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Home , Bratislava Castle, Bratislava Zoo, Little Carpathians

BRATISLAVA Chill out in an amazing coronation city Contents

02 TOP sights and attractions 08 is the only capital in the world It experienced rapid growth under located on the border of three sovereign the reign of Maria Theresia crowned Coronation city states – , and . the Hungarian queen in 1741 and the 12 Besides its strategic location on the Bratislava became a represent- River , the city takes pride in ative royal seat. Not only the Castle, City of music its rich history. The first Celtic but also the newly built aristocratic was founded here in the 2nd century BC. and palaces enjoyed 16 The location at the intersection of two bustling political, social and cultural City of museums and galleries important historical trade routes, the life enriched by visits of musical genii, Danube and Amber Roads, highly influ- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig 20 enced the development of trade and van Beethoven, Joseph Haydn or Franz Family - friendly city handicraft. For 247 years was Bratislava Liszt. After the fall of the Iron Curtain the capital of the Hungarian Kingdom in 1989, Bratislava started to profile as 24 (1536 – 1783) and for 267 years also a modern European metropolis and an City for gourmets the coronation city (1563 - 1830). attractive tourist destination. 28 City of quality wine Basic information

32 Location: 65 km far from , Unique history, City‘s lesser-known sides 200 km from and 330 km from Prague. The largest airport in attractive sights, rich 36 Central , Vienna International, cultural life, excellent local gastronomy, quality City after sunset is 40 minutes away from Bratislava city centre by car, and the Bratislava wine and modern shopping 40 Airport of M.R. Štefánik only centres make Bratislava Selected events and festivals 15 minutes away. an ideal city-break Area: 367,6 km2 destination. Welcome to Bratislava to Welcome 44 Population: 419 556 (2014) Currency: EURO Accommodation

1 1.

Bratislava Castle

The former seat of the rulers, today the symbol of Bratislava and the seat of the Museum of History. There is a wonderful view of the city and the neighbouring countries from its 47-metre-high crown tower in which royal coronation jewels used to be deposited.

2.

St. Martin's Cathedral

3. A three-nave Gothic church from the 15th century and the former coronation church. A gilded replica of the coronation crown fixed on the top of Old Town Hall the cathedral tower at a height of 85 metres and weighing 150 kg reminds of this glorious age. The former seat of the city self-govern- ment is since 1868 the seat of the Bratislava City Museum, the oldest museum in Slovakia. 4. After climbing up the narrow stairs leading to its 45-metre-high tower you will be rewarded with Primate's Palace a beautiful panoramic view of the Old Town.

A Classicist palace built in the 18th century in which the Peace of Pressburg was signed after 's victory at the Battle of Austerlitz

between the representatives of the French and sights and attractions Top Austrian emperors. The Palace houses a gallery depositing a unique collection of six English tapestries from the 17th century and also serves as the seat of the Mayor of Bratislava. 3 5.

Michael's Gate

The only preserved gate of the city fortification system dates back to the 14th century. The upper terrace of its 51-metre-high tower provides an enchanting view of the and the Old Town. The tower houses the Museum of Arms.

8.

Devín Castle

A castle ruin built on a high rock towering above the confluence of the Danube and Morava rivers is one of the most important historical and archaeological localities in Central Europe. Moreover, it offers enchanting natural scenery with unrepeatable views. 6. 9.

A Rococo summer palace from the 18th Synagogue century used to be known for its rich social life and a famous composer Joseph Haydn also The synagogue was constructed in 1923 - 1926 performed here. Since 1996 it serves as the seat in the Cubist style according to the plans of the of the President of the Slovak Republic. architect Artur Szalatnai-Slatinský. The permanent exhibition of the Jewish Community Museum is installed upstairs and is open to the public during 10. 7. the summer season. Slavín The largest war memorial in Central

Top sights and attractions Top The St. Elizabeth’s church built in the Art Europe is thanks to its height of 52 metres one sights and attractions Top Nouveau style at the beginning of the 20th century of the dominating features of the city skyline. is remarkable for the blue colour of its façade made It is the burial ground of 6845 soldiers of the with attention to detail with often use of mosaic. Soviet army who died during the liberation of 4 It is a popular place for weddings and baptisms. Bratislava in II. 5 11.

Schöne Náci

A famous local eccentric who lived here in the first half of the 20th century was thanks to his elegance and kind-heartedness an integral part of the hue of the Bratislava promenade and its cafes. 12.

Rubberneck (Čumil)

A bronze figure of a man peeking out from under a manhole cover is undoubtedly the most photographed statue in the city.

14. 13. For sights and UFO attractions 1 - 14 see the map on the Top sights and attractions Top Napoleonic soldier (Napoleónec) A unique observation deck on the pylons of the inside back cover. SNP Bridge at a height of 95 metres with amazing A bronze statue of a Napoleonic soldier views of the city and visibility of up to 100 km. commemorates the siege of Bratislava by Napo- It offers the most beautiful sunset combined with 6 leon in 1805 and 1809. a culinary experience. The past ... Teschen, governor of Hungary, who Short after the Battle of Mohács (1526), was a big art lover. The works collected ancient Prešporok (present-day Brati- on the Bratislava Castle served as the slava) became an administrative and basis for the collection of the later, between 1563 and 1830, also Museum in Vienna. a coronation city of the and the seat of the king ... and the present and the archbishop. Ten kings, one The tradition of coronations is brought queen and eight royal wives from back to life every year during the fourth the Habsburg Dynasty were crowned weekend of June. A festive procession in the St. Martin’s Cathedral. Maria through the streets of the city in period Theresa was the only ruling monarch costumes is a unique experience for crowned with all honours and ceremo- the young and old alike. The Corona- nies, namely on 25 June 1741. Under her tion Festival also includes a celebra- reign the city enjoyed a construction tion of ’s favourite wine boom and rich cultural life. She ordered – the Festival of Fränkisch. During the to build a baroque palace Theresianum coronation all fountains were filled Coronation city Coronation into the existing castle palace for with wine and this custom continues her son-in-law Duke Albert of Saxe- to this day.

8 10 Coronation city Hungarian rulerscom- onation procession of memorated with178 crown-shaped brass plaques setinto the route ofthecor- Follow the pavement.

11 Coronation city 12 City of music Theatre a world-renowned reputation world-renowned a Theatre Antonio SalieriandFelix Mendelssohn Grigorievič Rubinstein, Franz Liszt or Liszt Franz Rubinstein, Grigorievič » www.filharmonia.sk lsia msc Te urn opera current The music. classical of representatives those all with city a Bratislava native son and brilliant and son native Bratislava a as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph several commemorative plaques placed Bartholdy Bartholdy also honoured Bratislava with Anton Beethoven, van Ludwig Haydn, Bratislava is rightly considered the city ensemble gained the Slovak National Slovak the gained ensemble on the walls of palaces connecting the of music. In the past, musical genii such the Old Town, do not forget to notice to forget not Town,do Old the around wandering While visits. their to demonstrate their musical talent here. pianist Johann Nepomuk Hummel used To the most prestigious classical music Convergence Chamber Music Festival Music ChamberConvergence cycle of regular chamber concerts at concerts chamber regular of cycle and others. The Slovak Philharmonic Slovak The others. and and Viva Musica! Festival. The latest TheFestival. Musica! Viva and year belong Bratislava Music Festival, Music Bratislava belong year uh s ee Dosý Lca Popp, Lucia Dvorský, Peter as such situated in the Reduta building has been dt Gúeoá Araa Kučerová Adriana Grúberová, Edita Bratislava Castle. new a brings Classical goesBratislava due to a wide range of quality classical events held in Bratislava throughout the for more thansixdecades. the centre of musical life in Bratislava in life musical of centre the project for classical music lovers called stars opera featuring performances a smallgarden house Hummel housedin Johann Nepomuk at Klobučnícka Museum of Visit the Street. 13 City of music 14 City of music musical history, aguided more aboutthecity's walking tour Musical Bratislava isanideal For thosewho wish to learn choice. 15 City of music Admire and relax with a good cup of coffee in the Gallery Nedbalka.

Museums permanent expositions and temporary Bratislava is home to 30 specialized exhibitions. There you can also discover museums. In the City History Museum several plaster and bronze casts of the situated in the Old Town Hall you can Character heads made by the sculptor find out more about the city history Franz Xaver Messerschmidt during his and the daily life of its inhabitants from stay in Bratislava. The only preserved prehistoric times until the end of the original, the bust of the Capuchin, is 1930s, while the Museum of History in exhibited in the Bratislava City Gallery Bratislava Castle documents history and in the . the ethno-cultural development of the , as well as a rich numismatic Best examples of Slovak modern art can collection from ancient times to the be seen in the Nedbalka Gallery with the present. interior layout similar to the Guggenheim Museum in New York. Less than 20 kilo- Galleries metres away from the city centre is the Bratislava is the perfect destination for Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum, visual art lovers. Rich collections ranging one of the youngest European museums from medieval to contemporary art are of modern art, offering a unique symbio- City of museums and galleries of museums and galleries City on display in the Bratislava City Gallery sis of works of art, modern architecture and the Slovak National Gallery in their and surrounding nature.

16 » www.nedbalka.sk 18 City of museums and galleries » www.danubiana.sk remembered in acafe The life andwork of in Bratislava canbe F.X. Messerschmidt bearing hisname. Fleischmann whose profes- sional career developed son andsculptor Arthur in sixcountries onfour of aBratislava native Visit themuseum in thePálff y Palace are Passage by Matej Krén a walk through The continents. an unforgettable to Danubianaor experience. A boat trip 19 City of museums and galleries Are you planning a family holiday in Hill where you can test your courage Bratislava or are you already here? on the high ropes course or by a ride No problem! The city offers various on a summer bobsleigh track. Because activities allowing your children to all children love animals, a visit to the have fun while learning something new. Bratislava is always a good idea. Bratislava has a number of significant It is home to 163 animal species and public green areas to explore. Sad Janka a unique exposition of Mesozoic reptiles, Kráľa, the oldest public park in Central DinoPark, can be also found on its prem- Europe, is only a short walk from the city ises. Creative children can improve centre and during the summer months their skills in the International House there is a popular artificial beach with of Art for Children - Bibiana or in the many attractions open in its immedi- Children’s Museum, while older children ate vicinity. The public transportation will be captivated by an exposition of the system will conveniently take you to Museum of Transport. An indoor centre the nearby parks Horský Park and FUNCITY in the Cubicon Gallery with Bratislavský lesopark (Bratislava Forest many slides, climbing frames and other Park). In the latter there are various surprises is a good choice to amuse sporting facilities and possibilities for children especially when the weather is Family - friendly city Family fishing and rowing waiting for you, or not so favourable. Similar facilities can let a cable car take you up the Kamzík also be found in the shopping centres.

20 A rich collection of vehicles ranging from bicycles to loco- motives can be admired in the Museum of Transport. Family - friendly city Family - friendly city Family

22 » www.zoobratislava.sk 23

Bratislava is justifiably proud of its range of local delicacies is a magnet unique gastronomy heavily influenced for all visitors of the annual Christ- by Slovak, Austrian and Hungarian mas markets. Bratislava’s culinary cuisines. Restaurants and wine pubs palette cannot be complete without serving traditional Slovak dishes such trendy restaurants with international as bryndzové halušky (potato dump- cuisine that recently popped up in the lings with sheep cheese), lokše (potato historic city centre as well as in the dough pancakes), roasted goose or Eurovea shopping centre set by the duck, are an integral part of the city. River Danube. Good food and good beer belong together and exquisite local beer made Dinner with a view according to the traditional Pressburg Those who would like to combine recipes is offered in several brewery tasty food with panoramic views of restaurants. Bratislava rolls made from the city should not miss the chance butter pastry with nut or poppy filling to visit the restaurants such as are definitely the most famous local UFO.watch.taste.groove, Altitude City for gourmets for City dessert. A pleasant smell of a wide Restaurant or Sky bar.

26 » www.redmonkeygroup.com 28 City for gourmets Bratislavská reštaurácia, Hradná hviezda, Modrá in restaurants Zylinder, Pressburg andSlovak cuisines are off ered hviezda andothers. of traditional Specialities Specialities

Source: Altitude Restaurant Mayer, F.X. Messerschmidt of coff eeincafes Kaff ee rolls withagoodcup and Zeppelin Café. Try real Bratislava 29 City for gourmets The history of winegrowing on the terri- production of white wines such as tory of present-day Bratislava dates back Riesling, Grüner Veltiner, Chardonnay to the 3rd century AD and is attributed or new local grape varieties Devín to the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. and Pálava. Red wine grape varieties In the mid-19th century two important grown here are Blaufränkisch, Cabernet wine companies were based in Brati- Sauvignon, Alibernet, Dunaj and Blauer An insight slava - Hubert and Palugyay. Still and Portugieser. International prizes won sparkling wines of the Chateau Palugyay in world’s prestigious contests such into the history of wine brand were enjoyed by members as Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and winegrowing and wine- of social elites all over the world, and Vinalies Internationales in Paris guaran- making in Bratislava offers so deservedly called royal. They were tee the high quality of wines produced the Museum of Viticulture even served on board the Titanic. Maria in the winegrowing housed in the Apponyi Palace Theresa’s favourite wine Račianska region. The Bratislava neighbourhood which is also a seat of the Na- frankovka could never be absent from Devín is famous for the production of the emperor’s table. The nearby Little traditional currant wine made from tional Wine Salon presenting Carpathians winegrowing region has black and red currants which can be the top 100 Slovak wines City of quality wine of quality City an excellent climate conditions for the tasted in every local wine pub. with the possibility of degustation.

30 32 City of quality wine and authenticatmos- the traditional grape harvest festivals are phere -thisiswhat table experience An unforget- about. 33 City of quality wine See the most import- ant sights of socialist architecture during a ride in a legendary Czechoslovak car Škoda 110 or a retro bus Karosa Škoda.

Volkswagen Slovakia and jet skiing but also by paintball or The Bratislava plant in Devínska Nová four-wheel riding. Ves is the only automobile production plant in the world that manufactures A journey back in time through the vehicles of five brands under one roof socialist-era monuments (Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Škoda and Distinctive socialist architecture has Seat). Watch the cars being produced on significantly changed the face of the a commentated guided tour and the more city and influenced everyday life of its courageous ones can try an adrenaline inhabitants. Large-scale housing estates ride in Volkswagen Touareg on a unique are perhaps the best examples of Social- off-road track. ist realism although they used to be downgraded and unflatteringly called White Water Sport Area “dormitories.” The largest housing estate Divoká voda is Petržalka situated on the right bank The water sport complex in Čunovo built of the River Danube with more than on an artificial canal of the River Danube 100,000 inhabitants. Since 1989 the offers a great opportunity to test your housing estates have been transformed City‘s lesser-known sides lesser-known City‘s courage and skills not only by traditional to modern, comfortable and functional adrenaline water activities such as rafting places to live, work, shop and relax.

34 » www.authenticslovakia.com Learn about daily life in bunkers of the former defence system in Petržalka during the hour-and-a-half-long ex- cursion in a military car GAZ 69.

Bunkers in Petržalka Still rather unknown historic attraction is located in Petržalka neighbourhood just a stone’s throw from the former Iron Curtain. Several military bunkers from the original fortification system built in 1938 now house the Museum of Petržalka Fortification. The Museum with preserved original equipment documents history and the defence City‘s lesser-known sides lesser-known City‘s system of pre-war as sides lesser-known City‘s well as the daily life of soldiers of the border guard.

36 » www.divokavoda.sk » en.volkswagen.sk 37 After the sun goes down, Bratislava true romantics is an unforgettable truly comes alive. You can start evening walk by the River Danube with soaking up its evening atmosphere charming views of the illuminated city in one of many cosy little cafes set dominants. The most breath-taking in the historic city centre. During the night views of Bratislava offer the UFO summer months let yourself be lured observation deck atop the SNP Bridge by restaurants found on every corner and the revolving restaurant Altitude and make yourself comfortable on situated in a television tower. Whether their terraces to enjoy the culinary you are a music lover or just want to delicacies or a glass of quality wine party all night long, there is a wide from the Little Carpathians vineyards. range of music clubs, bars and discos A not-to-be-missed experience for to choose from. City after sunset after sunset City

38 40 City after sunset marks duringasight- views ofcity’s land- Enjoy night-time seeing tour. 41 City after sunset January – February August

Bratislava Ball Season Grand Prix Bratislava CSIO – W Uprising Reggae Festival March Festival of historical fencing, music, dance and crafts at Devín Castle ČSOB Bratislava Marathon September April Craftsmen Days ÚĽUV Devín National Run Donau FEST (every odd year) Bratislava for Everyone Roman Games in Gerulata - Rusovce May Grape Harvest Festival in Rača Convergence Chamber Music Festival Bratislava May Festival Bratislava Music Festival Slovak Food Festival October Napoleon‘s Siege of Bratislava

June Waves Bratislava Bratislava Art Festival – BLAF Gourmet Fest Bratislava Jazz Days Coronation Festival November and Festival of Fränkisch Viva Musica! Festival Month of Photography The Summer of Culture Festival & Bratislava St. Martin‘s Days – The Festival of Young Wine Castle Festival (June – September) International Film Festival Christmas Markets (November – December) July December

Selected events and festivals events Selected Cathedral Organ Festival International Guitar Festival International Festival of Advent

of J.K. Mertz and Christmas Music podujatia a festivaly Vybrané New Year's Eve Run across Bratislava's Bridges 42 New Year's Eve in the City 43 44 Selected events and festivals uncover city�sancientaswell as modernhistory, orenjoy a professional guideand it incomfort aboard the Prešporáčik-Oldtimer. Set out on a tour with Set outonatour with Take advantage of hotel packages and Bratislava currently has more than 120 Bratislava is an ideal place to host let yourself be carried accommodation facilities. Renowned conferences and incentives. Bratisla- away by the atmos- hotel chains such as Starwood Hotels va’s four- and five-star hotels offer fully phere of the city. & Resorts, Carlson Rezidor Hotel technically equipped conference and Group, IHG, Grand hotel River Park, meeting premises. More information Accor, Hilton Worldwide, Austria Trend on accommodation facilities in the city Hotels and Falkensteiner Hotels & Resi- can be found on www.visitbratislava. dences have discovered Bratislava as a com or www.bratislavahotels.com. For modern and charming city. Thanks to those who are unable to book accom- its excellent location on the border of modation prior to their arrival to the three countries and one- to three-hour city, it can be easily arranged at the flight time from most European cities, tourist information centres. Accommodation Accommodation

46 47 Welcome & enjoy free travel on public transport free guided walking tour further discounts up to 50%

www.visitbratislava.com More information: www.visitbratislava.com

© Bratislava Tourist Board [email protected]

Year 2016

Photos: Bratislava Tourist Board and archives of its members and partners

Maps: Mapa Slovakia Editor s.r.o.

Design: Tomáš Kompaník