The city received such a friendly name not so long ago: until 1919 it was Presporek. Now Bratislava is the multinational capital of Slovakia, the only one of all European capitals, directly bordering Hungary and Austria. The border connection with the Austrian territory is so close that Kopchyanskaya Street smoothly merges into the street of the neighboring Austrian village. The city retained the status of the capital of the newly independent state of Slovakia, which separated from the united Czechoslovakia after the collapse of the socialist camp (1993). Now the city is actively developing its infrastructure and industry, preserving its historical sights. Let's talk about the most interesting sights of Bratislava.
Bratislava Castle
The most famous landmark of the city is visible from all points, because it is located on a high cliff above the majestic Danube. A snow-white monumental building under a red roof, like a huge swan, literally soars against the sky background. This architectural masterpiece is irresistibly beautiful at night in the shining lights of the illumination. The castle structure has a difficult long history of its existence. Back in the 3rd millennium BC. e. the first buildings have already appeared on the site of the present castle (proven by archaeological excavations). For the first time, you can read about the castle in the documents of 907, in which it was listed as the place of coronation of the Hungarian kings.
In the 15th century, the majestic palace was surrounded by defensive fortifications and gates, but at the beginning of the 19th century, as a result of a strong fire, a significant part of Bratislava Castle burned down. Only 140 years later, under pressure from the public, the authorities paid attention to the historical building, and an active restoration of the architectural monument began (1953-1968). The castle was resurrected from oblivion, acquiring the appearance of late Gothic architecture of the 15th century. The magnificent structure of the correct 4-sided shape with angular pointed turrets, with symmetrical rows of large windows looks very impressive.
Renaissance and Baroque elements reinforce the impression of the luxurious imposing palace. The entrance gate, quite well preserved, is in itself a wonderful architectural monument. Inside the palace there is an archaeological department of the Slovak National Museum, the expositions of which showcase finds from different eras from primitive to modern. There is a unique artifact in the form of Neanderthal skull fragments, gold items from the Bronze Age, items from the Celtic period and the Roman Empire.
The second floor of the palace houses the Hall of Fame, which displays the sports trophies of the hockey team, personal belongings of famous hockey players; kits, sticks and pucks from legendary matches. A stunning panorama of the Old Town opens from above, which tourists admire with admiration. Great impressions await everyone in the lower park near the castle: graceful statues, wonderful landscape, cozy benches - everything here is harmonious and beautiful.
Main square
The old square, being the main square of Bratislava, is called "Main", although in ancient times it was called "Market". With the disappearance of the market, the old name of a cozy small square, surrounded on all sides by ancient architectural structures of different styles, has gone. Next to the majestic buildings in the spirit of classicism, there are pompous baroque palaces and austere Gothic mansions.
In the center of the square is Roland's fountain, built in the Renaissance style (1572) in honor of the coronation of Maximilian II, whose sculpture adorns the fountain. According to rumors, the emperor himself ordered the installation of the fountain after a fire broke out during his coronation. The popular belief says that on New Year's Eve Maximilian descends from the pedestal and walks around the square.
Between 2 squares - the Main square and the Primate square, there is the Old Town Hall - a Renaissance building with a pointed baroque tower. To the left of it is the Wine Museum, where you can see various devices for making a drink, samples of Slovak wine. On Franciscan Square, a continuation of the Main, there is a luxurious baroque palace, built by order of the richest beer producer Martin Spech.
Another Kutschefeld palace, which is not inferior in the beauty of Rococo architecture, captivates tourists with its facade. There is a plaque on the palace that the Russian composer Anton Rubinstein lived there for some time (1847). Now this magnificent building houses the French Embassy. A walk around the square - an excursion through the architectural monuments of the past.
Devin Castle
The noble ruins of the Devin Castle, located on the mountain of the same name, are also a symbol of the past of Slovakia. It was difficult to choose a better place for the fortress castle on a rather high steep mountain, above the confluence of the Morava and Danube rivers. From a distance, the two surviving towers of the castle seem tiny in comparison with the mountain, but up close you can see that they were powerful structures, like the walls of the castle (preserved parts). The first documentary evidence of the Devin Castle dates back to 864, when it was ruled by the Grand Duchy of Moravia. Apparently, the castle was the residence of the rulers of Moravia, because it is located in a picturesque place and reliably protected from the outside.
However, the City of Devin, judging by the destruction, has been attacked more than once. The last of them was the siege by the Ottomans (1606), after which the citadel ceased to function as a defensive fortification, but became a monument of antiquity. But even in this sense, Napoleonic troops barbarously blew up the castle, leaving only that which did not succumb to destruction.
It is known that it was here that the famous missionaries and educators brothers Cyril and Methodius were engaged in the translation of Greek church texts into the Slavic language. Now in the preserved wing of the castle, a mini-exhibition is organized, which presents household items and clothes of the Middle Ages. Grad Devin is a place from where you can admire the amazingly beautiful views of the surrounding landscapes. Even just for the sake of this, it is worth climbing here, not to mention the historical significance of the castle.
Memorial complex Slavin
As in many other European states, in Slovakia there is a memorial complex dedicated to Soviet soldiers who liberated the city from the Nazis. More than 6,000 people died in their fierce battles, and they were all interred in the military cemetery. On the 15th anniversary of the Victory, a grandiose monument was erected on the mountain with the symbolic name Slavin, one of the most beautiful in Europe.
The majestic building is a symbol of the grateful memory of the Slovaks to those whose ashes lie in the cemetery - officers and soldiers of the SA. The authors of the complex did not just draw up a project, but put their soul and heart into their creation. The obelisks and sculptures they created became the embodiment of gratitude to the soldiers, a symbol of the eternal memory of the dead. Everything is done so soundly that the monument will stand for many centuries.
The height of the pedestal together with the figure of a soldier with a banner in his raised hand is 52 meters. In addition to the central monument, there is a sculptural composition at the foot of the stairs: two soldiers and a boy clinging to one of them. At the opposite edge of the stairs, the figure of a fragile girl greeting the liberators with bread and salt. The territory of the complex consists of 3 thematic parts.
The first is dedicated to the oath of the battle banner and is made in the form of a two-flight staircase with bas-reliefs. The second part, consisting of sculptures and a cemetery, can be conventionally called "Gratitude to the Fallen." The third is represented by the Funeral Hall, on the door of which episodes of liberation are reflected in expressive bas-reliefs.Thousands of people come here on the day of the liberation of the City.
SNP bridge
Bratislava, standing on the banks of the Danube, cannot do without bridges, one of which, the SNP bridge, can be safely called an architectural miracle of bridge construction. An impressive suspended structure that does not have a single support in the Danube, like a huge steel bird, crosses the flowing waters of the beautiful river. Opened in 1972, the bridge was first named "New", but later renamed SNP, which stands for "Slovak National Uprising".
During the construction of the innovative bridge structure, some of the residential buildings in the Jewish quarter located on the shore had to be sacrificed. But the commissioning of such a fantastic crossing solved significant problems with the movement of vehicles and pedestrians and "paid for" the destruction. The magnificent bridge has become the pride and favorite place of residents, because it is not just a crossing, but a complex that combines a convenient route for vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians with entertainment facilities
The upper lane of the two-level span is intended for cars, and the lower one is for pedestrians and cyclists. At the top of the pillar, there is a restaurant connected to an observation deck, where you can take an elevator in a matter of seconds to enjoy the enchanting surroundings of the Danube and the city.
The elevator is located on the left (additional support), and on the right there is an emergency descent of 430 steps. Additionally, the bridge serves as a water pipeline supplying water to the residents of the Old Town and the Petrzalku region. A unique suspension structure with a length of 430.8 m is attached to one support (height 84.6 m) and still remains the world leader among bridges in this category.
Presidential palace
The majestic white building under a gray figured roof is one of the central attractions not only as a wonderful architectural monument of the 18th century, but also as the main administrative institution of Slovakia. The palace is rich in its history, which began in 1765, when it was built for the influential adviser of Queen Maria Teresa - Count Grassalkovich.
The second name of the palace sounds like "Grassalkovich Palace", where numerous feasts, balls and ceremonial receptions were held in his possession of the palace. It is known that sometimes the famous composer Joseph Haydn took part in them, delighting the ears of the guests with the music of his works. A significant wedding of the imperial daughter took place within the walls of the palace.
Built in the Renaissance style of white and gray bricks, the palace is decorated with sculptural bas-reliefs, stucco arched windows and figured entrance porticoes. During the era of the Slovak Republic (1919), the palace housed various state institutions. In the Soviet years, the Palace of Pioneers was located here, then served as the residence of Broz Tito.
After restoration in the early 90s, it became the Presidential Palace. Now it is surrounded by a transparent bulletproof fence; on the palace square, there is a large fountain, in the center of which, on a round blue platform, a model of the globe is installed as a symbol of peace throughout the world. Hundreds of tourists and guests of the city come to the magnificent building to admire its beauty.
Cathedral of Saint Martin
The cathedral of the patron saint of Slovakia Martin was erected over the ancient cemetery, under which there are catacombs up to 6 meters deep with tombs of significant clergy and representatives of the eminent nobility of the past. Built in 1221, the temple is the oldest large cathedral in Bratislava, which is proud not only of its inhabitants, but also of all Slovaks.
The high domed tower of the cathedral is juicy green, topped with a massive (300 kg) gilded crown of St. Stephanie, enchants the eyes with her airy beauty. After the consecration of the temple (1485), it became the place where the rulers of the Roman Empire were crowned. After Bratislava became the capital of Hungary, kings (10) and their wives (8) were crowned in the cathedral. The magnificent Empress Maria Teresa was also crowned in this magnificent cathedral, which now belongs to the Bratislava diocese.
The cathedral is surrounded by the chapels of Saints Anna, John and Sophia, a sculptural symbolic statue of “St. Martin and the Beggar. " The portal contains an expressive relief image of the Holy Trinity. Inside the temple has a gallery where the kings were during the mass. The interiors of the cathedral are beautiful with wonderful stained glass windows, a magnificent altar, and carved decorations. Parishioners and numerous tourists willingly come here.
Old Town Hall
As a primordial European capital, Bratislava could not do without the traditional Town Hall, the main building of which was erected in the 14th century, and additional annexes - at the beginning of the 15th century. As befits an administrative building, the Town Hall is located in the center. It unites several historic buildings of different styles, formerly private houses. For 4 centuries, the building of the town hall was rebuilt and completed several times, adding elements of avant-garde Gothic and Renaissance to its architecture.
The oldest part of it remained unchanged - a three-tiered corner tower, towering in a Gothic dome over the terracotta roofs of other buildings. The slender, cream-colored structure is harmoniously "inscribed" into the overall architectural ensemble.
The town hall is a witness of important decisions of the city council, from time to time it served as a prison, then a mint. The cannonball kept here to this day is evidence of the French invasion. Now the historic building houses the City Museum, the exhibits of which demonstrate the history of the city's development.
Church of the Capuchins of St. Stefan
Anyone who has been to upnaya Square should not have failed to notice the small, modest, but very graceful and refined, sand-colored church. Judging by the absence of a bell tower, we can conclude that this Catholic church belonged to the Capuchin order. Capuchin monks appeared in the city in 1676, having moved from Austria.
At first they rented the chapel of St. Catherine, but soon due to the cramped premises of the Capuchins, having bought out a plot of land, they built a more spacious church (1711) of St. Stephen. Having undergone several reconstructions until 1860, the Capuchin church acquired a very cute, attractive appearance, without excessive external pomp and splendor.
From the niche of the façade, St. Stephanie installed on a pedestal. A rosette window decorates the main entrance, the top of the church is overshadowed by a cross. In front of the temple, on a column with a figured base, there is a touching statue of the Virgin Mary, "blessing" the parishioners with a kind, sad smile.
Chapel of saint jacob
In 1994, during construction work, the ruins of the old chapel of St. Jacob, located in the Old City. As archaeologists have found out, next to the chapel was erected the church of St. Lawrence 11-12 centuries, the presence of which was confirmed by the outlines of the foundation of darker cobblestone. Carrying out deeper excavations, archaeologists discovered the remains of an ancient rotunda around 1100, demolished during the construction of the above-mentioned Church of Lawrence, and instead of it they built a Romanesque ossuary of St. Jacob.
Then in 1436 the chapel of St. Jacob in the Romanesque style, which was destroyed in 1529 before the threat of the Ottoman invasion. It was these ruins that were discovered during excavations and surrounded by a glass pavilion. Later they were included in the city museum as a branch. The sacred remains of the chapel can be visited 2 times a year on holidays dedicated to St. James.
Zoo
Although the zoo is inferior in size to other European brethren, it does not differ much from its counterparts in terms of the variety of species of its inhabitants. In the cozy well-groomed territory of the zoo, 700 individuals of the fauna of more than 170 species live and breed. A feature of this institution is the desire of employees to increase the number of rare endangered wild animals under the program for the rescue of endangered animals.
There are more than 20 species of them here: white rhinoceros, bison, short-faced kangaroo, etc. Exotic representatives living only in natural conditions also live in cozy captive enclosures: bristly armadillo and sloth. Basically, all enclosures are fenced off with transparent partitions made of thick impenetrable glass through which it is easy to observe the animals without disturbing them and without putting yourself in any danger.
The cubs, when they are born, stay with their parents, causing the visitors' affection by playing with adult animals. The picturesque bird's corner contains many parrots, different types of owls, pigeons, chickens, pheasants; stately swans, wild geese and other waterfowl.
There is an exotarium here, where amphibians, reptiles and fish live. For children, there is a children's playground Dinopark, located next to the zoo, where they can have fun on the rides, play, and refresh themselves with desserts in the cafe. The best memories remain from visiting this amazing corner of the unity of civilization and wildlife.
Esterhazy Palace
In the Old Town on the banks of the Danube, the austere, restrained and majestic building attracts the eye. It was built at the end of the 19th century by representatives of the noble Hungarian dynasty Esterhazy. Natives of the Slovak city of Galante, under the Hapsburgs they became one of the largest private landowners. Esterhazy believed that their ancestor was the famous Hunnic leader Attila, and in Europe they were considered equal to monarchs.
Representatives of the family were connoisseurs of arts, had an excellent collection of paintings, and their bandmaster was once the composer Haydn. They built one of their residences in Bratislava. The symmetrical building, built in accordance with all the rules of the neo-Renaissance, is distinguished by a clear adjustment of forms. The author of the project was J. Feigler (junior). In 1920, the palace was somewhat rebuilt, but the staircase, pediments, decorative French balconies and arched windows on the first floor have been preserved from the previous structure.
In 1950, it housed the Slovak National Gallery. Its rich collection includes more than 55 thousand exhibits. These are photographs, sculptures, works of decorative art, and, of course, paintings. The collection can be proud of the masterpieces of world geniuses such as Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol. There is also a cafe and a bookstore in the palace.
Mirror Gallery Multium
For tourists tired of exploring medieval sights, an interesting gallery located not far from the castle will be a real find. Visitors can enter six rooms, three on each floor.
- Caminus
- Passus
- Tabularium
- Spiramentum
- Universum
- Sphaera
Walking along the white corridors, you might think that you are in some office, but once you open the door, the sense of space and time is completely lost. The exhibits are very compact and there is only a small platform in the room where a person can stand. One or more decorative elements are repeatedly reflected in the mirrors, creating the illusion of infinity. Such a sight can make your head spin.
Each room has different ornaments, movements, patterns. The tour of the gallery is accompanied by music that enhances the effect. The author of this unique place is Thomas Hatrak, but he said that the original idea did not belong to him. Hatrak was inspired by the work of Yayoi Kusama and Matej Kren. You may have to wait a while before starting the inspection. This is done so that visitors do not interfere with each other. But then you will discover a truly magical world in which you can feel like Alice in Wonderland.
Fountain of Maximilian
There are more than 140 fountains in the capital. The oldest and most beloved by the townspeople is the Maximilian Fountain. It was built in the Renaissance style in 1572. During the festivities on the occasion of the solemn coronation of King Maximilian II, a fire broke out in the city. The fire was rapidly gaining strength, there was not enough water to extinguish.
This incident was the reason for the creation of a large fountain in the main square. The top of the structure is decorated with the courageous figure of the knight Roland, who holds the sword and coat of arms of Hungary (at that time Bratislava was the capital of the Hungarian kingdom). Some researchers claim that the sculpture immortalized King Maximilian himself. Unfortunately, history has not preserved the name of the author of the fountain, but the sculptor who worked on it is known - it was a stonemason from Austria Andres Luttringer.
The fountain has gone through a lot over the centuries. Some fragments have been lost. Most recently - in 2019 - he underwent a renovation and reclaimed the missing piece - the pissing boys. Before reconstruction, there were dolphins instead. Also removed the non-original pool, which did not fit the composition. Now the fountain has acquired its original appearance.
Slovak National Theater
One of the most important cultural institutions in Slovakia is the National Theater. Its history begins in 1920. By this time, the Austrian Empire had already disintegrated and the Czechoslovak Republic was proclaimed. The first opera performed at the theater was The Kiss by composer Bendřich Smetana. It is significant that the premiere was held in Czech. Six years later, an opera in Slovak was staged within the walls of the theater.
The theater is located in a beautiful historical building on Hvezdoslav Square, built in 1884-1886. In 2007, a new stage was opened on the edge of the city, which is located on the banks of the Danube. The theater combines all genres in its productions - opera, ballet and drama. The repertoire is based on timeless classical or national works.
Giacomo Puccini's opera "Tosca" and Giuseppe Verdi's "Aida" are always very popular. An innovative approach is also presented. For example, Boris Eifman staged a ballet at the theater that combined Wagner's music and the plot of Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov. The theater season coincides with the tourist season, so many foreign theater lovers can enjoy an unforgettable show.
Palffy Palace
The ancient dynasty of Hungarian barons, counts and princes of Palfi owned five mansions in Bratislava. The oldest of them was built at the beginning of the 18th century on Panskaya Street. During this time, Count Palffy was one of the most influential people in the city. He held an important post in the administration of the city and was a member of all aristocratic salons.
Thinking about the construction of his residence, the count bought three medieval buildings, standing in a row. All of them were demolished, and their foundations were used to build a magnificent palace. For three hundred years, the building has been rebuilt several times. The last time was in the middle of the 19th century. The representative of the Jan dynasty František Pálffy ordered to decorate the main façade in the classical style. Now the premises of the building are occupied by an art gallery, which has been located there since 1988.
The interior has also undergone changes. Archaeological research is carried out on the territory of the mansion from time to time. So, the remains of a house built in the XIII century were discovered, and a tower was once erected next to it to protect against the enemy. A mine was also found quite deep. Scientists have found that it remained from the time of the Celts, who set up their camp in the place where Bratislava later arose.
Slovnaft Arena
In the first half of the 20th century, after the proclamation of the Czechoslovak Republic, the government turned its attention to the development of sports. As a result, the construction of a large-scale sports complex began in the 1930s. It was inaugurated in mid-December 1940. Since then, the arena has undergone various changes and renovations more than once.
Its capacity is up to 10 thousand spectators. This sports complex is home to the famous hockey club Slovan, which played in the Continental Hockey League.The arena was last updated in 2008-2010, after opening it was chosen to host the 2011 Ice Hockey World Championship.
Every autumn figure skating fans gather here to see the "Ondrej Nepela Memorial" tournament, named after the remarkable figure skater. Nepela won the gold medal at the XI Winter Olympics in Sapporo in 1972. In recent years, it has hosted the European Figure Skating Championships, the World Ice Hockey Championships and the European Women's Volleyball Championships.
Archbishop's Palace
Another name for the palace is Primacial. This is one of the most beautiful buildings. In the second half of the 18th century, the architect Melchior Hefele created a project for the residence of the first cardinal of Hungary, Josef Battiani. The primate liked the neoclassical building and the project was approved. The construction was carried out from 1778 to 1781, for this it was necessary to demolish the old mansion, which was previously located on this site.
The roof is crowned with the archbishop's coat of arms, and a cardinal's hat is installed above it, which spoke of the status of the owner. The walls of this palace have seen many lavish ceremonies. The coronations of the monarchs of the Kingdom of Hungary took place here, because Bratislava was once its capital. The Hall of Mirrors witnessed the conclusion of the Presporsk peace between Napoleon Bonaparte and Austria, which lost the war. Napoleon was represented by Maurice Talleyrand, and Austria by Prince Jan Lichtenstein.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the palace began to belong to the city. It was planned to locate the city mayor's office in this building. An interesting find awaited the restorers in one of the walls - valuable tapestries, tightly rolled up. Historians have found that they were created in 1630 in the English royal workshops. Today this collection can be seen on the ground floor of the palace. Now this unique building is the residence of the head of the city council.
Sigismund's gate
The castle towering over the city is rightfully considered a visiting card. Four gates lead to it, which were built at different times. The Sigismund Gate (or, as the Slovaks call them, the Zygmundovs) can be found in the southeast. Their history goes back about 500 years. Despite such a solid age, the gate, created in the late Gothic style, is well preserved. Leaving them and walking along the road, you can get to the Danube ford.
The gate got its name in honor of the king - Sigismund of Luxembourg. He liked the castle very much, and the king chose it as his residence. Before settling in these fortified walls, Sigismund spent a lot of time rebuilding the castle, and on the way out of the city he ordered to build a new gate, distinguished by rich decorations. Now it is a large-scale and picturesque structure, decorated with a red roof. The road leading from them to the castle is very beautiful and is a favorite place for photo shoots.
Hvezdoslav Square
Among the squares of the city, this is the most famous and largest. She appeared in 1784. At this time, the old city walls were destroyed, and the ditches with water, which were located under them, were covered with earth. The square was a very busy place. There were mansions that belonged to 15 wealthy and famous families of the city. The eastern part was occupied by the monastery of the Most Holy Theotokos, where the daughters of the most noble nobles studied.
In 1848, the people gathered in the square heard about the proclamation of the revival of Hungary. This speech was made by national leader Lajos Kossuth after the March laws were signed at the Primacial Palace. Previously, the famous hotel "Söldfa" was located here, the guests of which at various times were the Emperor of Austria-Hungary Franz Joseph, brilliant scientists Alfred Nobel and Albert Einstein. On the site of this hotel there is now the no less famous Carlton Hotel.
In 1911, the square was decorated with a statue of the Hungarian poet and revolutionary leader Sandor Petofi. True, the monument lasted only 7 years. In 1918, when the Czechoslovak army occupied the city, soldiers blew up the monument. At the end of the 20th century, the square was reconstructed and now it is a large and green pedestrian zone, decorated with two fountains and several monuments.
Mountain park
In the very center there is an amazing place where flora and fauna are practically untouched - a mountain park. It was opened in 1868. Much credit for this belongs to the mayor Heinrich Justa. He wanted to preserve a unique natural landscape for posterity. Here are still growing hundred-year-old oaks, beeches, pines. Ash and edible chestnut are common.
The active members of the Bratislava Gardening Society put a lot of effort into establishing a park in these places. A whole network of new roads was laid, a forester's house and a children's playground were built. We put 50 benches for rest. Iron structures - gazebos, towers, pavilions - give the park a special flavor. An interesting solution was to attach plaques with verses of national poets to some trees.
The park not only preserved old trees, but also planted new species, such as plane trees, yews or lindens. The park now covers an area of approximately 22 hectares. The landscape consists of two valleys, separated by a small mountain ridge, and several terraced plateaus. In the very center of the park stands the monument to Yusti, who has invested much effort in preserving and improving this original place.
Apollo bridge
On the territory of the city, five bridges are thrown across the Danube. The Apollo Bridge is one of the newest and has an interesting design. The bridge got its name in memory of the Apollo oil refinery, which was located on the left bank of the river before World War II. In 1944, the plant was destroyed in a bombing raid by the US Air Force.
Construction began in 2002 and was officially opened in 2005. However, the project of the bridge was created much earlier, back in 1973. The originality of the design in the complete absence of right angles. Smooth lines and inclined arches, illuminated in the dark, look very impressive and graceful.
However, the bridge is very massive, weighing 5240 tons and length 854 meters. It is actively used not only by motorists, but also by pedestrians and cyclists, as there are special paths for them, fenced off from the car part. It is very convenient to climb the bridge - with the help of an elevator. An interesting fact - there is a bus stop right on the bridge.
Transport Museum
Travelers arriving at the train station can take the time to explore the interesting transport museum. It is located very close to the train station and is open every day. Some of the exhibits are located right in the open air. Retro locomotives, railcars and locomotives can be viewed from all sides and come close to them.
In large hangars, tech lovers will be delighted to see sparkling vintage cars. It stops the look of a Mercedes-Benz 170 of 1931 and a Skoda 860, built in 1929. There are many Skoda and Tatra cars on display. There are also trucks, buses and motorcycles. The exposition of military equipment is of interest - vehicles and self-propelled mines painted in khaki color.
Connoisseurs of rarities will be glad to see unique items, for example, an old baby carriage, a bicycle made of wood, a model of a railway bridge assembled from construction kit parts. There are separate rooms, stylized for certain themes - "Depot", "Driving School" and so on. The museum is decorated in a very interesting way and will leave wonderful impressions in memory.
Gerulata
In ancient times, the Danube served as the border of the greatest state - the Roman Empire. For about four hundred years - from the 1st to the 4th century AD - a line of defense existed here. This fortified line was part of the Roman province of Pannonia.In the 5th century, the Great Migration of Peoples brought here the Germanic tribes, who were well armed and organized.
The warlike Germans broke through the defenses, and the border zone was abandoned for many years. Many years later, Slavic peoples settled here. It was from them that the emerging town got its name - Rusovets. Now this area is a suburb. It is about 8 km away from the city center. The Roman camp of Gerulat is mentioned in medieval sources dating back to the 16th century.
Nevertheless, its exact location remained a mystery for a long time. Only in 1965 the archaeologist Jan Dean managed to find the remains of the forts. They were restored and became part of the Bratislava Museum. Nowadays, every tourist can visit these ancient structures.
Bratislava can be called a multi-layered city. Huge layers of history are revealed to the traveler here, from ancient times to the present day. You can see the dark Middle Ages, graceful palaces of the nobility, Gothic churches and characteristic buildings of the Soviet era. Here everyone will find something that will touch the heart and leave an amazing experience.
Mikhailovskie gates
Cities in the Middle Ages were often endangered. To protect city buildings and residents during the next military clash, the settlement was surrounded by powerful walls with gates along the perimeter. In the XIV century, Bratislava was also under the protection of the fortress walls, and several gates were intended for entry and exit, directed in different directions of the world.
The St. Michael's Gate, built in 1300, is the last one that has survived to this day. All others have already been lost. They got their name in honor of a nearby church. The church was destroyed at the same time, and the remaining stones were used to build the fortress walls and gates. Like many medieval defensive structures, the gate was equipped with a drawbridge, under which a moat with water passed.
The main building is the Michal Tower, its height is 51 meters. Now there is a museum of weapons, and upstairs tourists can admire the city from the observation deck. The gate has been reconstructed several times. In the 18th century, the appearance of the tower acquired features of the Baroque style. The top was crowned with a statue of St. Michael and a dragon.
Of course, the oldest building has given rise to many legends and beliefs. One of them says that you cannot talk while under the arches of the gate, but you can make a wish, which will certainly come true. And one more curious fact - the Bratislava zero meridian is located in the arch of the gate, and the distances to the capitals of some countries are listed nearby.
