Lido pebble beach in Petržalka
Published: 20. August 2024
The Petržalka side of the Danube near František Jozef Bridge had a popular Lido and pebble beach from the early 20th century, as one of the city’s few swimming options. The Lido swimming pool opened in 1924, and in 1934 a larger 33 m pool became the city’s largest.
During the occupation of Petržalka in 1938, the right bank of the Danube was annexed to Germany, so Bratislava lost its swimming pool. In 1944, the Lido was damaged during Allied bombing. The Lido regained popularity after the war and into the 1980s. Now J&T Real Estate plans to rejuvenate the former Lido area and beach, returning a popular leisure option to Bratislava’s residents.
The first permanent bridge across Danube river in Bratislava
Published: 5. August 2024
Bratislava and its Transformation’s Ľubomír Deák stated at the opening of the exhibition that the „half-round“ 135 years refers to František Jozef Bridge’s construction start, while 18 months later (December 30, 1890) the bridge was ceremonially opened by Emperor František Jozef I.
The first permanent bridge (previously only vulnerable timber) across the Danube took his name, as commemorated by bronze plaques at either end of the bridge. In 1891, the bridge was adapted to take both trains and pedestrians, and the Viennese tram started running from 1914. The bridge was renamed Dunajský upon the establishment of the Czechoslovak Republic, and then from October 28, 1934 Štefánikov Bridge in honour of General MR Štefánik.
Retreating Germans destroyed the bridge in April 1945, severing Petržalka from the rest of the city. The liberating Red Army soldiers and German POWs built a new iron Red Army Bridge in just five months and 17 days as a ‘temporary’ measure, which lasted until December 2013 as Old Bridge (Starý most). The bridge was then replaced and reopened in May 2016 for pedestrians, cyclists and trams – 100,000+ locals attended the ribbon-cutting event.
Constantine and Methodius arrived in Great Moravia in 863
Published: 10. July 2024
The arrival of Slavs in Slovak territory dates back to at least the 6th century, while Christianity began to take hold from the early 9th century. The ruler of Great Moravia, Prince Rastislav, unsuccessfully appealed to the Pope in Rome to send him a teacher who would prioritize Christianity’s dissemination in the local language.
Yet Byzantine emperor Michal III reacted positively in sending two proselytes, Constantine and Methodius from Thessaloniki (near a large Slavic minority, so they knew the language). In preparation for the mission, Konstantin created a script adapted to the Slavic language – Glaholika, and translated basic articles related to the Christian faith. Constantine and Methodius arrived in Great Moravia in 863, and in 867 went to Rome for the Pope’s approval to use Old Slavonic as the liturgical language. Constantine fell ill in Rome and entered a monastery, where he took the name Cyril and died on February 14, 869.
In early 870, the Pope appointed Methodius as the archbishop of Pannonia and Great Moravia, thereby making Great Moravia subordinate directly to Rome. In 873, he took over the administration of the church in Great Moravia, and restored and administered the Great Moravian College (where clergy were educated). Disputes between Methodius and Svätopluk escalated in 885, when Methodius suggested the priest Gorazd as his successor. Archbishop Methodius died on April 6, 885, before the dispute could be resolved.
Criminals in Bratislava in the past
Published: 28. May 2024
Author Vladimír Segeš notes that criminals in Bratislava faced much harsher punishments in medieval times. Lengthy unsanitary imprisonment was merely open-ended pre-trial detention, and when a suspect or the accused confessed then the court passed sentence immediately. The typical lenient punishment was to be placed in stocks on the Main Square near the town hall and beaten with a metal rod, stick or whip.
Thieves were hung on gallows at Michal’s Gate Michalská (by Župné and Hurbanov squares) until death – a place deliberately chosen to act as a visible warning to visitors passing through the city’s gates and walls that therein law reigned and ill deeds were severely punished. Those who robbed and killed were executed by breaking on a wheel – it was an act of grace if the breaking started from the head, because this hastened death: the broken body was then publicly displayed in gallows.
The municipal court could both punish and pardoned or acquit alleged criminals and murderers. Yet if an innocent nobleman was erroneously punished and executed, the presiding magistrate and judges would also be killed and lose their property. Ľudovít II’s letter dated January 9, 1524 cites the king forbidding the mayor of Prešpor and city council from punishing a certain ‘Barbara’ for adultery because he had granted her a pardon.
Large fire destroyed Bratislavaś Podhradie (Schlossgrund) on May 17, 1913
Published: 20. May 2024
Nowadays fires in cities are thankfully rare events. But not so long ago, they were all too common due to a fateful combination of factors such as open fires, and stockpiles of kerosine, alcohol and hay. On May 17, 1913 a large fire destroyed Bratislava’s Podhradie (Schlossgrund).
Historian Štefan Holčík notes: „Locals and 71st Volunteer Infantry Regiment soldiers tried heroically to extinguish the fire, yet neighboring houses also caught fire. Firemen – both professional and from factories – quickly attended the scene, yet the fire continued to spread. Crews from Vienna also arrived, while doctors attended to the injured.
The fire destroyed seven houses on Petöfi Street, six houses on Mikuláška Street, 23 houses on Židovská (Schlossgrundgasse ), seven houses on Zámocká Street, and three houses both on Kapucínska Street and Panenská Street. Luckily the fire did not spread to the famous U dobrého pastiera building, nor to Kapitulská street or Na vršku“. The flames also spared precious St. Martin’s Cathedral, the Neolog and Orthodox synagogue, and the Capuchin and Nicholas Church by the castle.
Imrich Lichtenfeld´s monument on the Zuckermandel footbridge
Published: 24. March 2024
A monument in Bratislava celebrates Imrich Lichtenfeld – the successful athlete, protector of the city’s Jewish community, and founder of krav maga (Hebrew for ‘close combat’) who grew up here. “It will be displayed for the next year to commemorate our shared values and history, then embark on a journey that follows Imirich’s journey on the steamer Pentcho to Palestine before the statue’s triumphant return,“ said FABRIKart’s Andrej Aleksiev when the statue was unveiled.
„His orb symbolizes a fragility and vulnerability that at first sight is destined for a duel with danger (as depicted by sharp spikes). Yet as the protector of the weak, Imrich defends them and gifts them the krav maga martial art to protect themselves,” explains sculptor Šimon Chyla. „It’s high time that Imrich Lichtenfeld’s achievements were recognised in the capital city,“ said Patrik Zoltvány, chair of the Israel Chamber of Commerce in Slovakia. You can see the statue on the Zuckermandel footbridge by the Danube riverside.
Candle Demostration on March 10, 1988
Published: 15. March 2024
On March 10, 1988 Catholic activist František Mikloško notified the Regional National Committee of an intention to hold a demonstration in support of civic and religious freedoms – yet the authorities banned it, security forces were put on standby, and Czechoslovakia declared a state of emergency: religious believers were intimidated and threatened at their workplaces, and students were instructed to travel home for the weekend.
Nevertheless, a peaceful gathering was held on Good Friday, March 25, 1988 at Hviezdoslavovo Square – with security forces and two water cannon arriving at 18:00. Political officials including Miroslav Válek (the Minister of Culture) had a birds-eye view from the Carlton Hotel as 8,000 to 10,000 candle-holding peaceful protesters were met with police violence: baton charges, tear gas, and water cannons. 141 were detained, and while only 14 were officially injured the true figure is likely much higher (many avoided seeking medical treatment for fear of reprisals).
Historians agree that this event – hitherto known as the Candle Demonstration – directly led to November ’89 and the Gentle Revolution, and since 1993 it has been recognised in the Slovak Republic as the Struggle for Human Rights Day.
The first Slovak „skyscraper“ – 45-metre Manderlák
Published: 23. February 2024
The first Slovak „skyscraper“ – 45-metre Manderlák – caused controversy at the time due to its controversial location on a busy junction by SNP Square in Bratislava. Named after the famous butcher Rudolf Manderla (1884-1968), since September 2023 this iconic symbol of modernist architecture has been protected as a national cultural monument .
This eleven-story building was designed by architects Christian Ludwig, Ernst Spitzer and Augustín Danielis and is situated between the former Old Market Bread Market and the Stone Square in front of the Slovak Savings Bank. Manderla was inspired by a visit to the World Fair in Chicago in the 1930s – especially all the skyscrapers in the city, and he wanted to build an equally ambitious building at home.
On May 6, 1935, Manderla opened a large butchers on the tower’s ground floor where the staff were trilingual (Slovak, German Hungarian) and the area had a revolutionary cash register and efficient service counters – as such it was the most modern store in Central Europe.
The first floor Grand cafe became a legendary meeting place for Bratislava bohemians and tower residents such as painter Janko Alexy , poet Emil Boleslav Lukáč, and actors Milan Lasica, Ľudo Ondrejov, Ondrej Jariabek and František Dibarbora. The butchers operated until 2008, when it was replaced by fast food outlets.
Bratislava’s attractive Železná studnička park with Swan Pavilion
Published: 11. February 2024
Bratislava’s attractive Železná studnička park will soon have a new garden restaurant and Swan Pavilion – the projects are taking shape fast. The new garden restaurant in the pretty forest park is on the site of the former Ferdinand Baths (1828, demolished 1970), with pride of place going to a replica of the Swan Pavilion with a tower on the site of the original historical building.
Both are being built by the family company of businessman and politician Alojz Hlina, who named Swan Pavilion’s wings Dorothea and Theresia. The project is detail-focused: the pavilion’s windows were made by a leading Orava company and include 7,000 parts and 900 pieces of glass.
Although it already has a backlog of orders for weddings, guests must come by foot, bike or public transport to this beautiful car-free area…
Devín amphiteatre for 100 000-audience auditorium and the first post-war Slavic Day
Published: 15. January 2024
Devín amphitheatre has a fascinating history. Construction began after Devín village was separated from Czechoslovakia and administratively annexed into the German Empire following the Munich Agreement (1938). Hitler’s Third Reich liked to build large rural meeting spaces to spread their propaganda.
Although architect Václav Houdek’s 100,000-audience auditorium wasn’t completed until 1948, the first post-war Slavic Day was celebrated there on July 5, 1945. Operas such as Krútňava, Svätopluk and other masterpieces were also performed there. The amphitheatre also had a restaurant and dressing rooms for performers.
After 1989 it was taken over by the City Museum, which inexplicably leased it to Stockholm-based Seafly free of charge for 99 years. The City Council of Bratislava declared the lease null and void in March 1991, and the municipality’s request in 1995 that the company hand over the building was ignored. If the city can find an agreement, the lawsuit could end and the historic building could finally be revitalised.
Silver screen castle evenings in Bratislava
Published: 19. November 2023
The restoration of the castle’s amphitheatre began in 1947, led by national committee volunteers. Two years later, mayor Dr. Anton Vasek ceremoniously opened this 2000-capacity cultural area. Situated on the northern terrace of Bratislava Castle, this amphitheatre represented the first such general public use of the castle area for over a century.
In 2007, Bratislava News published Julo Satinský’s recollections: „From 1950 at the castle amphitheatre we saw Fanfán Tulipán, The Fall of Berlin and We Danced One Summer… Vaudeville programmes were also held on a large stage in front of the screen…where I even saw the famous actor Vlasta Burian. At that time televisions were scarce, so for entertainment people headed up to castle hill. Great evenings!“ He also pondered whether „…tomorrow’s Bratislavans will continue to enjoy a starlit castle hill on summer evenings?”
In 1960, the amphitheatre hosted the 11th Workers’ Film Festival, which was attended by international and domestic cinematic professionals. A Maria Theresa-era baroque garden based on the 1809 original now stands in this place.
Exhibition – Michael’s Tower post-renovation
Published: 19. November 2023
This tower dates to the late 13th century, its fourth level was added in 1531, and then the 5th to 7th floors constructed in the 16th century to define a distinctive octagonal shape. Its present appearance dates to the mid-18th century, when it was rebuilt with an onion dome – where an Archangel Michael was fitted in 1758, and a clock – visible across the city – a year earlier.
The temporary exhibition tracks the tower’s history from breaking ground to the present day as you ascend the structure from lowest to highest. The exhibition also includes an overview of developments, the Archangel Michael statue with a time box, bells, tower clocks and onion dome. The recent renovation revealed 16th-century medieval layers and original tower parts. Visitors will enjoy the interactive guide and informative overviews. A medieval barbican and townhouses lead from the tower, including the former Red Crab Pharmacy where exhibition tickets can be purchased.
82 Years since Jewish Code approved
Published: 23. September 2023
The ninth of September 2023 will mark 82 years since the Jewish Code was approved, having been based on the Nazi model and among the harshest anti-Jewish measures in Europe at the time. According to the director of the Museum of Jewish Culture, Michal Vaněk, this memorial day „gives people the opportunity to consider how a law issued by a country’s highest legislative power can lead from withholding human and civil rights to the extermination of tens of thousands of people on the basis of race, religion or sexual orientation.“
Anti-Jewish policy was supported by the government, representatives of the Diet, members of Hlinka’s Slovak People’s Party (HSĽS), Hlinka’s Guard (HG), regional politicians, and the media. The Jewish Code regulated how Jews should be recorded, introduced their public designation, and excluded them from education. Restrictions also applied to marriage and sexual relations, and regulated the transfer of Jewish property to Aryan ownership.
It resulted in the deportation of Jews to Nazi concentration camps: transports left Slovakia from 25 March 1942 to 20 October 1942, with almost 58,000 Jews deported. The next wave took place from September 1944 to March 1945, with over 70,000 Jewish citizens from Slovakia perishing.
The suffering of the Jews during the Second World War is also commemorated by the Holocaust Memorial in Bratislava (unveiled on 28 August 1997 where the synagogue originally stood) and the Holocaust Museum in Sered (established in 2016 on the site of a former labor and concentration camp).
Red Crab Pharmacy from 14th century
Published: 23. September 2023
Bratislava’s 14th century Lekáreň U červeného raka (Red Crab Pharmacy) is one of the oldest in Slovakia – and has been a unique museum since 1953 (as part of City Museum in Bratislava (MMB)). In September 2001, the exposition closed because in 1999 the city leased the building on Michalská Street to Druhá staromestská – on the condition that it would remain available to the city museum. The Pharmaceutical Museum relocated during the renovation and furniture was stored. „Part of the ground floor was then modified for the museum, and in 2006 a new smaller Medicine Storage presentation opened,“ states MMB. And hot off the press: „In the summer of 2023, we are opening both the restored Michalská veža and the Lekáreň U červeného raka.“
45 witch trials in Bratislava
Published: 04. June 2023
Historian Tunde Lendelová states that there were 45 witch trials in Bratislava, with the first dating to 1548 against an unknown woman. In May 1602, Išpán Veit Szabo and butcher Mezarosch complained to the city council about severe stomach pains, which they blamed on the herbalist Agatha Toott Borlobaschin. Išpán also added that Agatha cursed his father Jakub with an incessant cough, Mezarosch added that she caused his successful butcher’s to be sold cheap.
Although Agatha professed her innocence, the city council ordered the executioner to interrogate. He started gently, by ordering Agatha to cry (a then-theory held that the innocent can cry on command, whilst witches cannot), but she could not shed a tear. He then upped the ante by tying her hands and immersing her in water (if she was innocent she would drown, if guilty she would survive). As Agatha survived through self-preservation, the executioner put a burning torch to her.
Finally, she understood that she was done for – they sought not the truth but only a scapegoat: after days of torture, she admitted her curses and surrendered to the flames on 24 May 1602 just outside Michael’s Gate (as immortalised by stone sculptor Roman Kovrižnych).
Petržalka (Engerau in the past) was first cited in 13th Century
Published: 10. May 2023
Petržalka was first cited in the 13th century, namely the long-lost settlement of Flocendorf. A turning point – or beginning – was the 1770s, when after a major flood Maria Theresa ordered the Danube’s regulation. Following which a public park (Sad Janko Kráľ) was founded (1776) as a recreation area, which is the oldest public park in Central Europe.
A village also slowly grew. Historian Ľuboš Kačírek identifies the next big step as the construction of a permanent road/rail bridge over the Danube, which opened on New Year’s Eve 1890. Businesses took note of the transport opportunities and built nearby factories, such as Matador and its residential area for the burgeoning workforce. The village’s allegiance was contended in 1918 when Czechoslovakia was created and the border with Hungary ran along the Danube: although Petržalka was part of Hungary, Sad Janko Kráľ belonged to Bratislava.
In August 1919 Vavro Šrobár agreed to modify the border to give Bratislava better geographical protection, and Engerau became part of Czechoslovakia. As a result of the Munich Agreement Czechoslovakia had to withdraw from the Sudetenland, the Czech border area, and Bratislava, while Devín and Petržalka were ceded to the strengthening German Third Reich on 10 October 1938. The Soviet army liberated Bratislava on 4 April 1945 and rebuilt the river crossing.
Alfred Piffl and Bratislava Castle reconstruction
Published: 12. March 2023
2022 marked two important dates related to Alfred Piffl: 115 years since his birth, and 50 years since the death of this passionate architect-preservationist. Together with painter Janko Alexy, they tirelessly fought to save Bratislava Castle from ruin after the authorities had refused to start reconstruction because the site was considered „beyond saving“.
Researching the ruins and castle grounds began in 1952 with the support of architecture undergraduates. The castle’s reconstruction faced sizeable obstacles such as a lack of building materials, workers not receiving pay, and architects, artists and other experts leaving the project. – eventually including too.
After years of hard work, Piffl was also forcibly removed from the project in 1957 by State Security (Štb). With a fabricated accusation of „public sedition and defamation of a friendly power“, he was sentenced to two years at Prague’s Pankrác prison. Upon release he was stripped of his titles and forbidden from returning to work on the castle’s reconstruction – which continued in his absence.
Barred from architecture, he instead worked as a panel beater in a factory, and then a designer at a construction company in Pezinok, until seeing out his days at the Archaeological Institute of the Slovak Republic. There Piffl documented finds at Devín Castle, the Water Tower, and the Roman Gerulata in Rusovce, and greatly contributed to researching and documenting the demolished Bratislava Podhradie area.
Jewish rabbi and theologian Chatam Sofer
Published: 20. February 2023
Jewish rabbi and theologian Chatam Sofer (real name Moše Schreiber) was the pride of the Bratislava Jewish community in the early 19th century, and is still revered in Orthodox circles as the world’s greatest rabbi. He headed the Bratislava yeshiva (rabbinical school), which was one of the leading centres of traditional Jewish education in Europe. At its height, it had 400 students and was the largest yeshiva since Babylonian times.
He died on October 3, 1839 at the age of 77, and his grave is located in the Mausoleum of Chatam Sofer, built on the site of the oldest Jewish cemetery in Bratislava (which was destroyed during World War II to construct a tunnel). It was ceremoniously opened in 2002 as a unique monument in Slovakia.
The site on a gentle hillside between the Danube and Bratislava Castle was designed by architect Martin Kvasnica, and complies with strict Jewish law and the highest standards of contemporary architecture. As reported by the portal tädö.sk, an important requirement was to ensure access for kohens (descendants of temple priests) who (according to Jewish law) are not allowed to enter a cemetery. The architect solved this problem with an access footbridge above the cemetery ceiling.
There are 23 graves in the original place and 41 tombstones in the mausoleum. Chatam Sofer monument is part of the Slovak route of Jewish cultural heritage.
St. Martin´s Cathedral crypts
Published: 29. January 2023
St. Martin’s Cathedral crypts were impacted by legislation passed by Maria Theresa mid-18th century that restricted burials here. The largest part – the Archbishop’s crypt – leads from the Chapel of St. Anne to below the cathedral with four corridors measuring almost 60 metres under the Chapel of St. Jána Almužník and is the only one of three open to the public. Imrich Eszterházy (1664 – 1745), who crowned Maria Theresa as Queen of Hungary on June 25, 1741, also rests in the archbishop’s tomb, under the chapel dedicated to his favourite saint.
The crypts contain dozens of graves of high church dignitaries, provosts, canons, and rich townspeople and cathedral sponsors. Notable names include Cardinal Peter Pázmány (1570 – 1637) who for many spearheaded the area’s spiritual and social life, as well as the author of the first novel written in Slovak, Jozef Ignác Bajza (1755 – 1836), who was a canon of the Bratislava collegiate chapter.
Visiting the crypt is free, but buy a ticket (Martineum extension on Rudnay nam, info centre) to access other areas of the cathedral such as the choir and treasury to see 570 years‘ of treasures.
Sturgeons near Bratislava
Published: 29. January 2023
Centuries ago, our ancestors hunted the huge whitefish that annually migrated from the Black Sea to the Danube spawning grounds both near Bratislava and many kilometres further upstream into large tributaries. This mega fish – which can weigh more than a ton and measure more than six meters – was last seen here in 1957. These impressive fish disappeared from the Danube due to overfishing and the construction of the Iron Gates I/II dam on the Serbian/Romanian border over 50 years ago.
A replica of the fish is displayed at the SNM – Museum of Natural History on Vajanského nábreží, while living fish – although much smaller – can be seen at the aquarium in Modrá and the eco-centre near Tiszafüred in Hungary. The whitefish sexually matures between 15 and 20 years old, and lives to be over 100 years old. Although they can survive in fresh water, they cannot reproduce naturally there.
Today, white sturgeon and other large sturgeon are hunted for their prized black caviar, with each fish having tens or even hundreds of kilograms. Commercial fishing takes place mainly in the Caspian Sea – the fish are caught, the eggs removed, and the fish body thrown back into the sea. This barbaric practise results in tons of high-quality meat being unnecessarily wasted.
Renovation of Devín Castle
Published: 06. January 2023
The Museum of the City of Bratislava is renovating Devín Castle – its largest and most popular national cultural monument. Renovation and reconstruction work on open-air historical middle- and upper-castle parts started in July – in accordance with the Regional Monuments Office in Bratislava and ICOMOS (International Council for Monuments and Sites) guidelines. The work uses only locally-sourced quarry stone in line with the original masonry, and traditional lime mortar that matches the colour and texture.
Work has also started on the cella memoriae over the early-Christian archaeological finds. A new info-nav system has been designed with MAPA architekti and Hungry studio to present this cultural site dynamically, including visitor inclusivity and full accessibility. In addition, the project will also create new rest zones and a redesigned castle entry point for visitors.
Reconstruction of St. Nicholas Church for Orthodox Christians in Bratislava
Published: 17. November 2022
„Since the onset of war in Ukraine, hundreds of Orthodox Christians have arrived in and around Bratislava. At St. Rastislav Church on Tomášikova Street, the religious service proceeds rather differently than in Ukraine and the church is very small,“ says our reader Alexander. He also highlights the dilapidated rare iconostasis and the crypt tombs at St. Nicholas Church that were ransacked during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Office of the Prešov Orthodox Eparchy confirmed that the crypt has little architectural or artefactual value: „The crypt was frequently broken in to, hence the removal of valuables.” Yet the good news is that church services at Mikulášská Street have resumed, and the church has wider public access. The derelict church’s reconstruction is in the pipeline, with the necessary documentation being prepared. The Office stated that previous efforts to restore the church were thwarted by requirements for a high level of co-financing, but money from the Recovery Plan should help now.
„An owner can apply for a subsidy as part of the OSSD 1.5 sub-program within the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic to restore a monument to the tune of EUR 150,000 to EUR 950,000. A subsidy can also be applied for in sub-program 1.1. where EUR 5 million is set aside,“ explained department spokesperson Zuzana Viciaňová.
Using the official source www.bratislavskenoviny.sk
New website
Date: 30. March 2022
We have launched a new and hopefully more modern website for you.
At the same time, to increase security, communication between site visitors and the site itself is secured through a secure SSL connection, which can be detected by the fact that there is a green lock in the line and the site starts with https.