Sights in Bratislava
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Bratislava Castle
From Hlavná stanica, Bratislava’s main train station, it’s around a 20-minute walk to Hurbanovo námestie, the northern edge of the old town. Dominating the city of Bratislava from above is Bratislava Castle, the city’s reconstructed 15th-century castle with views from the ramparts. Inside the castle, the Historical Museum covers folk crafts, furniture, modern art and history. At the time of research, the museum was being renovated. On the ground floor, the Treasury of Slovakia has a small collection of archaeological finds.
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Slavín War Memorial
On Slavín Hill, northwest of the old town, stand a cemetery and garden with fine views over the city. Towering over them is the Slavín War Memorial, an enormous pillar erected in 1960 in memory of the 6000 Soviet soldiers who died pushing the Nazis out of West Slovakia.
To get there, take trolleybus 208 west from Hodžovo nám to the end of the line on Šulekova (20 minutes), and climb for 1km up Timravina and Mišíkova.
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Slovak National Gallery
Plans to make the Danube riverfront more of an attraction are in the works, but for now it's just a large, pleasant tree-lined place to walk. Waterfront and centre is the Slovak National Gallery, housing the nation's biggest art collection. An 18th-century palace and a Stalinist-modernist building make interesting cohosts for the eclectic showing, which ranges from Gothic to graphic art.
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Monument of the Slovak National Uprising
The central feature of the vast Nám SNP is a bronze Monument of the Slovak National Uprising, honouring to the antifascist uprising for which the square is named. In November 1989 huge crowds assembled here in the days leading up to the fall of the communist regime, and it was also here that Slovaks gathered before the Velvet Divorce from the Czech Republic.
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Bibiana
Bratislava isn't overly populated with playgrounds, or restaurants with children's menus for that matter, but there are a couple of places to keep the little ones entertained. Bibiana calls itself an 'International House of Art for Children'. There's an art gallery aimed at little ones and it sponsors frequent puppet and musical performances and craft classes.
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Blue Church
A mosaic depicting the revelation of the roses hangs at the entrance to the Church of St Elizabeth, more commonly known as the Blue Church ; Bezručova 2; admission free; ;07:00-19:00). The cool sky-blue-and-white church (1911) is an Art-Nouveau fantasy. On Saturdays it acts as a wedding machine - rather appropriate as it does look like an elaborate cake.
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Treasury
At the time of writing, the tiny Bratislava Castle Treasury was closed for reconstruction with no certain reopening date. When it does reopen, the highlight will still be the unbelievable 25,000-year-old Venus of Moravany, a miniature fertility statue of a headless, naked woman that is carved from a mammoth tusk.
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Slovenská Národná Galéria
On the riverfront, the Slovak National Gallery incorporates an 18th-century palace into its unusual 'Stalinist chic' design. Housing the nation's largest combined gallery and museum collection, it is well worth a visit, especially for its fine Gothic and baroque sections. Slovak National Museum is close by.
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Devin Castle
Hardcore castle aficionados will want to don their daypack and head out to Devin Castle, 9km (5.6mi) west of Bratislava. Once the military playground of 9th-century warlord Prince Ratislav, Devin is packed solid with historical intrigue. Bus 29 links Devin with Bratislava's Nový Most bus terminal.
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Hlavné nám
The historic, pedestrian centre of the old town has some beautiful baroque palaces, built after the Hungarians moved their capital here. Once the centre and main market of the old town, Hlavné nám still fills up with craft stalls during the Easter and Christmas markets.
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New Bridge
The New bridge, or the UFO (pronounced ew-fo) bridge, is a modernist marvel from 1972. After a three-year renovation, the UFO-on-a-stick reopened in 2006. There's an overhyped nightclub aloft, in addition to the prerequisite overpriced restaurant and viewing platform.
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Palace of the Royal Chamber
Palace of the Royal Chamber. Now a university library, it was formerly the seat of the Hungarian parliament, or diet, from 1802-48. At the last meeting held there, town deputy Ľudovít Štúr spoke out for Slovak rights and the elimination of serfdom.
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Michael Tower
The town’s only surviving tower gate, Michael Tower, has a 14th-century base, a 16th-century top and an 18th-century steeple. Climb to the top for views across the rooftops, and a small display of antique swords, armour and guns.
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Museum of Clocks
Židovská, the most direct path from Bratislava Castle to the old town, passes through what remains of the former Jewish quarter. What is reputedly the skinniest house in Central Europe contains a little Museum of Clocks.
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Franciscan Church of the Annunciation
Scattered about the pedestrian centre are numerous churches, the oldest of which is the Franciscan Church of the Annunciation. Consecrated in 1297, it was later 'baroquified' by the Jesuits. It's normally open only for services.
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Church of the Clarissine Order
The Church of the Clarissine Order has an ornate 14th-century Gothic tower. No longer active, it is sometimes used as a concert hall. Nearby Kapitulská is one of the oldest and quietest streets in the city.
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Academia Istrpolitana
Academia Istrpolitana. Founded in 1465 as the first university in the Kingdom of Hungary, it lasted only until King Mathias Corvinus' death in 1490. The building is now the Academy of Music & Drama.
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Plague Column
At the western end of Hviezdoslavovo nám is an 18th-century Plague Column on Rybné nám (Fish Sq), all that remains of the city's old fish market (yet another victim of the New bridge).
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Slovak National Museum
The 1st floor exhibits of the Slovak National Museum provide a superb overview of the folk cultures and customs of Slovakia's regions; skip the tired natural history stuff upstairs.
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Slovak Shipping & Ports
A 45-minute Bratislava return-trip Boat Tour, run by Slovak Shipping & Ports, takes you past the city's five bridges. The tour must have 30 passengers to depart, so book ahead
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Municipal Museum
The Municipal Museum is located in the 14th-century town hall. It comes complete with Renaissance courtyard and green-roofed neo-Gothic annexe.
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Holocaust Memorial
Cross under the Staromestská highway to the pedestrian old town and there's a small Holocaust Memorial near where the old synagogue once stood.
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Hviezdoslavovo nám
The narrow, tree-lined Hviezdoslavovo nám traces a filled-in moat outside the old town walls. It's named after Pavol Orságh Hviezdoslav.
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Primatial Palace
Next door to the Municipal Museum is the Primatial Palace, where Napoleon signed a peace treaty with Austria’s Franz I in 1805.
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Pálffy Palace
Pálffy Palace, is a pre-1715 house built on the site of a 13th-century structure and contains a mix of 19th- and 20th-century Slovak art.
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