The „Must see“walk 1. Hviezdoslavovo square 2. Panska ulica (The Lord’s Street) and St. Martin‘s Cathedral 3. Hlavne namestie (The Main Square) 4. Primaciálne námestie (Archbishop´s Square) 5. Blue Church (Just opposite to the hotel) 6. Bratislavský hrad (Bratislava Castle) 7. The Good Shepherd´s House (Židovská street) 8. Grassalkovic Palace (Palace of the President) 9. Parliament 10. New Bridge and UFO Restaurant 11. University Library 12. Slavín 1. Hviezdoslavovo namestie At present day, one of the most beautiful and busiest squares of Bratislava, was built in 1776 as a promenade, when Marie Therese ordered to thorn down the city walls to extend the medieval city centre.     

Sights you must see: The Slovak National Theatre The Fisherman’s Gate Ganymede’s fountain Hviezdoslav statue Reduta Building

The Slovak national Theatre – originally the municipal theatre built in 1886 by famous Viennese architects Fellner and Hellner. In front of the theatre there is a famous Ganymede’s fountain. The fountain shows an eagle with a boy, which Zeus brought it Olympus to serve him. The fountain is decorated with the children holding four most common types of fish from the Danube - Carp, Catfish, Sander and Pike. Fisherman’s gate – One of the four original city gates of medieval Bratislava. Fragments of the gate show, where the original wall stood. This was the gate which the fishermen entered the town after the fishing in the Danube river. Statue of Hviezdoslav – The greatest Slovak romantic poet after whom the square bears its name.

Reduta is sumptuous building, dating from 1911-1915, was built in eclectic style on the former site of a baroque granary from the 18th century, according to a design by Budapest architects D. Jakab and P. Komor. Lavish balls continue to be held in the Reduta building to the present day. Normally, the concert hall is the seat of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra and serves as the venue for the annual Bratislava Music Festival. However, the hall is currently undergoing extensive renovation which is due to last until 2011. In the meantime, the Slovak Philharmonic is performing at the nearby Slovak National Theatre.

2. Panska ulica (The Lord’s Street) and St. Martin‘s Cathedral This street begins by former Vidricka Gate another of four town gates where the business road to Vienna once led. Panska ulica along with Laurinska ulica used to create 700 meter long area called Long Street in the 15th and 16th century. Later in the 17th and 18th century luxurious palaces gradually grew up here (the name Lord’s street comes from these times) and the street became the town’s showpiece.    

Sights you must see: The Holocaust Memorial The St. Martin’s Cathedral Coronation route Posmievacik (Joker)

The Holocaust Memorial commemorates the destiny of Bratislava’s Jews who did not survive the suffering in concentration camps. A synagogue for reformed Jews originally stood here and was demolished in 1968. St. Martin’s Cathedral A Gothic Cathedral where from 1563 to 1830, 19 kings and 8 king’s wives were crowned. Present shape of the 85m tall tower dates from 1847. At the top it “carries” a 2x2m sized gilded “pillow”. On the pillow lies a 1.57m tall and 300kg heavy, gilded replica of the Hungarian royal crown. Coronation Route which was taken by monarchs is now marked with a trail of 178 small discs made from polished brass in the shape of a king’s crown. (our suggestion for another walk) Posmievacik (Joker) In the niche of a neoclassical house is a small mid-nineteenth century statue of a crouching boy laughing malevolently.

3. Hlavne namestie (Main Square) 

Sights you must see Cumil (Watcher) and other figures along Main Square, Panska and Lauriska street  Roland’s Fountain  The Old Town Hall  Michael´s Gate

The streets of Bratislava are decorated by various Figures (Cumil, Schoener Naci, Napoleon) Cumil –is the most photographed curiosity in the old town centre. A Bronze figure of a nosy observer pushing his head out from a sewer, got a lot of unexpected attention of Bratislava’s tourists.

The Main Square – former 14th century market square is at present day one of the most social places in the Bratislava. It is surrounded by original Gothic houses and baroque palaces including The Old town Hall. Dominant in the Main Square is Roland Fountain. A Renaissance fountain with mediaeval knight in armor - The legendary Roland the protector of the municipal rights.

The Old Town Hall

Complex of many building from different periods and styles is the oldest Town Hall in Slovakia. Currently it houses the municipal museum. In the summer the arcaded renaissance courtyard is used for concerts and theatrical performances.

Michael´s Gate

The bulbous yet elegant copper roof of Michael's Gate is one of the symbols of Bratislava. The roof of the original Gothic tower, built in the mid 14th century, was modified between 1753 and 1758 to give it its current, baroque style. The 51-metre tower has seven floors, and the superb view of the old town from the upper terrace of the tower is one of Bratislava's top visitor experiences. 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; look for the replica cannon at ground level. On the street that passes through the gate is the so-called “zero kilometre” plate, listing the distances of 29 world capitals from Bratislava.

4. Primacialne namestie (Archbishop´s Square) The domain of the square is the Classicistic Archbishop’s Palace. A real jewel in the historical city centre is now the residence of the mayor. The roof is decorated with and iron cardinal’s hat and the statues express some human virtues – self sacrifice, wisdom, virtue of service, love for motherland, cleanliness of the heart……. Angels on the façade hold the letters of the primate’s personal motto: Iustitia at Clementia (Justice and kindness).

5. The Church of St. Elisabeth - “The Blue Church” (Just opposite to the hotel) Just three minutes walk from the hotel. This is a spectacular creation that looks like it’s made out of blue tack or marzipan. Designed in Art Nouveau style, is one of the most beautiful churches of Bratislava. It is usually referred to as “the Blue Church”. Next to that is a pertaining buillding of mathematical gymnasium.

6. Bratislava Castle The castle, on a hill above the old town, dominates the city of Bratislava. It features in the first written reference to the city, which appears in the Annals of Salzburg of 907, in association with a battle between Bavarians and Hungarians. The castle hill was populated as early as the late Stone Age; its first known inhabitants were the Celts, who founded a fortified settlement here called ‘Oppidum’. National Museum. In 2008, a comprehensive restoration project was launched which is expected to take five years. As a result, the interior is currently closed to visitors, but the exterior fortifications and their views over the Danube can still be accessed. If you want to get there by walking, you can find the steps beginning under New Bridge (Nový most).

7. The Good Shepherd´s House This four-storey rococo house was built in the 1760s to fill a wedge-shaped area between two converging streets. It has an extremely narrow front, one room and a staircase wide, and is regarded as one of the most attractive houses in Bratislava. It got its name from the statue of Christ ('the Good Shepherd') inset into the corner of the building. Today it houses a Clock Museum with a unique exhibition of sixty historical clocks.

8. Grassalkovic Palace (Palace of the President) This rococo summer palace was built in 1760 for the chairman of the Hungarian Royal Chamber and advisor of Empress Maria Theresa, Count Anton Grassalkovich. The sumptuous house was a sought-after venue for aristocratic society events. The palace is now the official residence of the President of the Slovak Republic. Behind the Presidential Palace (Grassalkovich Palace) on Hodžovo Square is a handsome park (originally the gardens of the palace) with old trees and lawns. It was originally created as a French formal garden and still offers a quiet space away from the bustle of the city. It contains a statue of the Empress Maria Theresa on horseback, the Fountain of Youth by prominent Slovak sculptor Tibor Bártfay.

9. The Parliament Slovakia's parliament has been called the 'National Council' since 1 October 1992. The main parliament building is situated next to the Bratislava Castle on castle hill. The 150-seat unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic is Slovakia's sole constitutional and legislative body.

10. “New Bridge” and UFO restaurant "New Bridge"; (formerly Most SNP, Bridge of the Slovak National Uprising) is a road bridge over the Danube. It is an asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge with a main span length of 303 metres. Its steel construction is suspended from steel cables. The total length of the bridge is 430.8 metres, its width 21 metres, and it weighs 7537 tonnes.

A special attraction is its flying saucer - shaped structure restaurant, called "UFO". The restaurant is reached using an elevator situated in the pillar, and offers a good view over Bratislava city.

11. University Library (Palace of Hungarian King) This baroque palace was designed by the imperial architect G.B. Martinelli in 1753-1756, and housed the Hungarian Diet in the 19th century. Since 1953 the palace has been the home of the University Library.

12. Slavín Slavin is a grandiose monument and cemetery of soldiers of the Soviet Army who fell in deliverance of Bratislava during the Second World War. In 1961 it was declared a National Cultural Monument. On top of the 39.1 meter high pylon stands an 11 meter high sculpture of a soldier.

Discover Bratislava Old Town by Prešporáčik Visit the tour by Presporacik-Oldtimer®, which offers you a return to the rich history and grandeur of the heart of old Bratislava. You will see the oldest and most beautiful parts of Bratislava. For more information please, contact the reception.