Bratislava

Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and fully corresponds to its status. It’s the largest city of the country where except for main administrative establishments there are numerous cultural sights which are the symbols of Slovak state organization.

The history of the city began in 907 year when the Romans built a stone wall on the bank of the Danube River. The castle continued to live in spite of the fact that the Romans left it. In the 16– th century it became a residence of a Hungarian king by the name Matvei Korvin. Nowadays Bratislava castle is as famous as one of the main architectural sights of the capital.

Bratislava got its real name in 1991. It’s literally translated as “A brotherly fame”. But the first name – Pressburg for a future capital of Slovakia was thought out by the Germans. The Slavs changed it to Preshporok. The Hungarians called Bratislava Pozhon. It’s they who influenced the development of the city having made it the center of their King’s crowning. Bratislava flourished during the 18– th century reign of Maria Theresa of Austria. There appeared luxurious palaces and the city itself got the title of the capital of Arts of the Old World. Here Mozart, Liszt, Beethoven and Haydn lived and created in different times.

Bratislava got its real name in 1991. It’s literally translated as “A brotherly fame”. But the first name – Pressburg for a future capital of Slovakia was thought out by the Germans. The Slavs changed it to Preshporok. The Hungarians called Bratislava Pozhon. It’s they who greatly influenced the development of the city having made it the center of their King’s crowning. Bratislava flourished during the 18– th century reign of Maria Theresa of Austria. There appeared luxurious palaces and the city itself got the title of the capital of Arts of the Old World. Here Mozart, List, Beethoven and Gaidn lived and created in different times.

Bratislava stands on the Danube River – the main river of Central Europe. The branches of the river appear either here or there, a tourist can see it from different points and every time the Danube looks unique. The best view on the Danube River is opened from the pylon on the hill of Slavin – a monument construction in honor of the warriors who died while releasing the city in 1945.

Bratislava is proud of its history and happy to share its richness with all the guests. But it goes without saying that it can’t compete with such European countries as Prague or Budapest. But an unpretentious charm of Slovak capital is able to fascinate in a much higher degree than this pompous and noisy grandeur of Hungarian and Czech capitals.