Sights and Activities
Below are the places we saw and activities completed while visiting Slovakia:
Bratislava
St. Martin Cathedral: we were to view this 14th-century church many times during the day and evening. This is where 11 Austro-Hungarian monarchs were crowned.
New Bridge Tower: this modern structure was designed and built in 1972 over a bridge that crosses the Danube. The viewing platform is locally known as the UFO for its out-of-this-world design.
Bratislava Castle: overlooking the city with great views, we made it up to the top at night and the castle and the city nicely lit. During the Turkish occupation of Budapest, this was the seat of Hungarian royalty.
Slavin: memorial monument and military cemetery dedicated to the Soviet Union soldiers that liberated Slovakia from Germany during World War II. It was constructed between 1957 and 1960 on the site of a field cemetery, and opened on April 3, 1960 on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the city’s liberation.
Hviezdoslavovo nam: a plaza lined with restaurants and embassies which is dominated by the 1866 Slovak National Theater.
Blue Church: the official name is St. Elizabeth Church, but known as the Blue Church because of its cool sky and deep royal blue colors.
Hlavne nam: a plaza with a beautiful fountain, cafes, and the 1421 Old Town Hall.
Devin Castle: a historically fortress that once was the military playground of 9th-century warlord Prince Rastislav. Most of the castle remains date back from the 11th to 19th centuries. The views at top across the Danube River of forested Austria are spectacular. Along the riverside, there is a monument dedicated to the victims that tried to flee to Austria by swimming across the river during communist times.
