Bratislava

At first Bratislava seemed like just another pretty cool town on our Czech to Slovakia west-to-east trek. Although passing the Presidential Palace as we walked into town from the train station reminded us that Bratislava is a capital city. Then, after checking into our apartment, we walked into the Old Town and encounter several tour groups, and a tour guide with a Viking River Cruises ID. Oh yes! Bratislava is on the Danube River and is just a few hours from both Budapest and Vienna. No wonder. And there were many independent tourists going around in twos and threes; and, just like us, often intently studying their folded Tourist Office Map to navigate the Medieval streets of the Old Town.

We liked Bratislava. The city embraces tourism in an unpretentious way, is lively with a university, has interesting architecture and a fortress overlooking a major river. Not to mention the Changing of the Guard. ;-)

Before we even got to the gate of the Old Town we spotted a mobile coffee cafe, and a blue-haired young woman attempted to interview Sun-Ling... We are going like this town. ;-)




Old Town Gate.


Old Town.


The main Catholic church is St Martin's with some interesting carvings on the choir stalls.








Tour group leaving St Martin's.


Closer to the Danube, and by the Port, there is a square from the late 19th century, with the National Theater, Philharmonic Hall, and Carlton Hotel.


And with May Pole.




Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel.


We happened to catch this cruise ship pulling away from the docks, headed upstream towards Prague.




Town Hall.


Trams.




Photobombed in the old Market House. ;-)


Art Nouveau gymnasium (school).






And next door, by the same architect, the so-called Blue Church.










And more Art Nouveau nearby.




Changing of the Guard at the Presidential Palace.






Very tasty lunch at City Vegetarian - a cafeteria.


Bike Messenger.


Gathering for a Critical Mass bike in SNP Square - on the last Friday of the month.




Self-documenting photo?


The SNP Bus Terminal.


The New Bridge ie The SNP Bridge as seen from the Castle.


The Castle.


And for completeness, the plague column.


Installation.


And two final shots of the Danube.