October 3, 2023

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Places to Visit and Things to Do in Bratislava

Bratislava has had several names in its millennia-long history, was Hungary’s main city, and lost the right to be considered the capital of Prague during the period of Czechoslovakia. Today Bratislava is the political centre of Slovakia and a welcoming city that knows how to take care of tourists.

The tourism season never ends in Bratislava. The months of July, August, and December, from the beginning of the Christmas fairs to Christmas Day, are times when the city is extremely crowded. Among the Slovakia’s most visited tourist destinations is Bratislava because it serves as both the nation’s capital and its entry point. The city is Western Slovakia’s primary hub for history, culture, recreation, fine dining, and wine. Additionally, Bratislava is thought to be Europe’s newest capital. So what to see and where to go in Bratislava?

Old Town Bratislava

The Old Town is Bratislava’s historical and administrative centre, and in addition to architectural monuments, it is home to many government offices and foreign embassies. The eastern section of Bratislava contains the majority of the city’s cultural and historical landmarks. Bratislava Castle, which is located on the Carpathian Mountains’ slopes, is bordered by the Old Town’s western section.

A monument to the plumber Chumil

The small figure of a plumber peering curiously out of a city manhole was created to remind people of the end of wartime and also to pay tribute to the honest profession of plumbing. During World War II, many Bratislava citizens hid in the city sewers to escape the bombing. “Chumil” means “gawker” in Slovak.

Main Square

The Old Town is where the square is situated. It is a well-liked tourist destination surrounded by eateries, shops with lots of souvenirs, and baroque mansions and palaces. Due to its history as the location for the town’s fairs, it was formerly known as Market Square. In the centre stands the Roland Fountain, which first appeared in the 16th century on the eve of Emperor Maximilian II’s coronation.

Old Town Hall

The structure was constructed in the 13th century that was used as the town hall later. The Primate and Main Squares are visible from its façade. The town hall has a blend of different architectural styles, from mediaeval Gothic to neo-Renaissance, as a result of its several reconstructions and expansions. The City Museum, which has a display on the history of Bratislava, is now housed in the structure.

Devín Castle

At the meeting of the Danube and Morava rivers, there are the remains of a castle from the ninth century. The stronghold served its intended purpose up until the end of the seventeenth century. It deteriorated with the Turks’ annexation of Slovakian territory. The structure was destroyed at the start of the 19th century by Napoleon Bonaparte’s forces. Only one of the halls contains a tiny exhibition because the castle was never reconstructed. Devin’s remains and the surrounding surroundings were designated a natural monument in 1985.

Grassalkovich Palace

The presidential palace of Slovakia, constructed in the middle of the 18th century. It was previously Bratislava’s most splendid palace and was constructed in the Baroque style. It was constructed for Count A. Grassalkovich, who enjoyed hosting illustrious musicians and planning balls. In 1772, the renowned musician J. Haydn gave a performance in the palace. The castle frequently served as a venue for Czechoslovak leader congresses during the Communist Regime.

Primate’s Palace

Neoclassical architecture was used to construct the structure in the 18th century. One account claims that the structure first emerged in the 14th century and that it was renovated and modernised in 1778. The palace was constructed for Archbishop J. Battiani, the primate of Hungary. The structure was taken over by the government in the 20th century. English carpets and tapestries from the 17th century were discovered during the reconstruction work and are now used to decorate the palace’s interior.

Overall, Bratislava is a pretty contrasting city. And yet, Bratislava is also a great place to spend a good time, should fate take you there. Only 4 kilometres to the east of the Slovak capital lies the country’s primary airport, M.R. Tefánik, often known as Bratislava Ivanka. You can take bus number 61 from there to the train station or to Bratislava city centre in less than half an hour, at a cost of just 90 euro cents. But the best choice is airport transfer services in Slovakia. It will offer a comfy trip for you and your family. You won’t have to stress about feeling overwhelmed on a public transportation station if you use Bratislava airport transfer. Enjoy Bratislava and see that the city is unfairly underrated!