children and their parents, and, the peak of season, traditional Great baroque festival. In winter the area is covered with stands offering traditional Christmas delicacies as a part of a Christmas fair.

If you choose to travel there by your feet or by bicycle, you may use a trail leading through across a new bridge Cyklomost svobody from Děvínská Nová Ves. Those of you who prefer bus can make use of shuttle available every weekend and on holidays, which operates from Vienna (50 km). For drivers there are parking lots with vast capacity. We chose to visit this location on bicycles. On our photos you can see what we experienced there in our photogallery.

Text and photo: Oskar Mažgút