A day to explore Bratislava

October 9, 2012

During our time in the city we fell in love with Bratislava. It is a small city with so much to offer. The old town has been lovingly restored. Our apartment was right next to the opera house and in the middle of the old town. Bratislava is the only capital city in the world which borders on two nations.

This fellow was set up next to the statue below

Throughout Bratislava there are many whimsical statues.

The courtyard of the City Hall and museum. Free wifi in the courtyard - rare!

Steps leading up to the Primate's Palace

The Primate's Palace was built at the end of the 18th century

The Primate's Palace was filled with amazing tapestries and a hall of mirrors

Each room in the palace had a beautiful ceramic heater

Unlike the crowds we saw in Vienna - the tourist sites were very quiet - in fact, we were the only people touring the Palace.

People were shorter then - Barry barely makes it through the doorway.

The Primate's Palace-in its Mirror Hall, Napolean and Emperor Franz 1 of Austria signed the Treaty of Pressburg of the crushing French victory at the Battle of Austeritz

Many different churches in Bratislava - along this alley, a monk and a nun were doing their shopping.

The square in the middle is down to allow a vehicle to pass through.

We were fascinated by this method of controlling traffic on a narrow, predominately pedestrian road. The short pole in the middle of the road remains upright unless a vehicle arrives - it will go down briefly and then go back up again.

We feel at home - hockey in Slovakia is immensely popular - their national sport.

St. Michael's Gate. Built in the beginning of the 14th century

Mozart's Marriage of Figaro, was performed here to overwhelming success. Vienna had originally rejected it at the premiere there.

The locked entrance to the apartment building in Bratislava.

The old town in Bratislava has many whimsical bronze statues - this is called Paparazzi.

Wedding photos were being taken at the Primate's Palace.

At the bike shop, Bajkula, the fellow on the right was so helpful. He took great pains researching online directions to help us get to the other bike shop in Bratislava. They were unable to sell us the replacement tire that we needed.

We found that when we travelled a short distance out of the old town of Bratislava, that conditions of the homes and streets really deteriorated.

Walking in the outskirts of Bratislava. Many of the sidewalks were in disrepair

A street musician singing and playing a traditional instrument (spinaret?)

One of the few Stalin statues we have seen in Europe.

An eliptical bicycle for sale at Kaktus Bicycles

A string quartet playing on the street corner - a wonderful ambience.

The kitchen of our wee apartment in downtown Bratislava.

The view of the castle and the complicated innovative TV wiring from our apt. to another across the courtyard.

Kaktus Bike Shop - another helpful bike shop employee - he helped Barry to find a suitable tire for our bike.

Kaktus Bike Shop - an impressive and large shop.

Serious security at the American embassy

The Opera Hall - Bratislava - right outside the front door of where we were staying

Our apartment building (McDonald's on the street level)

Mary Ellen waiting inside McDonald's while Barry went to get a new tire.

Cappucino at McDonald's to help pass the time!

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