Excursion in Bratislava

Duration: Group - 5 hours; Individual - 5 hours.

Bratislava is a European city with picturesque old buildings. During an excursion you will become familiar with the home sights of the capital. The historical downtown is the medieval square in the center of which the Maximilian Fountain is situated. It served as the market and a place of festivals since the 14th century. Here the Old Town hall is located which is one of the oldest buildings of the city constructed of stones. The Bratislava Castle exists from the time immemorial. Firstly it was acropolis of the Celtic city. The castle was built in the Xth century from stone in gothic style. It was reconstructed during Renaissance and in the times of Queen Maria Theresa the castle was turned into a residence of the royal governor Albert von Sachsen.

When Bratislava was no more the capital of Hungary the castle was turned into a school for catholic clergy in 1784 and later it became the barracks in 1802. In 1811, the castle was destroyed by a fire and lay in ruins till the 1950ies when it was restored in its previous style. Today it is a museum and the home place of attraction for tourists from all over the world.

Another sight which attracts tourists is the palace of Archbishops constructed in classical style in 1781 as the residence of the cardinal Batthyány according to the plans of the architect Hefel.

In this palace the Presbourg Truce was signed between Emperor Franz I and Emperor Napoleon II on December 26, 1805 owing to that Austria lost Tirol and Dalmatia. There is also an art gallery in the palace where it is possible enjoy fine tapestries and antiques. In the downtown it is possible to admire St. Martin's church constructed in gothic style where lots of the Hungarian kings were crowned. You will also be surprised at the Franciscan church built in 1297.

The Michael's gate is the only existing gate of the city fortification constructed at the beginning of the 17th century. In addition there are a lot of picturesque bridges across the Danube, among them the Old Bridge, and Port Bridge and Lafranconi Bridge, and also New Bridge with a restaurant in the form of a UFO on a pole in Bratislava.