| Bratislava |  |
Bratislava
Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital city of Slovakia. It is built on the banks of the River Danube in the Bratislavský kraj (Bratislava Region), at the far western end of the country, and borders both Austria and Hungary. It is the only capital city in the world to border 2 other countries. The name 'Bratislava' is quite modern, before 1991 the city was variously known as Prešporok in Slovak, Pressburg in German and English and Pozsony in Hungarian. These names are still in use today. Bratislava has a population of about 450,000 and a higher than average GDP for the region.Visitors to Bratislava will find a city with a medieval center full of winding streets and alleys. Around this are numerous, large, concrete housing complexes, a bi-product of the Communist era known as 'panelak'. However, within a short distance the lands open up and become rural with tiny villages. The land is rich in history and has been occupied since 5000BC. It was occupied by the Romans and later, by the Slavic peoples who began to arrive in number between the 5th and 6th centuries. In the 10C Pressburg (as it was then known) became part of the Kingdom of Hungary and then the Ottoman Empire in 1526, reverting again to Hungary in 1536, becoming part of the Hapsburg (Austrian) monarchy. After WWI the city became incorporated into Czechoslovakia, and remained thus until the Velvet Revolution in 1989.
Sights and Attractions in Bratislava
- St. Martin's cathedral (Dóm sv. Martina)
- St Clare's Church (Kostol sv. Kláry) On Klariská Str.
- Church of the Annunciation (Kostol Zvestovania / Františkáni / Františkánsky kostol).
- Church of the Holy Savior (Kostol Najsvätejšieho Spasitel'a)
- Bratislava Castle (Bratislavský hrad)
- Slavín.
- Roland Fountain (Rolandova fontána)
- Primate's Palace (Primaciálny palác)
- Grassalkovich Palace (Grassalkovičov palác)
- Mirbach Palace (Mirbachov palác)
- Palffy Palace (Pálffyho palác)
- Academia Istropolitana
- Slovak National Theatre (Slovenské národné divadlo)
- Michael's Gate with Tower (Michalská brána)
- Farmaceutické Múzeum (Pharmacological Museum)
- Slovak National Gallery (SNG)
- Bratislava City Gallery (GMB)
- Milan Dobes Museum
- Main Indoor Market (Trznica at Trnavske Myto)
- Obchodná Street
- Slovak National Museum (SNM)
- Bratislava City Museum
- Chatam Sofer Mausoleum and the Jewish Cemetery
- Slovak Radio
- The Presidential
- The Blue Church.
Travel Directions and Getting There:
- Plane: M. R. Stefanik International Airport (IATA: BTS) (ICAO: LZIB)
- Bus: The main bus and coach station is on Mlynské nivy, and coaches run both throughout Slovakia and internationally, both to the surrounding nations and as far away as London.
- Train: Trains arrive at the two main stations of Bratislava-Petržalka and Bratislava-Hlavná stanica. Trains from Vienna take about 50 minutes, arriving at Bratislava-Petržalka. Trains from Prague, Budapest and some other international destinations arrive at Hlavná stanica.
- Boat: By far the most romantic and restful way to visit Bratislava is by river ferry down the Danube from Vienna. The trip takes about 2 hours.
