Bratislava

Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia. This is the largest city in the country and is the administrative center of Bratislava region. Bratislava is the latest architectural masterpiece and is beautifully situated along the Danube.

The Slovak capital is located in the southwestern part of the country and stands just on the border with Austria and Hungary. This political, economic and cultural center of Slovakia has a population of around 500, 000 people. In Bratislava there are all the more important and interesting theaters, museums, galleries, and several universities.

Habsburg dynasty has left a strong imprint on the history of Bratislava. Between 1536 and 1783 Bratislava was the capital of Hungary, but this time in power were the Habsburgs. The Hungarian name of the city was Poszony and the other names that history has preserved in their annals on Bratislava are Istropolis, Preslava and Pressburg.

Pressburg is the official name of Bratislava in 1919, and Presporok. After the World War it was suggested the city be called - Wilsonovo or its variation – Uilsanovgrad or the city should be named after U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. Finally, in March 1919 the city became part of Czechoslovakia and the chosen name was Bratislava after the the medieval Bohemian ruler Bretislav I.

The tour of the tourist attractions around Bratislava includes several mandatory stops. Firstly one must not forget to visit the Cathedral of St. Martin in which the coronation took place in several Hungarian kings. The construction of the Cathedral in Bratislava began in 1204. The latest renovation was in the late 19th century which meant that the brilliant Gothic architecture of this historic monument in the Slovak capital has been resroted. Particularly impressive is the castle Hrad Bratislava. This palace dominates Bratislava from its hill as for its history was under the rule of different nations. There were Celts, Slavs, Romans, Hungarians and Austrians.

A sculpture resembling a flying saucer, and the palace are something like emblems of Bratislava. As the main fortress in the Slovak capital Bratislava Castle is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the city and there are thousands of visitors from around the world flooding this particular tourist attraction. From the top, which was erected Bratislava Castle is a view even to Austria, and even in good weather to Hungary.

The left side of the south side of the castle are four rooms, one is the treasure room, which opened in 1988. There is the very precious collection of archaeological finds and other objects found in Slovakia. The third floor is the exposure of the history of Slovakia. On the first floor of the castle houses the Bratislava Slovak Parliament. In place of the Baroque chapel, which was located in the north of the castle today has built an excellent concert hall.