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Bratislava
Bratislava's Old Town at night from Petržalka
FlagCoat of arms of BratislavaCoat of arms
Nickname: Beauty on the Danube
Location of Bratislava within Slovakia
Country	Slovakia
Region	Bratislava Region
Districts	Bratislava I-V
City subdivisions	17 city boroughs
Cadastral areas	20 cadastral areas
First mentioned	907
Government
• Type	City council
• Mayor (Primátor)	Andrej Ďurkovský
• Headquarters	Primate's Palace
Area
• City	367.584 km (141.925 sq mi)
• Metro	2,053 km (793 sq mi)
Elevation	126 – 514 m (413.4 – 1,686.3 ft)
Population
• City	425,459
• Density	1,157/km (3,000/sq mi)
• Urban	500,000
• Metro	600,000
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	800 00 – 899 99
Area code	SK-BL (region)
Car plates	BA
Telephone prefix	+421-2
Website	City of Bratislava

Bratislava (IPA: /ˈbratjɪslava/) is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of some 425,000, the country's largest city. Bratislava is located in the south west of Slovakia, lies on both banks of the Danube, and it is the only national capital in the world that borders two other countries - Austria and Hungary.

Bratislava is the political, cultural and economic centre of Slovakia. It is the seat of the Slovak presidency, the parliament and government, as well as home to several universities, museums, theatres, galleries and other important economic, cultural and educational institutions. Many of Slovakia's large businesses and financial institutions are headquartered in Bratislava.

The city's history has been strongly influenced by various peoples, including Austrians, Czechs, Germans, Hungarians, Jews, and Slovaks. The city was a key economic and administrative centre of the Kingdom of Hungary and later of the Habsburg Monarchy. Bratislava was home to the Slovak national movement in the 19th century and many other Slovak historical figures, including Milan Rastislav Štefánik and Alexander Dubček.

Names

The first written reference to the city (as Brezalauspurc) comes from the Salzburg Annals, in relation to the battles between the Bavarians and the Magyars, which happened under the present-day Bratislava Castle in 907. The city was probably named after Predslav, third son of king Svätopluk I, or the local nobleman Braslav. The German Pressburg and Slovak Prešporok (derived from German) come from an inscription bearing the name Braslava or Preslava on an old coin minted by King Stephen I of Hungary dated around 1000.

The Hungarian name Pozsony (still in use among Hungarians; Posony before the 19th century) and the Latin name Posonium (derived from the Hungarian) come from Božaň, the name of an 11th century ruler of Bratislava Castle. The Renaissance documents called the city Istropolis, meaning "Danube City" in the Ancient Greek.

The current name, Bratislava, has its beginnings in 1837, when Slavist scholar Pavel Jozef Šafárik reconstructed a variant of it (Břetislaw) from old names derived from that of Bohemian ruler Bretislav I. The name was used for the first time by members of the Slovak movement in 1844 as Bratislav.After World War I, there were attempts to rename city to "Wilson City", after American president Woodrow Wilson, who influenced establishment of Czechoslovakia. This name was used by non-Slovak representatives of the city, who were attempting to receive free city status (like Trieste or Danzig had), rather than being part of Czechoslovakia. The proposal was rejected and in January 1919, the city became part of Czechoslovakia and was renamed from Pressburg or Pozsony to Bratislava on 6 March 1919. Before that year, most English-speaking writers referred to the city by its German name, usually spelled Pressburg. In Slovak, Bratislava is commonly shortened in informal speech to Blava.

History

Even though Bratislava is one of Europe's newest capital cities (since 1993), the territory has a rich history connected to many tribes and nations.

The first known permanent settlement began with the Linear Pottery Culture, around 5000 BC in the Neolithic era. About 200 BC, the Celtic Boii tribe founded the first significant settlement, a fortified town of the sort now known as an oppidum, and also established a mint which produced silver coins known as biatecs. The area fell under Roman influence from the 1st century AD until the 4th century, and forming part of the Limes Romanus, a border defence system. The Romans introduced grape growing to the area and began a tradition of winemaking which survives to the present. After the Roman military abandoned the borders at the end of the 4th century, various tribes (e.g. Heruli and Goths) settled there temporarily in the 5th century.

Slavs arrived between the 5th and 6th century during the Migration Period. As a response to onslaughts by Avars, the local Slavic tribes rebelled and established Samo's Empire (623–658), the first known Slavic political entity. In the 9th century, the castles at Bratislava and Devín were important centres of the Principality of Nitra and later Great Moravia. The first written reference to the city dates to 907.

Around 1000, the territory of Bratislava was annexed into the Kingdom of Hungary and became a key economic and administrative centre at the kingdom's frontier. This strategic position destined the city to be a site of frequent attacks and battles. Today's Bratislava was granted its first known town privileges in 1291 by Andrew III. In 1405, Bratislava was declared a free royal town by King Sigismund of Luxemburg, who also entitled the town to use its own coat of arms in 1436.

After the Battle of Mohács in 1526, where the Kingdom of Hungary was defeated by the Ottoman Empire, the Turks besieged and damaged Bratislava, but failed to conquer the city. As a consequence of Ottoman advance through Hungarian territory, Bratislava was designated the new capital of Hungary in 1536, becoming part of the Habsburg (Austrian) monarchy and marking the beginning of a new era. Bratislava became a coronation town and the seat of kings, archbishops (1543), the nobility and all major organisations and offices. Between 1536 and 1830, 11 kings and queens were crowned at St. Martin's Cathedral. However, the 17th century was marked by anti-Habsburg uprisings, fighting with the Turks, floods, plagues and other disasters.

During the 18th century reign of Maria Theresa of Austria, Bratislava flourished, becoming the largest and most important town in the territory of present day Slovakia and Hungary. The population tripled; many new mansions, palaces, monasteries, and streets were built, and Bratislava was the centre of social and cultural life. Under the reign of Joseph II, however, the crown jewels were taken to Vienna in 1783 and many central offices moved to Buda, with a large segment of the nobility following along. The Treaty of Pressburg was signed in 1805. The Devín Castle was brought to ruin by Napoleon's troops in 1809 and the Bratislava Castle was destroyed by fire in 1811. Bratislava became a centre for the Slovak national movement. In 1783, the first newspaper in Slovak, Presspurske Nowiny (Pressburg Newspaper), and the first Slovak novel were published. As a reaction to the 1848 Revolution, Ferdinand V signed the so-called March laws, which included the abolition of serfdom, in the Primate's Palace. Industry grew rapidly in the 19th century. The first (horse) railway in the territory of present day Slovakia and Hungary, from Bratislava to Svätý Jur, was built in 1840. A new line to Vienna using steam locomotives was opened in 1848. Many new industrial (e.g. Stollwerck, Apollo (predecessor of today's Slovnaft), Siemens-Schuckert, and Matador), financial (first bank in Slovakia in 1842) and other institutions were founded. The first permanent bridge over the Danube, Starý most (Old Bridge), was built in 1891.

After World War I and the formation of Czechoslovakia on October 28, 1918, Bratislava was incorporated into the new nation despite its representatives' reluctance. The city immediately became the seat of Slovakia's political organs and organizations. It won over other candidates for Slovakia's capital (Martin and Nitra) because of its economic importance and the strategic position on the Danube. On March 27, 1919, the name Bratislava was officially adopted for the first time. On March 14, 1939, Bratislava became the capital of the first independent Slovak Republic after splitting of Czechoslovakia at will of Nazi Germany, which also annexed yet independent boroughs of Petržalka and Devín. The new Slovak government, under the influence of the Nazi Germany, expelled 15,000 Jews from Bratislava in 1941. Most of them were later sent to concentration camps. Bratislava was occupied by German troops, bombarded by the Allies and eventually liberated by the Soviet Red Army on April 4, 1945. Subsequently, many citizens of German and Hungarian origin were removed from the city under the Beneš decrees.

After the Communist Party seized power in Czechoslovakia in February 1948, the city became part of the Eastern Bloc, and hundreds of citizens were expelled during the communist repression of the 1950s. However, the population rose significantly as the city annexed new land, and large residential areas consisting of high-rise prefabricated panel buildings, for example in the Petržalka borough, were built. The city's 1970 population of 284,000 rose to about 444,000 by 1990. In 1968, the city became the capital of the Slovak Socialist Republic, one of two states of the newly federalized Czechoslovakia. But the citizens of Bratislava also had to suffer the Soviet occupation after the Warsaw Pact troops invaded the country the very same year, ending the Czechoslovak attempt to liberalize the Communist regime. Bratislava's dissidents anticipated the fall of the Communism with the Bratislava candle demonstration in 1988 and the city became one of the foremost centers of the anti-Communist Velvet Revolution in 1989.

In 1993, the city became the capital of the newly formed Slovak Republic following the Velvet Divorce. In the early 21st century, the city's economy boomed and many new edifices (such as Most Apollo or a new building of the Slovak National Theatre) transformed the traditional cityscape.

Geography

Bratislava is situated in southwest Slovakia. Its location at the borders of Austria and Hungary makes it the only national capital in the world that borders two countries. It is only 62 kilometres (38.5 mi) from the border with the Czech Republic and only 60 kilometres (37.3 mi) from the Austrian capital Vienna.

The city has a total area of 367.58 square kilometres (141.9 mi²), making it the second largest city in Slovakia by area (after the township of Vysoké Tatry). Bratislava straddles both banks of the Danube River, which crosses the city from the west to the south-east. The Middle Danube basin begins at Devín Gate in western Bratislava. Other rivers nearby are the Morava River, forming the north-western border of the city and flows into the Danube at Devín, the Little Danube, and the Vydrica, which flows into the Danube at the borough of Karlova Ves. Some parts of Bratislava, particularly Devín and Devínska Nová Ves, are vulnerable to floods. New flood protection is being built on both banks.

The Carpathian mountain range begins in city territory with the Little Carpathians (Malé Karpaty). The city's lowest point is at the Danube's surface, at 126 metres (413.4 ft) above mean sea level, and the highest point is Devínska Kobyla at 514 metres (1686.3 ft). The average altitude is 140 metres (459.3 ft).

Climate

Bratislava lies in the north temperate zone and has a continental climate with four distinct seasons. It is often windy with a marked variation between hot summers and cold, humid winters. Recently, the transitions from winter to summer and summer to winter have been rapid, with short autumn and spring periods. Snow occurs less frequently now than previously.

Cityscape and architecture

The cityscape of Bratislava, characterized by medieval towers and 20th century grandiose buildings, is going through profound changes due to the construction boom at the beginning of the 21st century.

City

Most historical buildings are concentrated in the Old Town. Bratislava's Town Hall is a complex of buildings erected in the 14th–15th centuries and now hosts the Bratislava City Museum, which is the oldest museum in Slovakia. Michael's Gate is the only gate that has been preserved from the medieval fortifications, and ranks among the oldest of the town's buildings. The narrowest house in Europe is located close by. The building of the University Library (erected in 1756) was used by the Diet (parliament) of the Kingdom of Hungary from 1802 to 1848. Much of the significant legislation of the Hungarian Reform Era (such as the abolition of serfdom and the foundation of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences) were enacted there.

The historic centre is characterised by many baroque palaces. The Grassalkovich Palace, built around 1760, is now the residence of the Slovak president, and the Slovak government now has its seat in the former Archiepiscopal palace. In 1805, Emperors Napoleon and Francis II signed the fourth Peace of Pressburg in the Primate's Palace. Even some of smaller houses are historically interesting. For example, composer Johann Nepomuk Hummel was born in an 18th century house in Bratislava's Old town.

Much of the city's public life in the past occurred in Bratislava's churches. The Gothic St. Martin's Cathedral was built in the 13th–16th centuries and it served as the coronation church of the Kingdom of Hungary between 1563 and 1830. The Franciscan church, dated to the 13th century, has been a place of knighting ceremonies. The Church of St. Elisabeth, better known as the Blue Church, is built entirely in the Art Nouveau style.

A curiosity is the underground (formerly on the ground level) restored portion of the Jewish cemetery where Rabbi Moses Sofer is buried, located at the base of the castle hill near the entrance to a tram tunnel on the Danube side.

The only military cemetery in Bratislava is Slavín, unveiled in 1960, in honour of Soviet Army soldiers who fell when liberating Bratislava from German troops. It also offers an excellent view of the city and the Little Carpathians.

Other prominent 20th century structures include the Nový Most bridge across the Danube featuring a UFO-like tower restaurant, Slovak Radio's inverted pyramid-shaped headquarters, and the uniquely-designed Kamzík TV Tower with an observation deck and rotating restaurant.

Bratislava Castle

One of the most prominent structures in the city is Bratislava Castle, situated on a plateau 85 metres above the Danube. The castle hill site has been inhabited since the transition period between Stone and Bronze Ages, and has been host to the acropolis of a Celtic town, part of the Roman Limes Romanus, a huge Slavic fortified settlement, and a political, military and religious centre for Great Moravia. A stone castle was only constructed in the 10th century, when the area was part of the Kingdom of Hungary. The castle was converted into a Gothic anti-Hussite fortress under Sigismund of Luxemburg in 1430, became a Renaissance castle in 1562, and was reconstructed in 1649 in the baroque style. Under Queen Maria Theresa, the castle became a prestigious royal seat. In 1811, the castle was inadvertently destroyed and lay in ruins until the 1950s, when it was reconstructed mostly in its former Theresan style.

Devín Castle

Another castle is Devín Castle (now in ruins) in Devín. It is situated on the top of a high rock at the point where the Morava river, which forms the borders between Austria and Slovakia, enters the Danube. It is one of the most important Slovak archaeological sites and a museum dedicated to history of the castle is situated on the castle's premises. Devín Castle was – thanks to its strategic location – a very important frontier castle of Great Moravia and the early Hungarian state. It was destroyed by Napoleon's troops in 1809 and is an important symbol of Slovak and Slavic history.

Rusovce

Rusovce mansion, with an English park is situated in the Rusovce borough. The house was originally built in the 17th century and turned into an English neo-Gothic style mansion in 1841–1844. The borough is also known for the ruins of the Roman military camp Gerulata, part of Limes Romanus, a border defence system. Gerulata was built and used between the 1st and 4th century AD.

Parks and lakes

Due to its location at the foothills of the Little Carpathians and its riparian vegetation on the Danube's floodplains, Bratislava has forests close to the city centre.

The total amount of public green space per inhabitant is 110 square metres, i.e. 46.8 square kilometres for the whole city. The largest city park is Horský park (literally Mountainous Park), situated in the Old Town district. Bratislavský lesný park (Bratislava Forest Park) is located in the Little Carpathians and includes many locales popular among visitors, such as Železná studienka and Koliba. The Forest Park covers an area of 27.3 square kilometres (10.54 mi²), of which 96% is forested, and contains original flora and fauna such as European badgers, red foxes and mouflons.

On the right bank of the Danube, in the borough of Petržalka, is Sad Janka Kráľa, the first public park in Europe, founded in 1774–76. A new city park is planned for Petržalka between the Malý Draždiak and Veľký Draždiak lakes.

Bratislava's zoological park is located in Mlynská dolina, near the headquarters of Slovak Television. The zoo, founded in 1960, currently houses 152 species of animals, including a rare white lion. Botanical gardens can be found on the Danube riverfront. Belonging to the Comenius University, the gardens house over 120 species of domestic, foreign and exotic origin.

The city has a number of natural and man-made lakes, most of which are also used for recreation. Examples include Štrkovec lake in Ružinov and Kuchajda in Nové Mesto, Zlaté Piesky and the Vajnory lakes in the north-east, and Rusovce lake in the south, which is popular with nudists.

Demographics

According to the 2001 census, the city had 428,672 inhabitants (the estimate for 2005 is 425,459). The average population density was 1,157 inhabitants/km². The most populous district is Bratislava V, with 121,259 inhabitants, followed by Bratislava II with 108,139, Bratislava IV with 93,058, Bratislava III with 61,418 and Bratislava I with 44,798 inhabitants.

The largest ethnic groups are Slovaks, with 391,767 inhabitants (91.37% of the city population), followed by Hungarians with 16,541 (3.84%) and Czechs with 7,972 inhabitants (1.86%). Other ethnic groups represented are Germans (1200, 0.28%), Moravians (635, 0.15%), Croats (614, 0.14%) Ruthenes (461, 0.11%), Ukrainians (452, 0.11%), Roma (417, 0.08%) and Poles (339, 0.08%) (2001 census).

The average age in the city was 38.7 years, distributed as follows: 51,783 inhabitants of pre-productive age (0–14; 12.1%), 281,403 of productive age (15–59; 65.6%) and 92,273 inhabitants of post-productive age (55+ for females, 60+ for males; 21.5%) (2005 estimate).

The religious make-up was as follows: Roman Catholics 243,048 (56.7%), Atheists 125,729 (29.3%), Augsburg Confessional Lutherans 24,810 (6%), Greek Catholics 3,163 (0.7%), Reformed Christians 1,918, Eastern Orthodox 1,616, Jehovah's Witnesses 1,827, Methodist Protestants 737, Jews 700, and Baptists 613 (2001 census).

Government

Bratislava is the seat of the Slovak parliament, presidency, ministries, the supreme court (Template:Lang-sk), and the central bank. It is the seat of the Bratislava Region and, since 2002, also of the Bratislava Autonomous Region. In addition, many foreign embassies and consulates are located in the city.

The current local government (Mestská samospráva) structure has been in place since 1990. It is led by a mayor (primátor); a city board (Mestská rada); a city council (Mestské zastupiteľstvo); a city commission (Komisie mestského zastupiteľstva); and a city magistrate's office (Magistrát).

The mayor, based at the Primate's Palace, is the city's top executive officer, and is elected to a four-year term of office. The current mayor, Andrej Ďurkovský, was nominated in 2006 by a coalition of KDH and SDKÚ, starting his second term in the office.

The city council is the city's legislative body, responsible for issues such as budget, local ordinances, city planning, road maintenance, education, culture, etc. The Council usually convenes once per month, and consists of 80 members elected to four-year terms at the same time as the mayor. Many of the council's executive functions are carried out by the city commission, at the council's direction.

The city board is a 28-member body comprised of the primátor (Bratislava's mayor), his deputies, the borough mayors and others. The board is an executive and supervisory arm of the city council, and also serves in an advisory role to the mayor.

Administratively, Bratislava is divided into five districts: Bratislava I (the city centre), Bratislava II (eastern parts), Bratislava III (northeastern parts), Bratislava IV (western and northern parts) and Bratislava V (southern parts on the right bank of the Danube, including Petržalka, the most densely populated residential area in Central Europe).

For self-governance purposes, the city is divided into 17 boroughs, each of which has its own mayor (starosta) and council. The number of councillors in each depends on the size and population of the borough. Each of the boroughs coincides with the city's 20 cadastral areas, except for two cases: Nové Mesto is further divided into the Nové Mesto and Vinohrady cadastral areas and Ružinov is divided into Ružinov, Nivy and Trnávka. Further unofficial division in some cases designates additional quarters and localities.

	Bratislava's territorial divisions (districts and boroughs)
	Bratislava I	Bratislava II	Bratislava III	Bratislava IV	Bratislava V
	Staré Mesto	Ružinov	Nové Mesto	Karlova Ves	Petržalka
		Vrakuňa	Rača	Dúbravka	Jarovce
		Podunajské Biskupice	Vajnory	Lamač	Rusovce
				Devín	Čunovo
				Devínska Nová Ves
				Záhorská Bystrica

Economy

The Bratislava Region is the wealthiest and economically most prosperous region in Slovakia despite being the smallest by area and having the second smallest population of the eight Slovak regions. It accounts for about 26% of Slovak GDP. The GDP per capita (PPP), valued at €27,802 (2004), is 129.3% of the EU average, and is the second highest level (after Prague) of all regions in the new EU member states. The unemployment rate as of May 2007 is 1.66%. Many governmental institutions and private companies have their headquarters in Bratislava. More than 75% of Bratislava's population works in the service sector, mainly composed of trade, banking, IT, telecommunications, tourism and others. The Bratislava Stock Exchange (BSSE), the organiser of the public securities market, was founded on 15 March 1991.

Automaker Volkswagen established itself in Bratislava in 1991 and has expanded since. Currently, its production focuses on SUVs, which represent 68% of all production. The VW Touareg is finished and the Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7 are partially built there.

In recent years, service and high-tech oriented businesses are prospering in Bratislava. Many global companies, including IBM, Dell, Lenovo, AT&T, SAP, and Accenture, have built outsourcing and service centres here or plan to do it in the near future.

Other large companies and employers headquartered in Bratislava include Slovak Telekom, Orange Slovensko, Slovenská sporiteľňa, Tatra banka, Doprastav, Hewlett-Packard Slovakia, Slovnaft, Henkel Slovensko, Slovenský plynárenský priemysel, Kraft Foods Slovakia, Whirlpool Slovakia, Železnice Slovenskej republiky, and Tesco Stores Slovak Republic.

The Slovak economy's strong growth in the 2000s has led to a boom in the construction industry, and several major projects have been completed in or are planned for Bratislava. Areas attracting developers include the Danube riverfront, with two major projects already under construction: River Park in the Old Town, and Eurovea near the Apollo Bridge. Other locations under development include the areas around the main railway and bus stations, around the former industrial zone near the Old Town, and in the boroughs of Petržalka, Nové Mesto and Ružinov. It is expected that investors will spend €1.2 billion on new projects by 2010.

The city has a balanced budget of almost six billion Slovak korunas (€182 million) as of 2007. One fifth of that is used for investment. Bratislava holds shares in 17 companies directly, for example in the public transport company (Dopravný podnik Bratislava), the waste collection and disposal company, the water utility and others. The city also manages municipal organisations such as the City Police (Mestská polícia), Bratislava City Museum, ZOO Bratislava, etc.

Culture

As the capital, Bratislava is the cultural metropolis of Slovakia. Owing to its multi-cultural character in the past, local culture is influenced by various ethnic groups, including Germans, Slovaks, Hungarians, Jews and others. Today, Bratislava is the seat of various theatres, museums, galleries, concert halls, cinemas, film clubs and foreign cultural institutions.

Performing arts

Bratislava is the seat of the Slovak National Theatre, which is housed in two buildings. The first is a Neo-Renaissance theatre building situated in the Old Town at the end of Hviezdoslav Square. The new building, opened to the public on April 14, 2007, is on the riverfront. The theatre has three ensembles: opera, ballet and drama. Smaller theatres include Bratislava Puppet Theatre, Astorka Korzo '90 theatre, Arena Theatre, L+S Studio, Radošinské naivné divadlo and others.

Music in Bratislava flourished in the 18th century and was closely linked to the Viennese musical life. Mozart visited the town at the age of six. Among other notable composers who visited the town included Joseph Haydn, Franz Liszt, Béla Bartók and Beethoven, who played his Missa Solemnis for the first time in Bratislava. It is also the birthplace of the composer Johann Nepomuk Hummel. Bratislava is home to the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra and also hosts several annual festivals, such as the Bratislava Music Festival and Bratislava Jazz Days. The Wilsonic Festival, held annually since 2000, brings dozens of international musical acts to the city each year. During the summer, various musical events take place under the Bratislava Cultural Summer. Apart from musical festivals it is possible to hear music varying from underground to the concerts of well known pop stars.

Museums and galleries

The Slovak National Museum (Slovenské národné múzeum), founded in 1961, has its headquarters in Bratislava on the riverfront in the Old Town, along with the Natural History Museum, which is one of its subdivisions. The SNM is the highest institution focusing on scientific research and cultural education in the field of museological activity in Slovakia. The SNM manages 16 specialised museums both in and outside Bratislava.

The Bratislava City Museum (Múzeum mesta Bratislavy) established in 1868 is the oldest museum in continuous operation in Slovakia. The museum's primary goal is to chronicle Bratislava's history in various forms from the earliest periods using historical and archaeological collections. The museum offers permanent displays in eight specialised museums.

The Slovak National Gallery (abbr. SNG), founded in 1948, is the most extensive network of galleries in Slovakia. Two displays in Bratislava are situated adjacent one to another at Esterházy Palace (Esterházyho palác) and the Water Barracks (Vodné kasárne), both located on the Danube riverfront in the Old Town. The Bratislava City Gallery, founded in 1961, is the second largest Slovak gallery of its kind. The gallery offers permanent displays at Pálffy Palace (Pálffyho palác) and Mirbach Palace (Mirbachov palác), located in the Old Town. Danubiana Art Museum, one of the youngest art museums in Europe, is situated near Čunovo waterworks.

Media

Bratislava, as the national capital, is home to national as well as many local media outlets. Notable TV stations based in the city include Slovak Television (Slovenská televízia), Markíza, JOJ and TA3. Slovak Radio (Slovenský rozhlas) has its seat in the centre near the National Bank of Slovakia in a building shaped like an inverted pyramid. In addition, many Slovak commercial radio stations are based in the city. National newspapers based in Bratislava include SME, Pravda, Nový čas, Hospodárske noviny and the English language Slovak Spectator. Two news agencies are headquartered here: News Agency of the Slovak Republic (TASR) and Slovak News Agency (SITA).

Sport

Various sports and sports teams have a long tradition in Bratislava, with many teams and individuals competing in Slovak and international leagues and competitions. Many significant sporting events, such as the Davis Cup final in 2005, the FIBA World Championship for women in 2007, and the Ice Hockey World Championships in 1959 and 1992, have been held in Bratislava. The 2011 Men's Ice Hockey World Championships will be held in Bratislava and Košice. A new arena is planned to host this event.

Football is currently represented by three clubs playing the top Slovak football league, the Corgoň Liga. ŠK Slovan Bratislava, founded in 1919, has its home ground at the Tehelné pole (Brickfield) stadium. ŠK Slovan is the most successful football club in Slovak history, being the only club from former Czechoslovakia to win the European football competition, the Cup Winners' Cup in 1969. FK Inter Bratislava, founded in 1945, have their home ground at Štadión Pasienky (Pasienky Stadium). FC Artmedia Bratislava is the oldest of Bratislava's football clubs, founded in 1898. It has its home field at Štadión Petržalka in Petržalka.

Bratislava is home to three winter sports arenas: Ondrej Nepela Winter Sports Stadium, V. Dzurilla Winter Sports Stadium and Dúbravka Winter Sports Stadium. The HC Slovan Bratislava ice hockey team represents Bratislava in Slovakia's top ice hockey league, the Slovak Extraliga. Samsung Arena, a part of Ondrej Nepela Winter Sports Stadium, is home to HC Slovan.

The National Tennis Centre, which includes Sibamac Arena, hosts various cultural, sporting and social events. Several Davis Cup matches have been played there, including the 2005 Davis Cup final.

Bratislava is represented in the top Slovak leagues in women's and men's basketball, women's handball and volleyball, and men's water polo.

The Čunovo Water Sports Centre is a whitewater slalom and rafting area. The Centre hosts several international and national canoe and kayak competitions annually. The Devín - Bratislava National run is the oldest athletic event in Slovakia. The Bratislava City Marathon has been held annually since 2006. A race track is located in Petržalka, where horse racing and dog racing events and dog shows are held regularly.

Tourism

In 2006, Bratislava had 77 commercial accommodation facitilies, of which 45 were hotels, with a total capacity of 9,940 beds. A total of 686,201 visitors, 454,870 of whom were foreigners, made tourist stops in the city. Visitors made a total 1,338,497 overnight stays. However, a considerable share of visits is made by those who visit Bratislava for a single day, and their exact number is not known. The top ten nationalities of foreign visitors were as follows: the Czech Republic, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland, Austria, France, the United States, Japan and Hungary. For a list of sights in the city, see cityscape and architecture above.

Among other factors, the growth of low-cost airline flights to Bratislava, led by SkyEurope, has led to the locally visible and controversial phenomenon of Bratislava stag parties, primarily from the UK. While a boon to the city's tourist industry, cultural differences and incidents of vandalism have led to concern on the part of local officials.

City tourism may have also received a boost lately due to the release of the horror film Hostel, which is partly set in Bratislava, despite criticism of the film in Slovakia.

Education and science

The first university in Bratislava and also in the territory of present-day Slovakia was the Universitas Istropolitana, founded in 1465 by king Mathias Corvinus. It was closed in 1490 after the death of its founder.

Bratislava is the seat of the largest university (Comenius University), the largest technical university (Slovak University of Technology), and the oldest art schools (the Academy of Performing Arts and the Academy of Fine Arts and Design) in Slovakia. Other institutions of tertiary education are the public University of Economics and Bratislava Technical College and the first private college in Slovakia, City University of Seattle. In total, about 56,000 university students study in Bratislava.

The Slovak Academy of Sciences is also based in Bratislava. However, the city is one of few European capitals which have neither an observatory nor a planetarium. The nearest observatory is in Modra (30 kilometres away from Bratislava), and the nearest planetarium in Hlohovec (70 kilometres away). CEPIT, the Central European Park For Innovative Technologies, is slated for development in Vajnory. This science and technology park will combine public and private research and educational institutions. Construction is expected to begin in 2007.

Transportation

The geographical position of Bratislava in Central Europe has long made it a natural crossroads for international trade traffic.

Public transportation in Bratislava is managed by Dopravný podnik Bratislava, a city-owned company. The transport system is known as Mestská hromadná doprava (MHD, Municipal Mass Transit). It is based on buses (60 daily routes, 20 night routes and other routes on certain occasions), trams (13 routes). and trolleybuses (13 routes). An additional service, Bratislava Integrated Transport (Bratislavská integrovaná doprava), links train and bus routes in the city with points beyond. As the rail hub, the city has connections to Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic and rest of Slovakia The motorway system provides access to Brno and Prague in Czech Republic, Trnava, Trenčín and points beyond to the east, Budapest in Hungary and since 2007 also to Vienna. The Port of Bratislava is located on the Danube, and provides access to the Black and North seas (through the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal). For air transport, the city has M. R. Štefánik Airport, located 9 kilometres (5.59 mi) north-east of the city centre. It has served 1,937,642 passengers in 2006.

References

Citations

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142. "Twin City Journal - The Oldest Athletic Event in Slovakia" (PDF). City of Bratislava. April 2006. pp. p. 7. Retrieved April 28. {{cite web}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
143. ^ "Turistická sezóna v Bratislave (Tourist season in Bratislava)" (in Slovak). City of Bratislava. 23 May 2007. Retrieved 1 June. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
144. ^ Zuzana Habšudová (29 May 2006). "Bratislava wearies of stag tourism". The Slovak Spectator. Retrieved April 28, 2007. We hope the number of British tourists visiting Slovakia will continue to increase, but we want it to be responsible tourism.
145. Zuzana Habšudová (20 February 2006). "US slasher film horrifies Slovaks". The Slovak Spectator. Retrieved 30 April. Alžbeta Melicharová from Slovakia's State Tourist Board also told the Reuters news agency that she was disappointed about scenes that have no relationship to reality {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
146. "Academia Istropolitana". City of Bratislava. February 14, 2005. Retrieved April 25. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
147. "Bratislava, Slovakia: Vysoka Skola Manazmentu (VSM)". City University of Seattle. 2005. Retrieved 1 June. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
148. "Visit Bratislava - Facts and Figures" (PDF). City of Bratislava. 2007. Retrieved 30 April. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
149. ^ "Your Innovative Centre in Bratislava-Vajnory". CEPIT Management. 2007. Retrieved April 28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
150. "Construction of technology park could start this year". Zuzana Vilikovská, The Slovak Spectator. March 20 2007. Retrieved April 28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
151. "Bratislava in Encyclopædia Britannica". Encyclopædia Britannica. 2007. Retrieved April 30. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
152. "MIPIM 2007 - Other Segments". City of Bratislava. 2007. Retrieved April 30. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
153. ^ "Trasy liniek (routes)" (in Slovak). Dopravný podnik Bratislava. 2007. Retrieved 17 May. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
154. "Pilotný projekt nočných liniek MHD od 1. júla 2007" (in Slovak). Dopravný podnik Bratislava. 2007. Retrieved 26 July. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
155. "Diaľnica Bratislava-Viedeň bude v novembri" (in Slovak). Pravda. 15 February 2007. Retrieved 24 June. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
156. "Statistical data -> Traffic volume figures in 1997-2006 -> Passengers". Letisko M.R. Štefánika - Airport Bratislava. 2007. Retrieved April 30. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

General references

• Horváth, V., Lehotská, D., Pleva, J. (eds.); et al. (1979). Dejiny Bratislavy (History of Bratislava) (in Slovak) (2nd edition ed.). Bratislava, Slovakia: Obzor. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help); |last= has generic name (help); Explicit use of et al. in: |last= (help); External link in |publisher= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
• Kováč, Dušan; et al. (1998). Kronika Slovenska 1 (Chronicle of Slovakia 1). Chronicle of Slovakia (in Slovak) (1st ed. ed.). Bratislava, Slovakia: Fortuna Print. ISBN 80-71531-74-X. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help); Explicit use of et al. in: |first= (help); External link in |publisher= (help)
• Kováč, Dušan; et al. (1999). Kronika Slovenska 2 (Chronicle of Slovakia 2). Chronicle of Slovakia (in Slovak) (1st ed. ed.). Bratislava, Slovakia: Fortuna Print. ISBN 80-88980-08-9. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help); Explicit use of et al. in: |first= (help); External link in |publisher= (help)
• Lacika, Ján (2000). Bratislava. Visiting Slovakia (1st ed. ed.). Bratislava, Slovakia: DAJAMA. ISBN 80-88975-16-6. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help); External link in |publisher= (help)
• Lacika, Ján (2000). Bratislava. Poznávame Slovensko (in Slovak) (1st ed. ed.). Bratislava, Slovakia: DAJAMA. ISBN 80-88975-14-X. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help); External link in |publisher= (help)
• Špiesz, Anton (2001). Bratislava v stredoveku (Bratislava in the Middle Ages) (in Slovak) (1st ed. ed.). Bratislava, Slovakia: Perfekt. ISBN 80-8046-145-7. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help); External link in |publisher= (help)
• Janota, Igor (2006). Bratislavské rarity (Rarities of Bratislava) (in Slovak) (1st ed. ed.). Bratislava, Slovakia: Vydavateľstvo PT. ISBN 80-89218-19-9. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help)

External links

• Official website of the City of Bratislava
• Bratislava Culture and Information Centre
• Template:Wikitravelpar
• Travel guide to Bratislava
• Public urban transport in Bratislava

Images

• Contemporary Bratislava Photography
• Albums with historical and new photos
  • Bratislava on Flickr

Maps

Template:Geolinks-cityscale

v t e Districts of Bratislava Region
	Bratislava I Bratislava II Bratislava III Bratislava IV Bratislava V Malacky Pezinok Senec

v t e Boroughs of Bratislava by district
Bratislava I Bratislava II Bratislava III Bratislava IV Bratislava V Staré Mesto (Old Town) Ružinov Vrakuňa Podunajské Biskupice Nové Mesto Rača Vajnory Karlova Ves Dúbravka Lamač Devín Devínska Nová Ves Záhorská Bystrica Petržalka Jarovce Rusovce Čunovo

v t e The Danube
Countries	Germany Austria Slovakia Hungary Croatia Serbia Bulgaria Romania Moldova Ukraine
Cities	Ulm Ingolstadt Regensburg Passau Linz Vienna Bratislava Győr Budapest Vukovar Novi Sad Belgrade Smederevo Vidin Ruse Silistra Brăila Galați Reni Izmail Kiliia Tulcea
Tributaries	Iller Lech Regen Isar Inn Morava Váh Hron Ipeľ/Ipoly Drava Tisza/Tisa Sava Timiș/Tamiš Great Morava Timok Jiu Iskar Vit Olt Osam Yantra Vedea Argeș Ialomița Siret Prut
Canals	Rhine–Main–Danube Canal Danube–Black Sea Canal
See also	Breg Brigach Source Danube Bend Danube Delta List of islands in the Danube List of crossings of the Danube Internationalization

v t e Capital cities of the member states of the European Union

Netherlands: Amsterdam Greece: Athens Germany: Berlin Slovakia: Bratislava Belgium: Brussels Romania: Bucharest Hungary: Budapest Denmark: Copenhagen Ireland: Dublin Finland: Helsinki Portugal: Lisbon Slovenia: Ljubljana Luxembourg: Luxembourg Spain: Madrid Cyprus: Nicosia France: Paris Czech Republic: Prague Latvia: Riga Italy: Rome Bulgaria: Sofia Sweden: Stockholm Estonia: Tallinn Malta: Valletta Austria: Vienna Lithuania: Vilnius Poland: Warsaw Croatia: Zagreb

• Capitals in Europe
• Cities and towns in Slovakia
• Bratislava
• Cities on the Danube