Bratislava is a small historical city, but largest in Slovakia and a youngest European metropolis.
Long an important cultural, economic, and political center in Central Europe, Bratislava is the capital and largest city of Slovakia. Located on the banks of the Danube, just a stone’s throw away from Austria, Czechia, and Hungary, its proximity to so many different cultures has had a profound impact on the city’s look, feel, and identity.
Enjoy the shopping, dining and natural wonders Bratislava has to offer as a reemerging sparkler of history, culture, business and recreation.
Bratislava Castle
The oldest surviving remnant, a basilica on the lawn facing Bratislava’s Old Town, dates from the 9th century.
The aristocratic Palffy family completed extensions that make for today’s “upside-down table” appearance of four peaked corner towers. In 1811 a fire in what was then a barracks left the castle an abandoned hulk, and restoration was to start only in the 1950s. Serving briefly as seat of government for independent Slovakia in 1993, the castle today serves as museum and special events venue, notably as the site of the Bush-Putin summit in February 2005.
The castle dominates the centre of Bratislava, towering over the second-highest point of St Martin’s cathedral spire.
Bratislava Castle’s silhouette is created by four wings, each with a corner tower. For two centuries the south-west tower (jewel’s tower) housed the Hungarian coronation jewels.
The area in front of the castle is called Yard of Honor. It is bordered by two triumphal gates and guard houses of the imperial guard.
Watching over the city from its craggy roost, Bratislava Castle is on a site that has been fortified for thousands of years.
As a defendable stronghold and lookout, the castle was unmatched as it rested between the Alps and Carpathians and defended an ancient fords on the Danube.
The castle’s apogee came in the 16th century when it was the seat of the Kings of Royal Hungary, housing the Hungarian crown jewels for the next 200 years.
After war damage and reconstruction it’s a landmark to see because of what it represents more than its architecture.
From the terrace you can see over the Danube and across the borders into Austria and Hungary, while the interior has exhibitions for the National Museum, covering Slovakian history from the middle ages to the present day.
Wander the Old Town
The Old Town is certainly the biggest sightseeing draw of Bratislava and a must-see if you love history in a quaint setting. It has been completely and stunningly renovated and is a pedestrian-only zone, which makes it great for ambling around.
A large chunk of historic sights in Bratislava can be found in the compact old town center such as some grand palaces and cultural institutions.
There are several charming streets filled with pastel-hued buildings and some of the smaller side streets provide surprises too.
The Old Town also has plenty of lively bars and restaurants lining its cute streets. The good thing is that the sights can easily be covered in a short time.
UFO
UFO Bridge (Most SNP) – a cable-supported steel bridge that is the longest single-pylon suspension bridge in the world. Okay, the bridge itself isn’t bizarre but the saucer-shaped restaurant that is perched atop its single, asymmetrical pylon is what makes this structure eye-catching.
At the top of that pylon is a structure known as the “UFO”. At 80 metres above the river this disc-like building houses a restaurant reached via an elevator up the pylon’s east pillar. You can go to the viewing terrace of the UFO restaurant for a fee.
Observation deck is an inseparable part of Bratislava, you will find it on every postcard and you won’t miss it while moving through the city.
If you feel like seeing the city from a birds perspective, experiencing a perfect view, or capturing a beautiful sunset over Danube, you won’t find a better place for it.
Slovak Radio building
This upside-down pyramid is very interesting from the architectonic point of view, it was rightly awarded the title The Building of the Century in Slovakia in the category of Social Structures.
Undoubtedly, we are talking about an exceptional structure inside the city that is a witness to the time when it came into existence.
It actually consists of two pyramids, with the inner pyramid containing broadcast equipment and recording studios.
The total height of the building to the top of its antenna is 80 meters. It was designed by Štefan Svetko, Štefan Ďurkovič and Barnabáš Kissling. Construction began in 1967 and the building was not completed until 1983, with regular broadcasting starting only in March 1985.
Hlavne Namestie
Literally meaning ‘Main Square,’ Hlavne Namestie is lined by beautiful old buildings. For many people, it is the beating heart of Bratislava itself.
Full of fantastic architecture, with Gothic, Neo-Baroque and Romanesque features all on display, the square is home to a number of palaces and embassies, as well as the Old Town Hall.
In the center lies the Roland Fountain, which was built in 1572 by order of Maximilian II to provide the people with fresh water. With lots of bars, restaurants, and cafes found around the square, Hlavne Namestie certainly has a lot for you to see and do.
Schone Naci and Cumil
jovial nature, and ability to bring happiness to those around him. The son of a shoemaker would wander through the Old Town’s streets, greeting people here and there, making everyone smile wherever he went.
Such was his renown and reputation that the Schone Naci Statue was erected in his honor. This shiny silver statue of him holding out his top hat in greeting is a fitting tribute to his larger-than-life personality and testifies to the joy he brought to Bratislava and its people.
Another of the many quirky statues that are dotted around the Old Town, Cumil is perhaps the most unusual of the lot. Located at the point where the streets of Laurinska and Panska join, the statue is of a sewer-worker resting his chin on his arms as he takes a break from work. Emerging from a manhole, he has a very cheeky smile on his face.
Touching his head is said to make your wish come true – providing, of course, that you don’t tell anyone about it. Although no one is quite sure what the story surrounding the sewer-worker is, since it was erected in 1997, the bronze statue has made for a very popular photo stop.
