Top architectural sightseeing and landmarks of Bratislava - ideas on city exploration routes

» The city was surrounded by massive walls. Only the 51-meter white tower with the gate has been preserved. The construction was built in 1300.
» The gate is surrounded by the moat. You can enter the city through the leaf bridge. The entrance is closed by the lift grid with a wooden door.
» After centuries, the sculpture of St. Michael with a dragon was installed at the top. The arch in the wall was named after him just like the nearby temple bearing his name. Later, it was destroyed and the gate was made of its stone blocks. Architects put the part of the gravestone of pink stone into the wall of St. Michael Tower.
» In the 16th century, the tower hampered the new construction so the gate was transported to the city center. It has been preserved in memory of the old times.
» The tower has 7 levels. The balcony at the 6th level that you can reach only on foot has a panoramic view of the city.
» Now, the building houses the collection of weapons. Here, visitors can learn more about how the city was fortified in the old days.
» The transversal aisle in the gate continues the narrowest street in Bratislava. Under it, there is a pointing circle with parts of the world and the distance from big capitals. This circle is called “Kilometer Zero”.

» In 1760, the two-storied palace was built of white and gray brick upon the order of Count Grassalkovich who managed the issues of the economic land development at that time.
» Today, the building serves as a state institution or the residence of the Head of State. When the President is inside, the flag is raised on the building. That is why the palace is also called the Presidential Palace.
» The palace with a park area is located in the center of Hodzovo namestie.
» The exterior of the white building is decorated with sculptures bas-reliefs. Shaped slabs (porticoes) are upheld by the columns. The windows have the shape of arches and they are rounded. The central part of the dome is crowned with a high spire.
» The interior is decorated with lots of compositions, luxury ornaments, even too ornate patterns, which features such architectural styles, as baroque and rococo.
» The entrance is protected by armed guards. There is a fountain resembling a round planet in front of the facade.
» There are stone statues and monuments to eminent figures along the park. Children can have fun in the children’s playground.

» The theater consists of two buildings. The main building is located in the historic center. It was constructed in 1886.
» The house has non-covered decorative platforms. On the facade, there is the group of sculptures: the monument to the Muse of Comedy Talia and busts of eminent people of art.
» The bronze fountain with marble inserts at the entrance represents a young man taken by the Eagle of Zeus away.
» The hall accommodates almost 1000 visitors. The fine beauty of the chandelier really impresses. It consists of 64 spotlights. The hall is also illuminated by 800 gas lights.
» The walls are decorated with frescoes and paintings.
» The second building was built in 2007. It was being constructed for 21 years. It accommodates 1700 seats.
» The mirror exterior is unique. The facade resembles a semicircle. The fountain represents the palms drawn heavenwards, the symbol of worship of actors.
» Experimental performances are traditionally held in the modern theatre.
» The troop of the Slovak Theatre was formed in 1920. Only Czech actors were given main roles. The first Slovak opera was performed in 6 years.
» After the Second World War, the repertoire of the theatre started including the works of Soviet masters.
» Now, the repertoire includes different genres: opera, ballet, drama.

» The prestigious educational institution of Slovakia is named after the Czech philosopher, Jan Komensky. When the country had gained independence in 1919, the university was found.
» The lecture building occupies the great part of the city center. The building was built in the 17th century. It consists of several buildings that form a single complex.
» Each department has its building. The central entrance is made of high glass semi-arches. There is the name of the university on the facade. The interior walls of the long halls are decorated with quotes of the great educator.
» The teaching staff was represented only by the Czechs at one time. Originally, there was only a medical faculty.
» The university is proud of eminent figures who studied there.
» Every year, about 7 thousand students enter the university. The total number of university students is 28 000.
» They study 1 300 academic disciplines. The university has a research center.
» Special methods have been prepared for 2 thousand foreign students from 80 countries. 13 departments offer to study different fields of expertise.

» The marble Slavin Memorial is a memorial complex installed on the hilltop and divided into 3 parts.
» The first one is the Oath to the Colors. You can reach it by the two-tier marble staircase with bas-reliefs. One of them depicts five soldiers. The warrior kneels down and kisses the regimental flag. On the stone, you can see the Slovak and Russian words about the imperishable memory of dead soldiers.
» The second part is Appreciation to fallen heroes. On the walls, you can see the dates of the liberation of cities and towns. There are burials of warriors, soldiers of the Red Army, the civilians, the injured, and those who died in the hospital. 278 people lie in individual graves. People come here to bow to 6 845 fallen heroes.
» The third part where the 39-meter pile is installed on the pedestal above the ritual hall is the sculpture of the soldier holding the flag. This sculpture is visible from many parts of the city. It is 11 m high.
» The total area of the complex is paved with marble tiles. The complex surrounds the cemetery. You can see bronze paintings depicting wartime on the entrance gate. There is also a Christian cross.
» The Slavin Memorial was opened on 3 April 1960.

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Facts: » Several museums located in different historic buildings were united into the complex called the Slovak National Gallery. The mastermind was writer Laco Novomeský.
» The advocacy work on his art history and creative development started to operate in the middle of the last century. In addition to visual aids, themed meetings are held here.
» The collection includes over 50 thousand exhibits. The main building is adjacent to the square construction called Water Barracks (the police of the city had occupied it before).
» In the main gallery, in Esterhazy Palace (that is named after the surname of the Hungary nobles), you can see paintings, sculptures, decorated items, and pieces of applied art.
» Works of Slovak masters (13th-14th centuries) prevail in the collection: sanctuary icons, statues, and didjeridus. There are also many foreign pieces of art. Old constructions and modern buildings are presented in the layouts.
» The ground floor houses religious and Catholic sculptures, lots of icons and religious paintings. At the first floor, there is the Slovak fashion collection of the 50s-80s. The second level presents paintings of modern artists and pictures of the citizens’ way of life in certain periods.

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Facts: » Orchester Slovenskej Filharmónie is the concert hall of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra located in the hall of the Redoubt. It started to be built at the site of the abandoned barn. It was built in 1919.
» After the Second World War, the music hall passed to the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra. Some rooms are rented by a famous restaurant and casino.
» The palace that has been built according to the project of Budapest architects impresses with luxurious lines and shapes. It is a rectangular building with moldings, architectural floral elements, and small figures of Amurs on the facade.
» One wall and the central entrance front a narrow street.
» The exterior combines different architectural styles, including the Vienna Austrian Art of the beginning of the 20th century. The building has a very harmonious exterior.
» You can reach the upper levels and several audience halls from the main lobby by getting up the marble stairs. The building has plastered white and golden walls. There are huge transparent chandeliers and big mirror canvases. There is also an organ.
» The symphony orchestra was founded by the famous Czech composer and violinist in 1949.
» Visitors have an opportunity to see subtitles in different languages. The hall has excellent acoustics.