Bratislava (sk. Bratislava, Pozsony in Hungarian, Pressburg in German)
is the capital and largest city in Slovakia. It has almost 415,000
inhabitants and is the administrative, cultural and economic center of
the country. Before 1919, it was known in Slovak as Prešporok.
Characteristic
Bratislava has a very pleasant medieval downtown with
narrow, winding streets, a castle on top of a hill above the Danube, and
many historic churches and buildings to visit. The old town is centered
on two squares: Hlavne namestie (main square) and Hviezdoslavovo
namestie (Hviezdoslav square, named after the famous Slovak poet). Of a
rather different architectural character are some communist-era
buildings located in modern parts of the city; a prime example is the
Petrzalka housing estate, the largest communist-era residential complex
in Central Europe, stretching endlessly across the river. Keep going
east and there are plenty of rural spots to explore. There are farms,
vineyards, agricultural land and small villages less than 50 km north
and east of Bratislava.
Bratislava and its surroundings are the
second most prosperous region in Central and Eastern Europe, with a GDP
per capita of around 167% of the EU-27 average. Bratislava is the sixth
richest region in the European Union, and the GDP per capita is about
three times higher than in other regions of Slovakia.
After the fall of the Grand Duchy of Moravia, Slovakia became part of
the Kingdom of Hungary from the 10th century (later incorporated into
the Austro-Hungarian Empire) until the end of the First World War. The
city was the capital (1536–1784), coronation city (1563–1830) and seat
of the diocese (1536–1848) of the Kingdom of Hungary for three
centuries. During this period in the Cathedral of St. Eleven Hungarian
kings and queens were crowned in St. At that time, the town was called
Pressburg in German and Pozsony in Hungarian, and had a distinct German
(42%) and Hungarian (40%) ethnic majority (1910 census). In 1919, the
Treaty of Trianon created Czechoslovakia and Bratislava was annexed to
the newly created state. In the same year, the name Bratislava was
officially adopted for the first time.
From 1939 to 1944,
Slovakia was a Nazi puppet state. In 1941–1942 and 1944–1945, this
government collaborated in deporting most of Bratislava's approximately
15,000 Jews to concentration camps, where most were murdered. Bratislava
was occupied by German troops in 1944 and finally taken by the Soviet
Red Army on 4 April 1945 after a failed uprising by Slovak partisans,
now commemorated as the Slovenské národné povstanie or "Slovak National
Uprising".
After the Communist Party took power in Czechoslovakia
in February 1948, the city witnessed profound demographic and urban
changes. In 1969 it became the capital of the Slovak Socialist Republic,
one of the two constituent states of federal Czechoslovakia.
Bratislava's dissidents anticipated the fall of communism in Bratislava
during the candle demonstrations of 1988, and the city became one of the
main centers of the anti-communist "Velvet Revolution" in 1989. In 1993,
the city became the capital of the newly formed Slovak Republic after
the "Velvet Divorce".
Since the fall of the Iron Curtain, and
especially with Slovakia's accession to the European Union (May 2004)
and later to the Schengen area, Bratislava is often marketed along with
Vienna as "twin cities" due to their proximity. They are the two
European capitals with the shortest distance to each other and if you
ever get bored of Bratislava, Vienna is certainly an interesting day
trip. You can even cycle around 60km in one day if you are in moderate
shape.
By plane
Bratislava Milan Rastislav Štefánik Airport
Bratislava
Airport (IATA: BTS). The largest airport in Slovakia.
If you're
flying Ryanair and have baggage checked in, don't be fooled by the small
size of the airport. Arrive at the airport well in advance of your
flight as the line can be very long.
There are no dedicated
airport transfers, however the airport is served by the city's bus
network. Use bus number 61 (or N61 at night) for a direct connection to
the main train station (Hlavná stanica). Or change tram to Trnavské mýto
to get to the city center (to get to the tram stop, use the underpass
and exit marked "Centrum" (city center) and take any tram towards the
city center. Do not buy tickets from the bus driver ( see 'Getting
around' below) so you'll need to buy your tickets in advance. Use the
vending machines at the stop but note you'll need euro coins as the
machines don't take notes (there are also two large red ticket machines
in the terminal building near arrivals which accept banknotes and credit
cards) Tickets can also be purchased at the tourist office and bureaux
de change in the terminal, but they have limited opening hours I am
aware that shops and kiosks at the airport are not very helpful when it
comes to converting bills to coins The screen in the arrivals hall
displays the actual departure times of the next buses and public
transport buses to Vienna Public transport buses are cheap - single
ticket to/from the city center (Valida ticket in the marking machine on
the bus; valid for 60 minutes from approval; Transfer to other public
transport lines allowed) costs €1.20 including any number of transfers.
Overstaying can be costly, but at night and on low-cost travel, a
30-minute ticket (€0.90) can be enough to travel between the airport and
the bus station (or vice versa). The journey to and from the train
station at night (no cars) is 31 minutes, so you're better off with a
60-minute ticket.
Taxis taken directly from the airport are
expensive (more than €30 for a 15 minute trip to the city centre) and to
make matters worse, the taxi drivers do not respect the price agreed
with them in advance. If you like a taxi, call one or use the Uber,
Bolt, HopIn or Liftago apps: they work reliably in Bratislava.
Direct bus services approximately every hour connect the airport with
Vienna International Airport (VIE IATA) and Vienna (journey time to
Vienna is approximately 80-90 minutes).
Vienna Airport
Vienna-Schwechat/Flughafen Wien Airport (VIE) is located approximately
45 km from Bratislava, near the town of Schwechat in Austria. The
airport is the home base of flag carrier Austrian. Most European
airlines and a few international airlines have direct connections to
Vienna from their respective hubs.
There are three bus companies
providing bus services between Vienna and Vienna International Airport
and Bratislava, each operating hourly. In Bratislava, all buses stop at
Einsteinova (Petržalka) and Most SNP (under the UFO bridge) and/or at
the bus terminal (Autobusová stanica (Mlynské Nivy), in timetables
abbreviated as Bratislava AS). All buses except RegioJet run towards
Bratislava Airport every two hours.
Quick summary of transport
options (timetables and prices as of June 2018):
Slovak Lines (bus).
In total, there are at least 20 services in both directions from 06:30
to 22:30 and 24:00. Buses run at least every hour between Vienna Central
Station (Wien Hauptbahnhof; bus station is next to Südtiroler
Platz/Wiedner Gürtel) and Vienna Airport and Bratislava Bus Station
(Bratislava AS). They run every two hours to Bratislava Airport. All
buses also stop in Hainburg, Wolfsthal (Austria) and Einsteinova
(Petržalka). Check the schedule. You can bring two pieces of luggage per
person for €1 each. Luggage tags can be purchased at the ticket window
or from the driver. Price €1 (online, well in advance), €5 (Bratislava
city center), €9.50 (Bratislava airport), children under 15 €1;
discounts on return tickets, youth under 26 and seniors over 63. edit
You can book online here.
Flixbus (bus). There are a total of 21
services in both directions from 06:50–23:50 and 01:05 (airport
departure times). Buses run at least every hour between Vienna U3
Erdberg VIB (Vienna International Busterminal) and Vienna Airport and
Bratislava. Bus stops in Bratislava: Einsteinova (Petržalka), Novy Most
(Most SNP) and Bus Terminal (Bratislava AS). Buses run every two hours
to Bratislava Airport. Non-airport buses go to the bus terminal and do
not stop at Most SNP. Price from €4.99 (online in advance) to €9.99;
children €3.90-€4.99. edit Here you can make an online reservation.
RegioJet (bus). There are a total of 16 services in both directions at
7:00 AM and 09:00–23:00 (airport departure times). Buses run hourly
between Vienna Central Station (Wien Hauptbahnhof, Bus Terminal is next
to Südtiroler Platz/Wiedner Gürtel) and Vienna Airport and Bratislava
Bus Terminal (Bratislava AS), with stops in Einsteinova (near Incheba in
Petržalka) and the SNP Bridge (UFO Bridge). RegioJet buses do not
continue to Bratislava Airport. Book online. Price €5, even €1 if booked
very early; children €4.50. You can book online here.
Train. Trains
from Vienna to Bratislava do not pass Vienna Airport as they run on
different routes. However, you can take a train (S7 or R) from Vienna
Airport to Wolfsthal on the Austrian border (45 minutes, regular ticket
costs €9.90) and change to the Slovak-operated regional bus 901, which
will take you to Bratislava city center ( €1.50, €0.75 for youth under
26, children under 6 travel free) in just 12 minutes. Buses leave at 55
minutes past the hour, but be aware that bus departures/arrivals are not
always the same as trains, so you risk waiting up to two hours in a
small village 5km from the border. The walk to Bratislava from here will
take an hour and is not recommended although there is a footpath near
the Danube. All in all, it's not the best way to get to Bratislava, but
it can be useful if you've checked the schedules or if you have a backup
plan to arrange a ride or taxi (which can be hard to explain if you
don't speak Slovak or German) from Wolfsthal.
Taxi. The taxi fare is
not fixed, so agree before entering.
Vienna–Bratislava Transfer. A
flat rate of EUR 75 for transfers between Vienna and Bratislava.
Alternative
Brno Airport has a very limited range of destinations.
Budapest and Prague airports are around 4-5 hours away, but can yield
significant savings on intercontinental travel, especially to New York
or Beijing.
By rail
Most international trains stop at
Bratislava Central Station (Bratislava hlavná stanica). It has good
connections to public transport. To get to the city center you can take
tram number 1 and get off at the stop "Nám. SNP' (short for 'Námestie
Slovenského národného povstania') (map), but it's a memorable 20-25
minute walk anyway - just ask for the free map and directions at the
tourist information desk inside the station. The other main station is
Bratislava-Petržalka, located in a residential area south of the Danube.
The station serves as a terminus for some trains from Vienna. Bus 80
(Direction: Kollárovo námestie) departs from outside the station
building or use the underground corridor in the station hall and then
hop on any bus that leaves from the opposite side of the road. Buses 91
and 191 (direction: Novy Most), 93 and 94 (direction: Hlavná stanica and
Vazovova) all go directly to the city center.
Vienna: 1 hour
There are two regional express services from Wien Hauptbahnhof (Vienna's
main railway station) to two different stations in Bratislava: one to
Bratislava Hlavná stanica (Bratislava central railway station) via
Marchegg and the other to Bratislava Petržalka station via Kittsee -
each operating at intervals hourly, with the first daily trip leaving
around 05:00 and the last train leaving around 22:30, to Petržalka at
23:15. The prices of regular tickets for different routes are not the
same. But with a low-cost return ticket called the Euregio
Bratislava-Ticket, which costs €16 when bought in Vienna (children under
15: €8), you can use any train on both routes without any problems. It
is valid for 4 days, but travel must start on the first day of validity.
And on the first day, it also serves as a pass for all public transport
in Bratislava, allowing free use of the city's public transport until
01:00. You will even benefit from the return ticket if you go one-way to
Bratislava-Petržałka via Kittsee, as it is cheaper than a regular
full-price one-way ticket! Transportation of one bicycle on the train is
free of charge. You can get it at ticket offices as well as all ÖBB
ticket machines, but without entering your destination by selecting
"More products" at the bottom, then "Tickets to neighboring countries".
Prague: 4 hours, EC trains every 2 hours operated by the Czech railway
company ČD (České drahy). Online tickets are much cheaper than tickets
purchased at the station, but must be purchased at least 3 days in
advance. You can board a sleeping car on the Euronight EN 477 "Metropol"
train, but the journey takes only 6 hours, which means you don't get
much sleep.
The Czech private low-cost carrier RegioJet also
provides three direct connections (timetables) to Bratislava. Journey
time just under 4 hours. Although RegioJet has ticket counters in
Prague, the best way is to book your tickets online (here) well in
advance to get tickets at the best price.
Budapest: 2½ hours
Eight EC trains per day during the day, departing from Budapest Nyugati
station; and one EN train from Budapest Keleti station departs and
arrives in the evening. Trains run every 2 hours in both directions.
From Budapest, the cyclical EC two-hour timetable runs from 05:41–17:41,
with one additional train at 08:41; the EN train leaves at 20:25 (EN 476
"Metropol"). From Bratislava, the first train leaves at 05:54
(irregular, EN 477 "Metropol"), then EC trains run on a true two-hour
timetable from 07:53–19:53, with one extra train at 16:53. In June 2018,
a Budapest-Bratislava ticket cost €17.50 (which includes a return trip
within a month, making it the best deal available if you're returning to
Budapest). The same price and conditions for the return ticket
Bratislava - Budapest purchased from the Slovak railway operator ZSSK.
Berlin: 8½ hours, five EC trains during the day every two hours.
With the exception of one direct train (EC 173 "Hungaria"), all other
trains require a change at Prague. No direct place to sleep but only one
shift in Prague at a reasonable time of day. Tickets purchased
immediately before departure or on the train tend to be significantly
more expensive than fares in advance (not more than 90 days before
departure), which can be very cheap if purchased as early as possible
(from €29). Please note that there is a €2 surcharge for tickets bought
at the box office, but you can obtain information at the box office and
later buy from the machine at no extra charge. Tickets can also be
purchased online on Deutsche Bahn's excellent website.
Warsaw: 7
hours a day, one direct train (IC 131 "Varsovia") and two connections
with a change in Brzecław; 10¾ hours in the night train EN 407 "Chopin"
with a change in Brzecław. There is a limited offer of discount tickets
to Budapest via Bratislava, they are much cheaper than normal tickets to
Bratislava.
Belgrade: 12¾ hours in total, starting from the INT/D 344
"Avala" towards Budapest, there change from Keleti to Nyugati Railway
Station to continue on the EC 270 "Metropolitan" to Bratislava. Trains
from Serbia are often delayed, but in Budapest you have a 2-hour
layover. Alternative: 11½ hours from INT 342 "Ivo Andrić" to Budapest,
there changing to EN 476 "Metropol", with a transfer time of 20 minutes
at the same train station. (There is no direct train anymore.)
Kiev:
23 hrs, minimum travel time with only one change, from night train D
40749 "Hortobágy" to Budapest, there transfer from Keleti to Nyugati
railway station (break 1 hr 40 min) and continue on train EC 278
"Metropolitan".
By car
Bratislava lies on the border of two
other countries and has a relatively good road system. The city can be
reached by motorways (i.e., limited access highway) from northern
Slovakia and Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Austria. As a
result, you can get around the city without having to leave the highway.
As in most countries in Central Europe, you have to pay to use the
highways. As in Hungary, payment is done electronically (so you don't
need a sticker on your windshield) and you can buy it online, at most
gas stations and at a kiosk at the border. Motorways within the city
limits of Bratislava can be used free of charge.
Once you enter
the city, there is a parking information system that will guide you to
the next free parking spot. In the city center you can use one of the
paid underground garages or buy a parking card from yellow vest vendors
and try to find a free space on the streets. The former is recommended
on weekends as finding a one-way parking space can turn into a real
puzzle. If you find a spot on the street and it's a weekday between 8am
and 4pm you have to pay for parking. Parking meters are usually
available in the corners, they are marked with a blue and yellow post
office sign and only take coins.
It may be a good idea to leave
your car in the Aupark car park, which also serves as a "Park and Walk"
facility for tourists (remember that the car parks inside the building
and parts of the outdoor car park are closed from 24:00 - 06:00, the
rest of the parking space is free 24/7). You can leave your car here and
walk across the park and the Danube to the city center which is a 10
minute walk, or just use public transport. It is not recommended to
leave your car in residential areas outside the city center to avoid
paid parking, as foreign cars can attract car thieves.
Renting a
car is also an option, especially if you are visiting places outside of
Bratislava. All major car rental companies have kiosks at the airport,
but most also have an office in the city, and there are also many local
car rental companies, some even deliver the car to the hotel/apartment.
Use common sense to choose credible.
By bus
Bus routes connect
Bratislava with all of Slovakia, a large number of Czech cities and many
destinations in the EU, including London, Paris. There are daily
connections between Bratislava and Budapest, so for example Flixbus
provides a bus approximately every two hours.
There are also
several connections from southern Germany.
However, the most
frequent international coach connection is by far Vienna. There are
three companies - Postbus/Slovak Lines, Flixbus and RegioJet - providing
bus services between Vienna and Vienna International Airport and
Bratislava, each at hourly intervals from different departure points in
Vienna. In Bratislava, all buses stop at Einsteinova (Petržalka) and
Most SNP (under the UFO bridge) and/or at the bus terminal (Autobusová
stanica (Mlynské Nivy), abbreviated Bratislava AS in timetables). All
buses except RegioJet run towards Bratislava Airport every two hours.
The journey from/to Vienna takes approximately 1.5 hours.
The
fare to Bratislava is the same whether your journey starts in Vienna or
at Vienna Airport. To Bratislava Airport the fare may be the same or
higher with Flixbus, while Postbus/Slovak Lines usually charge a higher
fare.
Hourly departures from Vienna (timetables and prices from
June 2018):
Slovak Lines: from Vienna Central Station (Wien
Hauptbahnhof; bus station is adjacent to Südtiroler Platz / Wiedner
Gürtel) 06:00 - 22:00, 23:30; to Bratislava airport 06:00-14:00 and
15:00-19:00 every 2 hours. You can book online here.
Flixbus: from
Vienna U3 Erdberg VIB (Vienna International Busterminal) 06:30-23:30,
0:45; to Bratislava airport 07:30-21:30 every 2 hours. There are two
additional buses to the center of Bratislava from Vienna's main train
station operated by Polski Bus under the umbrella of Flixbus. You can
book online here.
RegioJet: From Vienna Central Station (Wien
Hauptbahnhof; Bus terminal is adjacent to Südtiroler Platz / Wiedner
Gürtel) 06:25, 08:25 - 22:25. You can book online here.
Bus
station (Autobusová stanica), Mlynské nivy. On the eastern border of the
city center, which is a huge construction site around which many new
investments are taking place. The bus station has been moved to a
temporary bus terminal. To get to/from the main train station (Hlavná
stanica), take trolleybus no. 210. If you need to get to/from the city
center, take trolleybus no. 205 or 202 (the center terminal is behind
the MY Tesco department store at Kamenné námestie ) or bus number 50
(getting on/off at Šafárikovo námestie, near the banks of the Danube) or
bus number 70 (getting off at Nový most, Nový Most). There is a luggage
room at the bus station where you can store bags for around €1 per bag
per day. On the upper floor there is a bakery, a bar/canteen, a
newsstand and several shops. If you plan to use public transport after
arriving by long-distance bus, ask for directions. There are several bus
stops nearby marked "Autobusova stanica" and you may find yourself on
one that does not serve the selected connections.
By ship
Regular tourist boat lines run on the Danube from spring to autumn on
routes from Vienna. Here you will find routes and timetables.
The
high-speed ferry goes to Vienna at a higher price than other means of
transport. A single ticket from Vienna to Bratislava by Twin City Liner
costs around €25-30 (while a return train ticket is less than €15). The
Twin City Liner boats travel at a speed of 60 km/h and the journey takes
approximately 1 hour 15 minutes from Vienna to Bratislava and
approximately 1 hour 30 minutes from Bratislava to Vienna (almost the
same time as a train). However, unlike the train, which stops at
stations far from the center (about 2-3 km), boat stops are located in
the very center of Vienna (Schwedenplatz) and Bratislava (Nowy Most).
By canoe
The Danube becomes very popular on multi-day trips. Some
people paddle from Germany to the Black Sea (over 2,516 km / 1,563
miles), also known as TID. Bratislava is well developed for rowing.
There are several paddling clubs in "Karloveske rameno" with the
possibility of accommodation at the Paddler club on the river km 1872,
near the "Old Bridge" on km 1868. Free camping is possible along the
river bank; good places are around 1872 km to the right, 1864-60 to the
left.
By bike
Bratislava has a nice environment for cycling,
and the international bicycle route runs along the south bank of the
Danube (Donauradweg or EuroVelo 6). The route from Austria via
Bratislava to Hungary is well signposted and also accessible to
pedestrians. Motorized transport is prohibited on the bicycle route.
However, the city has few cycle routes and they are mostly ignored
by car drivers. There are millions of ways to cycle through the
Carpathians and along the Danube and Morava. Read more about the "Do"
section below.
In general, Bratislava is a walking city. The center is very small
and cozy and you can easily walk from one side to the other in a few
minutes. The city center is a pedestrian zone, but be aware of cyclists
and the occasional car that goes quite fast between people walking and
outdoor cafes.
Public transport
If you want to travel outside
the city center, use trams or trolleybuses if you want to get from one
point to another quickly. Bratislava has a fairly good public transport
system mainly operated by the city transport company DPB (website in
Slovak only), although many of their vehicles are quite old. Buses are
usually the slowest means of transport. Normally a stop must be booked,
except on trams. To board a bus/trolleybus, you must stand clearly at
the stop. To exit, press the button near the door and the driver will
stop at the next stops. The doors of the buses must be opened by the
passengers (except for a few oldest buses), simply by pressing a button
on or near the door.
A one-way ticket costs €0.70, valid for 15
minutes only. A longer ticket is available for €0.90 (valid for 30
minutes). All tickets can be used for any number of journeys within the
specified time. If you're going on holiday, consider buying one of the
many long-term tickets valid for 1, 3 and 7 days (24, 72 and 168 hours
from confirmation) for €3.50, €8 and €11.40 respectively. For more
information about tickets, please visit the IDS BK website. Please note
that you must also purchase a separate ticket for your suitcase or other
large luggage; buy a 15-minute concession ticket for €0.35 which will
cover your luggage.
You must validate your ticket at the bus/tram
validation machines immediately after boarding (through any door). When
it comes to proving you didn't exceed the time stated on the ticket
(e.g. 15 minutes on a 15 minute ticket), official schedule times are
decisive - not actual travel times (don't give in to unfriendly ticket
inspectors who claim otherwise). Scheduled travel times can be found in
the left column of timetables, to the left of the stop name or via the
internet (see below).
Bus and tram drivers in Bratislava do not
sell tickets, so you must obtain a ticket before boarding the bus or
tram. There are ticket vending machines at most stops in the city. The
yellow machines only accept coins and contactless credit cards (which
can be quite frustrating if you need to buy a long-term ticket), but
there are also new large red machines at the larger stops that sell a
full range of tickets and accept all cards and even banknotes. SMS
tickets are also available, but only if you send a text message from a
mobile phone with a Slovak SIM card, which excludes all short-term
foreign tourists. SMS tickets cannot be used on S-trains.
If you
have purchased a return ticket "Eurgion Bratislava-Bilet" in Vienna, it
also serves as a ticket for all public transport on the date indicated
on the ticket and does not require validation on public transport in
Bratislava.
In addition to vending machines, tickets are also
sold at many kiosks and - very convenient for those traveling by train,
late in the evening or on weekends - at train stations at the ticket
offices (16 ticket offices at the main railway station). You can also
buy tickets for public transport at any tourist information office. Ask
for the Bratislava City Card, which combines a 1- to 3-day ticket with
various discounts and is available from the information offices, but
keep in mind that the City Card is much more expensive than just public
transport tickets, so make sure it's the best option for you You!
Tickets can also be purchased using the Android or iOS app.
There are 3 main exchange points in the very center of the city, where
you can take a bus or tram to almost anywhere:
Hodžovo námestie
(presidential palace) for bus connections in the north-west and east
Námestie SNP / Kamenné námestie (down the pedestrian street below
Hodžovo námestie, on the northern edge of the centre) for trams
SNP
bridge (near St. Martin's Cathedral and the banks of the Danube) for
trams and western buses, as well as bus connections to Petržalka.
The main tram, bus and trolleybus lines run from 04:30 until around
23:30. If you want to travel by bus at night, go to the main train
station, which is the main interchange point for the night line, or use
the bus stops at the Presidential Palace (Hodzovo námestie). All night
lines have common departure times from the main train station at 23:30,
then every 60 minutes for each line and outbound direction until 03:30.
Some lines have an additional departure leaving at midnight. You will
need a night ticket for €1.40 on night lines. When traveling on night
lines, be sure to ask for each stop. Especially around midnight on
Fridays and Saturdays, buses are very crowded on some lines when young
people are returning from clubs.
Public transport routes
sometimes change, especially due to track works and renovations. For
example, in June 2019, all tram lines were completely changed. If you
have an older map, an old travel guide, etc., chances are that the
transportation lines (numbers, destinations, transfer points) are no
longer valid. Check online on the official IDS BK website or the
unofficial iMHD website which has a wider range of maps, information at
stops (available in English) or ask other passengers if you are unsure.
You can also walk to Petrzalka station from the city if needed
(about 25 minutes). The path is now clearly marked, but keep in mind
that Petržalka is just a little more than the largest block of flats in
Central Europe. Head to the bridge with its flying saucer-like tower
(Most SNP or also known as Nový most). When you reach the bridge, you
will notice that there is a footpath along the lower part. On the other
side of the Danube, walk on the right side of the bridge along the
walkway made of red cobblestones. This will lead you to the station.
Alternatively, you can walk through Bratislava's equivalent of a central
park called Sad Janka Kráľa and visit the Aupark shopping center in the
park. Once you exit the Aupark on the other side, turn right and follow
the street to get to the walkway mentioned above. The route is very safe
during the day, but for typically western tourists it can be dangerous
at night (although no more than any other European "panelák" settlement
(see above)). Use the guide if needed. If you want to go from the
station to the city, turn right outside the station building and follow
the path described above in the opposite direction.
taxis
Do
not take taxis waiting outside the main transfer points and tourist
areas such as the main train station, airport, bus station, Petrzalka
train station, in front of the Alizee night bar in the northern corner
of the city center, etc., as they will rip you apart. Taxis are cheaper
in Bratislava when hailed earlier than on the street. As a tourist, it's
best to use one of the apps - Uber and Bolt are present in Bratislava,
although sometimes they have longer waiting times compared to other
cities. Other reliable taxi apps include Liftago and HopIn, they support
both card and cash payments to the driver if you don't want to enter
card details (payment method must be selected before ordering a taxi).
1 Bratislava Castle, ☎ +421 2 54411444. The castle has been reopened after reconstruction and hosts exhibitions. The castle also has a restaurant open until the castle actually leaves the night.
For visitors, Bratislava is the place to go, with
several major and plenty of small museums scattered throughout the city.
Every year on the weekend around April 24, Bratislava celebrates a
festival called "Bratislava for All", which gives residents and visitors
the opportunity to visit most city-managed facilities for free or at a
reduced fee, including most museums and galleries. In May, the city's
museums and galleries open their gates to the public until late at night
in what is known as "The Night of Museums and Galleries".
2
Pharmacology Museum
3 Slovak National Gallery (SNG) For a taste of
the visual arts, visit the National Gallery on the escarpment between
Starý Most and Nový Most with its permanent collections of medieval
Slovak and European art, although temporary exhibitions are much more
interesting.
Municipal Gallery in Bratislava (GMB) The Municipal
Gallery in Bratislava is also a good opportunity to see historical works
of art, paintings and sculptures as well as interesting temporary
exhibitions.
Danubiana Art Museum If you're more into contemporary
art, visit the Danubiana Art Museum on the southern tip of Bratislava,
but be aware that it's too far to walk, with little to no public
transport, and is best reached by car or taxi.
Milan Dobes Museum
This small museum showcases modernist operatic art. It is located in the
city center and is recommended to all those interested in the
development of contemporary art
4 National Museum, Žižkova 14 (At the
foot of Castle Hill), ☎ +421 2 59207273. Permanent archaeological
collection
5 City Museum in Bratislava
6 Natural History Museum,
Vajanského nábrežie 2, ☎ +421 2 59349122. Referring to the communist
era, the nature exhibitions have an interesting collection of artifacts
and are slowly transforming into an exhibition of the modern era
Gerulata, Gerulatska This is an ancient Roman military camp with
archaeological exhibits. If you like Roman remains, you should also
consider visiting nearby Carnuntum, which has a large archaeological
site and is a short drive from Bratislava.
Transport Museum, Šancová
1/a, ☎ +421 2 52444163. With an exhibition of historic vehicles at the
city's first train station, very close to the current Central Station
Trade Museum, Linzbothova 16, ☎ +421 2 45243167. This museum has pieces
of historical advertising boards and other artifacts.
Museum of the
Jewish Community, Heydukova 11-13, ☎ +421 2 5441 6949. Rare Jewish
ritual tools, gold-embroidered cloaks protecting holy bible scrolls,
unique photos of students who attended Bratislava's famous rabbinical
school that still reveal the horrors of the Holocaust. It is located in
the synagogue on Heydukova Street, which is the only synagogue in
Bratislava. Built between 1923 and 1926, it is a cubist building
designed by a Jewish architect from Bratislava, Artur
Szalatnai-Slatinski, and listed as a national cultural monument. The
Orthodox oriented synagogue continues to serve as an active Jewish house
of worship. The Museum of the Jewish Community with the permanent
exhibition "Jews in Bratislava and their heritage" is installed
upstairs, and during the summer season it is open to visitors until
September, every Friday from 13:00 to 16:00 and every Sunday 10:00-13:
00.
7 City History Museum (in the old town hall), ☎ +421 2 59205130.
Including history and music museums, the city dungeon and an exhibition
on medieval justice
8 Cathedral of St. Martin The largest and one of the
oldest churches in Bratislava, located under the Bratislava Castle. The
Gothic cathedral, formerly the coronation church of several Hungarian
kings, begun in 1204 and rededicated in 1445, was restored in 1861–80.
The tower is crowned with a pyramid with a gilded Hungarian royal crown.
Church of St. Clare's Gothic church on Klariská Street, in the historic
center; currently used as a concert hall.
9 Church of the
Annunciation
Holy Savior Church
Church of St. Elizabeth (Located
on Bezručova Street). Nicknamed the Blue Church (Modrý kostolík), it is
a beautiful church in Jugendstil, completed in 1913
Trinitarian
Church in Bratislava (Located on Bezručova Street).
Primate's Palace Now the seat of the mayor of
Bratislava
10 Old Town Hall, Primaciálne namestie 3 (next to the
Primate's Palace). The Old Town Hall is open to the public as a museum
11 Grassalkovich Palace and Gardens Or Presidential Palace (Prezidentský
palác) - Rococo / Late Baroque summer palace with a French garden, used
as the seat of the Slovak president. In one of the garden alleys you
will see a row of trees planted by famous people such as Juan Carlos I
(King of Spain). In front of the palace you will see the Slovak National
Guard.
Mirbach Palace
Palffy Palace
Academia Istropolitana The
oldest historical university in the area, currently occupied by
Slovakia, from the 13th century.
Slovak National Theatre,
Hviezdoslavovo Square The historic building of the Slovak National
Theatre, built in 1886
Slovak Radio Building Its main building is a
peculiar 60m high inverted pyramid from the communist era and a landmark
in sharp contrast to the Slovak National Bank building across the
street.
Monuments
12 Slavín Monument On top of the hill behind
the castle, overlooking the entire city. This is a memorial to the
Soviet victims of the liberation battle in Bratislava during World War
II. It is the highest place in the city and therefore the best place to
explore the city. Slavin is a cemetery, so rather quiet. On warm nights,
this is a very romantic spot, allowing you to sit in the shade of the
statue and gaze at the traffic below. To get there, take trolleybus no.
203 from Hodžova námestie (in front of the Presidential Palace) towards
Búdková and get off in 9 minutes at the last stop, then walk 500 m along
Stará vinárska and then Pažického streets. Slavin is located near the
embassy district.
13 Roland's Fountain Built by stonemason Andreas
Luttringer on behalf of King Maximilian of Hungary in 1527, it was the
first fountain in Bratislava
14 St. Michael's Gate with Tower This
51-metre tower above the gate with a green copper roof is one of the
most famous and oldest buildings in Bratislava. It was built in the 14th
century as one of the four gates of the city.
Laurin Gate
Chatam
Sofer Mausoleum
Jewish Cemetery, Jewish Community Museum and
Synagogue in Bratislava, Heydukova The only synagogue in Bratislava.
15 SNP Bridge The bridge over the Danube, with its
flying saucer structure housing a restaurant called "UFO". There is an
observation deck on the roof, open daily from 10:00 to 23:00, offering a
wonderful view of the old town and the Petržalka apartment blocks.
Admission €6.50 but it's free if you eat in the restaurant.
16 Main
internal square (Tržnica in Trnavské mýto).
Walk around the city center. Bratislava has one of the smallest
historic centers around, but the charm is more concentrated. The
streets have been completely renovated in the last ten years,
bringing life back here. Since then, many cafes, bars and
restaurants of all kinds have opened here, as well as several
souvenir and fashion shops. In warm weather, almost every coffee
shop has a seating area on the street, bustling with life and giving
the city a unique cozy feeling.
When it comes to sightseeing,
Bratislava Castle is a must and is now open after its
reconstruction. You can also visit the Slavin monument for some
truly amazing views of the city. It is a calm and romantic place,
but be careful, it can get really windy there. The city museum
located in the Old Town Hall offers visitors to climb the steep
steps of the clock tower or view the city's historical dungeons, an
exhibition that was quite dated but still terrifying in 2008.
In summer, you can also visit the Bratislava Zoo, providing a
nice walk between the animal pens, with the latest addition being
the rare white tigers. The zoo's facilities are slowly being
renovated to attract more visitors, and the zoo is a favorite with
families on sunny days. You can also go to the Comenius University
Botanical Garden (Botanická 3, take the X6 tram to get off at
Botanická záhrada) for quiet and peaceful walks in this green space.
There are also several lakes for swimming. The largest and probably
the most famous lake is called Zlaté piesky (Golden Lakes) or
Vajnorské jazerá, known as Lake Bager (later used for unofficial
dining).
For a relaxing afternoon in the park, go to Sad
Janka Kráľa Park (on the right bank of the Danube and next to the
Aupark shopping center), the oldest public park in Central Europe,
relax on the embankments on both sides of the river or go to Horský
Park (Forest Park ) north of the Slavin Memorial for a civilized
forest walk. There is a small cafe here, as well as a pub, the
latter mostly inhabited by students from the nearby campus. For more
outdoor experience, hop on bus 203/213 to Koliba and walk up to
Kamzík (takes about 30 minutes uphill) or try the refurbished
facilities of Partizánska lúka and Snežienka, all with expansive
picnic areas and plenty of barbecue fireplaces. The area is several
kilometers long and can be walked from the terminal station of bus
number 212 (Vojenska nemocnica) or take the bus to Patronka and take
bus number 43 to and from the area every 15-30 minutes (depending on
the time of day / year and weather). Only cars with a permit can
enter the site, but there is parking at the entrance near the bus
stop. The Snežienka Meadows and the Kamzik Peak are connected by a
chairlift, which runs from Thursday to Sunday and on holidays, the
price for the ride is approx. 3 €
In December, be sure to
enjoy the smells and flavors of the traditional Christmas market in
front of the Old Town Hall and on the Hlavne namestie (main square).
The market - compared to those in Prague and Vienna - is smaller,
but has a much friendlier, almost family-like feel, and tends to be
more traditional and less overtly commercialized than others in the
region. The people of Bratislava love to meet here for a drink and a
bite to eat; try the "varene vino" (mulled wine).
Speedboats.sk, Kúpeľná 6, ☏ +421 903 610 716, ✉ info@speedboats.sk.
Enjoy the beautiful view of Bratislava and the surrounding Danube
nature on a boat trip around Bratislava.
Bratislava Free Tour. A
free walking tour covering the sights, culture and history of the
city. Every day at 11:00 and 15:00.
Bratislava is home to the world-renowned Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, so if you love classical music, you should consider attending one of the concerts in the historic Reduta building. For more culture, the Slovak National Theater offers a wide selection of ballet, opera and theater performances. Although most of the activities have been moved to the city's Danube bank district, some performances still take place in the historic theater building, giving them a unique feel but a higher price tag. The old theater building is located in the city center at Hviezdoslavovo namestie. The new theater can be reached by bus number 88 from the bus terminal in Mlynske nivy (get off at Landererova) or by bus number 50, 70 and 78 (the stop is called Wüstenrot). None of them stop directly at the theater though, so you should expect a 5-10 minute walk from the bus stop to the theater. The building is not to be missed as it is undoubtedly a communist megalomaniac, covered in white marble. The entrance is facing the Danube so you have to go inside the building.
Watch football at SK Slovan Bratislava which plays in the Slovak
Super Liga, the country's top tier of football. Their home is Pasiensky,
capacity 11,600, 2 km northeast of the old town center.
Ice hockey is
the national sport of Slovakia. The local ice hockey team, HC Slovan
Bratislava, often plays games all year round, starting in September and
ending in the spring of the following year. Since this team plays in the
KHL league, even more Slovaks have started to visit its matches. Home
matches are played at the Ondrej Nepela Arena, Odbojárov 9. Many Slovaks
are passionate about watching and playing ice hockey. The stadium is
easily accessible by public transport.
Adventure sports: Bungee
jumping from the Lafranconi bridge has become very popular among Slovaks
and tourists in the last few years. Another popular activity among
locals and tourists, especially during a bachelor party, is target
shooting in and around Bratislava. For an extreme adventure in pure
nature, Slovaks and tourists can try kayaking on the Maly Dunaj River.
In general, water sports are among the most loved by athletes like the
Hochschorner brothers.
Over the past two decades, many foreigners have moved to Bratislava
to study and work in many international companies that have created new
jobs. After work, many expats and their Slovak friends meet at informal
parties where everyone speaks English and spends the evening together.
For people traveling to Bratislava, joining these usually free events is
a great and fun opportunity to meet local people and learn from them
what to see or do in Bratislava the next day.
A few
recommendations are:
Bratislava language meeting, where people
from different countries meet at tables and learn a foreign language.
Toastmasters Bratislava club, a speech club where people practice
their speaking skills.
Bratislava Expat Meetup.
International student parties where international students dance the
night away and blow their brains out.
Upcoming events can be
found in this events calendar.
Slovakia is a member of the European Union, therefore every citizen
of the European Union, a country of the European Economic Area or
Switzerland can work and live there without restrictions.
Qualified third-country nationals can obtain a work permit. This system
still uses bribes.
Bryndzové halušky (small dumplings resembling dumplings with sheep's
cheese and topped with pieces of meat) is a national dish of Slovakia
worth trying. Mighty garlic soup (but perhaps not for a date) and Slovak
white wine (due to the cooler climate, Slovakia's red wines pale in
comparison to some of the other offerings in Europe), schnitzels, stews,
and other typically Central European foods. Fresh vegetables are more
common here thanks to the large area of land devoted to agriculture.
In December, don't miss the Christmas market in front of the Old
Town Hall. Traditional food at the Christmas market is baked hamburgers
or chicken sandwiches ("cyganska pecienka") with mustard and onions,
potato pancakes ("loksa") with various fillings, from plain goose fat,
garlic or goose liver to poppy seeds, nuts or chocolate. Bread with lard
and onions is also popular. There are also several stalls offering
specialties from other European countries. You can wash your food down
with a cup of red or white mulled wine or a small cup of honey wine, tea
with or without rum is also available, as well as grog or other "hot
mixed drinks" such as Červený medveď (red bear).
Sparingly
Of
course, junk food can also be found in Bratislava. Try Bratislava's
special form of junk food - the rich man, which is a large roll filled
with cabbage and cheese and/or meat with mayonnaise. Richman's stands
can be found on Kamenné námestie, in front of the Tesco building and on
Safarikovo Square. You can also try a sandwich from one of the many
cafes in the city. Another excellent cafe is located on Zelená Ulica
between Ventúrska Ulica and Hlavné námestie. A large sandwich, a bagette
(from a French baguette) with cheese, ham and eggs costs around €1.50.
Another specialty in Bratislava (but also available in other regions
of Slovakia) is hairpiece. It is a cold cod salad with mayonnaise. There
are also vegetables in the salad like onions and carrots. It has a very
distinct taste, somewhere between sour and bitter - you should try it!
You can buy it fresh in most "Lahôdky" shops, which means something like
"delicacies", but generally means old-fashioned fast food shops - they
sell salads, soups, etc. instead of hamburgers or fries. Treska tastes
very good with rolls. If you like the taste of Treska, you can also buy
it packaged to take home.
If you want to feed yourself, the
biggest supermarket near the center is Tesco na Kamenné námestie (at the
intersection of Štúrova and Špitálska). You can easily have a lunch of
two rolls, ham, cheese, fruit and maybe a cake or two, for €3-4. New
American type shopping malls with big cinemas and of course restaurants
near the center are Aupark on the right bank of the Danube (next to Sad
Janka Kráľa park, about 10 minutes from St. Martin's Cathedral), Eurovea
(next to the old bridge on the bank of the old town, close to the bus
station ), Polus City Center at Vajnorska Street in the north of the
city (about 10–15 minutes by tram) and the Bory shopping center in the
north-western part of the city's edge.
Moderation
Interestingly, it's hard to find a Slovak restaurant among all the
Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Indian and other restaurants, so if you're
looking for a real Slovak meal, head to Slovak Pub or a fancy and
expensive Slovak restaurant in Hviezdoslavovo Square, the former is a
better choice in terms of price and atmosphere, second in terms of food.
A very new addition is the Pressburg restaurant on Michalska Street,
complementing the Slovak trio with mid to slightly higher range prices.
Try Prašná Bašta (see below) for tasty meals or Pizza Mizza for the
biggest pizza in town.
San Marten is another restaurant with
great food and excellent service at affordable prices. For good and
affordable halušky, a unique Slovak national meal, visit Slovak Pub on
Obchodná. There are many restaurants in all price ranges in the center
of Bratislava, so there is plenty to choose from.
Prasna basta
(Zamocnicka 11). The best old Pressburger restaurant in town. Just a few
steps from Michalska street (turn left directly after Michalska tower).
Really authentic frequented by locals. With a hidden inner garden.
Exclusive
You can get a nice view and meet local celebrities at the
übercool and very expensive UFO restaurant and disco at the top of the
Nový most bridge.
Try Kofola, a Slovak and Czech soft drink similar in color to Coca
Cola but lower in sugar and caffeine (and carbonation). In some places,
"Kofola from the barrel" is served, which is actually drafted in a way
similar to beer (it used to be co-produced by the Bratislava brewery).
Some Slovaks say that the Kofola version is even better than the bottled
version and that it is best enjoyed outside in the sun, for example
after a hike, bike ride or rollerblading. Kofola is a popular
alternative to beer if you want to hang out but don't want to drink
alcohol. Vinea is another true Slovak soft drink made from grapes,
offered in both "white" (green grapes) and "red" (red grapes) varieties,
and even a rather sweet and perhaps not very tasty "soft" version
without carbon dioxide .
There are many Slovak beer brands such
as Zlatý Bažant, Šariš, Smädný Mních and Topvar. Stein beer is a local
variety in Bratislava that was brewed practically in the city center.
There are three micro breweries offering beer in Bratislava, Mestiansky
Pivovar, Richtar Jakub and Patronka.
If you're more into spirits,
you might like Slivovica, a high-quality plum brandy associated with
Slovakia.
The best pubs offering Slovak beers can be found in the Old Town:
Kristian on Michalska Street, Bar Parada on Hviezdoslavovo Square or
AeroPressoDepresso on Venturska Street. They are all quite cheap (around
€1 for a half liter glass of beer).
Bakchus Vinaren, Hlboka 5, ☏
+421 2 3218 6666, ✉ info@bakchus-vinaren.sk. A must for every visitor to
Bratislava. The best local and Indian food in town, exclusively Slovak
wines and the historic setting of a traditional wine cellar.
BeAbout,
Presernova 4 (Vajanskeho nabrezie 10, near Safarikovo namestie), +421
948-050107. Sun-Thu 10:00-00:00, Fri Sat 10:00-05:00. Music club near
the river popular with the younger crowd. Good selection of beers
including Belgian beers.
Casa del Havana, Michalská 26, ☏ +421 910
797 222, ✉ havanacafe@havanacafe.sk. 11:00-02:00 mostly. Cuban
restaurant and bar near the center of the Old Town of Bratislava. Not
very spacious but has a comfortable terrace. Particularly famous for its
mojito, which has been voted the best in Bratislava, if not in all of
Slovakia. Mojitos €6.49.
GMT Bar. Very nice cocktail menu with waiter
service if you can find a table. Make sure you wear a shirt on weekends!
UFOs. If you want to go for something out of the ordinary, visit UFO. It
looks like a cliché flying saucer and it's high up on the SNP
(great-towers.com member) bridge and you have to take the elevator up
there. There is a good restaurant and bar and an observation deck. The
view is incomparable.
Bigger clubs in Bratislava include Loft, KC Dunaj, Duplex and SubClub, the latter being a nuclear bunker located under Bratislava Castle. There are many smaller bars with dance floors near the center, such as Radost on Obchodna Street, next to the Slovak Pub.
Although some cafes are considered gay, there are at least two gay
and lesbian bars in Bratislava, all in the city center near the
Presidential Palace:
B-Club, Vysoka 14 (at the intersection
behind Tatra Banka and Volksbank).
The city is located in the southwest of the country in the district
of Bratislava, at the border triangle of Slovakia, Austria and Hungary.
The Austrian border is five kilometers west of the center and the
Hungarian border 20 kilometers south. The border with the Czech Republic
is 62 kilometers to the north. Austria's capital, Vienna, is located 55
kilometers west of Bratislava. Both cities are also known as Twin City
(twin city) and form the center of the European region of Centrope. The
capital of the Czech Republic, Prague, is about 290 kilometers
north-west and the capital of Hungary, Budapest, 165 kilometers
south-east (each measured as the crow flies).
Bratislava is
located on both sides of the Danube (Slovakian Dunaj), which flows
through the city from west to south-east and is between 200 and 300
meters wide in the city. In the west of the city area is the Theben Gate
(Devínska brána), the breakthrough valley between the Braunsberg on the
southern, Austrian bank there and the Thebener Kogel on the northern,
Slovak bank. At this point, the border river Morava (Morava) flows into
the Danube coming from the north; the Morava estuary includes a small
part of the Záhorie landscape, which geomorphologically belongs to the
Borská nížina lowland and thus to the Vienna Basin. Bratislava Castle
(Pressburg, 212 m n.m.) in the center of the city marks the beginning of
the Slovakian Danube Lowland (Podunajská nížina), mostly on the north or
left bank, in the Little Hungarian Plain, which covers the eastern and
southern part of the city area. South of the harbor bridge, the Small
Danube (Malý Dunaj) branches off, a left side arm of the Danube in the
Danube lowlands, and together with the Danube forms the Great Žitný
Island (Žitný ostrov). About three quarters of the urban area belong to
the lowlands.
The rest of the quarter is characterized by a
mountainous landscape: the Carpathian mountain range begins in the city
of Bratislava with the Theben Carpathians, the south-western section of
the Small Carpathians (Malé Karpaty). In the area of the Lamač gate
(Lamačská brána) begin the Bösinger Carpathians, which also include one
of the city's landmarks, Mount Kamzík (439 m asl). Several streams have
their source in the mountains, of which the Vydrica is the largest and
has the most water. In the north-west of the city, the Mláka river
collects streams in the Morava catchment area, and in the north-east the
Račiansky potok stream with its tributaries via the Šúrsky kanál (Šúr
Canal) belongs to the Čierna voda catchment area. The city covers an
area of 367.66 km², which makes it the largest municipality in Slovakia
in terms of area. The lowest point of the urban area is 126 m n.m. on
the Danube near Čunovo, the highest point is the summit of the Thebener
Kogel (Devínska Kobyla) at 514 m n.m.
There are several arms
along the Danube, which remained after the river regulation was
completed. Downstream these are Devínske rameno, Karloveské rameno,
Pečnianske mŕtve rameno, Chorvátske rameno, Biskupické rameno, Jarovské
rameno, Rusovské rameno and Mošonské rameno. Between the Karloveské
rameno and the Danube lies the island of Sihoť, which is important for
Bratislava's water supply. In the south of the city, the Danube opens to
the Hrušov reservoir, which is part of the Gabčíkovo hydroelectric power
plant complex. Near the state border with Hungary at the Čunovo weir,
the Moson-Danube (Mošonský Dunaj) branches off from the main river.
There are several protected areas in the city area, including two
landscape protection areas (Chránené krajinné oblasti) in the Small
Carpathians (Malé Karpaty) west and north of the city and in the Danube
floodplains (Dunajské luhy) on the southern edge of the city, as well as
nine smaller protected areas such as the Thebener Kogel.
Bratislava borders on the following municipalities: Stupava, Borinka and
Svätý Jur to the north, Ivanka pri Dunaji and Most pri Bratislave to the
east, Dunajská Lužná, Rovinka, Kalinkovo and Hamuliakovo to the
south-east, the Hungarian Rajka to the south and the Austrian
municipalities Deutsch Jahrndorf to the west, Pama, Kittsee, Berg,
Wolfsthal and Hainburg to the south and Engelhartstetten and Marchegg to
the north of the Danube.
Bratislava lies in the temperate zone and in the area of the continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are mostly warm and dry, winters are cold and wet. All in all, Bratislava only has a small amount of precipitation with an annual 667 mm. It also experiences longer dry periods and is located in one of the warmest and driest areas of the country, which is very suitable for viticulture. Due to the prevailing north-west wind, which hits the Little Carpathians at right angles, the windward parts of the city in the north-west are somewhat cooler and rainier. The average air temperature in the city center is 10.7 °C. The transition period in spring and autumn is usually short. Devín and Devínska Nová Ves are regularly threatened by flooding from the Danube and Morava.
The first proven permanent settlement of the area was in the
Neolithic period around 5500 BC. by members of the Linear Pottery
Culture culture. After many other cultures settled in the 5th century
BC. the Celts the urban area. The Celtic tribe of the Boii founded what
is now the city center around 115 BC. a fortified settlement (oppidum)
where, among other things, there was a mint. From the 1st to the 4th
century AD, the area south of the Danube was under Roman rule (in the
south), while the actual urban area north of the Danube belonged to
Germania magna. The Danube Limes ran through today's urban area, near
Rusovce was the Gerulata Castle. From around the turn of the century
until 568 AD, the area belonged to the kingdom of the Germanic Quadi.
The remains of a Roman private bath (balneum) of a Germanic prince at
Dúbravka, which is vaguely known as villa rustica, date from the 3rd
century.
The Slavs reached the area around the year 580, towards
the end of the migration of peoples, after the Quadi had left for Italy
with the Lombards. In response to Avar dominance, the settled Slavic
tribes rebelled and founded the Samoan Empire in 623. This first
historical Slavic state structure lasted until 658. From the end of the
8th century to 833, the castles of Pressburg and Thebes were important
centers of the Principality of Nitra, and after 833 of Great Moravia. In
the second half of the 9th century, the Bratislava area was part of the
Carolingian Ostmark. The first documented mention of the city (apart
from the modern mention by Johannes Aventinus related to around 805) was
in 907 in connection with the battles of Pressburg between the Bavarians
and the Magyars, from which the latter emerged victorious.
The political development in the 10th century is unclear. Most
historians assume that the city was under Magyar (Hungarian) rule from
around 907 (at the latest since around 925). The county of Pressburg was
probably founded either at the end of the 10th century or in the 11th
century. According to some authors, the city came back to Bavaria around
990, but came shortly afterwards as a dowry from Gisela of Bavaria when
she married King Stephen I of Hungary. Around 1001, the city, along with
all of Slovakia, was briefly conquered by Poland before finally falling
to the Kingdom of Hungary in 1030.
As a result, a market
settlement developed below the castle, which was repeatedly attacked by
other powers due to its strategic location on the western border of
Hungary. Again and again there were conflicts between Hungary and
Bavarian, then Austrian, Bohemian and Roman-German princes or kings, as
in the attacks of 1042/1052 by the Roman-German king Heinrich III. or
the Bohemian King Ottokar II Přemysl in the 1270s as part of the
Hungarian-Bohemian Wars. Toll rights are said to have existed as early
as the 11th century. Around 1100, according to Koloman's code of law,
so-called divine courts took place here, which were otherwise only
reserved for diocese seats. Later, the Bratislava chapter was created,
the oldest surviving issued document dates from the year 1236. According
to the Arab cartographer al-Idrisi, Būzāna (as the name is given) was in
the 12th century a “prosperous medium-sized city with many inhabitants
and enough different things and food for survival” and dense
development.
After the German victory over the Hungarians in the
Battle of Lechfeld in 955, German settlement began on both sides of the
Danube ford near Pressburg, which was encouraged by the Hungarian kings
after the turn of the millennium. After the devastation of the
surrounding area by the Mongols ("Tatars") in 1241, the Pressburg market
was resettled by Germans, who formed the majority of the population from
then until the 1920s. A Pressburg judge (villicus posoniensis) named
Jacob appears in writing for the first time in 1279. On December 2,
1291, the Hungarian king Andreas III. the municipal law, which initially
only applied to the east of St. Martin's Cathedral, while the castle
with the future grounds remained in royal possession. In the late Middle
Ages, Pressburg was a city characterized by vineyards, crafts, trade and
fishing. In 1405, Emperor Sigismund of Luxembourg declared Pressburg a
free royal city. In 1465 the Universitas Istropolitana was founded on
behalf of Matthias Corvinus, which was closed again in 1490 after
Corvinus' death.
After the Battle of Mohács in 1526, large parts of the Kingdom of
Hungary had to be ceded to the Ottomans. Therefore, in 1536, Pressburg
was declared the capital of the remaining territory known as Royal
Hungary, which was now ruled by the Habsburgs. From this point onwards,
the city became the seat of all important authorities and institutions
and from 1543 also the seat of the Archbishop of Gran.
Between
1563 and 1830, Bratislava was the coronation city of the Kingdom of
Hungary. Eleven kings and eight queens from the House of Habsburg were
crowned here. According to ancient tradition, the coronation
celebrations consisted of four main parts:
Anointing and coronation
of the king with the St. Stephen's crown in St. Martin's Cathedral
Execution of the knighting of Hungarian nobles by the newly crowned king
in the Franciscan church. This raised them to the status of "Knights of
the Golden Spur".
Ride on Coronation Hill (Sword Strikes)
Oath of
the King to the Hungarian Constitution in front of the Brothers of Mercy
Monastery.
The 17th and early 18th centuries were marked by a
series of plague epidemics, floods, further battles with the Ottomans
and resistance to the spread of the Reformation. There were also several
anti-Habsburg uprisings, which had begun with Stephan Bocskai's uprising
in 1604 and only ended with the Peace of Satu Mare after the suppression
of Franz II Rákóczi's uprising in 1711.
In the 18th century,
particularly during the reign of Empress Maria Theresa between 1740 and
1780, Bratislava became the largest city and one of the most important
cities in the entire Kingdom of Hungary. The population tripled. Thanks
to the presence of the Hungarian nobility, numerous new palaces,
monasteries and estates were built, while the castle became the seat of
the royal governor. Cultural and public life also gained momentum, for
example in 1776 with the opening of the first permanent theatre, the
Municipal Theatre, the predecessor of today's Slovak National Theatre.
The newspaper industry also developed during this period: the first to
appear was the weekly newspaper Nova Posoniensia (1721–1722), founded by
Matthias Bel. The German-language Preßburger Zeitung followed in 1764
(appeared until 1929), 1780 the Hungarian-language Magyar Hírmondó
(until 1788) and 1783 the Slovak Prešpurské noviny (until 1787).
However, under Maria Theresa's son Joseph II, a decline in importance
began, especially after the transfer of the crown jewels to Vienna in
1783 and the transfer of administration to Ofen (today a part of
Budapest). Only the Hungarian state parliament still met in the city
until 1848, but it became more and more provincial.
In 1805,
after Napoleon's victory in the Battle of Austerlitz, diplomats from
Austria and France signed the Peace of Pressburg in the Primate's
Palace. After the Austrian Empire, together with the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, once again opposed the French Empire in 1809,
French troops besieged and bombarded the city, blowing up Devín Castle,
among other things. Two years later, the Bratislava Castle was also
destroyed in a fire. As a reaction to the revolution of 1848/49, the
Hungarian Diet in Pressburg passed the March Laws, which, among other
things, abolished serfdom.
The first railway in the Kingdom of
Hungary was the (initially only horse) railway from Pressburg to Svätý
Jur, opened in 1840 (see Pressburg-Tyrnauer railway). The rail
connections to Vienna and Pest were added in 1848 and 1850. Industry
after 1848 and especially after the 1880s developed so strongly in the
city that shortly before the First World War, Bratislava was the second
most industrialized city in the Kingdom of Hungary after Budapest. This
development was favored by good railway connections, the Danube as a
waterway and source of energy and areas freed up after the completed
river regulation, in which factories could settle. Branches such as
chemical, mechanical engineering, food, textile and electrical
industries were most strongly represented. At the end of the 19th
century, the city underwent extensive modernization, with new
institutions emerging. Between 1891 and 1914 the first permanent Danube
bridge, the Franz Joseph Bridge, was built, the first tram line went
into operation and the Hungarian Elizabeth University was founded. At
the end of the 19th century, Bratislava developed into a center of the
Slovak national movement, which, however, continued to debate until the
First World War whether Bratislava was even part of the country to be
claimed by the Slovaks, since it constitutionally belonged to Hungary
and since living memory had a majority of city was inhabited by Germans.
At the end of the First World War, the city became part of
Czechoslovakia, which was newly founded in 1918, by decision of the
Allies and against the will of the population. Fighting between the
Czechoslovakian legions, the Allies on the one hand and local insurgents
and the Hungarian government on the other hand developed in 1919 in
order to remain in Hungary and the incorporation of Engerau, which was
Slovakized in 1919 in Petržalka (see Bratislava bridgehead), which led
to deaths and injuries. Pressburg, previously called Prešporok in
Slovak, was renamed Bratislava and declared the de facto capital of the
Slovak part of Czechoslovakia instead of Martin or Nitra. The economic
importance, size and location in relation to Bohemia were decisive. Many
Hungarian residents then left the city. In 1919 the Comenius University
was founded in place of the abandoned Royal Hungarian Elisabeth
University.
The first Czechoslovak Republic carried out a
state-controlled Slovakization of the city, which was characterized by
the suppression of German (see Pressburger Deutsch) and Hungarian and
the influx of Slovaks and Czechs (for more information see Population).
As a result of the Munich Agreement of September 30, 1938, the
German Reich annexed the then independent municipalities of Petržalka
and Devín, which bordered to the south and west and both had a German
majority of almost 90 percent.
Since October 1938 Bratislava has
been the seat of the government of the autonomous Slovakia, since March
14, 1939 the capital of the Slovak state. In 1940 the University of
Economics was founded and in 1942 the "Slovak Academy of Sciences". The
Slovakian government expelled most of the Jews living in Bratislava to
the German Reich. From the end of November 1944 to the end of March 1945
there was a camp for Jewish forced laborers in Engerau – as Petržalka
was now called again. After the city had been spared from air raids for
a long time after the start of World War II, it was bombed by American
air forces on June 16, 1944; The result was 157 deaths. Despite the Nazi
regime's late attempt to fortify the city as "Pressburg Fortress"
against Soviet attacks in the spring of 1945, it was conquered by the
Red Army on April 4, 1945. Many residents of the German ethnic group had
been evacuated from the city by the German authorities before the end of
the war, and the remaining Germans were expelled from their homeland
after the end of the war due to the Beneš decrees.
In 1946, after the incorporations of 1944, Bratislava, which was now
almost exclusively inhabited by Slovaks, was enlarged by further
incorporations. After the February 1948 coup, under the dictatorship of
the Communist Party, extensive prefabricated housing estates emerged,
especially in Petržalka. After the end of the war, the city underwent
considerable architectural and economic modernization, sometimes at the
expense of the historically grown building fabric. On January 1, 1968,
Bratislava was formally declared the capital of Slovakia, which from
1969 was referred to as the Slovak Socialist Republic and was one of the
two constituent states within the federated Czechoslovak state. In 1972
further incorporations took place on both sides of the Danube, and the
Bridge of the Slovak National Uprising was opened as the second Danube
bridge.
At the end of 1989, Bratislava was one of the centers of
the Velvet Revolution that led to the overthrow of the communist
dictatorship. Bratislava has been the capital of independent Slovakia
since January 1, 1993. The city has experienced an economic boom since
the second half of the 20th century, which has been promoted by foreign
investments since the 1990s. On the one hand, there is an expansion of
services, on the other hand, industry has lost importance in the city
economy.
In the course of the floods in Central Europe in
May/June 2013, the Danube reached its apex on the afternoon of June 6
(record level: 10.34 metres); Despite the water level being higher than
when the Danube flooded in 2002, the flood protection that has since
been expanded has largely protected the city.
In 1919, after the formation of the first Czechoslovak Republic, the
city received the official Slovak name of Bratislava. The German name
Pressburg, or Preßburg according to the old spelling, exists parallel to
this. In German and Austrian diplomacy, the city is officially referred
to as Pressburg.
Bratislava
The first documented mention of
the city as "Brezalauspurc" was in the Salzburg Annals (Annales
Juvavenses maximi) in connection with the Battle of Pressburg in 907
between Bavarians and Magyars not far from the castle now called
Bratislava. What is meant is probably the castle of a pretzel. At the
end of the 9th century, a Carolingian border count (confinii comes), the
Croatian Brazlav from Sissak, erected a fortification here on the border
of the Frankish Empire, whose name then passed to the market place below
- a thesis that has since been accepted by Slovak Slavists is shared.
Towards the end of the 20th century, coins from the period around 1000
with the inscription "Preslav(v)a Civitas" appeared.
The German
name developed further to Preßburg (or Pressburg) and derived from it
the Slovak name Prešporok/Prešpurek. Until 1919, most English-language
authors used the term Pressburg, while Presbourg was common in
French-speaking countries. In Czech the castle and town were called
Prešpurk.
Pozsony
There are different theories as to the
origin of the Hungarian name Pozsony (first documented in this form in
1773). According to Eberhard Kranzmayer, the name comes from a
Franconian or Bavarian named Boso or Puoso, who founded a fortified
village at the ford across the Danube under the castle hill in early
Carolingian times. Otto von Freising later reported on this Bosendorf as
castra Bosani, which appeared in Latinized documents in 1146 and 1277 as
Bosonium and in 1271 as Bozonium. The Slovak form Požúň and the Latin
posonium (and the associated adjective posoniensis), which are not
commonly used, also developed from this. Johannes Aventinus turned it
into a pisonium and attributed the foundation to a legendary Roman
prince Piso. The younger castle of the Carolingian border count Brazlav
on the castle hill and the corresponding older civil settlement of the
Franconian or Bavarian Boso emerged independently of each other, which
explains why the Germans and Hungarians later gave the same castle and
place, but different names in the two languages. The castle name was
transferred to the market by the Germans and the market name to the
castle by the Hungarians.
Ján Stanislav assumes that the name can
be derived from a Slovak Božan, who is said to have been the lord of the
castle in Prussia in the 11th century, but is historically not tangible
(*Božänjь). Since the personal name does not appear in Slovak, it must
have been a southern Slav. Especially in the Renaissance, the Latinized
form posonium and the Greekized form Istropolis (Donaustadt) were used
in scholarly circles. The form Istropolis comes from the
Christianization period in the 9th century (Byzantium).
Johannes Aventinus wrote in the 16th century that the town was
rebuilt from a Roman fortress by the Moravian prince Vratislav
(Wratislaus) at the beginning of the 9th century and was named
Vratislaburgium/Vratissolaoburgium/Wratisslaburgium after this prince.
He also mentions the Latin name Pisonium. The reliability of this
information is now disputed. Pressburg was never a Roman fortress and
there is no evidence of a Moravian prince named Vratislav at that time.
The Bohemian duke Vratislav I founded Breslau in Silesia (hence the
name) at a later date, but has no connection with Pressburg.
Some
Slovak authors in the 1830s used the form "(Tatranská) Vratislava" (e.g.
Ján Kollár, 1830), based on the information given by Aventine.
Bratislava, today's city name, probably has its origins in 1837, when
the scientist Pavel Jozef Šafárik (Slovanské starožitnosti, 1837) saw
the Slovak form *Bracislaw/*Brecislaw in the form Brecisburg (1042) and
wrongly assumed that the city was from Bohemian King Břetislav was
founded. Thereafter, supporters of the Slovak national movement,
searching for a more "Slavic" name and discarding the historical German
and Hungarian place names, used the forms Břetislav (Jan Kollár, 1838),
Břetislava (Jan Kollár, Ľudovít Štúr, 1838), Breťislava (Martin
Hamuljak, 1838). After the introduction of the new language norm, the
variant Braťislava (nad Dunajom) (Ján Francisci-Rimavský) appeared in
1843, with the forms Břetislav and other variants also being used again
in the second half of the 19th century. However, these names remained
limited to small circles of the Slovak national movement. They had
neither official meaning nor did they find their way into the general
language of the Slovaks, who stuck to the historical Slovak name
Prešporok and corresponding variants.
After the end of World War
I, the name Wilsonovo mesto or Wilsonovo (Wilson town) appeared for a
short time, after the American President Woodrow Wilson (according to
some sources, however, only Czechoslovak legions in Italy used this name
on military maps in early 1919). The background was the enforcement of
national Slovak claims to Pressburg at the peace conference in Paris
with the help of a Slavic-sounding place name, since the German and
Hungarian place names saw the credibility of Slovak claims endangered.
With Prešporok, the Slovaks had chosen a city as the capital of their
part of the country, in which they themselves were clearly in the
minority and in which the leading part of the predominantly German- and
Hungarian-speaking population rejected the existence of the newly
founded Czechoslovakia. On February 22, 1919, the Czechoslovak
government officially established the artificial name Bratislav, but
changed this in Bratislava on March 16, 1919, since the ending -av was
Czech. The announcement, with which "Bratislava" became legally
effective as a name, was made on March 27, 1919 in an official gazette,
which itself still had the name "Prešporok" as the location on the front
page. At the same time, the new name was declared "untranslatable" and
the use of the historical name was made a punishable offence.
The name of the city in other languages is no longer a big issue in
Slovakia today. However, the (artificial) name Bratislava, introduced in
1919, is used exclusively by Slovakian authorities in foreign-language
publications and not the historical exonyms available in various
languages. In the Austrian press, the term Pressburg is increasingly
falling into the background, and in the German media it is now almost
completely in the background. However, both embassies in the city
continue to operate under the German name Pressburg. In contrast, the
Hungarian press and the state of Hungary continue to consistently use
the Hungarian name Pozsony in official documents, while the dual
designation Pozsony-Bratislava can be read on signs on Hungary's roads.
In the city itself, the historical names are definitely present,
both companies, especially in the gastronomy and tourism sector, as well
as cultural institutions or ensembles like to use them as a local
historical color. Names related to Prešporok and Pressburg are
particularly common, while the name Pozsony is rarely found, but can
still be read occasionally on manhole covers from the pre-war period.
The Greek Istropolis is z. B. to be found in the name of the former
trade union house Istropolis and the chamber orchestra Cappella
Istropolitana. The name Wilsonovo/Wilsonstadt was also occasionally
referenced, for example in a story by the writer Michal Hvorecký and the
naming of the Wilsonic Festival that he co-founded.
A common
colloquial name for the town is Blava, a shortening of Bratislava, but
also the name of a west Slovak river and a corresponding more derogatory
term for the residents of Blaváci, instead of the written demonym
Bratislavčania.