Roland's Fountain

Bratislava

Planted in the heart of Bratislava's most storied square, Roland's Fountain is said to have been erected in 1572 to serve as a public water supply. It's also referred to as Maximilian's Fountain, having been sculpted thanks to financial contributions from the Hungarian king of that name.

According to a local yarn, the fountain's statue of a knight – atop a column more than 10m high – can be seen bowing every New Year's Eve. Conveniently, only those who are Bratislava-born and of impeccable character are able to witness the annual miracle.

Contact

Address

Hlavné nám

Suggest an edit to this attraction

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum
9.43 MILES
The windswept location of this world-class art gallery is as invigorating as the works on display. On a promontory jutting into the Danube, the…
Hlavné Námestie
0.01 MILES
The nucleus for Bratislava's history, festivals and chic cafe culture is Hlavné nám (Main Sq). There's architectural finery in almost every direction,…
Blue Church
0.39 MILES
Dedicated to St Elisabeth of Hungary in 1913, the early-20th-century 'Blue Church' is a vision in sapphire and powder-blue. From its undulating arches and…
Museum of City History
0.05 MILES
Rove through Bratislava's past in the former town hall. First, scale the tower for a lookout over Bratislava. Then tour the exhibition rooms; loveliest of…
Bratislava Castle
0.32 MILES
Magnificently rebuilt in Renaissance style, Bratislava Castle looks as though it has been transplanted from a children's picture book. Inside is a history…
St Martin's Cathedral
0.18 MILES
The coronations of 19 royals have taken place within three-nave St Martin's Cathedral, alluded to by the 300kg replica crown atop its spire. The interior…
Devín Castle
6.33 MILES
Perched between Slovakia and Austria, rugged Devín Castle makes a popular day trip from Bratislava. From the ramparts there are admirable views of rivers…
Nationalpark Donau-Auen
18.13 MILES
Nationalpark Donau-Auen is a thin strip of natural flood plain on either side of the Danube, running from Vienna to the Slovak border. Established as a…

View more attractions

Nearby Bratislava attractions

1. Napoleon's Soldier

0.01 MILES

Napoleon's army besieged Bratislava in 1809. According to local lore, one of his soldiers fell in love with a local girl and stayed in Bratislava. He's…

2. Hlavné Námestie

0.01 MILES

The nucleus for Bratislava's history, festivals and chic cafe culture is Hlavné nám (Main Sq). There's architectural finery in almost every direction,…

3. Schöner Náci

0.03 MILES

The only silvery statue in Bratislava's bevy of bronzes, this sculpture commemorates a mid-20th-century local character. Ignác Lamár is remembered for his…

4. Jesuit Church

0.04 MILES

The Jesuit Church of the Holy Saviour, just off Hlavné nám, was built in the 17th century. It's worth peeping inside to see the baroque altar.

5. Museum of City History

0.05 MILES

Rove through Bratislava's past in the former town hall. First, scale the tower for a lookout over Bratislava. Then tour the exhibition rooms; loveliest of…

6. Period Rooms Museum

0.05 MILES

Housed in a 1762 building are beautifully restored rooms, dressed in aristocratic styles from the 18th and 19th century. As interesting as the trompe l…

7. Watcher

0.05 MILES

Crowds amass around the ground-level Watcher statue, who peeps out from an imaginary manhole on Panská. Originally installed as a joke in 1997, the statue…

8. Michael's Gate & Weapons Museum

0.14 MILES

Of Bratislava's original 13th-century walls, Michael's is the last gate standing. Capped with an onion dome, the gate's tower was rebuilt in baroque style…

View more attractions