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Published: February 1st 2013
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We liked Bratislava ...
We enjoyed our stay. Old Town Bradislava is small enough that a person can tour it easily by foot, enjoying the buildings, the food, the people and the statues. We have noticed that many cities are placing new statues in various locations in their town. Unlike years past when most such statues were in honor of a well known person, these are there for fun and, perhaps, to honor the average working person.
We enjoyed a good laugh at the man with his head coming out of a manhole, as well as the man holding his hat away from his body. The soldier leaning on the bench, well it seemed to me that he was inviting anyone willing to lean beside him and have a good talk ... with soldiers what would you guess we talked about? You will have to guess as I won't tell you.
Is it true that women have a soft spot in their hearts for fellows in uniform? Well, I won't touch that subject. I will leave that topic for Nancy.
Like most cities in Europe the streets in the Old Town section
are cobblestone. Fortunately unlike shoes which do not feel the pain, feet merely rest at night and then come back for more punishment. Its a wonder I haven't worn out more shoes in Europe with all the rough cobbled streets. Bradislava was no different. I must admit, however, that the shoes I bought in August were a great help. My feet feel the effect of the cobblestones to a much greater extend that Nancy's. In fact, she almost never compains of tired or hurting feet ... now that is a great blessing as far as I am concerned.
Bratislava and Hungary
The Hungarian government and most of the Hungarian people would be very happy if Bratislava were returned to Hungary. There is reason for this as Bratislava was not just a Hungarian city for centuries, but was the capital from 1536 to 1783. (A fact disputed by our Hungarian friends but stated clearly in the palace in Bratislava). Coronations of eleven Hungarian kings and queens took place in the cathedral, St. Martin's.
There is so much history in Europe, in every country, city and town. I suppose it is no wonder that
there are varying feelings about who really owns or should own which city or region. There are long, long memories in Europe.
World War I
The Hapsburg's, and thus what is now Bratislava and Slovakia sided with the Axis powers, Germany, Japan, Italy, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia ... as well as other German puppet states, in World War I. With the end of the war the Treaty of Versailles broke up the Hapsburg empire, splitting it into many pieces. At that point Bratislava became a city in the newly created Czechslovakia.
Maria Theresa
Maria Theresa, that larger than life queen, was born in the Bratislava castle and later changed the facade of this castle much as she did the Prague castle on the hill. During her reign, 1740-1780, she ordered many construction projects to be undertaken. This included the waterworks and other palaces. Bratislava became a royal seat and a major center of political and social life.
Up, Down and Up Again
According to things we have read, following her Joseph II apparently did not have the same feelings of affection for Bratislava. Under his rule Bratislava went into
decline. In 1783 He ordered the governor's counntil and other authorities to move to Buda. In May of that year he took the royal crown from the Bratislava Castle and moved it to Vienna. A mass migration of nobles resulted, following the central administration of the government to its new location.
This sounds quite contemporary. When the capital of a country moves, people move and the former city declines while the new one gains in importance and reputation.
Like so many cities Bratislava has been up and it has been down ... and now it is up again. Once a very important city in the Hungarian Empire and known internationally, it declined and was somewhat forgotten. Now, it is up again as the capital of a country, Slovakia and thus, is known internationally.
More Photos below
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Bev Dahlman
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Bratislava
We loved Bratislava when we were there in 1996. It is such an easy town to walk around in. Also we bought a beautiful blue glass and gold plate which is one of our favorite things. I think the statues must have been added since then.