Bratislava Sights

Bratislava Castle

The massive Bratislava Castle, the Dominant of the city, is located on a hill that has been populated as early as in the Stone Age. The Celts built a fortified stronghold here in the 1st century BC. The Romans, the Germans, the Slavs, the Hungarians and the Austrians have ruled the area in the later centuries. Bratislava Caste became the residence of the Hungarian Kings and was repeatedly rebuilt in various styles. Today it houses the exhibition of the Slovak National Museum and serves as a state function venue.

St.Martin's Cathedral

This 3-nave Gothic Dome, build in the place of an Older Romanesque church, was consecrated in 1452. As Bratislava became the capital of the Hungarian Kingdom in the 16th century, the Cathedral was the coronation place for Hungarian Emperors. There were 11 Hungarian Kings and 8 queens crowned here between 1563 and 1830. On the top of the church tower, some 85 meters (280 feet) above ground, there is a 1 m high copy of the Hungarian royal crown that weighs 300 kilograms. Inside the Cathedral, there the 18th century statue of St. Martin and the Beggar sculpted by famous baroque sculptor Raphael Donner.

Michael's Gate

The medieval Bratislava was entered into through four gates. Michael’s Gate, the watchtower of the original city fortification, is the only one that has survived until the present time. Over 50 meters high, the tower was built in the early 14th century, and was rebuilt many times since. Nowadays, there is a collection of medieval arms and town fortification from the Municipal Museum. The tower also offers stunning view of the city.

Academia Istropolitana

The historial Academia Istropolitana is the 1st university in the territory of present-day Slovakia. It was founded by the King Mathias Corvinus in 1465. Nowadays this historical monument of cultural legacy houses the Academy of Fine Arts.

Grassalkovich Palace

This impressive Rococo palace was was build as the summer residence of Count Grassalkovich in the 18th century. It was a centre of the Hungarian aristocracy social life and was also visited by the Empress Maria Theresa. During the communist era the palace was used as an activity center for Bratislava schoolchildren. After its reconstruction in 1996, the Grassalkovich Palace became the seat of the Slovak Republic's president. Its pleasant garden is now a public park.

Old Town Hall

The Old Town Hall with the clock tower and the romantic courtyard with renaissance arcades is one of the most appealing historical buildings of Bratislava. It is a complex of several constructions build over various stylistic periods. Its core is a 14th century Gothic house of the then Mayor Jacob. In the 15th century, several burgher houses were connected and the complex went through several reconstructions in the course of centuries. Today, the Old Town Hall houses the City Museum with large collection documenting Bratislava history.

The Primate's Palace

The 18th century Palace in the spirit of French Classicism is one of the most beautiful attractions of Bratislava. This Archbishop’s residence also welcomed the Hungarian Kings when the Castle was burnt down.. In 1903, the palace was bought by the city and today it serves as the residence of Bratislava mayor. The historical interior conceals the exhibition of the European paintings as well as the set of 6 English tapestries from the 17th century. There is also a beautiful Baroque fountain in the courtyard.

Slovak National Theatre

Situated in the lovely restores Hviezdoslavovo square, the historical building of the Slovak National Theatre is the gem of the Neo-Renaissance architecture built by the Viennese architects F. Fellner and H. Helmer between 1884 and 1886, in place of the original theatre of estates. There is a lovely Ganymede’s fountain in front of the building. The beautiful interiors of the theatre house acclaimed Opera and Ballet.

Chatam Sofer Memorial

The Jewish community has always played an important role in the life of the city. Although the historical Jewish quarter under Bratislava Castle was destroyed, the most significant Jewish funerary shrine and place of religious worship still can be found in the Castle Hill, as there is a preserved part of original Jewish Cemetery with graves of rabbis including the famous Bratislava rabbi Chatam Sofer, the most important figure in the history of Jews in Bratislava.

Curious Statues of Bratislava

Four life size bronze statues hidden in the streets of the Old Town have lately become the biggest attraction for visitors of Bratislava - Cumil-The Peeper (on the corner of Panska and Rybarska brana streets), French Napoleon Soldier (on a bench on the Hlavne namestie - Main Square), Paparazzi (on the corner of Laurinska and Radnicna streets), and Schoener Naci - Beatutiful Ignaz (on Rybarska brana street).