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Slovak Republic - Bratislava

Photos of the Bratislava, Slovak Republic, Bratislava castle

Bratislava is one of the youngest capitals in Europe and few people know that during the time it was called Pressburg or Pozsony it was one of the most important cities in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Bratislava extending over both banks of the River Danube at the foot of the Little Carpathian mountains, Bratislava sits at the heart of Europe, bordering Hungary to the south and Austria to the west. It was a mixing pot of various nations and nationalities who lived together in peace and harmony. There is a saying that a true ‘Pressburgian’ speaks four languages: Slovak, German, Hungarian and Mishmash. Even as recently as the 1980s you might hear how older Pressburgians in the street would say two words in German, two in Hungarian and two in Slovak all in the space of one sentence. That is what we mean by “mishmash”. The most-visited part of Bratislava, the Old Town, has something to offer people of all ages: historical walking tours, get-togethers in stylish restaurants, cafes offering Slovak and international culinary specialities and drinks, rare museum and gallery exhibitions, opera, ballet and concerts. Sightseeing trips to places surrounding the city are: the ruins of Devín Castle, the nearby wine-making townships in the Little Carpathians such as Svätý Jur, Pezinok, Modra and Limbach.