Today we hopped on the ‘fast boat’ to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. It is one of the smallest capital cities we ever visited, only about a half a million people. Quite a variety of architecture in a compact space, medieval towers, cathedrals, communist era buildings and now the 21 century is moving in at a fast pace. We had a knowledgeable (and patient) guide Yanna how was a fountain of knowledge of the city history, the velvet break-up of Slovokia and the Czech Republic.
After a walking tour of the city we took a boat to Devin Castle, a well placed castle at the meeting point of the Danube and Morava rivers. The castle is well positioned to control traffic on the Danube and was expanded and fortified for man centuries until it was destroyed by Napoleon I in the early 19th century. It still has its place in current history, the castle is right on the border of Austria and what was Czechoslovakia and many tried to breach the Iron Curtain by crossing the narrower Morava River only to be shot down. Old struggles and modern ones in one location.
Train back to Vienna for one last night and we are sad to be leaving tomorrow.
Additional photos under the “Additional Bratislava Pictures” tab.
The Princess having her morning repast.
Sydney blowing down the Danube
Visiting the old Opera House in Hviezdoslavovo Square.
Bratislava Castle
Bratislava and the Danube
The main square in Bratislava
The memorial to those who died here trying to cross the Iron Curtain. Austria is across both waters.
Devins Castle from below
Inside Devin Castle