Europe 2019 - Day 32 (Part 2)

7 June 2019, Friday

Then we walked to Grassalkovich Palace, which was a summer palace from the 18th century, and known for its rich social life. Apparently the famous composer Joseph Haydn also performed here before. Since 1996, it serves as the seat of the President of the Slovak Republic. 

Then to probably the most important church in Bratislava, the St Martin’s Church. It is a Gothic Church from the 15th century and the former coronation church of the kingdom of Hungary. It is the largest and one of the oldest churches in Bratislava, built between 1563 and 1830. Together with the castle on the hill adjacent, and somewhat similar in its striking but fairly stark Gothic lines and colouring, St Martin's 85 metre spire dominates Old Town's skyline. The tower virtually formed a part of the town's fortifications, built as it was into the city's defensive walls.

Then on to Bratislava castle up on the hill right above the Danube River - we entered through the Vienna gate which was built in 1712. There are 4 gates altogether: Sigismund gate, the oldest gate built in the 15th century, but it was under renovation; Nicholas gate built in the 16th century; and Leopold gate. The Bratislava Castle has been inhabited since the late Stone Age. Its first written record dates back to the year 907 AD. The castle building includes four towers (one on each corner) and a courtyard with a 80 metre deep water well. 

The largest and tallest tower is the Coronation Tower (47 metres) which was built in the 13th century and it is still standing today. It was burnt down in 1811 and reconstruction work was only undertaken in 1953. For approximately 200 years beginning in the mid-1500s, the tower housed the crown jewels of Hungary. The exterior walls and inside corridors contain fragments of old Gothic and Renaissance construction elements. Today it houses the Slovak National Museum on the second floor and the rooms of the Slovak parliament - the National Council of the Slovak Republic on the first floor. 

From the castle compound we had a good view of the Most SNP, which is a road bridge over the Danube river, the longest river in Europe. It is the world's longest bridge to have one pylon and one cable-stayed plane. It is also known as the Bridge of the Slovak National Uprising, New Bridge and UFO bridge because from afar, the single pylon looks like a UFO. It was a lovely view of the city. 

Then we took a bus to go see Devin castle, which lays in ruins on a rock 212 metres above sea level. It is the oldest castle in Slovakia, probably dating back to 864, and was built on this chosen spot for its high elevation on the cliff overseeing the confluence of the Danube and Morava Rivers, once an important trade route. In 1809, it was blown up by Napoleonic troops during their ‘visit’. Now the castle is a ruin, where archaeological research is sometimes carried out. There used to be early Christian chapels and the foundations of the Great Moravian church there. 

Lastly to St Elizabeth’s Church or more popularly known as the Blue Church. It was built in the Art Nouveau style at the beginning of the 20th century. It is called the Blue Church because it’s facade is full of blue mosaics arranged in tasteful patterns. Inside, the seats were all blue! Such a pretty Church!

And then we were done. We headed back to Old Town where I tried a traditional Slovak dish called bryndzove halusky, which looks something like gnocchi made of goats’ cheese, with bits of bacon sprinkled on top. It wasn’t too bad but a bit too bland for my Indian tongue. I tried a local Slovak beer called Zlaty Bazant. Not bad. 

Then back to the hostel. It is a single queen sized bed and I know my friend has issues with it but so far she hasn’t said anything so I’m also just ignoring it. I don’t know what the big deal is. I’ve slept in worse places before; on buses, on trains, on planes. If I have a bed, I’m thankful.