190th Anniversary of the Devín Walk

A historic student walk led by Ľudovít Štúr to Devín Castle is being remembered 190 years later as a key moment in Slovak national awakening. In 1836, students of the Bratislava lyceum met discreetly to avoid suspicion from Hungarian authorities and later gathered at Devín, where Štúr delivered a speech highlighting the site’s historical importance and urging commitment to the Slovak nation. During the event, students adopted Slavic names and expressed support for national self-determination, also using the name Bratislava instead of Pressburg for the first time. The gathering is commemorated by a memorial plaque unveiled in 1936. The Devín walk became a defining moment for the Štúr generation, inspiring further activities and strengthening the Slovak national movement.