Friday, January 04, 2019

Slovakian Scenes

The green tower of Michael's Gate is the first thing you see as you walk toward the historic center of Bratislava.  It was built around the year 1300, and in 1758 when the tower was reconstructed, the statue of St. Michael was placed on top.  
The yellow tower is part of the Old Town Hall.  It is the oldest town hall in the country and one of the oldest stone buildings still standing, with the tower being built in 1370.
The colorful dormer windows are part of the Town Hall building.
Čumil (the watcher) is a bronze sculpture at the corner of Laurinská and Panská Streets, installed in 1997.  According to a Bratislava tourist site, there are two rumors associated with the statue:  "The first rumor says that he is a typical communist-era worker who is not bothered about the work he’s supposed to be doing. According to the second rumor, he’s looking under the women’s skirts." I like to think he's a worker who popped up for a bit of air and decided to take a little break by using the time to people watch.  
 A coat of arms on the side of one of the buildings in the city center.
This pink building is the Primate's Palace, built from 1778 to 1781 for Archbishop József Batthyány.
 A sign on a cafe.
When we arrived in Slovakia, the first thing we did before going to the historic center of the city, was to take a bus tour of the hilly area above the town.  From the window of the bus, we were able to get a look at Bratislava Castle.

The castle is massive and because of its location, it provides a view of the town of Bratislava, the country of Austria, and in clear weather, some parts of Hungary.  
The main square in Old Town (Staré Mesto) is the historic center in the heart of Bratislava.  The day we were there was overcast and gloomy but the sun did start to come through as we were leaving. 
The onion dome on the tower at Michael's Gate.

I really enjoyed our visit to Bratislava.  We didn't do anything special, just walk around the town, take pictures, have lunch, and shop for souvenirs, but I'd visit again.

Visit their tourist information site for more about this historic city.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2018: 
New Jersey Wonderland

2017: A Resting View
2016: Harmoniously Incorporated
2015: Buy Sandwiches
2014: A Room With A View
2013: Is The Coast Clear Yet?
2012: Why So Angry, Birds?
2011: One Hand In The Air For The Empire State
2010: Hitching A Ride From The Frying Pan Into The Fire
2009: Don’t Look At Me Like That. No, Really. Don’t. You’re Making Me Melt.
2008: A Mid-Winter Pick Me Up
2007: I Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You
2006: How To Get Rid Of Your Girlfriend
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005! 

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