In May 1997 we spent a two-week vacation, its first half we passed in Hungary near the Lake Balaton and the second half we spent at the Neusiedler See (=Lake) in Austria. Because from the Neusiedler See to to Bratislava it is only approx.. 40 km, we decided to go on a day trip into the capital of the 1993 created Slowak Republic.
We got the feeling of traveling onto a former socialist country after the crossing of the border when we drove through the quarter of Petrzalka on the southern side of the Danube (Donau). This enormous borough is not only the largest quarter of Bratislava but also the largest settlement planned in the Slowak Republic. The end of the 1960 errected square buildings appeared to us completely surreal and frightening.

We were glad, when we saw finally the "New Bridge" Nový Most over the Danube, whose spectacular landmark is on that 85 m high suspension tower, a UFO like restaurant, which is visible from far on.

We saw a further landmark of Bratislava, the castle on the left side. The history of the castle goes back already to the Roman time, when the mountain were part of the Roman limes. The 4-wing form, which is to be still seen today, originates from that 15. century. Starting from the 18. century the castle was converted to a representative seat.

We turned now from the main street to the right to the old part of town, in order to look for a guarded parking lot for our car. We did not want to risk to leave the car unaddended! We found a place with guard relatively fast and could now start the city visit.

It was remarkable that nearly the whole old part of town was an enormous building site. At all corners and ends one reconditioned and restored. Many of the innumerable historical buildings had been rebuild already again and radiated in new gloss. Particularly in the eye the nearly mediterranian flair on the main pedestrian precinct Ventúrska Michalská fell, where there were even already some street cafés which were quite well visited. It is one of the oldest roads of the city and has its origin in the old trade route, which led humans once from the North Sea to the ford across the Danube and established themselves in their proximity still before the town foundation. The Ventúrska Michalská leads to the only gate of the medieval wall - the Michael's tower (Michalská brana).

In the proximity of the end of the Ventúrska Michalská is the St. Martin's cathedral. In the cathedral in the 16th century the Hungarian kings were crowned and today in the cathedral is a copy of the royal Hungarian crown.

From the cathedral we went along a pretty green belt to the Slowakian National Theatre, 1886 in Neo Renaissance style build and today freshly reconditioned. Also the Ganymedes well in front of the theatre was remade (donate-supported) again and radiated in new gloss.

From the national theatre it was only some meters to the old city hall at the main place Hlavné Nam. In front of the old city halls stands the Maximilian's well from the 15. century.

In direct proximity of the city hall is the Primatial Palace, today seat of the mayor von Bratislava. The palace was in former times seat of the archbishop and is build in classicistic style.

Conclusion of this day trip: Bratislava is absolutely worth a journey! The old part of town radiates still the flair of the K&K Austrian monarchy, many parts are reconditioned and are already affectionate. If these renovation work is finished in the entire old part of town area, one will find a historical ensemble.
Unfortunately I must practice criticism apart from this praise. During our stay lasting several hours I did not have the feeling of being particularly welcome as a tourist. Remarkable above all was the complete missing of any foreign language knowledge of the Slowaks and their indignantness to only understand. Inscriptions, also within touristic important things (parking lot etc..) were in principle only in Slowak language. If one considers the fact that Bratislava lies in direct border proximity to Austria and belonged in former times also to the Austrian-Hungarian monarchy this is really strange. Especially the unfriendlyness for example of the employees in a very large department store in the city center or of an owner of a gas station was the glaring contrast to the behavior of Hungarian people. These had adjusted themselves fully to the clientele from Austria. The Slowaks still have to learn in reference of tourism orientation!