Bratislava, which lies on the Danube, remains somewhat in the shadow of the larger and better known Vienna. However, the city has a charming, somewhat provincial climate, several significant monuments and interesting museums.
Bratislava, formerly known as Presburg and Pozson, was for centuries the place of coronation of Hungarian kings. Crowns were put on in the local cathedral of St. Michael until 19 Hungarian rulers. The Coronation Road marked in the area leads to the Gothic temple, which each of the kings had to travel.
It led to the castle, standing on a hill on the banks of the Danube. In the past it was a stronghold where many armies broke their teeth. It was conquered and ruined only by Napoleon's army at the beginning of the 19th century. The castle was rebuilt in the 20th century and now houses the exhibitions of the National Museum.
The center of Bratislava has promenades and narrow streets built with tenement houses and palaces from the 17th and 18th centuries. Many of them have nicely decorated facades, and nowadays there are shops and restaurants on the ground floor. On the streets you can also find many bronze sculptures, including Hans Christian Andersen or Cumila leaving the canal, which is an allegory of an ordinary Slovak.
Visiting Bratislava you can look at several interesting museums. In addition to the National Museum, there are, among others, the castle The Museum of Pharmacy in the historic Pharmacy near Czerwony Raka, the Museum of Weapons in the medieval Michalska Gate or the Museum of Jewish Culture.
