Bratislava - the castle and the city centre
Bratislava castle
It is the main tourist attraction and the most significant symbol of Bratislava. The Castle which in the past was controlled by Great Moravia and for almost 200 years stored the crown jewels of Hungary, nowadays hosts many expositions and is an ideal place for walks with beautiful surroundings and views. It serves as a representative venue for the Slovak Parliament and houses collections of the Slovak National Museum.
LOCATION
Bratislava Castle sits on the hill above the Old Town and Danube river. We prefer to walk there rather than take the public transport as you get to see a lot more that way. If you take our advice and choose to walk, don't use the main street which goes along the trolley bus line. You will have a better experience walking through narrow old hidden streets of the Old Town.
HISTORY
The castle was built in the 9th century in a gothic style. The castle hill was also inhabited in the Celtic and the Great Moravian era. In the middle of the 16th century, Bratislava became the official coronation town for Hungarian Kings and the castle became a residence of the monarch. Later, the castle was rebuild in a renaissance style. The south-west tower - also known as the jewel's tower - housed the Hungarian coronation jewels for two centuries.The last large reconstruction in baroque style took place under the reign of Maria Theresa (1740-1780). In 1811, the castle was burnt down and only ruins were left. It was reconstructed in 1956-68. Bratislava Castle is an important landmark and a National Cultural Monument.
WHAT TO SEE AROUND THE CASTLE?
There are four entrance gates to the Castle out of which three are currently accessible. A green lawn covers the whole surrounding area. The benches and standing lamps give the park romantic atmosphere. A new baroque garden behind the castle was opened in June 2016 and entry is free of charge. It was reconstructed in order to remind its last baroque stage before the great fire in 1811 occurred, which damaged the castle and its surroundings.
The area in front of the Castle carries a name "Yard of Honor". It is bordered by two triumphal gates and guard houses of the imperial guard. The panoramic views you get from here are just amazing - that's why you will meet a lot of people just standing by the wall and taking pictures.
The main Castle building includes 4 towers. The tallest one, "Crown Tower", is on the southwest corner and it is an observatory with a beautiful view on the whole Bratislava, Danube and Austria as well. You can get there via a narrow passage in the Castle Museum of History.
THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY
The already mentioned Museum of History is located inside the Castle and offers different exhibitions. Paintings, arts, sculpting and beautiful crafts is what you can find there. Just like the exterior of the Castle, its interior has also gone through a restoration.
If you feel like you need to buy a souvenir at the Castle, you can do so at the souvenir shop which stands at the main courtyard, near one of the main gates. Check out a restaurant called Hradna Hviezda - which has a very nice interior and offers good Slovak meals.
OPENING HOURS
WINTER SEASON:
1.november-31.march, Daily except Mondays, from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, last entry at 4.00 pm
SUMMER SEASON:
1.april-31.october, Daily except Mondays, from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm, last entry at 5.00 pm
TICKETS
Open for public, you only pay for the entrance to the Museum
Basic admission 8 €
Seniors, students 4 €
Families (1 adult + up to 2 children) 11 €
Families (2 adults + up to 3 children) 19 €
Annual ticket 23 €
Guide in English language 15 € per group
CONNECTION
www.snm.sk/?visiting-3
www.visitbratislava.com/places/bratislava-castle/
Michael's gate
Michael's Gate is the last preserved gate of the medieval city fortification. Its tower offers magnificent views of the Old Town and the surrounding area. Right at the eastern entrance of Old Town stands a 51-metre high tower, which foundations were laid about 700 years ago. Its gate once served as an entry into the city. At the top of the tower is a statue of the archangel Michael, slaying a dragon. Entrance to the tower is via the Museum of Arms. On the street that passes through the gate is the so-called "zero kilometre" plate, listing the distances of 29 world capitals from Bratislava.
The St. Martin´s Cathedral
The St. Martin's cathedral is one of the most significant symbols of Bratislava. It is the largest the oldest church in Bratislava . It is very popular historical monument among tourists in Bratislava. Once a part of the city's fortification walls, the 85 m high tower is topped by the Hungarian crown set on a gilded cushion. Its 85 m high tower dominates Old Town's skyline. It was built in the 12th century and almost immediately became the center of an everyday life. Originally a Roman architecture has been converted in the Gothic style in the 13th century and remained till today. The cathedral became the coronation church of the sovereigns of the Kingdom of Hungary between 1563 and 1830. It held 19 coronations and Queen Maria Theresa was one of the crowned monarchs there. It has the traditional crucifix shape. The windows under the church's tower were adjusted to make the impression of original Gothic windows. You can admire some beautiful and huge altars here. Since the cathedral was built over a cemetery, it contains catacombs and several crypts of which only two are opened to visitors. Remains of significant historical figures, archbishops, cardinals lie here up to 6 m (20 ft) below the church.
The Historical building of the Slovak National Theatre
The Slovak National Theatre, one of the country's most important cultural institutions, was established in 1920. Today it comprises drama, opera and ballet. There are two buildings of Slovak National Theatre - new building and old ( historical) building. The historical building of the Slovak National Theatre was opened in 1886 as the City Theatre, according to the design of Viennese architects F. Fellner and H. Helmer.The historical Slovak National theatre building was built in neo - renaissance style and it is situated in the Old town of Bratislava. Nowadays, the building is the seat of the Slovak National Theatre opera and ballet ensembles.
Grassalkovich palace ( Presidential Palace)
Grassalkovich Palace, also known as the Presidential Palace, is situated at Hodžovo Square. The palace is the residence of the president of Slovak Republic since the year 1996, yet first it had to go through a full-scale reconstruction to its original form from the 1860s. It was built in a baroque style. In front of the palace there is a courtyard, where we can see an honour guard. Its large French garden which is one of the most popular parks in Bratislava is definitely worth visiting. In past this building used to serve as a venue for aristocratic society events and concerts. Josepf Haydn, a popular Austrian composer, held some of his concerts in this palace, for example. Right in front of the palace there is a big fountain in the shape of Earth which symbolizes freedom.