A City Steeped in History Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, boasts a rich history that dates back to the Stone Age. This city has been a significant cultural and political hub for centuries, with landmarks like Bratislava Castle and St. Martin’s Cathedral standing as testaments to its storied past.
The castle, perched atop a hill, offers stunning views of the city and the Danube River. It has witnessed numerous historical events, including coronations of Hungarian kings and queens. St. Martin’s Cathedral, with its Gothic architecture, has been the site of many royal coronations and is a symbol of the city’s rich heritage.
Vibrant Bratislava Old Town
The heart of Bratislava is its Old Town, a pedestrian-friendly area filled with narrow cobblestone streets, pastel-colored buildings, and quaint cafés. Here, visitors can explore historical sites, enjoy local cuisine, and experience the city’s vibrant arts scene.
The Old Town is home to the Main Square, where you can find the Old Town Hall and the Roland Fountain, both significant historical landmarks. The area is also known for its lively atmosphere, with street performers, markets, and festivals adding to its charm.
Iconic Landmarks
Bratislava is home to several iconic landmarks, including the whimsical Blue Church, the imposing Bratislava Castle, and the modern UFO Observation Deck, which offers panoramic views of the city and the Danube River. The Blue Church, officially known as the Church of St. Elizabeth, is famous for its unique Art Nouveau architecture and striking blue color. The UFO Observation Deck, located on the SNP Bridge, provides a 360-degree view of Bratislava and is a must-visit for anyone looking to capture the city’s beauty from above.
Gateway to Europe
Located on the banks of the Danube River, Bratislava is conveniently close to Vienna, Budapest, and Prague, making it an ideal starting point for exploring Central Europe. The city’s strategic location has made it a crossroads of cultures and a melting pot of influences.
Visitors can easily take day trips to these neighboring capitals, experiencing the diverse cultures and histories of the region. Bratislava’s well-connected transportation network, including trains, buses, and boats, makes it easy to explore the surrounding areas.
The cellars and the ground floor of the Apponyi Palace in Bratislava house the Museum of Viticulture. It shows the history of vine growing, grape harvesting, and processing in the territory of Bratislava from antiquity up to the 20th century.
The other floors accommodate the Period Rooms Museum.
Period Rooms Museum Apponyi Palace
The museum is in the Apponyi Palace and is from 1761 – 1762. The first floor with the original wooden wall paneling and paintings is furnished as a grand piano noble. It has an aristocratic interior from the end of the 18th century. On the second floor, in rooms with restored wall paintings, examples of townhouse interiors are on display.
Museum of Viticulture Apponyi Palace
Vine cultivation and wine production played an important role in the history of Bratislava. The museum traces the history of growing vines, harvesting, and the process of wine-making within the city’s territory from antiquity up to the present day. It also introduces two of the most important Bratislava vintners – J. E. Hubert and Palugyay. Their wines, especially the sparkling ones, won many international prizes.
| Address | Radničná 577/1 |
| Telephone | +421 2/591 008 56 |
Bratislava Castle, also known as Bratislavský hrad, stands proudly atop an isolated rocky hill in the heart of the city. Its commanding presence has shaped the city’s skyline for centuries. The castle’s roots trace back to the 9th century, making it one of the oldest structures in the region. Over the centuries, it has been controlled by Great Moravia, the Kingdom of Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and finally, Slovakia.
Architectural Marvel
The massive castle boasts a rectangular layout with four corner towers. Fragments of old Gothic and Renaissance construction adorn the exterior walls and corridors. Visitors ascend a grand Baroque staircase to explore the Slovak National Museum exhibitions on the second floor.
The first-floor houses rooms used by the National Council of the Slovak Republic, complete with 16th-century furnishings. Concerts take place in the former Baroque chapel, and the Knights Hall awaits exploration beyond the courtyard entrance.
Recent Rebuild
The current castle painted a dazzling white, is a reconstruction from the 1960s. It replaced the ruins left after a devastating fire in 1811. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, an architecture lover, or simply seeking panoramic views, Bratislava Castle promises an unforgettable experience. Visit the baroque gardens, explore its halls, and immerse yourself in centuries of captivating stories.
Address: Hrad, 811 06 Bratislava
Although its official name is the Church of St. Elisabeth, this one is better known as the Blue Church. It’s the most blue building in Bratislava. It has candy-colored walls and roof, and the cutest azure pews inside. It’s the most beautiful secessionist building of the city too, in one of the quieter streets of a lively Old Town. Many tourists visit it, who often refer to it as a fairy-tale spot.
Built at the beginning of the 20th century, the church was part of the neighboring high school.
| Address | Alžbety, Bezručova 2, Bratislava |
This pretty pink palace is from 1778, built for Archbishop József Batthyány. Various political and cultural meetings took place in the palace.
In 1903, the city bought the palace. Many events such as city council meetings and literary lectures have taken place in its beautiful Hall of Mirrors.
Today, you can experience the historical grandeur of the palace by visiting the 2nd floor.
You’ll see tapestries from the 17th century, several old paintings, period furniture in every room, and the stunning Hall Of Mirrors.
Address, Opening Hours & Tickets
Address: Primaciálne námestie 2
Opening Hours: Monday Closed, Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00-17-00
The most spectacular objects on display are original advertisements from well-known Slovak companies. They date from the early 1900s. The authentic invitations to Carnival balls are also detailed pieces of art.
The museum’s venue is in the Old Town Hall. Several of the rooms were restored with their colorful original paintings and embellishments.
Visitors can climb to the top of the old tower for an unbeatable view of Bratislava’s central square from above.
| Address | Hlavné námestie 501/1, 811 01 Staré Mesto, Bratislava |
| Telephone | +421 2/541 312 14 |
Several buildings in the city and in four other major cities throughout Slovakia hold the collection. In the Esterházy Palace in Bratislava, visitors can see the museum’s permanent collection and some temporary exhibitions.
The museum’s historical collection includes 100’s of years of art produced in the Slovak Republic. Most notable is the religious art from the 14th to 18th centuries. Temporary exhibits feature a range of subjects.
It ranges from Slovak fashion to modern graphic art to Slovak architectural accomplishments.
The architectural design of the Nedbalka Gallery has earned many awards. Critics compare its interior to the Guggenheim Museum in New York. The modern interior surprises after entering the historical building on one of the central streets in the Old Town.
The museum’s permanent collections include The Turn of the Century – The Origin of Modern Fine Art in Slovakia, Modern Art in Slovakia, the Mikuláš Galanda Group, and Personalities and Phenomena.
The gallery is home to many special pieces that depict the everyday life of Slovak people. It also has many impressive landscape works of Slovakia’s beautiful mountains.
The best time to visit the Danubiana Meuelensteen Art Museum is between April 29 to October 29. A boat carries visitors from Bratislava to the museum, about 15 kilometers south of the city.
On arrival, expect to spend several hours at this large, modern museum featuring artists from Slovakia and abroad. The museum opened in 2000, making it one of the youngest museums of modern art in the world.
You’ll find all types of art on display in the permanent and temporary exhibitions here. From sculptures to photography to paintings from all corners of the globe.
Like many Bratislava churches, St Martin’s appeared over the remains of an earlier Romanesque basilica on the edge of the Starý Mesto (Old Town).
Between 1563 and 1830, 11 Hungarian monarchs were crowned here, a fact celebrated by the placement of a replica coronation crown on the top of the 279-foot (85-meter) Gothic spire.
The church’s interior is awash with Gothic detailing, from the soaring wooden altarpiece found in St Anne’s Chapel depicting the Crucifixion, to the ceilings in the presbytery. Another ornamentation in the cathedral is Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque in style.
Along with the vivid colors of the 19th-century Viennese stained-glass windows, highlights include the equine statue dedicated to St Martin, plus the Baroque side chapel of St John the Almsgiver.
Below, the cathedral, crypts, and burial grounds are being excavated. Currently only one is open for exploring.
| Address | Rudnayovo námestie 4549/1, Bratislava |
The architectural focus of the eastern flank of Hviezdoslavovo namestie (one of the two Baroque main squares gracing Bratislava’s Old Town), the Slovak National Theater is a splendid Neo-Renaissance building created by Viennese theater designers Hermann Helmer and Ferdinand Fellner.
It was completed in 1886 in a time when the Habsburg Austro-Hungarian Empire was thriving and its elaborate pillared, colonnaded facade is encrusted with busts of playwrights such as Shakespeare and Goethe.
Seating for just over 600 in the plush, red velvet and the gilded auditorium are in banks of boxes, and the season runs from September to July. The repertoire features a full program of opera, ballet, and drama, including such old favorites such as Mozart’s Magic Flute, as well as contemporary performances by the Dragon Kungfu Dance Company.
An innovative new adjunct to the Slovak National Theater opened in 2007 on the banks of the Danube. The seven-story SND New Building is of gleaming glass and marble, seating 1,677 in its three auditoriums.
Founded in 1919, Comenius University in Bratislava is the oldest and largest university in Slovakia. Named after the renowned 17th-century Czech philosopher and teacher Jan Amos Comenius, the university has a rich history intertwined with the development of higher education in the region.
Comenius University is known for its academic rigor and diverse range of study programs. With thirteen faculties offering over 900 study programs, it caters to a wide array of academic interests. The university is also a prominent research institution, regularly featuring in international rankings.
Architecture
The university’s main building, located in the heart of Bratislava, is an architectural gem. Opened in 1937, it houses the Aula, a grand hall used for graduation ceremonies and other formal events. The blend of historical and modern architecture across the campus provides a picturesque setting for students and visitors alike.
Address: Šafárikovo námestie 6