AT THE HEART OF EUROPE
Bratislava, a beautiful historic city on the banks of the river Danube, is perfect for travellers who want to step back a century or two into Old Europe. The locals are warm, the walled Old Town compact and highly picturesque, the night life lively and the many cultural experiences, including the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, are a treat. Today, Bratislava and its surrounds form the second most prosperous region in Central and Eastern Europe (after Prague), with a per capita gross domestic product of around 108% of the European Union average.
However, Bratislava is also a vibrant, young city. Slovakia´s burgeoning economy, the most competitive tax system in OECD, cheap prices and direct flights with budget airlines that have added this exciting destination to their schedules (Ryanair and SkyEurope) have transformed the capital city into a dynamic hub. Bratislava is less than an hour´s drive from Vienna and only about forty minutes drive from Vienna International Airport-Schwechat. Charm, character, and genuine hospitality have made Bratislava a favourite among travellers of all ages.
Bratislava is truly at the very heart of Europe and its multicultural character goes back centuries. An independent country until the 9th century, Slovakia was part of the Capital (1536 - 1784), the coronation town (1563-1830) and the seat of the diet (1536 - 1848) of the Kingdom of Hungary. During World War II, Slovakia was an independent Nazi puppet state. Since 1968 it has been the capital of the federal state of Slovakia within Czechoslovakia and since 1993 it is the capital of independent Slovakia. In May 2004, Slovakia became a member state of NATO and the EU.
We hope to have you in Bratislava very soon. You will love it!
ATTRACTIONS
Bratislava is brimming with exciting things to see and do. For a sweeping panorama of the city, walk up the Castle Hill. Visit St Martin’s Dome which has witnessed the coronation of eleven kings and eight queens. Admire the Mirrored Hall in the Primate’s Palace where Napoleon signed the Peace of Pressburg. Buy a splendid glass souvenir in any number of modern forms and designs in the Main Square. And don´t forget to taste the local goose liver or stuffed goose meat served with potato pancakes, of course accompanied by delicious wine from the Small Carpathians. To make your choices easier, we have selected the pick of the attractions to suit all ages and tastes.
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Start at the beautiful St. Elisabeth – also known as the Blue Church (Bezrucova Street) built in the Art Nouveau style as a symbolic mausoleum for the empress Elizabeth, wife of Franz Joseph I. Further along is the attractive Slovak National Theatre (Hviezdoslavovo Square) - an important venue for opera, ballet, and theatre. About 15 premieres are performed there annually. During the 2008/2009 season you can choose from over 20 masterpieces such as Verdi´s La Traviata, Nabucco, and Rioletto, Bizet´s Carmen, Puccini's La Boheme or Mozart´s Don Giovanni.
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Hviezdoslavovo Square with its bustle of cafes, restaurants, pubs, and live music is now where Empress Maria Theresa once built a new promenade area. For a more intimate view of the old town, climb the stairs to the viewing platform of St Michael's Tower at the northern end of Michalská Street. Pause on each floor to view an exhibition of old weapons and firearms. On Michalská is Academia Istropolitana, which in 1465 was the first university in the Hungarian Kingdom.
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A laser beam running down the Michalská Street, filled with outdoors cafes, will lead you down to the Main Square. The Roland fountain, built in the 16th century, dominates the Square surrounded on all sides by beautiful, carefully restored buildings. The Primate’s Palace (Primate’s Square) is just around the corner from the square. Here Napoleon signed the Peace of Pressburg in 1805; a pact abolishing serfdom was signed in 1848; and the Soviet leaders endorsed a pact agreeing not to interfere in the 1968 Prague Spring movement (less than a month later, however, the Soviets invaded.) A unique collection of English tapestries from 17th century depicts an ancient love legend of the priestess Héro and her lover, Leandro.
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The Old Town is almost entirely pedestrianised (except for diplomatic plates) and public transport doesn´t run through it. The picturesque narrow cobbled streets winding up from here will take you through the Old Jewish Town to the castle. Bratislava Castle was built as a Slavic fort in 907AD and Empress Maria Theresa lived here from 1740 to 1780. The Castle houses archaeological artefacts as well as vintage furniture and an exhibition of clocks. Some theatre programmes, such as the Summer Shakespeare Festival take place here and performances are in English too.
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The construction of the New Bridge in the 1970s cut a hole in the heart of the city, separating the castle from the town and resulted in 226 historical buildings being torn down. The hardest hit were the town's remaining Jews (many had been shipped to concentration camps during World War II). The Jewish synagogue was torn down, as was the Jewish ghetto on Castle Hill. Every year, thousands of pious Jews descend on the tomb of Rabbi Chatam Sofer in Bratislava to honour one of the greatest religious figures of recent Jewish history.
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Starting in 1536, Bratislava was the coronation capital of the Hungarian Kingdom for 300 years while the Turks occupied Buda and Pest. Eleven kings and eight queens were crowned here, in St Martin´s Dome (off Rudnayovo Suqare). For an unusual view of the city - from the river - sightseeing cruises connect Bratislava's two main bridges, departing from the landing stage at Fajnorovo Nabrezie 2 (next to the Slovak National Museum).
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Grassalkovich Palace (Hodzovo Square) is, since 1996, the residence of the president of the Slovak Republic. The building was constructed in 1760, when Count Anton Grassalkovich ordered the construction of the Baroque palace. Joseph Haydn was the director of the home orchestra in 1772.