Borinka: Castles, Karst and History

Borinka lies at an altitude of 203 metres in the valley of the Stupava stream, on the southwestern edge of the Little Carpathians. The municipality and its surroundings can be explored through a variety of landscape and historical themes: the Borinský Kras karst area lies above Borinka, while Pajštún and Dračí hrádok are associated with medieval history. The former settlement of Medené Hámre is also an interesting destination in the area.

Landscape and Medené Hámre

Its valley location on the Stupava stream and its position on the edge of the Little Carpathians give Borinka a clear geographical setting. Borinský Kras lies above the municipality. Medené Hámre is within the cadastral area of the municipality of Borinka, in Malacky District. The former settlement lies almost centrally in the Devín Carpathians and is now known as a tourism spot and a destination for walks.

Copperware was historically made in Medené Hámre. There is also a small reservoir near the settlement. On its shore, a statue of Saint John of Nepomuk, dating from 1731, stands on a prismatic pedestal. The former copper production, a present-day destination for walks and a dated religious monument thus come together here.

Castles and Medieval Traces

The ruins of Pajštún Castle stand on a 486-metre-high limestone cliff and date from the 13th century. From Borinka, a red-marked trail leads uphill to the castle on foot, with a steep climb; the walk takes approximately 45 minutes. The 486 metres refer to the height of the cliff, while the approximately 45 minutes refer to the walk from Borinka. These are two distinct points of reference for your visit: elevation and walking time.

The remains of the medieval watchtower Dračí hrádok lie near the present-day municipality of Borinka. The structure was built in the 13th century and probably served as a guard post protecting the route through the Little Carpathians. Pajštún is centred on a castle, while Dračí hrádok is known for the remains of a watchtower. This distinction helps identify the two historical sites without equating their different functions.

Calvary and Climbing at Pajštún

The Calvary at Pajštún was completed and consecrated in 1940. The lower section contains a statue of Saint Michael and an altar; the upper section has Stations of the Cross. The religious features are therefore spread across different parts of the site.

There is a climbing area at Pajštún with approximately 70 routes, 25 to 30 metres long. Alongside easier routes, there are also more challenging ones. The number of routes and the conditions may change, so check the latest information before planning a climbing trip.

Trails and Travel Planning

Medené Hámre can be reached from Borinka by an asphalt road or by hiking trails. These two access options offer different ways to plan your trip. Describing it as a destination for walks complements the information about the former settlement and the reservoir.

The annual Stavanie máje event is held in Borinka. If you would like to plan your trip around this event, check the latest event dates before making arrangements. This will help you take the event into account when choosing when to travel.

Discover more destinations: Lozorno, Marianka, Malacky, Stupava.

To the main travel overview: Malacky.