HISTORICAL SIGHTS

ACADEMIA ISTROPOLITANA

The oldest university in the territory of nowadays Slovakia founded by the King Mathias Corvinus in 1465. After his death, the university ceased to exist in 1490. In the building, which is today a national monument of cultural legacy, the Academy of Music and Drama has its seat.

CASTLE OF BRATISLAVA

Dominant of the city to which the first written reference to Bratislava is related in annals of Salzburg of 907 in association with a battle of Bavarians and Hungarians. The castle hill was populated as soon as in the late Stone Age, while the first known inhabitants were the Celts who had founded a fortified settlement here - oppidum. For 4 centuries, borderline of the Roman Empire was running here - Limes Romanus. Slavs had built here up a strong fortress that became a significant centre of the Greater Moravian Empire. In the 10th century, Bratislava became integral part of the growing Hungarian state, while a palace of stone and the church of St. Salvator with the chapter were built up on the castle hill in the 11th century. In the 15th century, in the reign of Sigismund of Luxembourg, the castle was built in Gothic style as an anti-Hussite fortress. In that period of time, a new entrance to the castle was built on the eastern side - Sigismund gate, while 7-metre thick fortification walls were built on the western side and a castle well was constructed in 1437. Its depth is 85 m and the water table is in the depth of 42 m. In the 16th century, the King Ferdinand ordered to rebuild the castle in Renaissance style, while in the 17th century, when the castle became seat of hereditary province chief Pˇlffy, it was rebuilt in baroque style. In the reign of Maria-Theresa, the castle was arranged for needs of her son-in-law - governor Albert of Saxony and Tessen, who was fervent collector of arts, while there was placed a collection of works of arts at the castle, which was later moved to Vienna (today's Albertina gallery). In the reign of Joseph II, there was placed general seminary to educate priests. Later the castle served as barracks for soldiers, while it burnt down in 1811. Reconstruction was carried out as late as in 1953 - 1968. At present, it serves for representation purposes of the Slovak National council and there are placed collections of the Slovak National Museum in it - expositions of Jewels of ancient past - as well as the Museum of History.

CASTLE OF DEVŤN

Mighty fortress above the confluence of the rivers Morava and Danube is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Slovakia. The oldest traces of settlement date back to 5000 BC. In the 1st century BC, the territory was populated with Celts. At the times of the Roman Empire, Dev­n was an important military station and, at the times of the Greater Moravian Empire, the castle was a significant boundary fortress as well as one of political and administration centres. The first written reference comes from 864. After the fall of the Greater Moravian Empire, the castle served as a boundary castle of the Hungarian state. Later the castle altered its owners several times. In 1809, the castle was blown to the air by Napoleonic troops. The castle is a national monument of cultural legacy belonging to the Municipal Museum at present.

DOME OF ST. MARTIN

The three-nave Gothic church was built in the place of the original Romanesque church. They started building it in the beginning of the 14th century and it was consecrated in 1452. Dimensions of the church are also remarkable: length 69.37 m, width 22,85 m, height 16.02 m. Several chapels were added to the church - Gothic chapel of St. Sophia, widow after the Czech King Wenceslas IV, chapel of St. Anna and baroque chapel of St. John the Almoner.

Tower of the church was constructed simultaneously with 3 naves of the church, while it was integral part of city walls serving to defend the town. Its height is 85 m and there is a gilded pillow of dimensions 2 m x 2 m on the top, while a 1 m high copy of the Hungarian royal crown weighing 300 kg is placed on it. In the 16th century, the Dome witnessed coronation of Hungarian Kings. Within 1563 - 1830, there were crowned 11 Hungarian Kings and 8 royal wives. Beethoven's Missa Solemnis was played for the first time in this church.

THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE
Seat of the President of the Slovak Republic

Baron Anton Grassalkovich, one of the most prominent Austro-Hungarian politicians during the reign of the enlightened monarch Queen Maria Theresa, had the Palace built in the 1760s as his summer residence. The Queen, having a close relationship with the Baron's family, visited the residence personally in 1775. Since then its ownership has changed hands many times. In World War I, the Palace was home to the military General Staff, and during World War II, the Palace became the seat of the Slovak President. During the communist era, the building was used by the 'Pioneer' youth organisation. The Palace underwent extensive renovation in the 1990s, and once again became the seat of the President of the Slovak Republic in 1996.

The Palace - now fully restored to all its former late 18th-century Baroque glory - is entered through a courtyard, where visitors are welcomed by the Presidential Guard of Honour. The ceremonial staircase in the entrance hall, adorned with original sculptures, is something quite unique in Bratislava. The garden hall and the Chapel of St. Barbara are decorated with original Rococo and Classicist frescos, which only came to light during the Palace's recent thorough renovation. The main hall has a partially original, richly gilded stucco decoration and once served as a ballroom and concert hall, but is nowadays used for official receptions and the signing of important treaties. Part of the wooden panelling in the former music room - which is now used as a reception room by the Head of State - has been preserved, alongside pictures over the door depicting allegories of music, song, and dance. The Presidential Palace gardens are open to the public and are much appreciated by citizens and visitors to the Slovak capital alike.

GOOD SHEPHERD'S HOUSE

Burgher rococo house of the 2nd half of the 18th century was built for a merchant of Bratislava. After reconstruction in 1975, the Municipal Museum opened there a unique exposition of historical clocks.

FRANCISCAN CHURCH AND CLOISTER

It ranks among the oldest sacral buildings of the town. The Franciscan church was constructed in Gothic style in the 13th century. It was consecrated in 1297 in presence of the King Andrew II. In the 17th century, it was rebuilt in Renaissance style and, in the 18th century in baroque style. The complex of several buildings on gothic foundations dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries. In the course of the 17th and18th centuries, it was several times rebuilt, for the last time in classicist style within 1860 - 1861. In the beginning of the 15th century, a Gothic tower was placed on walls of the cloister, part of which was damaged and replaced with its copy in 1897. The cloister was witness to many historic events. In Middle Ages, there was elected mayor, while the Hungarian assembly elected Ferdinand of Hapsburg in 1526 to become the king.

MICHAEL'S GATE

The only preserved gate of medieval city fortification. Its Gothic foundations were laid in the 1st half of the 14th century. Within 1511 - 1513, it was heightened and rebuilt to its present appearance within 1753 - 1758, when a statue of St. Michael was placed on the top of 51-metre high tower. At present, the Museum of Weapons and City Fortifications is located in the tower. A very nice view of the old city is provided from the tower.

MIRBACH PALACE

A rococo palace that was built by a rich brewer Martin Spech within 1768-1770. Its last owner Emil Mirbach donated the palace to the town, provided that it should establish a gallery in it. At present, there is an exposition of baroque arts and occasional exhibitions take place there.

P�LFFY PALACE (Panskˇ ulica)

It was built in the middle of the 19th century in a place of older houses. During the last reconstruction, archaeologists uncovered rests of architecture of the 13th century, remnants of a Gothic house with a tower of the 14th century. The most significant finding consisted in cast moulds of the period of Celtic colonisation, proving existence of a Celtic mint in the territory of the town. At present, there are collections of the Gallery of the city of Bratislava in the palace - Gothic painting on glass, pictures of Dutch and Flemish masters of the 17th and 18th centuries, works of Italian masters of the 17th and 19th centuries. Part of the premises is devoted to occasional exhibitions.

PRIMACIAL PALACE

Classicist palace built within 1778 - 1781 on the basis of designs by Melchior Hefele for the archbishop Jozef Bathyˇny. In the attic of the roof, there are allegorical statues by J. Kćgler and F. Prokop as well as vases by J. A. Messerschmidt. In the top of tympanum, there is a coat of arms of Jozef Bathyˇny and a cardinal's hat weighing 150 kg. A mosaic by Ernest Zmetˇk is placed in the tympanum. Statuettes of angels in the facade are holding the letter I - Iusticia = justice and C - Clementia = graciousness - personal slogan of the cardinal. In the entrance hall of the palace on the right-hand side, there is a memorial tablet reminding of signing the so-called Peace of Pressburg in 1805, while a fountain of St. George is in the courtyard and the entrance to the chapel of St. Ladislaus can be found in the corner of the courtyard. You may find the Mirror hall on the first floor, which witnessed signing of Peace of Pressburg in 1805 between Napoleonic France and Austria of Hapsburgs after the battle at Austerlitz. The King Ferdinand signed here a document on abolition of serfdom in Hungary 1848. Collections of the Gallery of the City of Bratislava are located in representative rooms with a unique collection of tapestries of the 17th century depicting tragic love of Hero to Leandros from an English royal weaving factory at Mortlake. The palace is a seat of the mayor of the town at present.

OLD TOWN HALL

There used to be a house with a tower in its place in the 14th century, which was built upon order by the mayor Jacob. The old town hall arose in the 15th century by connecting several burgher houses and it went through several reconstructions in the course of centuries. After earthquake of 1599, it was reconstructed in Renaissance style, while the town-hall tower was rebuilt in baroque style in the 18th century and in 1912 the rear wing was constructed in neorenaissance style from the side of the courtyard and neogothic style from the side of the Primacial square. The town-hall tower was of defensive nature. At the bottom, you may find a table with the date of February 1850 reminding the water level upon flood, when the Danube ran out of its bed. Left of the Gothic window, there is immured a cannon ball reminding attacks of Napolenonic troops in 1809. At the corner of the tower, the statue of Madonna of 1676 is located. Decisions of the assembly, royal decrees and orders of town council were announced from the balcony of the tower in the past. Note a fresco of an old man of 1533 as well as a statuette of the Hungarian King - St. Ladislaus. The Municipal museum is the oldest museum of Bratislava, as it was founded in 1868. Entrance to the exposition of feudal justice system and history of the town is in the corner of the courtyard.

SLAVŤN

Memorial and cemetery of 6,845 soldiers of the Soviet Army, who were killed when liberating the town in World War II. Central part with a ceremonial room with a column of 39.5 m height, on the top of which a statue of a Soviet soldier by Alexander Trizuljak is placed. The complex also contains works of many other significant sculptors, as e.g. Ladislav Snopek, Tibor Bˇrtfay, Jˇn Kulich, Jozef Kostka, Jˇn Svetl­k. The terrace of the memorial has a beautiful view of the town, Small Carpathians and close surroundings.

SLOVAK NATIONAL THEATRE

The building was constructed within 1884 - 1886 on the basis of designs of Viennese architects F. Fellner and H. Helmer in place of the original theatre of estates. Since 1920, it is domicile of the Slovak National Theatre. There were performing the most outstanding personalities of the world opera scene as F. ?aliapin, P. Mascagni, R. Strauss, G. Filip, M. Freni, P. Capuccili, R. Reznikov, J. Obrazcova, dancers M. Fonteyn, A. Alonso, V. Vasiliev and many others. At present, there are residing opera and ballet companies in it. It brought up many renowned personalities of opera scene, as e.g. P. Dvorskí, J. Kundlˇk, J. Galla, E. Jenisovˇ, E. Gręberovˇ, L. Poppovˇ, who were performing at the best known world stages.

CURIOSITIES OF BRATISLAVA

Most significant Roman location

Roman quarters of Gerulata used to exist at Rusovce since the beginning of our era till the end of the 4th century AD. The right-hand bank of today's Bratislava (Rusovce, Jarovce, �unovo) was integral part of the Roman Empire - province Panonia.

Unique series of tapestries

Series of 6 tapestries ranking among the most precious exhibits of the Gallery of the City of Bratislava can be found in representative rooms of the Primacial palace. their origin is at an English royal weaving factory at Mortlake near London. The tapestries were woven in 1630-ies according to models of German artists Francis Cleyn. They depict scenes of mythological legend about tragic love of Aphrodite's priestess Hero and a Greek youngster Leandros.

Sculptural group of St. Martin

The first monumental work of Central-European sculpture created of lead is sculptural group of St. Martin in the Dome of St. Martin, which was created by Georg Raphael Donner for the main altar of St. Martin in 1734. Nowadays, the sculptural group is in the side nave of the church as a free statue on a quadrangular pedestal. It represents Saint Martin sitting on rampant horse, bending to a beggar and cutting his overcoat to share it with the poor man.

Unique busts

Busts representing human natures, their physiognomic acts, grimaces and moods were created by excellent sculptor Franz Xaver Messerschmidt (1736-1783). The biggest series of portraits is in Vienna, some of them can be also found in Bratislava's collections of the Slovak National Gallery, nevertheless, prevailingly just in casts.

The highest and highest placed statue

The statue of Victory on the memorial Slav­n by Alexander Trizuljak stands on a 28 m high pylon, measuring 11 m (together with the pedestal 12.6 m), while the height of the whole monument from the basic plateau is 52 metres. Chest of the soldier is 1.80 m wide, his submachine gun is 2.50 m long and the stretch of his hands is about 5 m. The statue is of bronze, weighing 14.5 tonnes. It was ceremonially unveiled on 4 April 1960.

The oldest fountain

Emperor Maximilian II had the Renaissance Roland fountain on the Hlavn© nˇmestie (Main square) built, when a big fire broke out in the town after his coronation in 1563. Its author is a stonemason Ondrej Luttringer from Deutsch Altenburg, who completed it in 1572. The fountain consists of a massive circular tank 9 metres in diameter. In the middle of the tank, there is standing a 10.5 m high column concluded with a statue of a knight in suit of armour, who represents the knight Roland, a legendary defender of city rights. Others consider it to be a portrait of Maximilian II.

The biggest fountain

Fountain of Friendship on the Nˇmestie Slobody (Square of Freedom) constructed according to a design by Juraj Hovorka, Tibor Bˇrtfay, Karol Lacko, Ing. arch. Virgil Droppa and Ing. Juraj Hlavica dates back to 1980. Core of the fountain is linden blossom made of non-corroding steel of 9 m diameter with mass of 12 tonnes standing on a pillar in the middle of circular tank of 45 m in diameter. The tank is in the form of circular sectors divided in smaller pools placed in cascade above each other. Difference in elevation of cascades is 2.5 m, while the total content of water in the fountain is 2,000 cubic metres.

New bridge

Constructed within 1967 - 1972 over the Danube-river, it acquired appreciation of "Construction of the 20th century". Authors of the design, J. Lacko a A. Tesˇr designed it as a steel bridge suspended on a single pylon. At the top of the pylon, in the height of 80 m, there is a restaurant connected with the bridge itself via an inclined high-speed lift in one of arms of the pylon as well as via emergency staircase with 430 steps in the other arm. The bridge is 431.8 m long and 21 m broad of two levels. Total mass of steel structure, including the pylon, is 7,537 tonnes.

Pyramid of Bratislava

In 1969 - 1984, the building of Slovak Radio was constructed according to original design by Ing. arch. ?. Źurkovi¨, Ing. arch. B. Kisling and Ing. arch. ?. Svetko. Core of the building is a pylon of reinforced concrete, around which a steel structure is winding, creating a shape of pyramid upside down. Structural height of the building is 61 metres.

The oldest church

The oldest church existing so far is Franciscan church ceremonially consecrated in 1297 in presence of the King Andrew III. The church was several times damaged by fires and earthquakes. Only presbyter has been preserved out of the church in its original appearance. Of architectural value is the Chapel of St John from the second half of the 14th century.

The highest church tower

The highest church tower is 85 m high tower of the Dome of St. Martin. Initially it was integral part of city walls, simultaneously fulfilling function of a defence bastion. Solid wooden structure of the tower covered with copper sheet is bearing on its tip gilded crown weighing 300 kg and resting on a square pillow whose upper surface is 4 m2. The crown is a symbol of coronation church, which was the Dome of St. Martin from 1563 to 1830.

Unique hat

It is towering over the top of tympanum of the Primacial palace above a coat of arms made of stone. Iron cardinal hat of diameter 180 cm weighs 150 kg.

Unique chandelier

Lighting ball of anticorrosive sheetmetal of diameter 2 m, in which there are 2,532 light bulbs was made according to a design by V. C­gler. The chandelier may shine as an integral ball or it may create lighting figures according to a program selected in advance. Theoretically, there may be attained 22 million variants of lighting figures.

Sun-dials

Out of numerous sundials decorating southern walls of palaces, cloisters and towers, just four vertical ones have been preserved, of which the oldest ones are in the courtyard of the Franciscan cloister.

In 1974, the Municipal museum made accessible the exposition of historical clocks at the Good shepherd's house. Remarkable feature of the museum is a collection of portable sundials of the 16th to 18th centuries.

The oldest museum

The oldest museum existing so far is the Municipal museum established in 1868. It is focusing on research and documentation of the territory of Bratislava from ancient times up to the present day. The oldest exposition is that of history of the town located in the Old town hall with exhibition of feudal justice system.

WALKS IN BRATISLAVA

CORONATION PATH

When walking in the city, probably you will notice little golden crowns in pavement. They identify the route that was passed by coronation procession. You may also walk the way walked on by kings. The route starts at the Gothic St. Martin Dome witnessing coronations of 11 Hungarian kings and 8 royal spouses in the course of 3 centuries. When walking inside the church, you will find an incomplete list of crowned sovereigns on the wall of the presbyter. Charm of ancient past will be recalled to you by one of the oldest small lane of the city - Kapitulskˇ street, from where you can also see remarkable tower of the Church of the order of St. Claire. Along the streets Prepo?tskˇ, Ventęrska and Sedlˇrska, you will get as far as to the Hlavn© nˇmestie (Main square), which used to be and still has been thick of things in the city. In the past, markets were taking place in it, ordinances of the town were announced from the tower of the Old town hall, but there were also executed capital punishments here. Major representatives of the town greeted the king in front of the Old town hall, who was then going on across the Franciscan square (Franti?kˇnske nˇmestie) to the Franciscan church, where he dubbed knights of Golden spur. In addition to the little crowns in the Franciscan square, you will also find in pavement small works of arts that are results of the project Pavement as a symbol of crossroads. Through the Biela ulica (White street), where you can find a rare Renaissance wall painting on the facade of the house U ¨ierneho havrana (At black raven), depicting St. Christopher, St. Florian and diggers in vineyards, you will get to Mlichalskˇ street. The Michael's gate has been at its end since the 14th century, which had been integral part of city walls. It is the only preserved medieval gate whose tower is 51 metres high and a copper statue of St. Michael was placed on its tip upon its baroque reconstruction. Under the gate, you will find the so-called zero kilometre, where distances of Bratislava from other towns are identified. Next to the gate, there is the narrowest house of the city with its width of only 1.6 m. King used to ride horseback this way beyond the gates of the town, that is why you cannot find little crowns in the pavement in front of the Michael's gate any more.

IN FOOTSTEPS OF JEWISH CULTURE

Bratislava is a multicultural town, where people of Slovak, German and Hungarian as well as Jewish ethnicities have been living next to each other for centuries. Forty-year period of communism is associated with destruction of material monuments of Slovak Jewry, demolition of synagogues, cemeteries, with destructing libraries and archives.

After 1989, efforts to restore Jewish cultural, social and religious life was brought about.
Thus you may have a look at resting place of famous rabbi Chatam Sofer who, during his activities in the post of chief rabbi of Bratislava, became unofficial head of European and world Jewry. The Mausoleum of Chatam Sofer is created by a torso of onetime cemetery of the 17th; there are buried the most significant rabbis of Jewish community of Bratislava in 23 graves and 41 crypts, of whom Chatam Sofer is most distinguished, as well as great uncles of German poet Heinrich Heine.

You will find the mausoleum just behind the tunnel on the embankment Nˇbre?ie armˇdneho generˇla Ludv­ka Svobodu, but fix your visit in advance on the phone No.: +421-903 / 265 453.

Take a walk along the embankment as far as to the settlement beneath the castle, while on your way you may turn to the Rybn© nˇmestie (Fish square), where Memorial of holocaust is standing - a monument to victims of racial persecution by the sculptor Milan Lukˇ¨ and architect Peter ?alman as well as Wall of memories placed on the site, where once used to be a representative synagogue of the so-called Neological community built within 1893 - 1894.

If you want to learn something more about development of spiritual and material Jewish culture, then you will get underneath the New bridge to the Jewish street (?idovskˇ ulica), where the Museum of Jewish culture in Slovakia has been located in Zsigray curia since 1994 (?idovskˇ ul. 17, phone: +421-2 / 5934 9142, 5934 9143).

Contacts:

Jewish Religious Community of Bratislava
?idovskˇ nˇbo?enskˇ obec Bratislava
Jědische Kultusgemeinde Bratislava
Kozia 18, 814 47 Bratislava
Phone: +421-2 / 5441 2167, 5441 6949

Central Association of the Jewish Religious Community of Slovakia
šstrední zv¤z ?idovskích nˇbo?enskích obc­ SR
Zentralverband der jědischen Kultusgemeinden in der Slowakei
Kozia 21, 814 47 Bratislava
Phone: +421-2 / 5441 2167

Slovak Union of Jewish Youth
Slovenskˇ ęnia ?idovskej mlˇde?e
Slowakischer Verband der Jědischen Jugend
Kozia 18, 814 47 Bratislava
Phone: +421-2 / 5441 8714

Institute of Judaism of the Comenius University
In?titęt judaistiky UK
Institut fěr Judaistik an der Komenius Universit¤t
Panenskˇ 4, 811 03 Bratislava
Phone: +421-2 / 5441 6867

MUSICAL BRATISLAVA

Bratislava has many attributes, anyway, more than appropriate is the attribute of "town of music". In the course of centuries, it was visited by several giants of music, while music has been resounding from windows of palaces, whether in the streets and squares till the present day. Autumn holiday is Musical festival of Bratislava - an international festival of serious music as well as Jazz days of Bratislava. In summer months, especially the city centre is revived by music in the framework of shows of Cultural summer.

If you come to Bratislava for culture and you still have a couple of hours of free time, you can set out to see the places that are associated with musical past and presence. E.g., start at the Grassalkovich palace that is residence of the President of the Slovak Republic today, anyway, a frequent guest used to be Joseph Haydn, too. Then you can go on to Michalskˇ street, just after passing beneath the Michael's gate and facing it, notice a smaller house on the left-hand side. Once there was living in it Johan Nepomuk Batka, city archivist who played significant role in cultural and especially musical life of the town in the 2nd half of the 19th century as a music critic and organiser of significant events of music and culture. Through the Michalskˇ street trimmed with little caf©s and restaurants in summer, you will get as far as to Ventęrska street, where you will find a tablet on the palace of Leopold de Pauli, from which you will learn that Franz Liszt gave a concert here as 9-year old in 1820. Just several metres further, a tablet on the Pˇlffy palace, which is a seat of the Austrian Embassy today, lets us know that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart gave a concert here as 6-year old boy in 1762. Ludwig van Beethoven visited Bratislava in the fall 1796, at the time of session of assembly, to give concerts in several palaces, e.g. in Keglevich palace in Panskˇ street. And maybe he also liked daughter of the Keglevichs- Babeta whom he was teaching to play the piano, dedicating her several compositions. Through Panskˇ street, where rich noblemen have their fancy palaces built in the 18th and 19th centuries, you will get to the Hlavn© nˇmestie whose dominant is the Old town hall. Arrival of precious guests were reported from the balcony of the tower in the past or, as the case might be, they were announcing ordinances of the town. In the 19th century in one of palaces - in Kutschersfeld palace - there was living the pianist A. G. Rubinstein who played on 3 concerts and he also composed several compositions here. Crossing the Primacial square, you will get to Klobu¨n­cka street, where you will be attracted already at its corner by a memorial tablet to Johan Nepomuk Hummel - a native of Bratislava, who was, already as a child, amazing by his art music audience in many towns of Europe. His life, work and rich musical history of the town are documented by an exposition of the Municipal museum in Klobu¨n­cka street.

Opera lovers may not skip the building of the Slovak National Theatre built in 1884 - 86, where opera and ballet performances take place nowadays. Not far from this building, there is a seat of Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, where fans of serious music may come into their own.

VICINITY OF BRATISLAVA

Vicinity of Bratislava is just right for trips on foot, on bike or by boat.

Bratislava spreads at the foot of the Small Carpathians, so you may get from the centre directly to forest in 15 minutes. You will be driven there by city transport. Pleasant and undemanding walk leads to Kamz­k, a hill above Bratislava. High above the town, there is a revolving restaurant at the TV tower, from where you will have outlook far and wide upon good visibility. Then you have a really nice view of the town.

Upon a romantic walk along lakes at ?eleznˇ studienka (Iron well), fresh air and birds singing in the forest will invigorate you and you will forget about your worries and everyday rush.

If you want to go even farther to the surroundings, you will discover nature of the Zˇhorie region untouched by hikers, with its small waving hills, harmonious atmosphere and kind people or a better known Small-Carpathian wine path with castles, mansions and good wine or attractions of the Danubian basin, where old wooden water mills conjoin modern architecture.

It is rather little to see just the centre of Bratislava, you should also set out for its city parts that are easily accessible by bike or city transport.

Castle of Dev­n

Monumental ruins of the castle with a beautiful view of the confluence of the rivers Danube and Morava, of the surroundings on Slovak as well as Austrian sides. While you are still in Bratislava, as Dev­n is its city part. In the course of centuries, however, there were taking turns Celts, Romans and, in the period of the Greater Moravian Empire, it was the most significant boundary castle. Just Napoleonic troops managed to destroy it. In summer, you could do with some refreshment with kofola (Slovak cola) in local pubs. Upholders of hiking may go on to the hill Dev­nskˇ Kobyla, where they can admire rich thermophilous vegetation as well as rare sorts of insects. On a sandy hill Sandberg, you may still find fossils old 14 to 16 million years. Another option for pedestrians and cyclists is instructive trail across alluvia of the Morava-river, which is leading from Dev­n to Vysokˇ pri Morave.

Rusovce

It is a city part of Bratislava, where you can get by bus or bike on cycling route along the Danube. There is a beautiful mansion surrounded by a park at Rusovce, where you may have a walk. Set out for history to Gerulata - the most significant sight of Roman period in our territory.

If you like bathing outdoors, follow hundreds of inhabitants of Bratislava who go to take a bath in the local lake in summer. There is one of little places whose part is reserved for nudists. Do not expect any snack bars and changing rooms. You can get roast fish in local pubs in the summer.

Complex of water sports of �unovo and gallery Danubiana

You will be transported by local transport to �unovo or you may use a cycling path. As well our Olympic champion Michal Martikˇn and best water slalom racers train in the paradise of water sportsmen on "wild water", in the canal of 816 m length and superelevation of 6.6 m. will you also try it? An ideal summer day with roast fish in some of the country taverns in the vicinity.

In front of the complex of water sports, on the tip of peninsula, a gallery of modern arts Danubiana Art Museum will draw your attention, where exhibitions of prominent European and domestic artists take place on the area of 1,700m square metres.

Tracking wine, set out on the Small-Carpathian wine path, starting at Sv¤tí Jur, continuing at Pezinok, Modra, while you may finish your trip at the castle of �ervení Kameâ.

Pezinok

Former royal town attracts visitors by renovated historical core with a number of sights. At the Small-Carpathian museum, you will learn about presence and past of this viticulture region. They will also enjoy arranging a degustation of local sorts of wine for you. You may go for a good lunch to the local Castle wine cellar. If you feel like having a Slovak specialty: good goose meat, step to Slovenskí Grob - capital of goose meat, e.g. to the Cellar at golden goose or to the Limbach barn at the village of Limbach. And, to good goose meat, taste the local specialty of "lok?e" (pan cake of flour and potatoes baked without oil and spread with goose fat, which may be filled with goose livers or, if you feel like having a sweet "lok?a", you may have it filled with poppy) and, in autumn period, you may have a glass of must to it (young wine in the process of fermentation). If you like naive arts, you should visit the gallery at the Schaubmar's mill in Pezinok.

In winter, you may ski on slopes and cross-country trails in the near recreational centre of Pezinskˇ Baba.

Modra

The town became famous by viticulture tradition as well as by still living and developing tradition of majolica production, by the historic core of the former royal town protected in conservationist terms and by interconnection with lives and activities of renowned personalities of Slovak national life. More will be told about majolica production at the company Slovak folk majolica, where you may try how to make ceramics on potter's wheel and, at the store, you may buy a souvenir in the form of typical ceramics of this region.

You can taste local wine at local restaurants. At nearby recreational resorts of Harmănia and Piesok, you can spend several days relaxing in the bosom of nature.

�ervení Kameâ

The castle of �ervení Kameâ (Red stone) is towering above the village �astˇ, 13 km beyond Pezinok. The castle has been standing here since the 13th century, while you may view expositions of historical furniture, weapons, art gallery, castle cellars and park. In the summer time, you may ride horseback, have a drive on a carriage in the historical park or have a look at performance of falconers. There is also an option of refreshment directly in the castle area. If you are with a group, then you can get scared to the castle within a night tour. Your trip can be continued in direction to Smolenice dominated by a castle, but as it is inaccessible to public, go on as far as beyond Smolenice to recreational resort of Jahodn­k. If you are not distracted by 45-minute ascent, you will get in front of the only accessible cave of the Small Carpathians - cave of Driny.

Water - element that, thanks to human brain, was bringing use already in the past in the form of water mills, fishery and currently it provides options for relaxation and leisure.

Senec

As long as for several decades, the town located just 28 km from Bratislava has been known by its Sunny lakes not only by inland visitors. In the summer, you may relax with water sports, enjoy good music or just sunbathing. If you stop enjoying being lazy at the water, you may have a look at the Turkish house in the town and column of shame - a whipping post of the 16th century, or the Gothic church of St. Nicholas of the 14th century. Probably you would like to see a farm where Siberian tigers are bred. But then you shall go a couple of kilometres farther to Kostolnˇ pri Dunaji. At Krˇ?ovˇ pri Senci, you should stop at beekeepers open-air museum as well as at the indoor museum with collection of historical beehives and bee-keeping implements.

Gab¨­kovo

Gab¨­kovo remote 58 km can be reached by bike, boat or any other means of transport. If you choose a more comfortable way, i.e. cruising by boat, from its board you will have an option to admire the Danube bordered with alluvial forests and picturesque hideaways, Danubian arms with small islands, water fauna and flora.

Sightseeing cruise on a speed boat to the water project of Gab¨­kovo connected with drifting down its locks, where you will be lifted and, when returning, lowered down by 16 to 18 metres in 20 minutes, all of that can be made in three hours.

If you set out for Gab¨­kovo on firm ground, try also to go to see Ve?kí Meder, where you may enjoy swimming pools of the thermal bathing resort.

Water mills on the Small Danube

Magic of river sheds is highlighted by water mills that have been preserved on the Small Danube. The water mill of Jelka is nearest to Bratislava, where you can get from the village of the same name, which is connected with a bus line to Senec remote 9 km.
You may get by car or on foot from the village to the water mill at the municipality of Tomˇ?ikovo, which is standing on piles and connected to the riverbank by a wooden footbridge.

7 km downstream the flow of the river from the water mill of Tomˇ?ikovo, there is situated the village of Jahodnˇ, where remnants of a water sawmill can be found. A view of it is interesting from the water flow that is rush and partially obstructed with picturesque small islands with lavish vegetation. If you do not approach it on the river, you can also get to it walking or by car.

Just less than 2 km from Jahodnˇ in direction to Dunajskˇ Streda, there is situated the village of Dunajskí Klˇtov, where a renovated water mill can be found. It was driven by waters of Klˇtovsk© arm, one of right-bank tributary to the Small Danube. In hot summer, beautiful blooms of white water lily emphasise charm of water level in this nature reserve. Those depending on bus transport may be recommended gradual visit of the mill of Tomˇ?ikovo, water sawmill at Jahodnˇ and also the water mill at Dunajskí Klˇtov, using several connections on the line Galanta - Dunajskˇ Streda.

The only preserved floating water mill can be found at Kolˇrovo at a cut-off meander of the Small Danube.

If you have enough courage and a boat, try to drift downstream the Small Danube as far as to its confluence with the Vˇh-river and, in the evening, you may anchor at the riverbank and enjoy the silence disturbed just by chirping of grasshoppers.

Zˇhorie is a region undiscovered by tourists so far, even though its borders commence just several kilometres far from Bratislava. Every country has an area, where people are living, who are focal point of jokes... Slovakia has got the region of Zˇhorie and inhabitants of Zˇhorie.

Undiscovered Zˇhorie

Zˇhorie is a plain territory with pine-tree woodlets. On the way to Stupava, take the turn to a known pilgrimage site - Marianka, have a look at the church with cloister of the 14th century, take a drink from miraculous spring and set out for Borinka around the Stations of the Cross and to ruins of the Paj?tęn castle through the steep slope. Outlook from this place is certainly worth it. We recommend taking something to strengthen yourselves, as you will surely get hungry after such a demanding ascent. If you have still enough strength to collect dry wood, you may make small fire at reserved places and barbecue short sausages you will like very much with a flavour of smoke.

There is a saying telling that not only bread can keep a man alive, but sometimes also the soul should be given something to eat. At Stupava, go and see the Museum of Ferdi? Kostka, a well-known jug maker. In his native house, you can admire folk culture as well as the only preserved kiln of Habans in Europe. Skills of craftsmen who created Haban ceramics may be also admired in the area of the Haban yard at Ve?k© Levˇre.

You may meditate at the National basilica of the Lady of Seven Sorrows in the town of ?a?t­n-Strˇ?e. And do you know that oil is extracted in Slovakia? Check it at Gbely, where you will see oil derricks and you will learn about oil extraction upon a visit to the Oilman museum.

You will not find luxury here, but you will be enchanted by beautiful silence of forests, ruins of castles on steep rocks, history will breathe on you and you will find here friends for all life long.

Myjava, Skalica

If you like meditating in the arms of nature, set out for Myjava. Untouched nature, picturesque small villages, peculiar customs and habits, amiable people. You will find yourselves in a different world... If you pay a visit to Myjava in June, you will have a unique chance to get to know folk habits and songs at Folklore festival of Myjava. Stronger natures may taste genuine plum brandy of the Kopanice region.

For those who like to take the long way round a museum, there is the Museum of Slovak national councils.

10 km far from Myjava, there is situated Brezovˇ pod Bradlom, where, in addition to historical sights, there is situated a burial-mound of M. R. ?tefˇnik, Slovak astronomer, general and politician. He has got also a museum at his birthplace - in the village of Ko?ariskˇ. It take an hour and a half by bus or train from Bratislava to Skalica, but it is worth to go there not only due to the local specialty - the cake trdeln­k or local red wine "Ruby of Skalica", but also due to the Museum of Zˇhorie region located in the building you cannot oversee, because it is decorated by mosaics inspired by the painter Mikolˇ? Ale?.