7 things to do in Bratislava
Few places in the world will you give the experience you will get from visiting Slovakia. Maybe you heard it from a friend, or simply read it somewhere but you are now curious when you found out that Bratislava is one of the few places that you absolutely must visit, also being one of the most unique capitals as it borders two countries. It’s the only capital in the world that does so. The city has just started to gain popularity on the European tourist route, and if you prefer smaller crowds and somewhere that is affordable, then this place is perfect for you. Here are the top 7 things to do on Bratislava:
Bratislava Castle:
Located in the strategic location in the centre of Europe, at a passage between the Carpathians and the Alps this castle was inhabited and played a very important role in the region for years. The castle building includes 4 towers, the exterior walls and inside corridors contain fragments of old Gothic and Renaissance construction elements.
Micheal’s Gate:
This famous Bratislavan attraction is the only city gate to have been preserved in all its medieval glory, and naturally, it’s one of the oldest standing structures in the city. It was built in the 1300’s but reconstructed in a baroque style in 1758 when the statue of St. Michael and the Dragon were added to embellish it. The balcony on the 6th floor offers an excellent view of the Old City, and when you get back from up there, you can enjoy some fine dining and shopping from the restaurants and boutiques.
Church of St. Elisabeth:
One of the telltale signs to find out a city’s beauty are its churches, the more the churches, the more beautiful the city is. Churches are often hubs of beautiful architecture and art pieces. The church of St. Elisabeth has only one nave and it was built between the years of 1907 and 1908. The interior is richly decorated with altarpieces and on the altar, there is an illustration of St Elizabeth giving alms to the poor. The church is easily one of the best Art Nouveau buildings in the city.
Hrad Devin Castle:
We already have talked about a castle and we have another one which built on another strategic location, right on the frontier between Slovakia and Austria. This was because of the reasons that it is at the confluence of the Danube ad Morava rivers. Going through its many terraces, walls, staircases, and open courtyards visitors can feel the glorious past if this fort. The Hungarians regarded it as the western gateway to the Kingdom of Hungary.
Slavin War Memorial:
Up next we pay homage to the soldiers who lost their lives during World War 2, designed by Jan Svetlik as a monument and a military cemetery of thousands of Soviet Army soldiers who sacrificed their lives for their country while liberating the city in the April of 1945 from the Nazi forces. The tragic times are gone, and the memorial reminds us of the sacrifices of those brave soldiers. It sits toady in the centre of an affluent residential area with lots of embassies and elegant mansions.
UFO Bridge:
Before you get excited about there being an actual UFO in the vicinity of the bridge, there isn’t. Called by the locals as the most important construction of the 20th century in the country; it is a cable bridge built between 1967 and 1972. A significant section of the Old Town below Bratislava Castle, which included nearly all of the Jewish quarter, was demolished to create the roadway that led to it. Parts of the historical city walls were unearthed during construction. And if the history wasn’t enough for you, the top of this bridge hosts one of the most popular restaurants in the country.
Bratislava Opera House:
It’s one of the best locations to enjoy a good opera, the city actually has two opera houses. The architects who designed this building have done so all over Europe, in many cities. The Old Opera Building in Bratislava is a neo-Renaissance structure with a charming Ganymede Fountain by Viktor Tilgner in the front.
Do you have a favourite thing to do in Bratislava?
If so I would love for you to share with me in the comments.