ALTHOUGH Bratislava is among the youngest capital cities of the world, its history dates back to the distant past. The city lies at the foot of the Small Carpathian Mountain range and is inextricably linked to the Danube River, the second longest in Europe.

The capital, with a population of almost 500,000 people, is today the political, economic, cultural, scientific and social hub of Slovakia.

The streets of Bratislava are brimming over with history. Archaeologists are still finding reminders of life in the past, from the Celts and Romans, but also from the country’s Slavonic forbears from the days of the Great Moravian Empire.

Local archives house valuable deeds documenting the glory of the mediaeval city, which has witnessed the coronation of 11 Hungarian kings and eight regal wives.

Reminders of the past

The Gothic Dome of St. Martin was a venue for the coronation of Maria Therese. Looking up from the banks of the Danube River you will be charmed by the majesty of Bratislava Castle, which bears features of several distinct architectural styles.

Today the historic centre contains a number of beautiful, renovated town houses in baroque and rococo style with romantic courtyards, several churches and monasteries, statutes, fountains and old houses.

The old narrow streets and small squares have a special historical charm.

The past of the city is documented by collections in a number of museums and galleries, providing visitors with opportunities to appreciate the skills of the old masters, as well as to meet contemporary artists and their works.

The Slovak National Gallery is a home to the works of local artists, as well as gems of European art. The Bratislava City Gallery has branches in several historic buildings in the centre of the Old Town. Though museums in Slovakia are not as big as those in China, their exquisite arrangement and good environment provide visitors with a pleasant tourist experience.

Apart from these two most important galleries there are a number of smaller galleries of modern art.

Touring the city’s historic landmarks will leave visitors to Bratislava with some of their most lasting impressions. Among the most interesting are sacral buildings, reminders of exceptional historic, architectural and artistic value.

Reconstructed palaces, churches, monasteries and old town houses house artworks of high artistic value. Quite a few artifacts which you can find in this city cannot be found elsewhere in the world.

In the official parts of the Primacialny Palace visitors can delight in a unique collection of six English tapestries from the 17th century depicting the ancient love legend of the priestess Hero and Leander.

The resting-place of the famous rabbi Chatam Sofer is visited every year by thousands of people from all over the world.

The most striking piece of modern architecture is a suspension bridge, called the New Bridge, with only one pylon, where 80 metres high you will find a restaurant with a panoramic view of the city.

Historic buildings are mixed with modern ones from the 20th century, but it is the atmosphere, appreciated by people and visitors of the city, which is the jewel that prevails.

Wine country

Bratislava and it surroundings offer numerous opportunities for relaxation, whether on walking tours through parkland, cycle-tourism along the Danube River dam bicycle route or a visit to the wine cellars along the Small Carpathian Wine Route.

Large fields of green grassland can be seen, one after anther, from which intense green, red and blue roofs stand out, making the scene look a little like fairyland. The beautiful village vistas and fresh air add to the comfort.

As a fan of folklore, I visited the birth-place of famous pottery master Ferdis Kostka, who had a pottery exhibition in Stupava. With its rich and fresh colours and lovely shape, the countryside pottery looks even more attractive than the luxury kind.