About Bratislava:

Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, has much for tourists to discover. Unlike heavily touristed Prague, Bratislava still has reasonably priced hotels and attractions, although the rest of Slovakia remains the real travel bargain. The charming squares and streets of Old Town continue to undergo renovation. Just a skip away from expensive Vienna, Bratislava is definitely worth a visit.

Bratislava residents have a high standard of living compared to other residents of Eastern Europeans countries waiting to join the European Union. With a population of almost 500,000 people, Bratislava is a manageable size. While bridges span the Danube river, cafes, shops and restaurants line its central streets. Only the Austrians seem to know what a gem Bratislava is, coming over the nearby border.

History of Bratislava

Located on the Danube River, the city's roots began in 907 and over the next few centuries the population burgeoned and commerce thrived. The Academia Ustropolitana university was founded in 1467.

Bratislava became the capital of Hungary in 1541 after Turks drove the Hungarian from Buda, and remained the seat of Hungarian kings from 1563 to 1830. Bratislava remained an important urban center of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, attested by Baroque palaces and charming burgher houses in the Old Town that are a staple of visitors' tours today.

When the Austro-Hungarian Empire faded away in 1918, Bratislava became part of the new Republic of Czechoslovakia. In 1969 the Republic became a federation and Bratislava became the capital city of the federal republic of Slovakia. After World War II, Czechoslovakia was absorbed into the East Bloc, under the Soviet sphere of influence, complete with a communist party-led government.

Getting Around Bratislava

Bratislava has city buses and trams that run from 4:30 AM until 11:30 PM daily. Buy tickets from newstands, transport offices or machines. Make sure you get them stamped once you're on board.

Bratislava Sights
The Bratislava Castle (Bratislavsky Hrad) commands the view of the city's west side. High on a hill above the urban center, the castle started as a fortified post of the Roman Empire. In a later reconstruction it became the home of the Hungarian kings until fire destroyed it in 1811. It has rebuilt after destruction during World War II. Besides great panoramic views, the castle contains the Museum of Folk Music and the Historical Museum.