Bratislava – KarlovaVes

www.bratislava.sk

Bratislava is the capital of the Slovak Republic and also the seat of the Bratislava region. It stretches along both banks of the Danube River to the point where it left a breakthrough over the mountains. From Vienna, Bratislava is 65 km away. Between Bratislava and Budapest is a 180 km distance, between Bratislava and Prague, 330 km. Bratislava is divided into 5 districts and the total to 17 districts.

Bratislava acquired its present name in 1919. During the the 19^th century was called Prešporok, Prešpurek or rarely Bratislava, Břetislava or Požúň. In Hungarian was called Pozsony and in German Preßburg or Pressburg. In Hungarian language the name Pozsony is still used, in German both names - Pressburg and Bratislava - are equally used.

Bratislava’s history dates back to antiquity. The findings come from the past and of the Neolithic. Since 125 BC.there is the important Celtic oppidum with mint. During the 1-5^th centuries, the border of the Roman Empire went through today's city center. Numerous Roman and Germanic settlements were present here. During the 6^th and 8^th century within the great migration of peoples came here the first Slavs and Avars. From the end of the 8^th century until 833 the area of the town was part of the Principality of Nitra. From 833 until 907 it was part of the Great Moravia and in years 907-1918 part of the Hungarian empire. The first written document of Bratislava is from the year 907 in the Salzburg Annals, in connection with a battle between Bavarians and old Hungarians. In 1291 King Andrew III.of Hungary granted extensive privileges to Bratislava, thereby confirming its inclusion in the system of royal towns. In 1465 was the first university founded in the territory of the present Slovakia: Academia Istropolitana. Between the 16^th and 18^th century Bratislava became the capital of Hungary, the coronation city of Hungarian Kingdom and the meeting place of assembly. 11 kings and 8 queens were crowned here. Since 1919 the city became a part of Czechoslovakia. Between 1939 and 1945 it was the capital of independent Slovakia, but between 1945 and 1992 it became part of Czechoslovakia again. After the split of the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic on 1 January 1993 Bratislava became the capital of the Slovak Republic.

Transport in Bratislava is provided by large-scale infrastructure and urban long-distance transport. Bratislava as the capital of Slovakia is an important transport hub. Bratislava is connected with four highways D1, D2, A6 from Austria and M15 from Hungary. Five bridges lead through the Danube River, two of which are motorways. The important historical centre is closed to motor traffic and has the character of the pedestrian zone. The main bus station is MlynskeNivy. Rail transport plays a major role when visiting the city. The main and only airport is the Milan RastislavŠtefanik Airport (on the border of the eastern part of town and village in the Danube- Ivanka), which is the largest airport in Slovakia. Bratislava is 50 km far from the international airport Vienna - Schwechat. Bratislava is the major destination on the Danube between Vienna and Budapest. Public transport (MHD) is provided by the Bratislava Transport Company using trams, trolleybuses and buses.

Bratislava is the cultural center of Slovakia, where there are a number of museums estabilished, and also galleries, theaters, scientific and educational institutions. The city is one of the most important Slovak tourist destinations. The central part of the Old Town area is a monument, the historic heart of Bratislava Castle with Podhradie, the ancient memory area.

The most important sights include the Castle of Bratislava, Academia Istropolitana, Devin castle, Erdödy Palace, Grassalkovich Palace - Presidential Palace, the Archbishop's Summer Palace, Michael Entry, Mirbach Palace, Leopold de Pauli Palace, Primate's Palace, Slovak National Theatre, Slovak Philharmonics’building, Slovak National Gallery, Old Town Hall (Bratislava), Mausoleum of ChatamSofer, Slovak Radio Building - has the shape of an inverted pyramid, the Parliament of Slovakia, Zichy Palace and the TV tower on Kamzík.

 The most important religious sites: the former coronation church of kings of Hungary, the St. Martin's Cathedral, the Franciscan church and monastery, Clare Church, Catherine's Chapel, Chapel of the Body of Christ and the Church of St. Elizabeth, known as the Blue Church.

Bratislava’s dominant and one of the biggest attractions is a particularly new bridge, which is located 85 meters of the UFO restaurant with viewing platform.

Bratislava is also known as a city with a vibrant nightlife. A large number of bars and nightclubs are located primarily in the historical center and its surroundings, mainly on Obchodna Street, SNP Square, as well as around Ventúrska and Michalskastreet. Nightlife options also provides the Mill Valley and its surroundings, several well-known clubs are located on campus in the areas of student dormitories and homes.

The main cultural events are known as the Bratislava Music Festival Reduta, which annually hosts the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra and also the Bratislava Film Festival. In recent years the Bratislava Coronation Festival became a tradition, which presents the important historical moments with all that belongs to it and highlights the importance of Bratislava as a coronation town. The most popular events are the New Year's Eve celebrations in Bratislava, that attracts more and more masses of people from the neighbourhood and also distant countries. Among the known events is the beer festival Junifest. Once a year the Night of Museums and Galleries is also organized, where you can visit Bratislava museums and galleries until late night.

In 2006 Bratislava had 77 commercial accommodations, with 45 hotels and a total capacity of 9940 beds.