| Located in the southwestern part of the country on both banks of the Danube river, Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and the country’s largest city. The city is home to the country’s president, parliament and executive branch of the government as well as many universities, financial institutions and cultural sights. The cityscape of Bratislava features grand 20th century buildings as well as many medieval-style towers. Most of the historical buildings built between the 14th and 15th centuries can be found in the Old Town, which is the center of cultural life in the city. It is here where visitors can see the Town Hall, which is now home to the Bratislava City Museum. One of the oldest buildings in the city is Michael’s Gate, which is the only gate that has been preserved from the medieval fortifications. |
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| "many medieval-style towers" |
| "Grassalkovich Palace...where the Slovak president lives" | Other architectural sites of interest include the Grassalkovich Palace, where the Slovak president lives, and the Archiepiscopal Palace, where the country’s government meets. The city also boasts several castles, including the Bratislava Castle, located on a plateau above the Danube, as well as the Devin Castle, located on top of a large rock. Because the city is located near the borders of other countries, Bratislava’s culture is influenced by several different ethnic groups, including Germans, Slovaks, Hungarians and Jews. As a result, the capital is the cultural heart of Slovakia and host to several different theaters, museums, galleries, concert halls, film clubs, restaurants and cinemas. |
The city is home to the Slovak National Theater, which takes up two different buildings. The first is a Neo-Renaissance theater located in Old Town. The second opened recently in 2007 and is situated on the riverfront. The theater performs opera, ballet and drama throughout the year and there are many musical festivals in the city during the summer months. The most popular museum in Bratislava is the Slovak National Museum, which sits on the riverfront in the Old Town. Nightlife in the city is fairly casual, although there are several bars and nightclubs to choose from. However, it’s more likely that you’ll find the locals out at the theater or enjoying a glass of wine than dancing until the early morning hours. Whatever you choose to do, it’s not that difficult to get around. |
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| "...the Slovak National Theater " |