Streets of Bratislava are brimming with history.Archaeologists are still fin- ding reminders of the life in the past,the Celts,Romans but also our Slavonic for- bears from the days of the Great Moravian Empire. Archives are housing valuable deeds documenting the glory of a mediaeval ci- ty,witnessing the coronation of 11 Hungarian kings and 8 regal wives. Gothic Dome of St.Martin was also a ve- nue for the coronation of Maria Therese. Looking up from the banks of the Danube River you will be charmed by the majesty of Bratislava Castle,which bears features of several architectural styles. Today the historic centre contains a number of beautiful,renovated town- houses in baroque and rococo style with romantic courtyards,several churches and monasteries,statutes and fountains and old town houses.They form narrow streets and small squares with a special charm of revived history.Events of the ”Cultural Summer Festival ” fill every cor-- ner of the Old Town,together with Easter and Christmas markets and other cultural events.Unique atmosphere of the days when Bratislava was the coro- nation seat of Hungarian Kings are revi- ved every year for the people and visi- tors of Bratislava during the coronation festivities.

Bratislava and music,two inseparable phenomena.Although musical life of the city progressed through various periods, it never abandoned the lives of its peo- ple.Bratislava was a concert venue for music giants such as W.A.Mozart,J. Haydn,L.van Beethoven,F.Liszt,A.G. Rubinstein and others.This rich musical heritage is well preserved and kept alive also by the modern musical life of Bratislava. Music resonates throughout the con- temporary Bratislava.In autumn the highlight is the Bratislava Music Festival – international festival of classical music, or for jazz fans there are the Bratislava Jazz Days,during the summer,events of the Cultural Summer Festival are filling with their art courtyards of old palaces, squares,streets and parks. Bratislava is a home to a number of theatres.Slovak National Theatre is hou- sing the opera theatre,P.O.Hviezdoslav and Mala scena are drama theatres, Nova scena is the home of musical the- atre and many others,such as Studio S, Astorka Korzo ’90,the State Puppet Theatre and the Radosinske naivne diva- dlo.

Rich past of the city is documented by collections in a number of museums and galleries with opportunities to appreciate the skills of the old masters, as well as meet the contemporary artists and their works.Slovak National Gallery is a home to works of local artists,as well as gems of European art.Gallery of City Bratislava has its galleries in several his- toric buildings in the centre of the Old Town.Apart from these two most impor- tant galleries there is a number of smaller galleries of modern art. Most valuable collections of the Slovak National Museum are presented in exhibition ”Jewels of the Slovak History ” held at the Archaeological mu- seum.Historic Museum has collections from general history,history of art and numismatics.Music Museum docu- ments the history of Slovak music from the earliest days until present.All exhibi- tions are located in the Bratislava Castle. You will find here also a Museum of Natural History,Museum of Carpathian Germans and others.The City Museum is represented by:History of the City and Feudal Justice – Old Town Hall,,Exhibi- tion of Weapons and Town Fortifications – Michael ’s Tower,Wine and Wine-ma- king exhibition -Apponyi Palais,Pharma- ceutical exhibition – Pharmacy U eerve-- neho raka,Music exhibition – birth place of J.N.Hummel,Exhibition of Historic Clocks – dom U dobreho pastiera and many others.

Visit of historic landmarks will leave visitors to Bratislava with some of the most lasting impressions.Among the most interesting are sacral buildings,re- minders of exceptional historic,architec- tural and artistic value. Reconstructed palaises,churches, monasteries and old town houses are hi- ding artworks of high artistic value. Quite a few artefacts,which you find in this city,can not be found elsewhere in the world. In the official parts of the Primacialny Palace the visitors can delight in a uni- que collection of 6 English tapestries from 17th century,depicting an ancient love legend of priestess Hero to Leandro. Resting-place of a famous rabbi Cha- tam Sofer is visited every year by thou- sands of people from all over the world. Most striking piece of modern archi- tecture is a suspension bridge,called the New Bridge on one pylon only,where 80 metres high you will find a restaurant with panoramic view of the city. Historic buildings are mixed with mo- dern architecture buildings of 20 th centu- ry,however it is the atmosphere,appre- ciated by people and visitors of the city, which is the jewel that prevails. From left to right: •Hero and Leander (17 th century) •Maximilian Fountain and unique atmosphere of the Main Square •New Bridge over the Danube River connects the historical part of the city with newly built suburbs on the right bank •Art Deco church of St.Elisabeth known as the Blue Church •One of the unique busts depicting human characters by sculpture artist F.X.Messerschmidt •Replica of a chess machine built by J.W.Kempelen •Mausoleum of the famous Bratislava rabbi Chatam Sofer

Bratislava and it surroundings offer numerous opportunities for relaxation, whether it is walking tours through park- land,cycle-tourism along the Danube River dam bicycle route or it is a visit of wine cellars along the Small Carpathian Wine Route,majestic Eerveny Kameo with exhibition of period furniture and weapons,caves Driny,pilgrimage places Marianka and Sastin and many other pal- ces of the Small Carpathian or Zahorie regions.Fans of folklore can visit the birth-place of famous pottery master Ferdis Kostka with pottery exhibition in Stupava.Also famous for its pottery pro- duction dating back to 19 th century is town Modra. For the sport-loving visitors Bratislava has also a lot to offer.During the sum- mer a popular relaxation place is a lake Zlate piesky or Slneene jazera in Senec, only 25 km away.Water-sport complex in Eunovo with its equipment meets all the criteria of a world-class facility.Horse racing has also a long tradition in Bratislava.Tennis clubs have produced a number of world-class tennis players. Golfing fans can hit out at a 9-hole golf course in the historic park of Berno- lakovo Manor,5 km from Bratislava.

Restaurants,wine bars,cafeterias and bars in Bratislava offer a wide selection of meals and beverages,from the traditi- onal Slovak dishes through to internatio- nal cuisine.Discovering a city and a country can not be complete without tasting the national dishes in period style restaurants with traditional music or in modern restaurants,which offer traditio- nal dishes,as well as modern internatio- nal fare.Exotic dishes can be found in a number Chinese restaurants,or in Japanese and Mexican restaurants. Centre of the town has a plethora of ca- feterias,wine bars and beer halls where you can enjoy a cup of coffee,glass of wine or beer and soak up the atmosphe- re of Bratislava during the day or night. And you may get surprised by the re- markable hospitality of the people of Bratislava