CITYSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY AND ART CONTEST - Bratislava in the evening

Bratislava remains slightly hidden among the other very beautiful European capitals of Prague, Vienna and Budapest, but it also has extremely interesting things to show and which can be visited. Hans Christian Andersen himself says: Why is it a fairy tale when you live in one. According to him, after a trip along the Danube, when he visited Budapest and Vienna and the last place he passed was Bratislava, he called it the most beautiful city that is located on the Danube. The main and most elegant square, located in front of the old town hall, has not undergone a significant change in its form over the past centuries and today we can truly enjoy it in all its glory. Walking through the old part, we will inevitably cross it many times from all sides, and in the end we will find that it is here that the heart of Bratislava is.

Slovakia is a small enough country that it is possible for a person outside the capital to go for a walk. In fact, Bratislava is located 60 km away. from Vienna and 180 km. from Budapest. In addition, the geographical center of Europe is located on the territory of today's Slovakia. The historical part of Bratislava offers us many interesting sites. One of them is St. Martin's Cathedral, the largest, most exquisite and oldest church in the city. Its shape symbolizes the crucifixion. Over 100 kings associated with the Hungarian and Austro-Hungarian empires were crowned there.

In the Slovak capital itself, the Austro-Hungarian influence is palpably felt. That is why the locals call the city Pressburg (the German name) or Požony (the Hungarian name). Half a million inhabitants live in the city. Bratislava Castle or Bratislava Castle is a landmark that one can see from afar. The castle was completely destroyed, but the city administration decided to restore it according to architectural sketches and now gives the capital an extraordinary authenticity.

The massive rectangular building has four towers at its four ends. The only gate that has been preserved to this day is Michael's Gate. It was built in 1300, and its current appearance is the result of the baroque reconstructions in 1758. In the tower of the gate there is a museum of medieval weapons.

The building of the philharmonic, the national theater and the opera are in baroque style. At almost every corner one can see interesting statues. There is no point in specifying that every single building deserves to be given the necessary attention. For example, the Renaissance fountain and buildings.

I will stop for a moment in front of the sculpture of St. George. Here is the place to insert that throughout the old part of Bratislava there are several passages that may lead you somewhere most unexpectedly. Such is the case with the Bishop's Palace, where, passing through the two inner courts, there is a separate exit at the rear, or entrance as the case may be.