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{{short description|Capital and largest city of Slovakia}}
{{For|the personal name '''Bratislava'''|Bratislav (disambiguation){{!}}Bratislav}}
{{For|the region|Bratislava Region}}
{{pp-move-indef}}
{{Good article}}
<!--- FOR ARTICLE TEXT, SCROLL BEYOND THE FOLLOWING INFOBOX DEFINITION:
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2012}}
---->{{Geobox|Settlement
{{Infobox settlement
|name =Bratislava
| name = Bratislava
|native_name=
| official_name =
|category=City
| settlement_type = ]
|etymology=
<!-- images, nicknames, motto -->
|official_name=
| image_skyline = {{multiple image |border=infobox |perrow=1/2/1/2 |total_width=270 |caption_align=center
|motto =
| image1 = Slovakia bratislava.jpg
|nickname=Beauty on the Danube, Little Big City, Blava
|image =Bratislava Montage.jpg | caption1 = View of Bratislava over the ]
| image2 = Eurovea Tower Bratislava.jpg
|image_caption=Bratislava Montage, Clockwise from top of left:View of Novy Bridge, Danube River and Old Bratislava from Castle of Bratislava, St.Michael Gate, View of sunset in Danube River, Slovak Parliament and Bratislava Castle, Statue of Tof Slavin, Peace Earth sculpture fountain in Hodzovo Square, Bratislava Castle and fortification
| caption2 = ]
|flag =Flag of Bratislava.svg
| image3 = Palais Grassalkovich Bratislava September 2016.jpg
|symbol=Coat of Arms of Bratislava.svg
| caption3 = ]
|symbol_type=Coat of arms
| image4 = Hlavné Namestie (35096533142).jpg
|country=Slovakia
| caption4 = Streets of ] and ]
|country_flag=true
| image5 = Blue Church, Bratislava 02.jpg
|state =
| caption5 = ]
|region=]
| image6 = Sky Park Bratislava.jpg
|district=
| caption6 = ] in business district
|municipality=
}}
|part_type=Districts
| image_caption =
|part_fold=
| image_flag = Bratislava-bratislava-flag.svg
|part=Bratislava I
| flag_border = no
|part1=]
| image_seal = Seal of Bratislava.png
|part2=]
| image_shield = Coat of Arms of Bratislava.svg
|part3=]
| image_blank_emblem = Logo of Bratislava.svg
|part4=]
| blank_emblem_size = 128
|landmark=
| blank_emblem_type = ]
|river=]
| motto =
|river1=]
| nicknames = Beauty on the Danube, Little Big City
|river2=]
| etymology =
|location=
| subdivision_type = ]
|elevation=134
| subdivision_name = {{flag|Slovakia}}
|prominence=
| subdivision_type1 =
|lat_d=48 |lat_m=08 |lat_s=38 |lat_NS=N
| subdivision_name1 =
|long_d=17 |long_m=06 |long_s=35 |long_EW=E
| subdivision_type2 = ]
|highest =Devínska Kobyla
| subdivision_name2 = ] ]
|highest_location=
| subdivision_type4 =
|highest_region=
| subdivision_name4 =
|highest_state=
<!-- maps and coordinates -->
|highest_elevation=514
| image_map =
|highest_lat_d=|highest_lat_m=|highest_lat_s=|highest_lat_NS=
| map_caption =
|highest_long_d=|highest_long_m=|highest_long_s=|highest_long_EW=
| pushpin_map = Slovakia#Slovakia Bratislava Region#Europe
|lowest =Danube River
| pushpin_relief = 1
|lowest_location=
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Bratislava in ]
|lowest_region=
| coordinates = {{coord|48|08|38|N|17|06|35|E|type:city(475,000)_region:SK-BL|display=inline,title}}
|lowest_state=
| coordinates_footnotes =
|lowest_elevation=126
<!-- government type, leaders -->
|lowest_lat_d=|lowest_lat_m=|lowest_lat_s=|lowest_lat_NS=
| leader_title = ]
|lowest_long_d=|lowest_long_m=|lowest_long_s=|lowest_long_EW=
| leader_name = ]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://spectator.sme.sk/politics-and-society/c/vallo-wins-in-bratislava-stronger-than-four-years-ago |title=Vallo wins in Bratislava, stronger than four years ago |date=30 October 2022 |website=The Slovak Spectator |language=en}}</ref>
|length=
| leader_title1 = City Council
|length_orientation=
| leader_name1 = 45 members<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bratislava.sk/en/city-of-bratislava/city-administration/elected-bodies/city-council|title=City Council|website=Bratislava.sk}}</ref>
|width=
| government_type = ]
|width_orientation=
| governing_body = Bratislava City Council
|area=367.584
| seat_type = Administrative HQ
|area_land=
| seat = ],<br>]
|area_water=
| parts_type = Local government
|area_urban=853.15
| parts = 17 ]
|area_metro=2053
<!-- city budget -->
|population =462603
| blank_name = ]
|population_date=2012-01-02
| blank_info = €626.8 million<br/>(2025)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://bratislava.sk/en/blog/budget-of-the-capital-city-of-bratislava |title=Budget of the capital city of Bratislava |date=12 December 2024 |website=City of Bratislava |language=en}}</ref>
|population_urban=586300
<!-- established -->
|population_metro=659578
| established_title = First mentioned
|population_density=auto
| established_date = AD {{start date and age|907}}, ''as Brezalauspurc''
|population_density_urban=auto
<!-- area -->
|population_density_metro=auto
| area_total_km2 = 367.584
|established =907
| area_urban_km2 = 853.15
|established_type=First mentioned
| area_metro_km2 = 2,053
|government =City council
| area_footnotes =
|government_location=
<!-- elevation -->
|government_region=
| elevation_point = ]
|government_state=
| elevation_m = 124
|government_elevation=
| elevation_max_point = ]
|government_lat_d=|government_lat_m=|government_lat_s=|government_lat_NS=
| elevation_max_m = 514
|government_long_d=|government_long_m=|government_long_s=|government_long_EW=
| elevation_footnotes =
|mayor =]
<!-- population -->
|timezone=]
| population_total = 475,503<ref>{{cite web |title=Bratislava finds census results as positive |url=https://spravy.pravda.sk/regiony/clanok/614202-bratislava-vnima-scitanie-pozitivne-rozdiel-20-tisic-ludi-vsak-ziada-vysvetlit/|publisher=Pravda.sk |access-date=2021-12-31}}</ref>
|utc_offset=+1
| population_rank = {{Unbulleted list
|timezone_DST=]
| ] in Slovakia
|utc_offset_DST=+2
| ] in the ]
|postal_code=8XX XX
}}
|area_code=421 2
| population_density_urban_km2 =
|area_code_type=Phone prefix
| population_density_blank2_km2 = 1,297
|code =BA, BL
| population_metro = 719,537<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.scitanie.sk/obyvatelia/zakladne-vysledky/pocet-obyvatelov/SR/SK0/KR | title=SODB2021 – ObyvateliA–Základné výsledky }}</ref>
|code_type=]
| population_as_of = 2021
|whs_name =
| population_density_km2 = auto
|whs_year =
| population_demonym = {{Plain list|
|whs_number=
* Bratislavčan (m), Bratislavčanka (f) (]),
|whs_region=
* Bratislavan (]),
|whs_criteria=
* pozsonyi (]),
|iucn_category=
* Preßburger (])
|map =Slovakia - outline map.svg
| population_footnotes =
|map_caption=Location in Slovakia
}}
|map_background=Slovakia - background map.png
<!-- demographics (section 1) -->
|map_locator=Slovakia
| demographics_type1 = Ethnicity <span style="font-weight:normal;">(2021)</span>
|map1 =Bratislava Region - outline map.svg
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ta3.com/clanok/225344/v-bratislavskom-kraji-sa-k-slovenskej-narodnosti-hlasi-vyse-86-percent-obyvatelov |title=V Bratislavskom kraji sa k slovenskej národnosti hlási vyše 86 percent obyvateľov |date=24 January 2022 |website=TA3 |language=sk}}</ref>
|map1_caption=Location in the Bratislava Region
| demographics1_title1 = ]
|map1_background=Bratislava Region - background map.png
| demographics1_info1 =
|map1_locator=Bratislava Region
{{Collapsible list
|map1_size=128
| 86% Slovaks
|commons =Bratislava
| 3% Hungarians
|statistics=
| 1% Czechs
|website =
| 10% other
|footnotes=
}}<!--- }}
<!-- demographics (section 2) -->
| demographics_type2 = Religion <span style="font-weight:normal;">(2021)</span>
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bratislavskenoviny.sk/aktuality/70081-scitanie-kolko-ludi-sa-v-bratislave-hlasi-k-roznym-cirkvam-a-kolki-su-bez-vyznania |title=Sčítanie: Koľko ľudí sa v Bratislave hlási k rôznym cirkvám a koľkí sú bez vyznania? |date=24 January 2022 |website=Bratislavské noviny |language=sk}}</ref>
| demographics2_title1 = ]
| demographics2_info1 =
{{Collapsible list
| 40% ]
{{Tree list}}
* 35% ]
** 30% ]
** 4% ]
** 1% Greek Catholic
{{Tree list/end}}
| 15% other
| 10% not stated
}}
<!-- Time zone -->
| timezone1 = ]
| utc_offset1 = +1
| timezone1_DST = ]
| utc_offset1_DST = +2
<!-- postal codes, area code -->
| postal_code_type = Postal code
| postal_code = 8XX XX
| area_code_type =
| area_code = +421 2
| geocode =
| iso_code =
| registration_plate_type = ]
| registration_plate = BA, BL, BT
<!-- website, footnotes -->
| website = {{URL|https://bratislava.sk/|bratislava.sk}}
| footnotes =
}}
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3a. Please do not add ANY new historical names here; this article is not a dictionary entry. Any new names should be sourced and added to the ] article, or possibly the Wiktionary. 3a. Please do not add ANY new historical names here; this article is not a dictionary entry. Any new names should be sourced and added to the ] article, or possibly the Wiktionary.
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'''Bratislava''' ({{IPA-cs|ˈbracɪslava|sk|Sk-Bratislava.ogg}}, {{IPA-en|ˌbrætɨˈslɑːvə}} or {{IPA-en|ˌbrɑːtɨˈslɑːvə|}}; {{lang-de|Pressburg}} formerly ''Preßburg'', {{lang-hu|Pozsony}}) is the capital of ] and, with a population of about 460,000, also the ]'s largest city.<ref name="stats2006">{{cite web |publisher=Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic |url=http://portal.statistics.sk/showdoc.do?docid=6772 |title=Population on December 31, 2006 – districts|date=2007-07-23 |accessdate=January 8, 2007}}</ref> Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the ] River. Bordering ] and ], it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Finance New Europe |url=http://www.czech-transport.com/fne-portal/index.php?aid=170 |title=Bratislava Blast |author=Dominic Swire |year=2006 |accessdate=May 8, 2007|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20061210141244/http://www.czech-transport.com/fne-portal/index.php?aid=170|archivedate=December 10, 2006}}</ref>


'''Bratislava''',{{efn|English: {{IPAc-en|ˌ|b|r|æ|t|ɪ|ˈ|s|l|ɑː|v|ə|audio=LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-Bratislava.wav}} {{respell|BRAT|iss|LAH|və}}, ] also {{IPAc-en|ˌ|b|r|ɑː|t|-}} {{respell|BRAHT|-}},<ref>{{citation|last=Wells|first=John C.|year=2008|title=Longman Pronunciation Dictionary|edition=3rd|publisher=Longman|isbn=978-1-4058-8118-0}}</ref><ref>{{citation|last=Roach|first=Peter|year=2011|title=Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary|edition=18th|place=Cambridge|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-15253-2}}</ref> {{IPA|sk|ˈbracislaʋa|lang|Bratislava.wav|link=yes|small=no}}; {{langx|hu|Pozsony}} {{IPA|hu|ˈpoʒoɲ||Pozsony.ogg}}.}} historically known as ''Pozsony'' and ''Pressburg'',{{efn|{{langx|hu|Pozsony|link=no}}, {{IPA|hu|ˈpoʒoɲ}}; {{langx|de|Pressburg|links=no}} or {{lang|de|Preßburg}}, {{IPA|de|ˈpʁɛsbʊʁk|pron|De-Pressburg.ogg}}; {{langx|sk|Prešporok|links=no}}. The name fell out of use in both languages after the establishment of ].}} is the ] and largest city of the ] and the fourth largest of all ]. Officially, the population of the city is about 475,000; however, some sources estimate daily number of people moving around the city based on mobile phone ] is more than 570,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spectator.sme.sk/politics-and-society/c/the-communists-dream-of-a-million-strong-bratislava-will-not-come-true|title=The communists' dream of a million-strong Bratislava will not come true|date=19 April 2024|website=The Slovak Spectator}}</ref> Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia at the foot of the ], occupying both banks of the ] and the left bank of the ]. Bordering ] and ], it is the only national capital to border two ].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Finance New Europe |url=http://www.czech-transport.com/fne-portal/index.php?aid=170 |title=Bratislava Blast |author=Dominic Swire |year=2006 |access-date=May 8, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061210141244/http://www.czech-transport.com/fne-portal/index.php?aid=170 |archive-date=December 10, 2006 |url-status=dead |df=mdy}}</ref>
Bratislava is the ], ], and ] centre of Slovakia. It is the seat of the ], the ], and the ]. It is home to several universities, museums, theatres, galleries and other important cultural and educational institutions.<ref name="Welcomebrochure">{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/VismoOnline_ActionScripts/File.aspx?id_org=700014&id_dokumenty=1059 |title=Brochure – Welcome to Bratislava |year=2006 |format=PDF |accessdate=April 25, 2007}}</ref> Many of Slovakia's large businesses and financial institutions also have headquarters there.


The history of the city, long known in English by the German name '''Preßburg''', has been strongly influenced by people of different nations and religions, namely by ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="culturebrochure">{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/VismoOnline_ActionScripts/File.aspx?id_org=700014&id_dokumenty=1080 |title=Brochure – Culture and Attractions |year=2006 |format=PDF |accessdate=April 25, 2007}}</ref> The city was the capital of the ], a part of the larger ] territories,<ref name=NYT>{{cite web|last=Gruber|first=Ruth E.|title=Charm and Concrete in Bratislava|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE7D9103DF933A25750C0A967958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1|work=]|publisher=]|date=1991-03-10|accessdate=2008-07-27}}</ref> from 1536 to 1783 and has been home to many ], ], and ] historical figures. The city's history has been influenced by people of many nations and religions, including ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref name="culturebrochure">{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/VismoOnline_ActionScripts/File.aspx?id_org=700014&id_dokumenty=1080 |title=Brochure – Culture and Attractions |year=2006 |format=PDF |access-date=April 25, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307203845/http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/VismoOnline_ActionScripts/File.aspx?id_org=700014&id_dokumenty=1080 |archive-date=March 7, 2007}}</ref> It was the coronation site and legislative center and capital of the ] from 1563 to 1783;<ref name=NYT>{{cite web|last=Gruber|first=Ruth E.|title=Charm and Concrete in Bratislava |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/10/travel/charm-and-concrete-in-bratislava.html |work=]|date=March 10, 1991|access-date=2008-07-27}}</ref> eleven ] and eight queens were crowned in ]. Most ] were held here from the 17th century until the ], and the city has been home to many Hungarian, German and Slovak historical figures.


Today, Bratislava is the ], ] and ] centre of Slovakia. It is the seat of the ], the ] and the ]. It has several universities, and many museums, theatres, galleries and other cultural and educational institutions.<ref name="Welcomebrochure">{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/VismoOnline_ActionScripts/File.aspx?id_org=700014&id_dokumenty=1059 |title=Brochure – Welcome to Bratislava |year=2006 |format=PDF |access-date=April 25, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070305020757/http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/VismoOnline_ActionScripts/File.aspx?id_org=700014&id_dokumenty=1059 |archive-date=March 5, 2007}}</ref> Many large businesses and financial institutions have headquarters there. Bratislava is the 19th-richest region of the European Union by GDP (]) per capita.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Regional gross domestic product (PPS per inhabitant) by NUTS 2 regions |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/TGS00005/default/table |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=ec.europa.eu |archive-date=13 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713042916/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/TGS00005/default/table |url-status=live }}</ref> GDP at purchasing power parity is about three times higher than in other Slovak regions.<ref name="finweb.hnonline.sk">{{cite web |url=http://finweb.hnonline.sk/ekonomika/919558-bratislava-je-treti-najbohatsi-region-unie|title=Bratislava je tretí najbohatší región únie. Ako je možné, že predbehla Londýn či Paríž? |publisher=Finweb.hnonline.sk |date=March 2017 |access-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://laboureconomics.wordpress.com/2013/04/29/bratislava-capital-city-of-slovakia-versus-other-regions-of-slovak-republic/ |title=Bratislava – capital city of Slovakia versus other regions of Slovak Republic |date=April 29, 2013 |publisher=Laboureconomics.wordpress.com|access-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref> The city receives around one million tourists every year, mostly from the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://spectator.sme.sk/c/20402512/bratislava-reports-increase-in-visitors.html |title=Bratislava reports increase in visitors |date=2016-12-06 |website=] |language=en |access-date=2019-01-09}}</ref>
==Names==
{{See also|Names of European cities in different languages: B}}
Bratislava, as it was renamed on 6 March 1919, has been known by many names in different languages throughout its history. Its first recorded name, in the 10th century ], was probably ''Brezalauspurc'' (literally: ]'s castle). Notable alternative names are: {{lang-de|Pressburg'' formerly ''Preßburg}} {{IPA-de|ˈpʁɛsbʊɐk|}} (still used in German speaking countries today – mostly in Austria, only seldom in Germany), {{lang-hu|Pozsony}} {{IPA-hu|poʒoɲ|}}<ref name=NYT/> (still used in Hungarian today), former ] name: ''Prešporok''.<ref name="Czechreview"/>


== Etymology ==
Other names are or were: ]: Ιστρόπολις ''Istropolis'' (meaning "] City", also used in Latin), {{lang-cs|Prešpurk}}, {{lang-fr|Presbourg}}, {{lang-it|Presburgo}}, {{lang-la|Posonium}}, {{lang-hr|Požun}}, {{lang-ro|Pojon}}, {{lang-sr|''Požun/ Пожун''}}. The name Pressburg was also used in English language publications until 1919, and it is still occasionally used today. For the history and etymology of the various names, see ].
The city received its contemporary name on 16 March 1919.<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/austrian-history-yearbook/article/abs/making-of-a-slovak-city-the-czechoslovak-renaming-of-pressburgpozsonypresporok-191819/950D27008494E5A76C93A8B6BDC739B3|title=The Making of a Slovak City: The Czechoslovak Renaming of Pressburg/Pozsony/Prešporok, 1918–19|publisher=Cambridge University|language=English|date=27 March 2009|doi=10.1017/S0067237800020993 |accessdate=25 March 2023 |last1=Bugge |first1=Peter |journal=Austrian History Yearbook |volume=35 |pages=205–227 |s2cid=145074158 }}</ref> Until then, it was Pozsony, mostly known in English as "Pressburg" (from its German name, {{lang|de|Preßburg}}), since after 1526, it was dominated mostly by the Habsburg monarchy and the city had a relevant ethnic German population. That is the term from which the pre-1919 Slovak ({{lang|sk|Prešporok}}) and Czech ({{lang|cs|Prešpurk}}) names are derived.<ref name="Czechreview"/>


The linguist Ján Stanislav believed the city's Hungarian name, {{lang|hu|Pozsony}}, to be attributed to the surname Božan, likely a prince who owned the castle before 950. Although the Latin name was also based on the same surname, according to research by the lexicologist Milan Majtán, the Hungarian version is not found in any official records from the time in which the prince would have lived. All three versions, however, were related to those found in Slovak, Czech and German: Vratislaburgum (905), Braslavespurch, and Preslavasburc (both 907).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nagayo |first1=Susumu |title=A Reflection on the Names of a City in the Borderlands - Pressburg/Pozsony/Prešporok/Bratislava |url=http://src-h.slav.hokudai.ac.jp/coe21/publish/no27_ses/Chapter1.pdf |website=Slavic-Eurasian Research Center |publisher=Hokkaido University |access-date=June 16, 2020}}</ref>
In older documents, confusion can be caused by the Latin forms ''Bratislavia, Wratislavia'' etc., which refer to ], Poland – not to Bratislava.<ref></ref> In Slavic the name of the city can be interpreted as Brati- (brother's) and -slava (glory).


The medieval settlement '']'' (literally, ']'s castle') is sometimes attributed to Bratislava, but the ]. The city's modern name is credited to ]'s misinterpretation of ''Braslav'' as ''Bratislav'' in his analysis of medieval sources, which led him to invent the term ''Břetislaw'', which later became ''Bratislav''.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |entry-url=http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780191751394.001.0001/acref-9780191751394-e-995 |entry-url-access=subscription |entry=Bratislava |title=The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names |edition=3rd |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2014 |isbn=9780191751394}}</ref>
==History==

During the revolution of 1918–1919, the name 'Wilsonov' or 'Wilsonstadt' (after US President ]) was proposed by American Slovaks, as he supported national self-determination. The name ''Bratislava'', which had been used only by some Slovak patriots, became official in March 1919 with the aim that a Slavic name could support demands for the city to be part of Czechoslovakia.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Duin |first=Pieter C. van |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NswbG0Tso1gC&pg=PR11 |title=Central European Crossroads: Social Democracy and National Revolution in Bratislava (Pressburg), 1867-1921 |date=2009-05-01 |publisher=Berghahn Books |isbn=978-1-84545-918-5 |language=en}}</ref>

Other alternative names of the city in the past include {{langx|el|Ιστρόπολις|Istropolis}} (meaning '] City', also used in Latin), {{langx|la|Posonium}}, {{langx|ro|Pojon}}, {{langx|hr|Požun}}.

In older documents, confusion can be caused by the Latin forms ''Bratislavia, Wratislavia'' etc., which refer to ] (Breslau), Poland, not Bratislava. The Polish city has a similar etymology despite spelling differences.<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://www.columbia.edu/acis/ets/Graesse/contents.html |last=Grässe |first=J. G. Th. |author-link=Johann Georg Theodor Grässe |title=Orbis latinus; oder, Verzeichnis der wichtigsten lateinischen Orts- und Ländernamen |orig-year=1861 |location=Berlin |year=1909 |edition=2nd |publisher=Schmidt |oclc=1301238 |via=Columbia University |language=de |access-date=2016-02-11}}</ref>

== History ==
{{Main|History of Bratislava}} {{Main|History of Bratislava}}
{{For timeline}}
] and its replica on a former 5-] coin]]
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| caption1 = ], presumably a king, who appeared on the Celtic coins minted by the ] at the current location of Bratislava, 1st century B.C.
| image2 = Gerulata.jpg
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| caption2 = ], a ] military camp, built in the 2nd century A.D. at the current location of Bratislava
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| caption3 = ] in 907
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The first known permanent settlement of the area began with the ], around 5000 BC in the ] era. About 200 BC, the ] ] tribe founded the first significant settlement, a fortified town known as an ], and also established a ] which produced silver coins known as ]s.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1005&p1=1569 |title=History – Celtic settlements |accessdate=May 15, 2007 |year=2005}}</ref> The first known permanent settlement of the area began with the ], around 5000 B.C. in the ] era. About 200 B.C., the ] ] tribe founded the first significant settlement, a fortified town known as an ]. They also established a ], producing gold and silver coins known as '']s''.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1005&p1=1569 |title=History – Celtic settlements |access-date=May 15, 2007 |year=2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224024320/http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1005&p1=1569 |archive-date=February 24, 2007}}</ref>
The area fell under ] influence from the 1st to the 4th century AD and formed part of the ], a border defence system.<ref>Kováč et al., "Kronika Slovenska 1", p. 73</ref> The Romans introduced ] to the area and began a tradition of ], which survives to the present.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1006&p1=1570 |title=History – Bratislava and the Romans |accessdate=May 15, 2007 |year=2005}}</ref>


The area fell under ] influence from the 1st to the 4th century A.D. and was made part of the ], a border defence system.<ref>Kováč et al., "Kronika Slovenska 1", p. 73</ref> The Romans introduced ] to the area and began a tradition of ], which survives to the present.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1006&p1=1570 |title=History – Bratislava and the Romans |access-date=May 15, 2007 |year=2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224051907/http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1006&p1=1570 |archive-date=February 24, 2007}}</ref>
The ] arrived between the 5th and 6th centuries during the ].<ref>Kováč et al., "Kronika Slovenska 1", p. 90</ref> As a response to onslaughts by ], the local Slavic tribes rebelled and established ]'s Empire (623–658), the first known Slavic political entity. In the 9th century, the castles at Bratislava ''(Brezalauspurc)'' and ] ''(Dowina)'' were important centres of the Slavic states the ] and ].<ref>Kováč et al., "Kronika Slovenska 1", p. 95</ref> On the other hand, the identification of the two castles as fortresses built in Great Moravia has been under debate based on linguistic arguments and because of the absence of convincing archaeological evidence.<ref name="Encyclopedia">{{cite book |last=Kristó |first=Gyula (editor)|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Korai Magyar Történeti Lexikon – 9–14. század ''(Encyclopedia of the Early Hungarian History – 9–14th centuries)''|publisher=Akadémiai Kiadó |year=1994 |location=Budapest |pages=128, 167|url=|doi=|id=|isbn=963-05-6722-9}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uni-bonn.de/~ntrunte/publikationen8.html#dowina_inhalt |title=Meine wissenschaftlichen Publikationen (Fortsetzung, 2002–2004) |publisher=Uni-bonn.de |date=2006-10-31 |accessdate=2009-05-28}}</ref> The first written reference to a settlement named "Brezalauspurc" dates to 907 and is related to ] during which a ]n army was defeated by the ]<ref name="Encyclopedia">{{cite book |page=128}}</ref> and which is connected to the fall of Great Moravia — already weakened by its own inner decline<ref>{{cite book|last=Toma|first=Peter A.|title=Slovakia: from Samo to Dzurinda Studies of nationalities|year=2001|publisher=]|isbn=978-0-8179-9951-3}}</ref> — under the attacks of the Hungarians.<ref>Špiesz, "Bratislava v stredoveku", p. 9</ref> However, the exact location of the battle remains unknown and some interpretations place it west of ].<ref>{{cite book|last=Bowlus|first=Charles R.|title=The battle of Lechfeld and its aftermath |year=2006|page=83}}</ref>


The ] arrived from the East between the 5th and 6th centuries during the ].<ref>Kováč et al., ''Kronika Slovenska 1'', p. 90</ref> As a response to onslaughts by ], the local Slavic tribes rebelled and established ]'s Empire (623–658), the first known Slavic political entity. In the 9th century, the castles at Bratislava ''(Brezalauspurk)'' and ] ''(Dowina)'' were important centres of the Slavic states: the ] and ].<ref>Kováč et al., ''Kronika Slovenska 1'', p. 95</ref> Scholars have debated the identification as fortresses of the two castles built in Great Moravia, based on linguistic arguments and because of the absence of convincing ] evidence.<ref name="Encyclopedia">{{cite book |editor-last=Kristó |editor-first=Gyula |title=Korai Magyar Történeti Lexikon – 9–14. század ''(Encyclopedia of the Early Hungarian History – 9–14th centuries)''|publisher=Akadémiai Kiadó |year=1994 |location=Budapest |pages=128, 167|isbn=963-05-6722-9}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uni-bonn.de/~ntrunte/publikationen8.html#dowina_inhalt |title=Meine wissenschaftlichen Publikationen (Fortsetzung, 2002–2004) |publisher=Uni-bonn.de |date=October 31, 2006 |access-date=2009-05-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517152438/http://www.uni-bonn.de/~ntrunte/publikationen8.html |archive-date=May 17, 2008}}</ref>
]


The first written reference to a settlement named "Brezalauspurc" dates to 907 and is related to the ], during which a ]n army was defeated by the ]. It is connected to the fall of Great Moravia, already weakened by its own inner decline<ref>{{cite book|last=Toma|first=Peter A.|title=Slovakia: from Samo to Dzurinda Studies of nationalities|year=2001|publisher=]|isbn=978-0-8179-9951-3}}</ref> and under the attacks of the Hungarians.<ref>Špiesz, "Bratislava v stredoveku", p. 9</ref> The exact location of the battle remains unknown, and some interpretations place it west of ].<ref>{{cite book|last=Bowlus|first=Charles R.|title=The battle of Lechfeld and its aftermath |year=2006|page=83}}</ref>
In the 10th century, the territory of Pressburg (what would later become ]) became part of Hungary (called "the ]" from 1000) and became a key economic and administrative centre on the kingdom's frontier.<ref name="middleages">{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1008&p1=1572 |title=History – Bratislava in the Middle Ages |year=2005 |accessdate=May 15, 2007}}</ref> This strategic position destined the city to be the site of frequent attacks and battles, but also brought it economic development and high political status. It was granted its first known town privileges in 1291 by the Hungarian ],<ref>Špiesz, "Bratislava v stredoveku", p. 43</ref> and was declared a free royal town in 1405 by ] ], who also entitled the town to use its ] in 1436.<ref>Špiesz, "Bratislava v stredoveku", p. 132</ref>


In the 10th century, the territory of Pressburg (what would later become ]) became part of Hungary (called the "]" from 1000). It developed as a key economic and administrative centre on the kingdom's frontier.<ref name="middleages">{{cite web|publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1008&p1=1572 |title=History – Bratislava in the Middle Ages |year=2005 |access-date=May 15, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224024106/http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1008&p1=1572 |archive-date=February 24, 2007}}</ref> In 1052, German Emperor ] undertook a fifth campaign against the ], and besieged Pressburg without success, as the Hungarians sank his supply ships on the ] river. This strategic position destined the city to be the site of frequent attacks and battles, but also brought it economic development and high political status. It was granted its first known "town privileges" in 1291 by the Hungarian ],<ref>Špiesz, "Bratislava v stredoveku", p. 43</ref> and was declared a ] in 1405 by ] ]. In 1436, he authorized the town to use its ].<ref>Špiesz, "Bratislava v stredoveku", p. 132</ref>
The Kingdom of Hungary was defeated by the ] in the ] in 1526. Thereafter the Turks besieged and damaged Pressburg but failed to conquer it.<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 30</ref> Owing to Ottoman advances into Hungarian territory, the city was designated the new capital of Hungary in 1536, becoming part of the Austrian ] and marking the beginning of a new era. The city became a coronation town and the seat of kings, archbishops (1543), the nobility and all major organisations and offices. Between 1536 and 1830, eleven Hungarian kings and queens were crowned at ].<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 62</ref> Nevertheless, the 17th century was marked by anti-Habsburg uprisings, fighting with the Turks, floods, plagues and other disasters.<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", pp. 31–34</ref>


{{Multiple image
] in 1741]]
| align = left
Pressburg flourished during the 18th century reign of Queen ],<ref name=NY>{{cite web|last=Weinberger|first=Jill Knight|title=Rediscovering Old Bratislava|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C06E5D91138F93AA25752C1A9669C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2|work=]|publisher=]|date=2000-11-19|accessdate=2008-07-27}}</ref> becoming the largest and most important town in Hungary.<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", pp. 34–36</ref> The population tripled; many new palaces,<ref name=NY/> monasteries, mansions, and streets were built, and the city was the centre of social and cultural life of the region.<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", pp. 35–36</ref> ] gave a concert in 1762 in the ] in Bratislava. ] performed in 1784 in the ] in Bratislava. ] was a guest in 1796 in the ] Palace in Bratislava.<ref>Slowakei, p.68, Renata SakoHoess, DuMont Reiseverlag, 2004. ISBN 978-3-7701-6057-0</ref><ref>Sources of Slovac music, Slovenské národné múzeum, Ivan Mačák, ], 1977.</ref> However, the city started to lose its importance under the reign of Maria Theresa's son ],<ref name=NY/> especially when the ] were taken to ] in 1783 in an attempt to strengthen the union between Austria and Hungary. Many central offices subsequently moved to ], followed by a large segment of the nobility.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1010&p1=1574 |title=History – Maria Theresa’s City |year=2005 |accessdate=May 15, 2007}}</ref> The first newspapers in Hungarian and Slovak were published here, resp. ''Magyar hírmondó'' in 1780, and ''Presspurske Nowiny'' in 1783.<ref>Kováč et al., "Kronika Slovenska 1", pp. 350–351</ref> In the course of the 18th century, the city became a centre for the ].
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| image1 = Képes krónika - 61.oldal - III. Henrik császár hajóinak pusztulása Pozsonynál.jpg
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| caption1 = The earliest known depiction of Pressburg Castle (], 1358)
| image2 = Bratislava in 16th century.jpg
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| caption2 = Pressburg (Bratislava) in 1588
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The Kingdom of Hungary was defeated by the ] in the ] in 1526. The Ottomans besieged and damaged Pressburg, but failed to conquer it.<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 30</ref> Owing to Ottoman advances into Hungarian territory, the city was designated the new capital of Hungary in 1536, after becoming part of the ] and marking the beginning of a new era. The city became a coronation town and the seat of kings, archbishops (1543), the nobility and all major organisations and offices. Between 1536 and 1830, eleven Hungarian kings and queens were crowned at ].<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 62</ref>
19th century history was closely tied to the major events in Europe. The ] between Austria and France was signed here in 1805.<ref>Kováč et al., "Kronika Slovenska 1", p. 384</ref> ] was ruined by ]'s French troops in 1809.<ref>Kováč et al., "Kronika Slovenska 1", p. 385</ref> In 1825 the ] (the present Hungarian Academy of Sciences) was founded in Pressburg using a donation from ]. In 1843 Hungarian was proclaimed the official language in legislation, public administration and education by the Diet in the city.<ref>Erzsébet Varga, "Pozsony", p. 14 (Hungarian)</ref> As a reaction to the ], ] signed the so-called ], which included the abolition of ], at the ].<ref name="Napoleon">{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1011&p1=1575 |title=History – Between the campaigns of the Napoleonic troops and the abolition of bondage |year=2005 |accessdate=May 15, 2007}}<br/>Kováč et al., "Kronika Slovenska 1", p. 444</ref> The city chose the revolutionary Hungarian side, but was captured by the Austrians in December 1848.<ref>Kováč et al., "Kronika Slovenska 1", p. 457</ref> Industry grew rapidly in the 19th century. The first ] in the Kingdom of Hungary,<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Železničná spoločnosť Cargo Slovakia |url=http://www.zscargo.sk/en/company-profile/history/ |title=History – Austro-Hungarian Empire |date=no date |accessdate=May 28, 2008}}</ref> from Pressburg to ], was built in 1840.<ref>Kováč et al., "Kronika Slovenska 1", pp. 426–427</ref> A new line to Vienna using ]s was opened in 1848, and a line to ] in 1850.<ref>Kováč et al., "Kronika Slovenska 1", p. 451</ref> Many new industrial, financial and other institutions were founded; for example, the first bank established in present-day Slovakia was founded in 1842.<ref>Kováč et al., "Kronika Slovenska 1", p. 430</ref> The city's first permanent bridge over the Danube, '']'', was built in 1891.<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 41</ref>


The 17th century was marked by anti-Habsburg uprisings, fighting with the Ottomans, floods, ] and other disasters, which diminished the population.<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", pp. 31–34</ref> Great epidemics were spreading in Bratislava in 1541–1542, 1552–1553, 1660–1665 and 1678–1681. A ] of 1678–1681 left approximately 11,000 casualties among Bratislava’s residents (city population was in that time around 30,000 people). The last ] of Bratislava was between the years 1712–1713.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Epidemic diseases and their reminders in the City of Bratislava |url=https://www.krakow.pl/krakow_open_city/240606,artykul,epidemic_diseases_and_their_reminders_in_the_city_of_bratislava.html |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=krakow.pl |language=en}}</ref>
] ordnance damage at the ] industrial plant in Bratislava, September 1944]]


Pressburg flourished during the 18th-century reign of Queen ],<ref name=NY>{{cite web|last=Weinberger|first=Jill Knight|title=Rediscovering Old Bratislava|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C06E5D91138F93AA25752C1A9669C8B63&sec=&spon=|work=]|date=November 19, 2000|access-date=2008-07-27}}</ref> becoming the largest and most important town in the ].<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", pp. 34–36</ref> The population tripled; many new palaces,<ref name=NY/> monasteries, mansions, and streets were built, and the city was the centre of social and cultural life of the region.<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", pp. 35–36</ref> ] gave a concert in 1762 in the ]. ] performed in 1784 in the ]. ] was a guest in 1796 in the ].<ref>Slowakei, p.68, Renata SakoHoess, DuMont Reiseverlag, 2004. {{ISBN|978-3-7701-6057-0}}</ref><ref>Sources of Slovac music, Slovenské národné múzeum, Ivan Mačák, ], 1977.</ref>
Before ], the city had 42% German, 41% Hungarian and 15% Slovak population (1910 census). After ] and the formation of ] on October 28, 1918, the city was incorporated into the new state despite its representatives' reluctance.<ref name="peyqxj">Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 42</ref> The dominant Hungarian and German population tried to prevent annexation of the city to Czechoslovakia and declared it a free city. However, the ] occupied the city on January 1, 1919, thereby making it part of Czechoslovakia.<ref name="peyqxj"/> The city became the seat of Slovakia's political organs and organizations and became Slovakia's capital on 4 – February 5.{{Vague|date=May 2009}}<!-- What does "4 – February 5" mean? --><ref>{{cite book|author=Tibenský, Ján et al.|title=Slovensko: Dejiny|publisher=Obzor|year=1971|location=Bratislava}}</ref> On February 12, 1919 the German and Hungarian population started a protest against the Czechoslovak occupation, but the Czechoslovak Legions opened fire upon the unarmed demonstrators.<ref>Marcel Jankovics, "Húsz esztendő Pozsonyban", p. 65-67 (Hungarian)</ref> On March 27, 1919, the name Bratislava was officially adopted for the first time.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava|url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1012&p1=1576 |title=History – First Czechoslovak Republic |year=2005 |accessdate=May 15, 2007}}</ref> Left without any protection after the retreat of the Hungarian army, many Hungarians were expelled or fled<ref>{{cite web |publisher=|url=http://www.tankonyv.sk/detail.php?chron=1&theme=4 |title=History of Hungarians in the first Czechoslovak Republic (1918–1919 section) |year=2008 |accessdate=September 5, 2008}}</ref> and Czechs and Slovaks took their houses and moved to Bratislava. Education in ] and ] was radically reduced.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=|url=http://www.tankonyv.sk/detail.php?docid=93 |title=History of Hungarians in the first Czechoslovak Republic |year=2008 |accessdate=June 22, 2008}}</ref> In the 1930 ]n ] the Hungarian population of Bratislava had decreased to 15.8% (see the ] article for more details).


{{Multiple image
In 1938, ] annexed neighbouring Austria in the ]; later that year it also annexed the still-independent ] and Devín boroughs on ethnic grounds.<ref name="WWII"/><ref>Kováč et al., "Bratislava 1939–1945", pp. 16–17</ref> Bratislava was declared the capital of the ] on March 14, 1939, but the new state quickly fell under Nazi influence. In 1941–1942 and 1944–1945, the new ] expelled most of Bratislava's approximately 15,000 Jews,<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 43. Kováč et al., "Bratislava 1939–1945, pp. 174–177</ref> with most of them being sent into ]s.<ref name="post-war"/> Bratislava was bombarded by the ], occupied by German troops in 1944 and eventually taken by the ] ] on April 4, 1945.<ref name="WWII">{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1014&p1=1578 |title=History – Wartime Bratislava |year=2005 |accessdate=May 15, 2007}}</ref><ref>Kováč et al., "Kronika Slovenska 2", p. 300</ref> At the end of World War II, most Bratislava Germans were evacuated by German authorities; a few returned after the war, but were expelled without their properties under the ].<ref>Kováč et al., "Kronika Slovenska 2", pp. 307–308</ref>
|align = right
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|width =
|image1 = Bratislava Slovakia 220.JPG
|width1 = 145
|alt1 =
|caption1 = The Plague Column built in 1713
|image2 = Maria Theresa-coronation-1741-Pressburg-Hertz.jpg
|width2 = 200
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|caption2 = Coronation of ] in 1741
|image3 = C. Hirsch d.J. - Der Krönungsritt Maria Theresias in Pressburg 1747.jpg
|width3 = 101
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|caption3 = Maria Theresa's ride in Bratislava, 1747
}}


The city started to lose its importance under the reign of Maria Theresa's son ],<ref name=NY/> especially after the ] were taken to ] in 1783 in an attempt to strengthen the relations between Austria and Hungary. Many central offices subsequently moved to ], followed by a large segment of the nobility.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1010&p1=1574 |title=History – Maria Theresa's City |year=2005 |access-date=May 15, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224051619/http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1010&p1=1574 |archive-date=February 24, 2007}}</ref> The first newspapers in Hungarian and Slovak were published here: ''Magyar hírmondó'' in 1780, and ''Presspurske Nowiny'' in 1783.<ref>Kováč et al., "Kronika Slovenska 1", pp. 350–351</ref> In the course of the 18th century, the city became a centre for the ].{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
] war memorial commemorates fallen soldiers during the liberation of Slovakia in ]]]


After the ] seized power in ] in February 1948, the city became part of the ]. The city annexed new land, and the population rose significantly, becoming 90% Slovak. Large residential areas consisting of high-rise ] ], such as those in the Petržalka borough, were built. The Communist government also built several new grandiose buildings, such as the '']'' bridge and the ] headquarters, sometimes at the expense of the historical cityscape.


The city's 19th-century history was closely tied to the major events in Europe. The ] between the ] and ] was signed here in 1805.<ref>Kováč et al., "Kronika Slovenska 1", p. 384</ref> ] was ruined by ]'s French troops during an invasion of 1809.<ref>Kováč et al., "Kronika Slovenska 1", p. 385</ref> In 1825 the ] (the present Hungarian Academy of Sciences) was founded in Pressburg using a donation from ]. In 1843 Hungarian was proclaimed the official language in legislation, public administration, and education by the Diet in the city.<ref>Erzsébet Varga, "Pozsony", p. 14 (Hungarian)</ref>
In 1968, after the unsuccessful ] to liberalise the Communist regime, the city was occupied by ] troops. Shortly thereafter, it became capital of the ], one of the two states of the federalized Czechoslovakia.
Bratislava's dissidents anticipated the fall of Communism with the ] in 1988, and the city became one of the foremost centres of the anti-Communist ] in 1989.<ref>Kováč et al., "Kronika Slovenska 2" p. 498</ref>


{{Multiple image
In 1993, the city became the capital of the newly formed ] following the ].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1016&p1=1580 |title=History – Capital city for second time |year=2005 |accessdate=May 15, 2007}}</ref> In the 1990s and the early 21st century, its economy boomed due to foreign investment. The flourishing city also hosted several important cultural and political events, including the ] between ] and ].<ref name="SlovakiaSummit">{{cite web |url=http://www.slovakiasummit.com/index127.php |title=Slovak Leaders. |first=|last=SlovakiaSummit.com |work=slovakiasummit.com |year=2011 |accessdate=5 July 2011}}</ref>
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{{-}}
|direction = vertical
|width =
|image1 = Josef Holzer Blick auf die Burgruine Devin 1864.jpg
|width1 = 200
|alt1 =
|caption1 = ], in 1809 ] French army blew up the castle
|image2 = Bratislava Castle destroyed by fire, 1811.jpg
|width2 = 200
|alt2 =
|caption2 = In 1811, a huge fire raged through ], destroyed the main palace and more than 70 nearby houses
|image3 = Pozsony.jpg
|width3 = 200
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|caption3 = Pressburg (Bratislava) in the 19th century
}}


As a reaction to the ], ] signed the so-called ], which included the abolition of ], at the ].<ref name="Napoleon">{{cite web|publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1011&p1=1575 |title=History – Between the campaigns of the Napoleonic troops and the abolition of bondage |year=2005 |access-date=May 15, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224051732/http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1011&p1=1575 |archive-date=February 24, 2007}}<br />Kováč et al., "Kronika Slovenska 1", p. 444</ref> The city chose the revolutionary Hungarian side, but was captured by the Austrians in December 1848.<ref>Kováč et al., "Kronika Slovenska 1", p. 457</ref>
==Geography==
{{Main|Geography of Bratislava}}
]
]]]
]


Industry developed rapidly in the 19th century. The first ] in the Kingdom of Hungary,<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Železničná spoločnosť Cargo Slovakia |url=http://www.zscargo.sk/en/company-profile/history/ |title=History – Austro-Hungarian Empire |date=n.d. |access-date=May 28, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071129221223/http://www.zscargo.sk/en/company-profile/history/ |archive-date=November 29, 2007}}</ref> from Pressburg to Szentgyörgy (]), was built in 1840.<ref>Kováč et al., "Kronika Slovenska 1", pp. 426–427</ref> A new line to Vienna using ]s was opened in 1848, and a line to ] in 1850.<ref>Kováč et al., "Kronika Slovenska 1", p. 451</ref> Many new industrial, financial and other institutions were founded; for example, the first bank in present-day Slovakia was founded in 1842.<ref>Kováč et al., "Kronika Slovenska 1", p. 430</ref> The city's first permanent bridge over the Danube, ] (Old Bridge), was built in 1891.<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 41</ref> Between the years 1867-1918, the territory of Pressburg became part of ].
Bratislava is situated in south-western Slovakia, within the ]. Its location on the borders with ] and ] makes it the only national capital that borders two countries. It is only {{convert|62|km|mi|1}} from the border with the ] and only {{convert|60|km|mi|1}} from the ]n capital ].<ref>{{cite map |publisher=Vojenský kartografický ústav a.s. |title=Autoatlas – Slovenská republika |url=http://www.vku.sk/index.php?newlang=english |edition=6th |year=2006 |isbn=80-8042-378-4 |accessdate=2009-07-22}}</ref>


Before ], the city had a population that was 42% German, 41% Hungarian and 15% Slovak (1910 census). The first post war census in 1919 declared the city's ethnic composition at 36% German, 33% Slovak and 29% Hungarian but this may have reflected changing self-identification, rather than an exchange of peoples. Many people were bi- or trilingual and multicultural.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
The city has a total area of {{convert|367.58|km2|sqmi|1}}, making it the second-largest city in Slovakia by area (after the township of ]).<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic |url=http://www.statistics.sk/mosmis/eng/prvav2.jsp?txtUroven=440706&lstObec=560103&Okruh=zaklad |title=Vysoké Tatry – Basic characteristics |date=December 31, 2005 |accessdate=August 16, 2007|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070927204355/http://www.statistics.sk/mosmis/eng/prvav2.jsp?txtUroven=440706&lstObec=560103&Okruh=zaklad|archivedate=September 27, 2007}}</ref> Bratislava straddles the ], which crosses the city from the west to the south-east. The ] basin begins at ] in western Bratislava. Other rivers are the ], which forms the north-western border of the city and enters the Danube at Devín, the ], and the ], which enters the Danube in the borough of ].


After ], the ] began. U.S. president ] and the United States played a major role in the establishment of the new ]. American Slovaks proposed rename the city “Wilsonovo mesto” (Wilson City), after Woodrow Wilson.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Czech invasion of 'Wilson City' |url=https://english.radio.cz/czech-invasion-wilson-city-8558742 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=Radio Prague International |date=November 22, 2011 |language=en}}</ref>
The ] mountain range begins in city territory with the ] (''Malé Karpaty''). The ] and ] lowlands stretch into Bratislava. The city's lowest point is at the Danube's surface at {{convert|126|m}} ], and the highest point is ] at {{convert|514|m}}. The average altitude is {{convert|140|m}}.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www4.bratislava.sk/en/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=2011414 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070927201123/http://www.bratislava.sk/en/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=2011414 |archivedate=2007-09-27 |title=Basic Information – Position |date=February 14, 2005 |accessdate=May 1, 2007}}</ref>


On 28 October 1918, ] was proclaimed, but its borders were not settled for several months.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Simon |first=Attila |url=http://real.mtak.hu/14159/ |title=Minority Hungarian Communities in the Twentieth Century (East European Monographs, 774) |publisher=Columbia University Press, Atlantic Research and Publications, Inc., Institute for Ethnic and National Minority Studies of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-88033-677-2 |editor-last=Bárdi |editor-first=Nándor |location=New York |translator-last=McLean |translator-first=Brian |chapter=I. Changes of Sovereignty and the New Nation States in the Danube Region 1918–1921 – 3. The Creation of Hungarian Minority Groups – Czechoslovakia: Slovakia |editor2-last=Szarka |editor2-first=Csilla |editor-last3=Szarka |editor3-first=László |translator-last2=Suff |translator-first2=Matthew}}</ref> The dominant Hungarian and German population tried to prevent annexation of the city to Czechoslovakia and declared it a ],<ref name="peyqxj">Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 42</ref> while the Hungarian Prime Minister Károlyi protested against the Czech invasion. The Slovak National Assembly meanwhile called it a ''"defensive action of the Slovaks themselves, to end the anarchy caused by the flight of the Hungarians."''<ref>{{cite book |last=Hronský |first=Marián |year=2001 |title=The Struggle for Slovakia and the Treaty of Trianon |location=Bratislava |publisher=Slovak Academy of Sciences|chapter=2. The Process of Occupation of the Territory of Slovakia by the Czecho-Slovak Army|page=133 |isbn=80-224-0677-5}}</ref> The ] drew a provisional demarcation line, this was revealed to the Hungarian government on December 23, in the document known as the ]. The ] arrived from Italy, began to advance on 30 December and by 2 January 1919, all important civil and military buildings were in Czechoslovak hands.<ref>{{cite book |last=Hronský |first=Marián |year=2001 |title=The Struggle for Slovakia and the Treaty of Trianon |location=Bratislava |publisher=Slovak Academy of Sciences|chapter=2. The Process of Occupation of the Territory of Slovakia by the Czecho-Slovak Army|page=149 |isbn=80-224-0677-5}}</ref> It was the beginning of the conflict, which later continued as the ]. The city became the seat of Slovakia's political organs and organizations and became Slovakia's capital on 4 February.<ref>{{cite book|author=Tibenský, Ján|title=Slovensko: Dejiny|publisher=Obzor|year=1971|location=Bratislava|display-authors=etal}}</ref>
===Climate===


{{Multiple image
{{climate chart
| align = right
|Bratislava
| direction = vertical
|- 4 |2 |42
| width =
|- 2 |5 |37
| image1 = Duna-part. Fortepan 9282.jpg
|1 |11 |36
| width1 = 200
|5 |16 |38
| alt1 =
|10 |22 |54
| caption1 = Pressburg (Bratislava) in 1915 during ]
|13 |25 |61
| image2 = Czechoslovak Legion in Bratislava, 1919.png
|15 |27 |52
| width2 = 200
|15 |27 |52
| alt2 =
|11 |22 |50
| caption2 = ] at the ] (Starý most) in Bratislava during ], 1919
|6 |15 |37
}}
|1 |8 |50

|- 2 |4 |48
On March 27, 1919, the name Bratislava was officially adopted for the first time to replace the previous Slovak name Prešporok.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1012&p1=1576 |title=History – First Czechoslovak Republic |year=2005 |access-date=May 15, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224051935/http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1012&p1=1576 |archive-date=February 24, 2007}}</ref>
|float= left

|clear= none
At the beginning of August 1919, Czechoslovakia got permission to correct the borders for the strategic reasons, mainly to secure the port and to prevent a potential attack of the ] on the town. On the night of 14 August 1919 barefoot Czechoslovak soldiers silently climbed to the Hungarian side of the ] (Old Bridge), captured the guards and annexed ] (currently part of Bratislava's ]) without a fight.<ref>{{cite book| first1=Ľuboš| last1=Kačírek |first2=Pavol| last2=Tišliar| title=Petržalka v rokoch 1919 – 1946| publisher = Stimul | year = 2014b| location = Bratislava | page=9| language = sk}}</ref> The ] assigned the area to ] with the aim of creating a ] for the newly created Czechoslovak state for controlling the Danube.
|source= }}

Left without any protection after the retreat of the Hungarian army, many Hungarians were expelled or fled.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tankonyv.sk/detail.php?chron=1&theme=4 |title=History of Hungarians in the first Czechoslovak Republic (1918–1919 section) |year=2008 |access-date=September 5, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227105935/http://www.tankonyv.sk/detail.php?theme=4&chron=1 |archive-date=December 27, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Czechs and Slovaks moved their households to Bratislava. Education in ] and ] was radically reduced in the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tankonyv.sk/detail.php?docid=93 |title=History of Hungarians in the first Czechoslovak Republic |year=2008 |access-date=June 22, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111200731/http://www.tankonyv.sk/detail.php?docid=93 |archive-date=January 11, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> By the 1930 ] ], the Hungarian population of Bratislava had decreased to 15.8% (see the ] article for more details).

In 1938, ] annexed neighbouring Austria in the ]; on 10 October 1938 on the basis of the ] it also annexed (still-separate from Bratislava) ] and ] boroughs on ethnic grounds, as these had many ethnic Germans.<ref name="WWII"/><ref>Kováč et al., "Bratislava 1939–1945", pp. 16–17</ref> Petržalka was renamed ''Engerau''. The ] (Old Bridge) became a border bridge between ] and Nazi Germany.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

{{Multiple image
|align = left
|direction = vertical
|width =
|image1 = Adolf Hitler in Bratislava, 1938.webp
|width1 = 200
|alt1 =
|caption1 = German ] ] on his visit to Bratislava after ], October 1938
|image2 = B-24 Liberators over Bratislava, Slovakia on 16 June 1944.jpg
|width2 = 200
|alt2 =
|caption2 = Bratislava was bombarded by the ], during the ] occupation in 1944
}}

Bratislava was declared the capital of the ] on March 14, 1939, but the new state quickly fell under Nazi influence. In 1941–1942 and 1944–1945, the new Slovak government cooperated in deporting most of Bratislava's approximately 15,000 Jews;<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 43. Kováč et al., "Bratislava 1939–1945, pp. 174–177</ref> they were transported to ], where most were killed or died before the end of the war in the ].<ref name="post-war"/>

Bratislava, occupied by German troops, was many times bombarded by the ]. Major air raid included the bombing of Bratislava and its refinery ] on June 16, 1944 by American ] of the ] with 181 victims<ref>{{cite web |title=Bratislava in World War 2|date=August 23, 2016 |url=https://www.bratislavashootingclub.com/bratislava-in-world-war-2/|publisher=Bratislava Shooting Club|access-date=2020-07-21}}</ref> ] attacked in four waves with overall 158 planes. On 4 April 1945, Bratislava was liberated by the ] ] during the ].<ref name="WWII">{{cite web|publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1014&p1=1578 |title=History – Wartime Bratislava |year=2005 |access-date=May 15, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224024210/http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1014&p1=1578 |archive-date=February 24, 2007}}</ref><ref>Kováč et al., "Kronika Slovenska 2", p. 300</ref> The ] and president ] then moved to Bratislava on 8 May.<ref>{{cite web|title=Osvobozování Slovenska vyvrcholilo 4. dubna v Bratislavě|url=http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/ct24/svet/1516254-osvobozovani-slovenska-vyvrcholilo-4-dubna-v-bratislave|website=Ceskatelevize .cz|publisher=CT 24|access-date=21 February 2016}}</ref>

At the end of World War II, most of Bratislava's ethnic Germans were evacuated by the German authorities. A few returned after the war, but were soon expelled without their properties under the ],<ref>Kováč et al., "Kronika Slovenska 2", pp. 307–308</ref> part of a widespread ] from eastern Europe.

After World War II, ] lost its so-called independence and was reunified again with the Czech Republic as ], Petržalka (currently part of Bratislava's ]) and Devín (currently part of Bratislava's ]) was returned to Czechoslovakia. Furthermore, after signing the ] on 10 February 1947, three ] villages, namely ] (Jarovce), ] (Rusovce), and ] (Čunovo) situated south of Bratislava were transferred to Czechoslovakia, in order to form the so-called "]" (currently all three of them are part of Bratislava's ]).

After the ] seized power in ] in February 1948, the city became part of the ]. The city annexed new land, and the population rose significantly, becoming 90% Slovak.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

{{Multiple image
|align = right
|direction = vertical
|width =
|image1 = Bratislava 1968 2.jpg
|width1 = 205
|alt1 =
|caption1 = ] tank in Bratislava during the ] in 1968
|image2 = Memorial of Iron Curtain, Bratislava, 20220428 1104 5796.jpg
|width2 = 205
|alt2 =
|caption2 = ] memorial in Bratislava, 400 people were killed trying to cross the border into the West during the communist era
}}

Large residential areas consisting of high-rise ] ], such as those in the ] or ] borough, were built. The Communist government also built several new grandiose buildings, such as the ], ] or ]. A quarter of Bratislava’s ] was demolished in the late 1960s for a single project: ]. To make space for this development, much of the city’s centuries-old, historical Jewish quarter was razed, including the 19th-century Moorish-styled Neolog Synagogue.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The changing face of Bratislava |url=https://spectator.sme.sk/c/20050166/the-changing-face-of-bratislava.html |website=The Slovak Spectator |date=March 21, 2014 |language=en}}</ref>

In 1968, after the unsuccessful ] to liberalise the Communist regime, the city was occupied by ] troops. Shortly thereafter, it became capital of the ], one of the two states of the ] ].

Bratislava's dissidents anticipated the fall of Communism with the ] in 1988, and the city became one of the foremost centres of the anti-Communist ] in 1989.<ref>Kováč et al., "Kronika Slovenska 2" p. 498</ref>

The end of Communist rule in Czechoslovakia in 1989 was followed once again by the country's dissolution, this time into two ]. ] renamed as ], the word "socialist" was dropped in the names of the two republics within the federation, the Slovak Socialist Republic renamed as the ].

In 1993, Bratislava once again became the capital of the newly formed independent ], following the ].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1016&p1=1580 |title=History – Capital city for second time |year=2005 |access-date=May 15, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224051742/http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1016&p1=1580 |archive-date=February 24, 2007}}</ref>

== Geography ==
{{Main|Geography of Bratislava}}
]
]

Bratislava is situated in southwestern Slovakia, within the ]. Its location on the borders with Austria and Hungary makes it the ]. It is only {{convert|18|km|mi|1}} from the border with Hungary and only {{convert|60|km|mi|1}} from the Austrian capital ].<ref>{{cite map |publisher=Vojenský kartografický ústav a.s. |title=Autoatlas – Slovenská republika |url=http://www.vku.sk/index.php?newlang=english |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060118070749/http://www.vku.sk/index.php?newlang=english |url-status=dead |archive-date=2006-01-18 |edition=6th |year=2006 |isbn=80-8042-378-4 |access-date=2009-07-22 }}</ref>

The city has a total area of {{convert|367.58|km2|sqmi|1}}, making it the second-largest city in Slovakia by area (after the township of ]).<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic |url=http://www.statistics.sk/mosmis/eng/prvav2.jsp?txtUroven=440706&lstObec=560103&Okruh=zaklad |title=Vysoké Tatry – Basic characteristics |date=December 31, 2005 |access-date=August 16, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927204355/http://www.statistics.sk/mosmis/eng/prvav2.jsp?txtUroven=440706&lstObec=560103&Okruh=zaklad |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy}}</ref> Bratislava straddles the ] River, along which it had developed and for centuries the chief transportation route to other areas. The river passes through the city from the west to the southeast. The ] basin begins at ] in western Bratislava. Other rivers are the ], which forms the northwestern border of the city and enters the Danube at Devín, the ], and the ], which enters the Danube in the borough of ].

The ] mountain range begins in city territory with the ] (''Malé Karpaty''). The ] and ] lowlands stretch into Bratislava. The city's lowest point is at the Danube's surface at {{convert|126|m}} ], and the highest point is ] at {{convert|514|m}}. The average altitude is {{convert|140|m}}.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www4.bratislava.sk/en/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=2011414 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070731145341/http://www.bratislava.sk/en/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=2011414 |archive-date=July 31, 2007 |title=Basic Information – Position |date=February 14, 2005 |access-date=May 1, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}</ref>


=== Climate ===
Bratislava lies in the ] and has a moderately ]<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://visit.bratislava.sk/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700013&id=1109&p1=1996 |title=Bratislava Weather |date=March 14, 2007 |accessdate=November 1, 2007 |language=Slovak}}</ref> (original/US ] ]<ref name="World Map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification updated">{{Cite doi|10.1127/0941-2948/2006/0130}}</ref>/], ] ]) with average temperature of {{convert|21|C|F}} in the warmest month and {{convert|-1|C|F}} in the coldest month, four distinct seasons<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://visit.bratislava.sk/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700013&id=1109&p1=1996 |title=Bratislava Weather |date=March 14, 2007 |accessdate=November 1, 2007 |language=Slovak}}</ref> and precipitation spread rather evenly throughout the year. It is often windy with a marked variation between hot summers and cold, humid winters. The city is in one of the warmest and driest parts of Slovakia.<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 10</ref> Recently, the transitions from winter to summer and summer to winter have been rapid, with short autumn and spring periods. Snow occurs less frequently than previously.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://visit.bratislava.sk/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700013&id=1109&p1=1996 |title=Bratislava Weather |date=March 14, 2007 |accessdate=November 1, 2007 |language=Slovak}}</ref> Some areas, particularly Devín and ], are vulnerable to floods from the Danube and Morava rivers.<ref>{{cite news |first=Nick |last=Thorpe |title=Defences hold fast in Bratislava |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2198850.stm |date=2002-08-16 |accessdate=2007-04-27 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> New flood protection has been built on both banks.<ref>{{cite news |first=Juraj |last=Handzo |title=''Začne sa budovať protipovodňový systém mesta'' (Construction starts for city's flood protection) |url=http://www.bratislavskenoviny.sk/buxus/generate_page.php?page_id=12325 |date=2007-01-24 |accessdate=2007-04-28 |publisher=Bratislavské Noviny |language=Slovak}}</ref>
Bratislava has recently shifted into the ] under ] ('']''), closely bordering on ''Dfa'', and is classified as temperate oceanic climate under ] (''Doak''), It is in USDA ] 7b<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.plantsdb.gr/en/general-cultivation/hardiness-zones/273-hardiness-zones-europe |title=plantsdb |publisher=plantsdb.gr |access-date=2015-03-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013114608/http://www.plantsdb.gr/en/general-cultivation/hardiness-zones/273-hardiness-zones-europe |archive-date=October 13, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> with a mean annual temperature of around {{convert|11.1|C|F}}, an average temperature of {{convert|22.0|C|F}} in the warmest month and {{convert|0.3|C|F}} in the coldest month, four distinct seasons<ref name="Bratislava Weather">{{cite web |date=March 14, 2007 |title=Bratislava Weather |url=http://visit.bratislava.sk/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700013&id=1109&p1=1996 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071029231448/http://visit.bratislava.sk/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700013&id=1109&p1=1996 |archive-date=October 29, 2007 |access-date=November 1, 2007 |publisher=City of Bratislava |language=sk}}</ref> and precipitation spread rather evenly throughout the year. It is often windy with a marked variation between hot summers and cold, humid winters. There also can sometimes be a significant difference in weather, between the parts of the city. Bratislava, just like any other city, has an ] effect, but there is no weather station directly in the urban core, so the temperature there can be slightly higher than the official weather station reports. The city is in one of the warmest and driest parts of Slovakia.<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 10</ref>


Recently, the transitions from winter to summer and summer to winter have been rapid, with short autumn and spring periods. Snow occurs less frequently than previously.<ref name="Bratislava Weather"/> Extreme temperatures (1981–2013) – record high: {{convert|39.4|C|F}},<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute |url=http://www.shmu.sk/sk/?page=1741&p=4 |title=Prvá augustová vlna horúčav zo štvrtka, 8 August 2013 |date=August 9, 2013 |access-date=December 1, 2013 |language=sk}}</ref> record low: {{convert|-24.6|C|F}}. Some areas, particularly Devín and ], are vulnerable to floods from the Danube and Morava rivers.<ref>{{cite news |first=Nick |last=Thorpe |title=Defences hold fast in Bratislava |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2198850.stm |date=August 16, 2002 |access-date=2007-04-27 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> New flood protection has been built on both banks.<ref>{{cite news |first=Juraj |last=Handzo |title=''Začne sa budovať protipovodňový systém mesta'' (Construction starts for city's flood protection) |url=http://www.bratislavskenoviny.sk/buxus/generate_page.php?page_id=12325 |date=January 24, 2007 |access-date=2007-04-28 |publisher=Bratislavské Noviny |language=sk}}</ref>
{{Weather box {{Weather box
|location=Bratislava |location = ] (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1951–present)
|metric first=yes |metric first = Yes
|single line=yes |single line = Yes
|collapsed =
|Jan high C=2.4
|Feb high C=5.0 |Jan record high C = 19.8
|Mar high C=10.6 |Feb record high C = 19.7
|Apr high C=16.0 |Mar record high C = 25.0
|May high C=21.6 |Apr record high C = 30.3
|Jun high C=24.5 |May record high C = 33.4
|Jul high C=26.9 |Jun record high C = 36.3
|Aug high C=26.7 |Jul record high C = 38.2
|Sep high C=21.7 |Aug record high C = 39.4
|Oct high C=15.4 |Sep record high C = 34.0
|Nov high C=7.6 |Oct record high C = 28.0
|Dec high C=3.6 |Nov record high C = 21.6
|year high C= |Dec record high C = 17.9
|year record high C =
|Jan low C=-3.5
|Feb low C=-2.2 |Jan high C = 3.1
|Mar low C=1.3 |Feb high C = 5.8
|Apr low C=4.9 |Mar high C = 11.1
|May low C=9.6 |Apr high C = 17.5
|Jun low C=12.9 |May high C = 21.7
|Jul low C=14.7 |Jun high C = 25.6
|Aug low C=14.5 |Jul high C = 28.0
|Sep low C=10.7 |Aug high C = 27.9
|Oct low C=5.6 |Sep high C = 21.9
|Nov low C=1.4 |Oct high C = 15.6
|Dec low C=-1.5 |Nov high C = 9.3
|year low C= |Dec high C = 3.7
|year high C = 15.9
|Jan precipitation mm=42
|Jan mean C = 0.3
|Feb precipitation mm=37
|Feb mean C = 1.9
|Mar precipitation mm=36
|Mar mean C = 6.1
|Apr precipitation mm=38
|Apr mean C = 11.7
|May precipitation mm=54
|May mean C = 16.2
|Jun precipitation mm=61
|Jun mean C = 20.2
|Jul precipitation mm=52
|Jul mean C = 22.0
|Aug precipitation mm=52
|Aug mean C = 21.5
|Sep precipitation mm=50
|Sep mean C = 16.2
|Oct precipitation mm=37
|Oct mean C = 10.7
|Nov precipitation mm=50
|Nov mean C = 5.7
|Dec precipitation mm=48
|Dec mean C = 1.1
|year precipitation mm=
|year mean C = 11.1
|source 1=
|Jan low C = -2.8
|date=July 2011}}
|Feb low C = -1.7
|Mar low C = 1.7
|Apr low C = 5.7
|May low C = 10.6
|Jun low C = 14.2
|Jul low C = 16.2
|Aug low C = 15.9
|Sep low C = 11.2
|Oct low C = 6.3
|Nov low C = 2.6
|Dec low C = -1.5
|year low C = 6.5
|Jan record low C = -24.6
|Feb record low C = -24.6
|Mar record low C = -16.4
|Apr record low C = -5.0
|May record low C = -1.6
|Jun record low C = 2.7
|Jul record low C = 4.4
|Aug record low C = 4.8
|Sep record low C = -1.7
|Oct record low C = -7.6
|Nov record low C = -12.5
|Dec record low C = -20.3
|year record low C = -24.6
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 37.4
|Feb precipitation mm = 32.9
|Mar precipitation mm = 36.8
|Apr precipitation mm = 35.9
|May precipitation mm = 58.6
|Jun precipitation mm = 59.2
|Jul precipitation mm = 61.8
|Aug precipitation mm = 60.5
|Sep precipitation mm = 58.6
|Oct precipitation mm = 43.6
|Nov precipitation mm = 46.2
|Dec precipitation mm = 42.7
|year precipitation mm = 574.3
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 13.2
|Feb precipitation days = 11.4
|Mar precipitation days = 11.7
|Apr precipitation days = 9.2
|May precipitation days = 11.3
|Jun precipitation days = 10.9
|Jul precipitation days = 11.5
|Aug precipitation days = 10.0
|Sep precipitation days = 9.6
|Oct precipitation days = 11.2
|Nov precipitation days = 12.5
|Dec precipitation days = 13.6
|year precipitation days = 136.1
|Jan snow days = 11.2
|Feb snow days = 8.7
|Mar snow days = 5.8
|Apr snow days = 1.3
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.2
|Nov snow days = 4.1
|Dec snow days = 8.6
|year snow days = 39.8
|Jan humidity = 80.9
|Feb humidity = 74.7
|Mar humidity = 67.5
|Apr humidity = 61.0
|May humidity = 62.8
|Jun humidity = 62.0
|Jul humidity = 60.5
|Aug humidity = 62.3
|Sep humidity = 69.2
|Oct humidity = 76.8
|Nov humidity = 81.9
|Dec humidity = 83.2
|year humidity = 70.2
|Jan sun = 65.5
|Feb sun = 99.3
|Mar sun = 153.7
|Apr sun = 218.6
|May sun = 258.1
|Jun sun = 269.4
|Jul sun = 286.5
|Aug sun = 273.3
|Sep sun = 194.5
|Oct sun = 134.6
|Nov sun = 69.5
|Dec sun = 51.9
|year sun = 2074.9
|source 1 = ]<ref name=WMO>{{cite web
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230807225448/https://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=41
|archive-date = 7 August 2023
|url = https://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=41
|title = World Weather Information Service – Bratislava
|publisher = World Meteorological Organization
|access-date = 7 August 2023}}</ref><ref name=WMOCLINO>{{cite web
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230807225724/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Slovakia/CSV/BRATISLAVA_AIRPORT_11816.csv
|archive-date = 7 August 2023
|url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Slovakia/CSV/BRATISLAVA_AIRPORT_11816.csv
|title = Bratislava Airport Climate Normals 1991–2020
|work = World Meteorological Organization Climatological Standard Normals (1991–2020)
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = 7 August 2023}}</ref>
|source 2 = SHMI (extremes, 1951-present)<ref name=shmi>{{cite web
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230830001456/http://climaintoscana.altervista.org/europa/slovacchia/bratislava-ivanka/
|archive-date = 30 August 2023
|url = http://climaintoscana.altervista.org/europa/slovacchia/bratislava-ivanka/
|title = Bratislava Ivanka
|access-date = 30 August 2023
|publisher = {{ill|Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute|sk|Slovenský hydrometeorologický ústav}}
|language = it}}</ref>
}}


=== Location ===
==Cityscape and architecture==
{{Geographic location
]
|title = '''Destinations from Bratislava'''
] bridge with UFO restaurant, the most famous modern landmark of Bratislava]]
|Northwest = {{flagicon|CZE}} ]
]
|North = {{flagicon|CZE}} ]
|Northeast = {{flagicon|POL}} ]
|West = {{flagicon|AUT}} ]
|Centre = Bratislava
|East = {{flagicon|SVK}} ]
|Southwest = {{flagicon|AUT}} ]
|South = {{flagicon|HUN}} ]
|Southeast = {{flagicon|HUN}} ]
}}


== Cityscape and architecture ==
The cityscape of Bratislava is characterised by medieval towers and grandiose 20th-century buildings, but it has undergone profound changes in a construction boom at the start of the 21st century.<ref name="habsudova">{{cite journal|title=City to cut tall buildings down to size|journal=The Slovak Spectator|date=2007-04-23|first=Zuzana|last=Habšudová|coauthors=|volume=|issue=|pages=|id=|url=http://www.slovakspectator.sk/clanok.asp?vyd=2006010&cl=22734|accessdate=2006-03-13}}</ref>
{{See also|List of palaces in Bratislava}}
{{multiple image
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| width = 195
| image1 = Hviezdoslavovo námestie (10266936594).jpg
| caption1 = ]
| image2 = Hlavné námestie-The napoleonic soldier, Old Town Hall and Roland Fountain-Bratislava.JPG
| caption2 = ]
}}


The cityscape of Bratislava is characterized by medieval towers and grandiose 20th-century buildings, but it underwent profound changes in a construction boom at the start of the 21st century.<ref name="habsudova">{{cite journal|title=City to cut tall buildings down to size|journal=The Slovak Spectator|date=April 23, 2007|first=Zuzana|last=Habšudová|url=http://www.slovakspectator.sk/clanok.asp?vyd=2006010&cl=22734|access-date=2006-03-13|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930160431/http://www.slovakspectator.sk/clanok.asp?vyd=2006010&cl=22734|archive-date=September 30, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
]
]]]
Most historical buildings are concentrated in the ]. ] is a complex of three buildings erected in the 14th–15th centuries and now hosts the ]. ] is the only gate that has been preserved from the ], and it ranks among the oldest of the town's buildings;<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Bratislava Culture and Information Centre |url=http://www.bkis.sk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=28 |title=Michael's Gate |accessdate=June 10, 2007 |year=2007}}</ref> the narrowest house in Europe is nearby.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Bratislava Culture and Information Centre |url=http://www.bkis.sk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=29 |title=Narrowest house in Europe |accessdate=June 10, 2007 |year=2007|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070927001619/http://www.bkis.sk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=29|archivedate=September 27, 2007}}</ref> The University Library building, erected in 1756, was used by the ] of the Kingdom of Hungary from 1802 to 1848.<ref name="unilibrary">{{cite web |publisher=University Library in Bratislava |url=http://phobos.ulib.sk/univerzitna_kniznica.pdf |title=University Library in Bratislava – The Multifunctional Cultural Centre |format=PDF |pages=34–36 |year=2005 |accessdate=June 14, 2007 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070607031815/http://phobos.ulib.sk/univerzitna_kniznica.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate=June 7, 2007}}</ref> Much of the significant legislation of the ] (such as the abolition of ] and the foundation of the ]) was enacted there.<ref name="unilibrary"/>


Most historical buildings are concentrated in the ]. ] is a complex of three buildings erected in the 14th–15th centuries and now hosts the ]. ] is the only gate that has been preserved from the ], and it ranks among the oldest of the town's buildings;<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Bratislava Culture and Information Centre |url=http://www.bkis.sk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=28 |title=Michael's Gate |access-date=June 10, 2007 |year=2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303172621/http://www.bkis.sk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=28 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> the narrowest house in Europe is nearby.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Bratislava Culture and Information Centre |url=http://www.bkis.sk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=29 |title=Narrowest house in Europe |access-date=June 10, 2007 |year=2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927001619/http://www.bkis.sk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=29 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy}}</ref> The University Library building, erected in 1756, was used by the ] from 1802 to 1848.<ref name="unilibrary">{{cite web|publisher=University Library in Bratislava |url=http://phobos.ulib.sk/univerzitna_kniznica.pdf |title=University Library in Bratislava – The Multifunctional Cultural Centre |pages=34–36 |year=2005 |access-date=June 14, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070607031815/http://phobos.ulib.sk/univerzitna_kniznica.pdf |archive-date=June 7, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy}}</ref> Much of the significant legislation of the ] (such as the abolition of ] and the foundation of the ]) was enacted there.<ref name="unilibrary"/>
{{Main|List of palaces in Bratislava}}
The historic centre is characterised by many ] palaces. The ], built around 1760, is now the residence of the Slovak president, and the Slovak government now has its seat in the former ].<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 147</ref> In 1805, diplomats of emperors ] and ] signed the fourth ] in the ], after Napoleon's victory in the ].<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 112</ref> Some smaller houses are historically significant; composer ] was born in an 18th-century house in the Old Town.


The historic centre is characterized by many ] palaces. The ], built around 1760, is now the residence of the Slovak president, and the Slovak government now has its seat in the former ].<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 147</ref> In 1805, diplomats of emperors ] and ] signed the fourth ] in the ], after Napoleon's victory in the ].<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 112</ref> Some smaller houses are historically significant; composer ] was born in an 18th-century house in the Old Town.
Notable cathedrals and churches include the ] ] built in the 13th–16th centuries, which served as the coronation church of the Kingdom of Hungary between 1563 and 1830.<ref name="cathedral">{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava|url=http://www4.bratislava.sk/en/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=2009114 |title=St. Martin's Cathedral |year=2005 |accessdate=June 8, 2007|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070731145705/http://www.bratislava.sk/en/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=2009114|archivedate=July 31, 2007}}</ref> The ], dating to the 13th century, has been a place of knighting ceremonies and is the oldest preserved sacral building in the city.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700013&id=1122&p1=2001 |title=Františkánsky kostol a kláštor |accessdate=June 10, 2007 |date=February 14, 2005 |language=Slovak}}</ref> The ], better known as the Blue Church due to its colour, is built entirely in the ] style.


{{Multiple image
A curiosity is the underground (formerly ground-level) restored portion of the Jewish cemetery where 19th-century Rabbi ] is buried, located at the base of the castle hill near the entrance to a tram tunnel.<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 179</ref> The only military cemetery in Bratislava is ], unveiled in 1960 in honour of ] soldiers who fell during the liberation of Bratislava in April 1945. It offers an excellent view of the city and the ].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700013&id=1129&p1=2001|title=Turistické informácie – Slavín |accessdate=May 6, 2007 |year=2005 |language=Slovak}}</ref><ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 135</ref>
|align = left
|direction = horizontal
|width =
|image1 = Bratislava - Katedrála svätého Martina 20180510-03.jpg
|width1 = 135
|alt1 =
|caption1 = ]
|image2 = Kościół Świętej Elżbiety w Bratysławie, 20210727 1251 0364.jpg
|width2 = 170
|alt2 =
|caption2 = ]
}}


Notable cathedrals and churches include the ] ] built in the 13th–16th centuries, which served as the coronation church of the Kingdom of Hungary between 1563 and 1830.<ref name="cathedral">{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www4.bratislava.sk/en/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=2009114 |title=St. Martin's Cathedral |year=2005 |access-date=June 8, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070731145705/http://www.bratislava.sk/en/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=2009114 |archive-date=July 31, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}</ref> The ], dating to the 13th century, has been a place of knighting ceremonies and is the oldest preserved sacral building in the city.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700013&id=1122&p1=2001 |title=Františkánsky kostol a kláštor |access-date=June 10, 2007 |date=February 14, 2005 |language=sk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070529011431/http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700013&id=1122&p1=2001 |archive-date=May 29, 2007}}</ref> The ], better known as the Blue Church due to its colour, is built entirely in the ] style. Bratislava has one surviving functioning ], out of the three major ones existing before the ].
Other prominent 20th-century structures include the ] (New Bridge) across the ] featuring a ]-like tower restaurant, ]'s inverted-pyramid-shaped headquarters, and the uniquely designed ] with an observation deck and rotating restaurant. In the early 21st century, new edifices have transformed the traditional cityscape. The construction boom has spawned new public buildings,<ref name="realestate">{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1084&p1=1859 |title=Visit Bratislava: Real Estate Market |accessdate=June 3, 2007}}</ref> such as the ] and a new building of the ],<ref name="liptakova">{{cite journal|title=New Slovak National Theatre opens after 21 years|journal=The Slovak Spectator |date=2007-04-23 |first=Jana |last=Liptáková |coauthors=|volume=|issue=|pages=|id=|url=http://www.slovakspectator.sk/clanok.asp?vyd=2007016&cl=27432|accessdate=August 16, 2007}}</ref> as well as private ].<ref name="nahalkova">{{cite journal|title=Bratislava's mayors lay out real estate plans |journal=The Slovak Spectator |date=2007-01-29 |first=Ela |last=Nahálková |coauthors=|volume=|issue=|pages=|id=|url=http://www.slovakspectator.sk/clanok.asp?vyd=2007004&cl=26445|accessdate=August 16, 2007}}</ref>


A curiosity is the underground (formerly ground-level) restored portion of the Jewish cemetery where 19th-century Rabbi ] is buried, located at the base of the castle hill near the entrance to a tram tunnel.<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 179</ref> The only military cemetery in Bratislava is ], unveiled in 1960 in honour of ] soldiers who fell during the liberation of Bratislava in April 1945. It offers a view of the city and the ].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700013&id=1129&p1=2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927201151/http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700013&id=1129&p1=2001|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 27, 2007|title=Turistické informácie – Slavín |access-date=May 6, 2007 |year=2005 |language=sk}}</ref><ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 135</ref>
===Bratislava Castle===
{{Main|Bratislava Castle}}


]
One of the most prominent structures in the city is ], situated on a plateau {{convert|85|m|ft|0}} above the Danube. The castle hill site has been inhabited since the transitional period between the ] and ] ages<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", pp. 11–12</ref> and has been the ] of a ]ic town, part of the ] ], a huge Slavic fortified settlement, and a political, military and religious centre for ].<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 121</ref> A stone ] was not constructed until the 10th century, when the area was part of the ]. The castle was converted into a ] anti-] fortress under ] in 1430, became a ] castle in 1562,<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 124</ref> and was rebuilt in 1649 in the ] style. Under ] ], the castle became a prestigious royal seat. In 1811, the castle was inadvertently destroyed by fire and lay in ruins until the 1950s,<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 128</ref> when it was rebuilt mostly in its former Theresian style.


Other prominent 20th-century structures include the ] (Bridge of the Slovak national uprising) across the ] featuring a ]-like ], ]'s inverted-pyramid-shaped headquarters, and the uniquely designed ] with an observation deck and rotating restaurant. In the early 21st century, new edifices have transformed the traditional cityscape. At the beginning of the 21st century, a construction boom has spawned new public structures,<ref name="realestate">{{cite web|url=https://www.alwayswanderlust.com/one-day-bratislava-beauty-danube/|title=A DAY IN BRATISLAVA: THE BEAUTY ON THE DANUBE|website=Alwayswanderlust.com|access-date=January 30, 2017|archive-date=December 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216091715/https://www.alwayswanderlust.com/one-day-bratislava-beauty-danube/|url-status=dead}}</ref> such as the ] and a new building of the ],<ref name="liptakova">{{cite journal|title=New Slovak National Theatre opens after 21 years|journal=The Slovak Spectator |date=April 23, 2007 |first=Jana |last=Liptáková |url=http://www.slovakspectator.sk/clanok.asp?vyd=2007016&cl=27432|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927215958/http://www.slovakspectator.sk/clanok.asp?vyd=2007016&cl=27432|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 27, 2007|access-date=August 16, 2007}}</ref> as well as private ].<ref name="nahalkova">{{cite journal|title=Bratislava's mayors lay out real estate plans|journal=The Slovak Spectator|date=January 29, 2007|first=Ela|last=Nahálková|url=http://www.slovakspectator.sk/clanok.asp?vyd=2007004&cl=26445|access-date=August 16, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930155720/http://www.slovakspectator.sk/clanok.asp?vyd=2007004&cl=26445|archive-date=September 30, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
===Devín Castle===
{{Main|Devín Castle}}


=== Bratislava Castle ===
The ruined and recently renovated ] is in the borough of ], on top of a rock where the ], which forms the border between Austria and Slovakia, enters the Danube. It is one of the most important Slovak archaeological sites and contains a museum dedicated to its history.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Bratislava City Museum |url=http://www.muzeum.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700016&id=1025&p1=52 |title=Bratislava City Museum: Museums: Devín Castle – National Cultural Monument |author=Beáta Husová |year=2007 |accessdate=June 21, 2007}}</ref> Due to its strategic location, Devín Castle was a very important frontier castle of ] and the early Hungarian state. It was destroyed by Napoleon's troops in 1809. It is an important symbol of Slovak and Slavic history.<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 191</ref>
{{Main|Bratislava Castle}}
]


One of the most prominent structures in the city is ] (''Bratislavský hrad''), situated on a plateau {{convert|85|m|ft|0}} above the Danube. The castle hill site has been inhabited since the transitional period between the ] and ] ages<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", pp. 11–12</ref> and has been the ] of a ] town, part of the ] ] Romanus, a huge Slavic fortified settlement, and a political, military and religious centre for ].<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 121</ref> A stone ] was not constructed until the 10th century, when the area was part of the ], however, in the ] a ], was standing in the area of the hillfort.
===Rusovce===


The castle was converted into a ] anti-] fortress under ] in 1430, became a ] castle in 1562,<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 124</ref> and was rebuilt in 1649 in the ] style. Under ] ], the castle became a prestigious royal seat. In 1811, the castle was inadvertently destroyed by fire and lay in ruins until the 1950s,<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 128</ref> when it was rebuilt mostly in its former Theresian style. In the 1940s, it was planned to demolish the castle ruins and replace them with a new university complex. However, it was never realised, and in the 1960s, reconstruction began. Nowadays, it serves ceremonial purposes and as a historical museum of the ].
], with its ], is in the Rusovce borough. The house was originally built in the 17th century and was turned into an English ]-style mansion in 1841–1844.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Rusovce |url=http://www.bratislava-rusovce.sk/rusovce/architektura_kastiel.html |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071012135757/http://bratislava-rusovce.sk/rusovce/architektura_kastiel.html |archivedate=2007-10-12 |title=''Pamiatkové hodnoty Rusoviec – Rusovský kaštieľ'' (Historical landmarks of Rusovce – Rusovce mansion) |date=2004-05-06 |accessdate=June 1, 2007 |language=Slovak}}</ref> The borough is also known for the ruins of the Roman military camp ], part of Limes Romanus, a border defence system. Gerulata was built and used between the 1st and 4th centuries ].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Rusovce |url=http://www.bratislava-rusovce.sk/kultura/kultura_gerulata.html |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071012135750/http://bratislava-rusovce.sk/kultura/kultura_gerulata.html |archivedate=2007-10-12 |title=''Múzeum Antická Gerulata'' (Ancient Gerulata Museum) |date=May 6, 2004 |accessdate=June 1, 2007 |language=Slovak}}</ref>

=== Devín Castle ===
{{Main|Devín Castle}}
{{multiple image
| direction = vertical
| width1 = 195
| image1 = Devín Castle (3705531512).jpg
| caption1 = Ruins of Devín Castle, first written reference to the Devin Castle dates back to 864.<ref>{{cite news | title=Devín Castle, Slovakia |url=https://www.danubetourism.eu/slovakia-devin-castle |website=danubetourism.eu |date=October 6, 2023 |publisher=danubetourism.eu |access-date=October 6, 2023}}</ref>
| width2 = 195
| image2 = Castle Devin - walls and river.JPG
| caption2 = View from Devín Castle
}}


The ruined and recently renovated ] is in the borough of ], on top of a rock where the ], which forms the border between Austria and Slovakia, enters the Danube. It is one of the most important Slovak archaeological sites and contains a museum dedicated to its history.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Bratislava City Museum |url=http://www.muzeum.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700016&id=1025&p1=52 |title=Bratislava City Museum: Museums: Devín Castle – National Cultural Monument |author=Beáta Husová |year=2007 |access-date=June 21, 2007 |archive-date=June 23, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070623150216/http://www.muzeum.bratislava.sk/EN/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700016&id=1025&p1=52 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Due to its strategic location, Devín Castle was a very important frontier castle of ] and the early Hungarian state. It was destroyed by Napoleon's troops in 1809. It is an important symbol of Slovak and Slavic history.<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 191</ref>
===Parks and lakes===
] in Petržalka]]


=== Rusovce ===
{{see|Parks and gardens in Bratislava}}
], with its ], is in the Rusovce borough. The house was originally built in the 17th century and was turned into an English ]-style mansion in 1841–1844.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Rusovce |url=http://www.bratislava-rusovce.sk/rusovce/architektura_kastiel.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012135757/http://bratislava-rusovce.sk/rusovce/architektura_kastiel.html |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |title=''Pamiatkové hodnoty Rusoviec – Rusovský kaštieľ'' (Historical landmarks of Rusovce – Rusovce mansion) |date=May 6, 2004 |access-date=June 1, 2007 |language=sk |url-status=dead |df=mdy}}</ref> The borough is also known for the ruins of the Roman military camp ], part of limes Romanus, a border defence system. Gerulata was built and used between the 1st and 4th centuries ].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Rusovce |url=http://www.bratislava-rusovce.sk/kultura/kultura_gerulata.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012135750/http://bratislava-rusovce.sk/kultura/kultura_gerulata.html |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |title=''Múzeum Antická Gerulata'' (Ancient Gerulata Museum) |date=May 6, 2004 |access-date=June 1, 2007 |language=sk |url-status=dead |df=mdy}}</ref>


=== Parks and lakes ===
Due to its location in the foothills of the ] and its ] on the Danubian ]s, Bratislava has forests close to the city centre. The total amount of public green space is {{convert|46.8|km2|sqmi|1}}, or {{convert|110|m2|sqft}} per inhabitant.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1039&p1=1816 |title=Natural Environment |year=2007 |accessdate=May 1, 2007}}</ref>
{{further|Parks and gardens in Bratislava}}
The largest city park is Horský park (literally, Mountainous Park), in the Old Town. ] (Bratislava Forest Park) is located in the Little Carpathians and includes many locales popular among visitors, such as ''Železná studienka'' and ]. The Forest Park covers an area of {{convert|27.3|km2|sqmi}}, of which 96% is forested, and contains original flora and fauna such as ]s, ]es and ]s. On the right bank of the Danube, in the borough of Petržalka, is ] founded in 1774–76.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Borough of Petržalka |url=http://www.petrzalka.sk/buxus/generate_page.php?page_id=934 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070928212102/http://www.petrzalka.sk/buxus/generate_page.php?page_id=934 |archivedate=2007-09-28 |title=Environment: Sad Janka Kráľa (Životné prostredie: Sad Janka Kráľa) |date=January 29, 2007 |accessdate=April 25, 2007 |language=Slovak}}</ref> A new city park is planned for Petržalka between the Malý Draždiak and Veľký Draždiak lakes.<ref name="nahalkova"/>
]
Due to its location in the foothills of the ] and its ] on the Danubian ]s, Bratislava has forests close to the city centre. The total amount of public green space is {{convert|46.8|km2|sqmi|1}}, or {{convert|110|m2|sqft}} per inhabitant.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1039&p1=1816 |title=Natural Environment |year=2007 |access-date=May 1, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070305050141/http://visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1039&p1=1816 |archive-date=March 5, 2007}}</ref>
The largest city park is Horský park (literally, Mountainous Park), in the Old Town. ] (Bratislava Forest Park) is located in the Little Carpathians and includes many locales popular among visitors, such as ''Železná studienka'' and ]. The Forest Park covers an area of {{convert|27.3|km2|sqmi}}, of which 96% is forested mostly with ] and mixed oak/] forest, and contains original flora and fauna such as ]s, ]es, ] and ] and ]. On the right bank of the Danube, in the borough of Petržalka, is ] founded in 1774–76.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Borough of Petržalka |url=http://www.petrzalka.sk/buxus/generate_page.php?page_id=934 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928212102/http://www.petrzalka.sk/buxus/generate_page.php?page_id=934 |archive-date=September 28, 2007 |title=Environment: Sad Janka Kráľa (Životné prostredie: Sad Janka Kráľa) |date=January 29, 2007 |access-date=April 25, 2007 |language=sk |url-status=dead |df=mdy}}</ref> A new city park is planned for Petržalka between the Malý Draždiak and Veľký Draždiak lakes.<ref name="nahalkova"/>


] is located in ], near the headquarters of ]. The zoo, founded in 1960, currently houses 152 species of animals, including the rare ] and ]. The Botanical Gardens, which belong to ], can be found on the Danube riverfront and house more than 120 species of domestic and foreign origin.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Bratislava Culture and Information Centre |url=http://www.bkis.sk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=55&Itemid=30 |title=Bratislava Culture and Information Centre – Botanical gardens |year=2007 |accessdate=July 28, 2007}}</ref> ] is located in ], near the headquarters of ]. The zoo, founded in 1960, currently houses 152 species of animals, including the rare ] and ]. The Botanical Gardens, which belong to ], can be found on the Danube riverfront and house more than 120 species of domestic and foreign origin.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Bratislava Culture and Information Centre |url=http://www.bkis.sk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=55&Itemid=30 |title=Bratislava Culture and Information Centre – Botanical gardens |year=2007 |access-date=July 28, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927001546/http://www.bkis.sk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=55&Itemid=30 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>


The city has a number of natural and man-made lakes, most of which are used for recreation. Examples include Štrkovec lake in ], Kuchajda in ], ] and the ] lakes in the north-east, and ] lake in the south, which is popular with ].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www4.bratislava.sk/en/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=2005914 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070930154710/http://www.bratislava.sk/en/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=2005914 |archivedate=2007-09-30 |title=Rusovce |date=February 14, 2005 |accessdate=May 1, 2007}}</ref> The city has a number of natural and human-made lakes, most of which are used for recreation. Examples include Štrkovec lake in ], Kuchajda in ], ] and the ] lakes in the north-east, and ] lake in the south, which is popular with ].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www4.bratislava.sk/en/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=2005914 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070716222338/http://www.bratislava.sk/en/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=2005914 |archive-date=July 16, 2007 |title=Rusovce |date=February 14, 2005 |access-date=May 1, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}</ref>


==Demographics== == Demographics ==
{{Main|Demographics of Bratislava}} {{Main|Demographics of Bratislava}}
]
{{See also|List of personalities from Bratislava}}


{|class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin:0 auto; text-align:center;" {|class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin:0 auto; text-align:center;"
|+ 2021 census results<ref>{{cite web |title=Statistical yearbook of the capital of the SR Bratislava 2022 |url=https://slovak.statistics.sk/wps/portal/!ut/p/z1/tZJLU8IwFIV_TZdpbpuUpO6KMFBER0AEsnHaNH0IfVAKlX9vcFyICjMuzCKTZL57c05OsMBLLIrgkCVBk5VFsNH7lei8TJjPu13LA2BOD_zRvDcZzFwLKODFOcAfpn3wn7zHwXRENeBgcb3-GQssZNFUTYpXZbgLUrRbo2ofGqCnTbYOZKYMOBzDOigU-nqmHEfaUgJyKXUQjWOJXDd0EUSxDGIVgYzh1L2SWYRXjGnK5hGKIVKIdkiEuMMYknZkc4uH0qHqu5ufck9u4MLwTq8hPpDbgTekbAzAxwMHfG84n7oTQsAjn8CVHiutgV3UcGfjxSFTLZ4XZZ3rhGZ_tDgEPMIiC3OzlbkJpmVz1qG2RblrE70-RZ69brfC07mURaPeGrz8h2D0NV4REp5gUatY1ao297X-cGnTVLsbAwxo29ZMyjLZKFOWufFrSVrutLxzElf5POfkiNbxfZ9QER7JJnkHxaiS6w!!/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/ |publisher=tatistical Office of the SR |access-date=1 March 2023 |ref=2021 census}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2021-01-01 |title=Census 2021 – Population – Basic results |url=https://www.scitanie.sk/obyvatelia/zakladne-vysledky/pocet-obyvatelov/ |publisher=Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic}}</ref>
|colspan="6" |<div class="center">'''2001 census results'''<ref name="population">{{cite web |publisher=Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic |url=http://www.statistics.sk/mosmis/eng/prvav2.jsp?txtUroven=410190&lstObec=582000&Okruh=sodb |title=Urban Bratislava |date=December 31, 2005 |accessdate=April 25, 2007|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071208095828/http://www.statistics.sk/mosmis/eng/prvav2.jsp?txtUroven=410190&lstObec=582000&Okruh=sodb|archivedate=December 8, 2007}}</ref><ref name="2001census">{{cite web |publisher=Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic |url=http://portal.statistics.sk/showdoc.do?docid=3035 |title=Population and Housing Census 2001 |year=2001 |accessdate=April 25, 2007}}</ref><ref></ref></div>


With Vienna, Bratislava forms the Twin City metropolitan area,<br/>with a rough population of 3.1 million inhabitants, forming a ].
|- |-
|'''District''' !District
|'''Population''' !Population
|'''Ethnic group''' !Ethnic group
|'''Population''' !Population
|- |-
|Bratislava I–V |Bratislava I–V
|471,061 |475,503
|] |]
|452,767 |407,358
|- |-
|] |]
|44,798 |46,080
|] |]
|11,541 |11,167
|- |-
|] |]
|108,139 |125,179
|] |]
|7,972 |5,031
|- |-
|] |]
|61,418 |76,270
|] |]
|1524
|1,200
|- |-
|] |]
|93,058 |105,245
|]
|]
|635 |750
|- |-
|] |]
|121,259 |122,729
|Other/undeclared
|]
|47,239
|614
|} |}


From the city's origin until the 19th century, Germans were the dominant ethnic group.<ref name="Czechreview">{{cite journal |author=Peter Salner |title=Ethnic polarisation in an ethnically homogeneous town|journal=Czech Sociological Review |volume=9 |issue=2 |pages=235–246 |year=2001 |url=http://sreview.soc.cas.cz/upl/archiv/files/171_235SALNE.pdf |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080227082043/http://sreview.soc.cas.cz/upl/archiv/files/171_235SALNE.pdf |archivedate=2008-02-27 |format=PDF}}</ref> However, after the ], active ] took place, and by the end of World War I 40% of the population of Pressburg spoke Hungarian as native language, 42% German, and 15% Slovak.<ref name="Czechreview"/> After the formation of the ] in 1918, Bratislava remained a multi-ethnic city, but with a different demographic trend. Due to ],<ref>Iris Engemann (], ]/Oder) From the city's origin until the 19th century, Germans were the dominant ethnic group.<ref name="Czechreview">{{cite journal|author=Peter Salner |title=Ethnic polarisation in an ethnically homogeneous town |journal=Czech Sociological Review |volume=9 |issue=2 |pages=235–246 |year=2001 |url=http://sreview.soc.cas.cz/upl/archiv/files/171_235SALNE.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227082043/http://sreview.soc.cas.cz/upl/archiv/files/171_235SALNE.pdf |archive-date=February 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy}}</ref> By the end of ], 42% of the population of Pressburg spoke German as their native language, 40% Hungarian, and 15% Slovak.<ref name="Czechreview"/>{{Historical populations|1950|194,225|1960|238,519|1970|305,932|1980|380,259|1991|442,197|2001|428,672|2011|411,228|2021|475,503|align=right|source=<ref>{{cite web |title=Bratislava Population|url=https://worldpopulationreview.com/world-cities/bratislava-population}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Statistical lexikon of municipalities 1970-2011|url=https://slovak.statistics.sk/wps/wcm/connect/cd33d897-7314-41d0-a12b-a95e537d7a39/Statisticky_lexikon_obci_Slovenskej_republiky_2011.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy|language=sk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Census 2021 - Population - Basic results|url=https://www.scitanie.sk/obyvatelia/zakladne-vysledky/pocet-obyvatelov/|publisher=Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic|date=2021-01-01}}</ref>}}After the formation of the ] in 1918, Bratislava remained a multi-ethnic city, but with a different demographic trend. Due to ],<ref>{{cite web|author=Iris Engemann|publisher=]|location=]|title=The Slovakization of Bratislava 1918–1948. Processes of national appropriation in the interwar-period|date=7 March 2008|url=http://web.ceu.hu/urbanstudiesworkshop/documents/iris_engemann.pdf|access-date=December 30, 2008|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232607/http://web.ceu.hu/urbanstudiesworkshop/documents/iris_engemann.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.foruminst.sk/publ/szemle/2007_2/szemle_2007_2_lovisek-julia.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027115910/http://www.foruminst.sk/publ/szemle/2007_2/szemle_2007_2_lovisek-julia.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Name Changes of the Street in Bratislava From Political Reasons After the Creation of the First Czechoslovak Republic, The disintegration of the Austria–Hungarian Monarchy (In Hungarian)|archive-date=October 27, 2007}}</ref> the proportion of Slovaks and Czechs increased in the city, while the proportion of Germans and Hungarians fell. In 1938, 59% of the population were Slovaks or Czechs, while Germans represented 22% and Hungarians 13% of the city's population.<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 43</ref> The creation of the ] in 1939 brought other changes, most notably the expulsion of many Czechs and the deportation or flight of the Jews during the ].<ref name="Czechreview"/><ref> - an online exhibition at ] website</ref> In 1945, most of the Germans were evacuated. After the restoration of Czechoslovakia, the ] (partly revoked in 1948) collectively punished ethnic German and Hungarian minorities by expropriation and deportation to Germany, Austria, and Hungary for their alleged collaborationism with Nazi Germany and Hungary against Czechoslovakia.<ref name="post-war"/><ref>{{cite web |website=Epa.oszk.hu|url=http://epa.oszk.hu/00000/00033/00020/pdf/szemle_2005_1_vadkerty.pdf |title=Germans and Hungarians in Pozsony |year=2008 |access-date=June 22, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shp.hu/hpc/web.php?a=commorakozigaz&o=SzMCfBlp4x|title=A Beneš-dekrétum és a reszlovakizáció hatása|website=Shp.hu|access-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref>
The Slovakization of Bratislava 1918–1948. Processes of national appropriation in the interwar-period.
CEU 07.03.2008 http://web.ceu.hu/urbanstudiesworkshop/documents/iris_engemann.pdf</ref><ref></ref> the proportion of Slovaks and Czechs increased in the city, while the proportion of Germans and Hungarians fell. In 1938, 59% of population were Slovaks or Czechs, while Germans represented 22% and Hungarians 13% of the city's population.<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 43</ref> The creation of the first Slovak Republic in 1939 brought other changes, most notably the expulsion of many Czechs and the deportation or flight of the Jews during the ].<ref name="Czechreview"/> In 1945, most of the Germans were evacuated. After the restoration of Czechoslovakia, the ] (partly revoked in 1948) collectively punished ethnic German and Hungarian minorities by expropriation and deportation to Germany, Austria, and Hungary for their alleged collaborationism with Nazi Germany and Hungary against Czechoslovakia.<ref name="post-war"/><ref>{{cite web |publisher=|url=http://epa.oszk.hu/00000/00033/00020/pdf/szemle_2005_1_vadkerty.pdf |title=Germans and Hungarians in Pozsony |year=2008 |accessdate=June 22, 2008|format=PDF}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=|url=http://www.shp.hu/hpc/web.php?a=commorakozigaz&o=SzMCfBlp4x|title=shp.hu |year=2008 |accessdate=June 22, 2008}}</ref>
The city thereby obtained its clearly Slovak character.<ref name="post-war"/> Hundreds of citizens were expelled during the communist oppression of the 1950s, with the aim of replacing "reactionary" people with the proletarian class.<ref name="Czechreview"/><ref name="post-war">{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1015&p1=1579 |title=History – Post-war Bratislava |year=2005 |accessdate=May 15, 2007}}</ref> Since the 1950s, the Slovaks have been the dominant ethnicity in the town, making up around 90% of the city's population.<ref name="Czechreview"/>


The city thereby obtained its clearly Slovak character.<ref name="post-war"/> Hundreds of citizens were expelled during the communist oppression of the 1950s, with the aim of replacing "reactionary" people with the proletarian class.<ref name="Czechreview"/><ref name="post-war">{{cite web|publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1015&p1=1579 |title=History – Post-war Bratislava |year=2005 |access-date=May 15, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224024348/http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1015&p1=1579 |archive-date=February 24, 2007}}</ref> Since the 1950s, the Slovaks have been the dominant ethnicity in the city, making up around 90% of the city's population.<ref name="Czechreview"/>
==Government==
{{See also|Boroughs and localities of Bratislava|International relations of Bratislava}}
], the seat of the city's mayor]]
], seat of the president of Slovakia]]


== Politics ==
Bratislava is the seat of the ], ], ministries, supreme court ({{lang-sk|Najvyšší súd}}), and ]. It is the seat of the ] and, since 2002, also of the Bratislava Self-Governing Region. The city also has many foreign ] and ].
{{See also|Mayor of Bratislava|Boroughs and localities of Bratislava|International relations of Bratislava}}


], seat of the president of Slovakia]]
The current local government (''Mestská samospráva'')<ref name="citygovt">{{cite web |title=Samospráva |url=http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700000&id=74366&p1=76031 |year=2007 |accessdate=November 21, 2007 |publisher=City of Bratislava |language=Slovak}}</ref> structure has been in place since 1990.<ref name="citygovthistory">{{cite web |title=Historický vývoj samosprávy |url=http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=74365&p1=52000 |year=2005 |accessdate=June 6, 2007 |publisher=City of Bratislava |language=Slovak}}</ref> It is composed of a ] (''primátor''),<ref name="mayor">{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo5/o_osoba.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id_o=1097&p1=52000 |title=Primátor |year=2005 |accessdate=April 29, 2007 |language=Slovak}}</ref> a city board (''Mestská rada''),<ref name="cityboard">{{cite web |title=Mestská rada |url=http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=74369&p1=52000 |accessdate=April 29, 2007 |publisher=City of Bratislava |language=Slovak}}</ref> a ] (''Mestské zastupiteľstvo''),<ref name="citycouncil">{{cite web |title=Mestské zastupiteľstvo |url=http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=74368&p1=52000 |year=2005 |accessdate=April 29, 2007 |publisher=City of Bratislava |language=Slovak}}</ref> ]s (''Komisie mestského zastupiteľstva''),<ref name="citycommission">{{cite web |title=Komisie mestského zastupiteľstva |url=http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=74370&p1=52000 |year=2005 |accessdate=April 29, 2007 |publisher=City of Bratislava |language=Slovak}}</ref> and a city ]'s office (''Magistrát'').<ref name="magistrate">{{cite web |title=Magistrát |url=http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=74377&p1=52000 |year=2005 |accessdate=April 29, 2007 |publisher=City of Bratislava |language=Slovak}}</ref>


Bratislava is the seat of the ], ], ministries, supreme court ({{langx|sk|Najvyšší súd}}), and ]. It is the seat of the ] and, since 2002, also of the Bratislava Self-Governing Region. The city hosts 41 foreign ] and 22 ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://embassies.net/slovakia/bratislava|title=Embassies in Bratislava|date=14 December 2024|website=Embassies.net}}</ref>
The mayor, based at the ], is the city's top executive officer and is elected to a four-year term of office. The current mayor of Bratislava is ], who won the election held on November 28, 2010 as an independent candidate. The city council is the city's legislative body, responsible for issues such as budget, local ordinances, ], road maintenance, education, and culture.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=theparliament.com |url=http://www.eupolitix.com/EN/Forums/City+of+Bratislava/a1801f57-40bd-4caf-9749-21724bc3a1f5.htm |title=Bratislava – Local Government System |year=2007 |accessdate=April 30, 2007}}</ref> The Council usually convenes once a month and consists of 45 members elected to four-year terms concurrent with the mayor's. Many of the council's executive functions are carried out by the city commission at the council's direction.<ref name="citycommission"/> The city board is a 28-member body composed of the mayor and his deputies, the borough mayors, and up to ten city council members. The board is an executive and supervisory arm of the city council and also serves in an advisory role to the mayor.<ref name="cityboard"/>


] of the Slovak Republic]]
Administratively, Bratislava is divided into five ]: Bratislava I (the city centre), Bratislava II (eastern parts), Bratislava III (north-eastern 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 ]).<ref name="petrzalkacity">{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava|url=http://visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1074&p1=1852 |title=Petržalka City |date=2007-03-01 |accessdate=January 29, 2008 |quote=Petržalka City will transform the largest and most densely populated housing estate in Central Europe from a monotone cement-panel housing scheme into a fully-fledged town with autonomous multipurpose centre.}}</ref>


The current local government (''Mestská samospráva'')<ref name="citygovt">{{cite web |title=Samospráva |url=http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700000&id=74366&p1=76031 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011031841/http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700000&id=74366&p1=76031 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 11, 2007 |year=2007 |access-date=November 21, 2007 |publisher=City of Bratislava |language=sk }}</ref> structure has been in place since 1990.<ref name="citygovthistory">{{cite web |title=Historický vývoj samosprávy |url=http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=74365&p1=52000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927200534/http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=74365&p1=52000 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |year=2005 |access-date=June 6, 2007 |publisher=City of Bratislava |language=sk }}</ref> It is composed of a ] (''primátor''),<ref name="mayor">{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo5/o_osoba.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id_o=1097&p1=52000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070602230728/http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo5/o_osoba.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id_o=1097&p1=52000 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 2, 2007 |title=Primátor |year=2005 |access-date=April 29, 2007 |language=sk }}</ref> a city board (''Mestská rada''),<ref name="cityboard">{{cite web |title=Mestská rada |url=http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=74369&p1=52000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927201419/http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=74369&p1=52000 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |access-date=April 29, 2007 |publisher=City of Bratislava |language=sk }}</ref> a ] (''Mestské zastupiteľstvo''),<ref name="citycouncil">{{cite web |title=Mestské zastupiteľstvo |url=http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=74368&p1=52000 |year=2005 |access-date=April 29, 2007 |publisher=City of Bratislava |language=sk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930165114/http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=74368&p1=52000 |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ] (''Komisie mestského zastupiteľstva''),<ref name="citycommission">{{cite web |title=Komisie mestského zastupiteľstva |url=http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=74370&p1=52000 |year=2005 |access-date=April 29, 2007 |publisher=City of Bratislava |language=sk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121224195204/http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=74370&p1=52000 |archive-date=December 24, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> and a city ]'s office (''Magistrát'').<ref name="magistrate">{{cite web |title=Magistrát |url=http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=74377&p1=52000 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526035336/http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=74377&p1=52000 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 26, 2012 |year=2005 |access-date=April 29, 2007 |publisher=City of Bratislava |language=sk }}</ref>
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.<ref name="localgovernment">{{cite web |title=Local Government |url=http://visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1044&p1=1811 |year=2005 |accessdate=April 29, 2007 |publisher=City of Bratislava}}</ref> Each of the boroughs coincides with the city's 20 ], 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 recognizes additional quarters and localities.


], the seat of the ]]]
{|class="wikitable" style="margin:0 auto; text-align:center;"

The mayor, based at the ], is the city's top executive officer and is elected to a four-year term of office. The current mayor of Bratislava is ], who won the ] held on October 29, 2022, as an independent candidate. The city council is the city's legislative body, responsible for issues such as budget, local ordinances, ], road maintenance, education, and culture.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=theparliament.com |url=http://www.eupolitix.com/EN/Forums/City+of+Bratislava/a1801f57-40bd-4caf-9749-21724bc3a1f5.htm |title=Bratislava – Local Government System |year=2007 |access-date=April 30, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061112165350/http://www.eupolitix.com/EN/Forums/City%2Bof%2BBratislava/a1801f57-40bd-4caf-9749-21724bc3a1f5.htm |archive-date=November 12, 2006 }}</ref>

] at ], the seat of the city's mayor]]

=== City Council ===
]

The Bratislava City Council is the legislature of the City of Bratislava. It has 45 members. The Council usually convenes once a month and consists of 45 members elected to four-year terms concurrent with the mayor's. Many of the council's executive functions are carried out by the city commission at the council's direction.<ref name="citycommission"/> The city board is a 28-member body composed of the mayor and his deputies, the borough mayors, and up to ten city council members. The board is an executive and supervisory arm of the city council and also serves in an advisory role to the mayor.<ref name="cityboard"/>

]. There are 41 embassies and 22 honorary consulates in Bratislava.]]

=== Administration ===
Administratively, Bratislava is divided into five ]: Bratislava I (the city centre), Bratislava II (eastern parts), Bratislava III (north-eastern 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 ]).<ref name="petrzalkacity">{{cite web|publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1074&p1=1852 |title=Petržalka City |date=March 1, 2007 |access-date=January 29, 2008 |quote=Petržalka City will transform the largest and most densely populated housing estate in Central Europe from a monotone cement-panel housing scheme into a fully-fledged town with autonomous multipurpose centre. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012191006/http://visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1074&p1=1852 |archive-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref>

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.<ref name="localgovernment">{{cite web|title=Local Government |url=http://visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1044&p1=1811 |year=2005 |access-date=April 29, 2007 |publisher=City of Bratislava |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070305050254/http://visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1044&p1=1811 |archive-date=March 5, 2007}}</ref> Each of the boroughs coincides with the city's 20 ], 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 recognizes additional quarters and localities.

{| class="wikitable nowrap"
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==Economy== == Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of Bratislava}} {{Main|Economy of Bratislava}}
{{See also|List of tallest buildings in Bratislava}} {{See also|List of tallest buildings in Bratislava}}
]]]
] buildings at ''Mlynské Nivy'', one of Bratislava's main ]s]]
]


The ] is the wealthiest and most economically prosperous region in Slovakia, despite being the smallest by area and having the second smallest population of ]. It accounts for about 26% of the Slovak ].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Eurostat |url=http://forum.europa.eu.int/irc/dsis/regportraits/info/data/en/sk01_eco.htm |title=Bratislavsky Kraj (Bratislava Region) – Economy |month=February |year=2004 |accessdate=April 25, 2007}}</ref> The GDP per capita (]), valued at ]41,800 (2009), is 178% of the ] average and is the fifth-highest of all regions in the EU member states.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Eurostat |url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_PUBLIC/1-13032012-AP/EN/1-13032012-AP-EN.PDF|title=Regional GDP per inhabitant in the EU27 |date=June 2, 2012 |format=PDF |accessdate=February 24, 2011}}</ref> The ] is the wealthiest and most economically prosperous region in Slovakia, despite being the smallest by area and having the third smallest population of ]. It accounts for about 26% of the Slovak ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/7962764/1-30032017-AP-EN.pdf/4e9c09e5-c743-41a5-afc8-eb4aa89913f6|format=PDF|title=2015 GDP per capita in 276 EU regions : Four regions over double the EU average… and still nineteen regions below half of the average|website=Ec.europa.eu|access-date=15 December 2017}}</ref> According to ] per capita, Bratislava is the 19th-richest region in the European Union in 2023.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=a.s |first=Petit Press |date=2016-03-02 |title=Bratislava is the sixth richest region of EU, but… |url=https://spectator.sme.sk/c/20106220/bratislava-is-the-sixth-richest-region-of-eu-but.html |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=spectator.sme.sk |language=en}}</ref> The unemployment rate in Bratislava was 2,38% in June 2023.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Dlznik.sk |url=https://dlznik.zoznam.sk/nezamestnanost/bratislavsky-kraj |title=Nezamestnanosť - Bratislavský kraj |date=June 2023 |access-date=August 7, 2023 |language=sk}}</ref> The average monthly salary in the Bratislava region in 2024 was €2,150.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.platy.sk/partner/region/bratislavsky-kraj|title=Platy, benefity, top pozície - Bratislavský kraj - Platy.sk|website=Platy.sk|access-date=May 19, 2024}}</ref>
], the tallest building in Slovakia]]


Many governmental institutions and private companies have their headquarters in Bratislava. More than 75% of Bratislava's population works in the ], mainly composed of ], ]ing, ], ]s, and ].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www4.bratislava.sk/en/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=2018019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701043743/http://www.bratislava.sk/en/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=2018019 |archive-date=July 1, 2007 |title=Economy and employment |date=February 23, 2006 |access-date=June 8, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}</ref> The ] (BSSE), the organiser of the public securities market, was founded on 15 March 1991.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.bsse.sk/Content/EN/StockExchange/Basic%20information.htm?LANG=EN |title=Basic Information |year=2007 |access-date=May 3, 2007}}</ref>
The average brutto monthly salary in Bratislava region in 2011 was €1220.<ref></ref>


Companies operating predominantly in Bratislava with the highest value added according to the 2018 '']'' Top 200 ranking, include the ], Slovnaft refinery (MOL), ] (software developer), Asseco (software company), PPC Power (producer of heat and steam) and Trenkwalder personnel agency.<ref>{{cite web |title=TREND Top 200 |url=https://www.etrend.sk/rebricky-firiem/trend-top-200-3.html |website=] |access-date=4 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404040230/https://www.etrend.sk/rebricky-firiem/trend-top-200-3.html |archive-date=4 April 2019 |language=sk |date=2018}}</ref>
The unemployment rate in Bratislava was 1.83% in December 2007.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Central Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family (''Ústredie práce, sociálnych vecí a rodiny'') |url=http://www.upsvar.sk/rsi/rsi.nsf/0/250f977cd12ce5c6c12572bc003184a8/$FILE/0712.ZIP |title=Current statistics; Unemployment – December 2007 (''Aktuálne štatistiky; Nezamestnanosť – december 2007'') |month=December |year=2007 |format=] |accessdate=February 13, 2008 |language=Slovak}}</ref> Many governmental institutions and private companies have their headquarters in Bratislava. More than 75% of Bratislava's population works in the ], mainly composed of ], ]ing, ], ]s, and ].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www4.bratislava.sk/en/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=2018019 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070927201137/http://www.bratislava.sk/en/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=2018019 |archivedate=2007-09-27 |title=Economy and employment |date=February 23, 2006 |accessdate=June 8, 2007}}</ref> The Bratislava Stock Exchange (BSSE), the organiser of the public securities market, was founded on March 15, 1991.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.bsse.sk/Content/EN/StockExchange/Basic%20information.htm?LANG=EN |title=Basic Information |year=2007 |accessdate=May 3, 2007}}</ref>


] took over and expanded the ] factory in 1991, and has since considerably expanded production beyond original ] models.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Slovak Spectator |author=Jeffrey Jones |url=http://www.slovakspectator.sk/clanok-7923.html |title=VW Bratislava expands production |date=August 27, 1997 |access-date=April 25, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927220118/http://www.slovakspectator.sk/clanok-7923.html |archive-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref> Currently,{{clarify timeframe|date=April 2019}} 68% of production is focused on ]: ]; ]; as well as the body and under-chassis of the ]. Since 2012, production has also included the ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Volkswagen |url=http://www.volkswagen.com/vwcms_publish/vwcms/master_public/virtualmaster/en2/unternehmen/geschichte.html |title=A brief journey through a long history: 2000–2003 |year=2007 |access-date=April 25, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070421125709/http://www.volkswagen.com/vwcms_publish/vwcms/master_public/virtualmaster/en2/unternehmen/geschichte.html |archive-date=April 21, 2007 }}. {{cite web |publisher=Global Auto Systems Europe |url=http://www.globalautoindex.com/maker.plt?no=2082 |title=Volkswagen (Slovak Republic) |year=2006 |access-date=April 25, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070416104939/http://www.globalautoindex.com/maker.plt?no=2082 |archive-date=April 16, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}. {{cite news |newspaper=The Slovak Spectator |url=http://www.slovakspectator.sk/clanok-27262.html |title=Volkswagen sales up to a record Sk195.5 billion |date=April 2, 2007 |access-date=April 25, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930160521/http://www.slovakspectator.sk/clanok-27262.html |archive-date=September 30, 2007 }}</ref>
Companies with the highest value added according to TREND TOP 200 ranking (2011), operating predominantnly in Bratislava, include Volkswagen Slovakia automotive plant, Slovnaft refinery (MOL), Eset (a software developer), Asseco (also a software company), PPC Power (producer of heat and steam) and Trenkwalder personnel agency.


In recent years, ] and ]-oriented businesses have prospered in Bratislava. Many global companies, including ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ], have built ] and service centres here.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 20, 2006 |title=Lenovo invests in Slovakia with new jobs |url=http://www.sario.sk/?news&novinka=58 |access-date=April 25, 2007 |publisher=]}}. {{cite web |year=2007 |title=Dell in Bratislava |url=http://www.job.dell.sk/buxus/generate_page.php?page_id=398 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927191504/http://www.job.dell.sk/buxus/generate_page.php?page_id=398 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |access-date=April 25, 2007 |publisher=Dell}}</ref> Reasons for the influx of ] include proximity to Western Europe, skilled labour force and the high density of universities and research facilities.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Regional Polarization under Transition: The Case of Slovakia |first=Vladimír |last=Baláž |year=2007 |journal=European Planning Studies |volume=15 |issue=5 |pages=587–602 |doi=10.1080/09654310600852639|s2cid=154927365 }}</ref> Also Slovak IT companies including ], ] and ] have headquarters in Bratislava.
The automaker ] built a factory in Bratislava in 1991 and has expanded since.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=The Slovak Spectator |author=Jeffrey Jones |url=http://www.slovakspectator.sk/clanok-7923.html |title=VW Bratislava expands production |date=August 27, 1997 |accessdate=April 25, 2007}}</ref> Currently, its production focuses on ], which represent 68% of all production. The ] is produced in Bratislava, and the ] and ] are partially built there.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Volkswagen |url=http://www.volkswagen.com/vwcms_publish/vwcms/master_public/virtualmaster/en2/unternehmen/geschichte.html |title=A brief journey through a long history: 2000–2003 |year=2007 |accessdate=April 25, 2007}}. {{cite web |publisher=Global Auto Systems Europe |url=http://www.globalautoindex.com/maker.plt?no=2082 |title=Volkswagen (Slovak Republic) |year=2006 |accessdate=April 25, 2007}}. {{cite web |publisher=The Slovak Spectator |url=http://www.slovakspectator.sk/clanok-27262.html |title=Volkswagen sales up to a record Sk195.5 billion |date=April 2, 2007 |accessdate=April 25, 2007}}</ref>


], ] and New Nivy, 2024]]
In recent years, ] and ]-oriented businesses have prospered in Bratislava. Many global companies, including ], ], ], ], ], and ], have built ] and service centres here or plan to do so soon.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency |url=http://www.sario.sk/?news&novinka=58 |title=Lenovo invests in Slovakia with new jobs |date=April 20, 2006 |accessdate=April 25, 2007}}. {{cite web |publisher=Dell |url=http://www.job.dell.sk/buxus/generate_page.php?page_id=398 |title=Dell in Bratislava |year=2007 |accessdate=April 25, 2007}}</ref> Reasons for the influx of ]s include proximity to the Western Europe, skilled labour force and the high density of universities and research facilities.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Regional Polarization under Transition: The Case of Slovakia |first=Vladimír |last=Baláž |year=2007 |journal=European Planning Studies |volume=15 |issue=5 |pages=587–602 |doi=10.1080/09654310600852639}}</ref>


Other large companies and employers with headquarters in Bratislava include ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] Slovakia, ], ], and ] Stores Slovak Republic. Other large companies and employers with headquarters in Bratislava include ], ], ], ], ], ] Slovakia, ], ] Slovensko,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Slovenské online kasína s oficiálnou licenciou a bonusmi |url=https://slovenskekasina.sk/ |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=slovenskekasina.sk}}</ref> ], ] Slovakia, ], ], ], and ] Stores Slovak Republic.


The ] strong growth in the 2000s has led to a boom in the construction industry, and several major projects have been completed or are planned in Bratislava.<ref name="realestate"/> Areas attracting developers include the Danube riverfront, where two major projects are already finished: River Park<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1072&p1=1850 |title=River Park |year=2007 |accessdate=June 6, 2007}}</ref> in the Old Town, and Eurovea<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1072&p1=1849 |title=EUROVEA International Trade Centre |year=2007 |accessdate=June 6, 2007}}</ref> near the Apollo Bridge. Other locations under development include the areas around the main railway and bus stations,<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1073&p1=1851 |title=Regeneration of Central Railway Station Square Area |year=2007 |accessdate=June 3, 2007}}</ref> around the former industrial zone near the Old Town<ref>{{cite web |publisher=The Slovak Spectator |url=http://www.slovakspectator.sk/clanok.asp?vyd=2007004&cl=26446 |title=Twin City to uplift bus station |date=2007-01-29 |accessdate=June 6, 2007 |author=Tom Nicholson}}</ref> and in the boroughs of Petržalka,<ref name="petrzalkacity"/> Nové Mesto and Ružinov. It is expected that investors will spend €1.2 billion on new projects by 2010.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www4.bratislava.sk/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=2011114 |title=New investments in Bratislava, especially near the Danube river |accessdate=June 6, 2007}}</ref> <!-- This paragraph could still use some improvements, please edit it as needed --> The ] strong growth in the 2000s has led to a boom in the construction industry, and several major projects have been completed or are planned in Bratislava.<ref name="realestate"/> Areas attracting developers include the ] riverfront, where two major projects are already finished: River Park in the Old Town, and ] near the Apollo Bridge.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1072&p1=1850 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930154646/http://visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1072&p1=1850 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |title=River Park |year=2007 |access-date=June 6, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1072&p1=1849 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070718204450/http://visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1072&p1=1849 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 18, 2007 |title=EUROVEA International Trade Centre |year=2007 |access-date=June 6, 2007}}</ref> Other locations under development include the areas around the main railway and bus stations, the former industrial zone near the Old Town and in the boroughs of Petržalka, Nové Mesto and Ružinov.<ref name="petrzalkacity"/><ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1073&p1=1851 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927200755/http://visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1073&p1=1851 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |title=Regeneration of Central Railway Station Square Area |year=2007 |access-date=June 3, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Slovak Spectator |url=http://www.slovakspectator.sk/clanok.asp?vyd=2007004&cl=26446 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930155632/http://www.slovakspectator.sk/clanok.asp?vyd=2007004&cl=26446 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |title=Twin City to upgrade bus station |date=January 29, 2007 |access-date=June 6, 2007 |author=Tom Nicholson}}</ref> In 2010, the city had a balanced budget of €277 million, with one fifth used for investment.<ref name="budget">{{cite web|publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1034&p1=1812 |title=Budget |year=2010 |access-date=December 30, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090703233306/http://visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1034&p1=1812 |archive-date=July 3, 2009}}</ref> Bratislava holds shares in 17 companies directly, including the city's public transport company ], the ] company named OLO (''Odvoz a likvidácia odpadu''), and the water utility.<ref name="citycompanies">{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo/o_utvar.asp?id_org=700000&id_u=987&p1=52000 |title=Obchodné spoločnosti mesta |year=2005 |access-date=April 29, 2007 |language=sk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215021847/http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo/o_utvar.asp?id_org=700000&id_u=987&p1=52000 |archive-date=February 15, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The city also manages municipal organisations such as the city police (''Mestská polícia''), ] and ].<ref name="cityorgs">{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo/o_utvar.asp?id_org=700000&id_u=988&p1=52000 |title=Mestské organizácie |year=2005 |access-date=April 29, 2007 |language=sk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118223728/http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo/o_utvar.asp?id_org=700000&id_u=988&p1=52000 |archive-date=January 18, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
The city has a balanced budget of 277 million ]s (as of 2010), with one fifth used for investment.<ref name="budget">{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1034&p1=1812|title=Budget |year=2010 |accessdate=December 30, 2010}}</ref> Bratislava holds shares in 17 companies directly, for example, in the public transport company (]), the ] company, and the water utility.<ref name="citycompanies">{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo/o_utvar.asp?id_org=700000&id_u=987&p1=52000 |title=Obchodné spoločnosti mesta |year=2005 |accessdate=April 29, 2007 |language=Slovak}}</ref> The city also manages municipal organisations such as the City ] (''Mestská polícia''), ] and ].<ref name="cityorgs">{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo/o_utvar.asp?id_org=700000&id_u=988&p1=52000|title=Mestské organizácie |year=2005 |accessdate=April 29, 2007 |language=Slovak}}</ref>


===Tourism=== === Tourism ===
{{See also|Tourism in Slovakia}}
:''For the list of sights in the city, see ] above.''
In 2022 a total of 927,950 people came to visit Bratislava and spent there 1,719,409 nights.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Tourism statistics in Bratislava - for the year 2022 |url=https://www.visitbratislava.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Statistiky-za-rok-2022_final-ENG.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=Visit Bratislava |publisher=Bratislava Tourist Board |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902185047/https://www.visitbratislava.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Statistiky-za-rok-2022_final-ENG.pdf|archive-date=Sep 2, 2023}}</ref> These were most commonly 65% foreigners. Bratislava attracts predominantly visitors from the neighboring and nearby countries - Czech Republic, Germany, Austria and Poland. The top 5 is closed by visitors from the UK. Bratislava offered 272 accommodation facilities with 10,338 rooms in 2022.<ref name=":2" /> A considerable share of visits is made by those who visit Bratislava for a single day, but their exact number is not available.
{{See also|Tourism in Slovakia|Public restrooms in Bratislava}}


Among other factors, the growth of ] flights to Bratislava, led by ], has led to conspicuous ], primarily from the UK. While these are a boom to the city's tourism industry, cultural differences and ] have led to concern by local officials.<ref name="stagparty">{{cite news|url=http://www.slovakspectator.sk/clanok-23460.html |title=Bratislava wearies of stag tourism |access-date=April 28, 2007 |author=Zuzana Habšudová |date=May 29, 2006 |newspaper=The Slovak Spectator |quote=We hope the number of British tourists visiting Slovakia will continue to increase, but we want it to be responsible tourism. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060905222128/http://www.slovakspectator.sk/clanok-23460.html |archive-date=September 5, 2006}}</ref> Reflecting the popularity of rowdy parties in Bratislava in the early to mid-2000s, the city was a setting in the 2004 comedy film '']'', which was actually filmed in the city of ], the Czech Republic.
]
]


{{Multiple image
In 2006, Bratislava had 77 commercial accommodation facilities (of which 45 were hotels) with a total capacity of 9,940 beds.<ref name="Tourism">{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.bratislava.sk/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=79947 |title=Turistická sezóna v Bratislave (Tourist season in Bratislava) |date=2007-05-23 |accessdate=June 1, 2007 |language=Slovak}}</ref> A total of 686,201 visitors, 454,870 of whom were foreigners, stayed overnight. Altogether, visitors made 1,338,497 overnight stays.<ref name="Tourism"/> However, a considerable share of visits is made by those who visit Bratislava for a single day, and their exact number is not known. Largest numbers of foreign visitors come from the ], Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, ] and ].<ref name="Tourism"/>
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| caption1 = The ''Prešporáčik'' tourist train in the Old Town
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| caption2 = Man at Work (''Čumil''), an icon in the Old Town
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| caption3 = Group of tourists on a street of ] front of ]
}}


=== Shopping ===
Among other factors, the growth of ] flights to Bratislava, led by ], has led to conspicuous ], primarily from the UK. While these are a boon to the city's tourist industry, cultural differences and ] have led to concern by local officials.<ref name="stagparty">
Bratislava has eight major shopping centres: ], ], Bory Mall, ], ], ] Centrum, ] (formerly Polus City Center) and Shopping Palace.
{{cite web
|url=http://www.slovakspectator.sk/clanok-23460.html
|title=Bratislava wearies of stag tourism
|accessdate=April 28, 2007
|author=Zuzana Habšudová
|date=2006-05-29
|publisher=The Slovak Spectator
|quote=We hope the number of British tourists visiting Slovakia will continue to increase, but we want it to be responsible tourism.
}}</ref>
{{-}}


A month before Christmas, the ] in Bratislava is illuminated by a Christmas tree and the Christmas market stalls are officially opened. Around 100 booths are opened every year. It is opened most of the day as well as in the evening.
==Culture==


{{Multiple image
Bratislava is the cultural heart of Slovakia. Owing to its historical multi-cultural character, local culture is influenced by various ethnic and religious groups, including Germans, Slovaks, Hungarians, and Jews.<ref name="culturebrochure"/><ref name="geniusloci">{{cite web |publisher=Slovak Tourist Board |url=http://www.slovakia.travel/entitaview.aspx?l=2&ami=108102&smi=108102&llt=1&idp=17890 |title=Genius Loci of Bratislava |year=2007 |accessdate=July 26, 2007}}</ref> Bratislava enjoys numerous theatres, museums, galleries, concert halls, cinemas, film clubs, and foreign cultural institutions.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Bratislava Culture and Information Centre |url=http://www.bkis.sk/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=52&Itemid=140 |title=Cultural Institutions |year=2007 |accessdate=July 26, 2007}}</ref>
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|caption1 = ] shopping mall
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|caption2 = Interior of ] shopping mall
|image3 = POHĽAD NA CENTRÁL - panoramio.jpg
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|caption3 = Central shopping mall
}}


===Performing arts=== == Culture ==
Bratislava is the cultural heart of Slovakia. Owing to its historical multi-cultural character, local culture is influenced by various ethnic and religious groups, including Germans, Slovaks, Hungarians, and Jews.<ref>Pressburg_Yeshiva_(Austria-Hungary)</ref> Bratislava enjoys numerous theatres, museums, galleries, concert halls, cinemas, film clubs, and foreign cultural institutions.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Bratislava Culture and Information Centre |url=http://www.bkis.sk/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=52&Itemid=140 |title=Cultural Institutions |year=2007 |access-date=July 26, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703120901/http://www.bkis.sk/index.php?option=com_content |archive-date=July 3, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
]
] building on Hviezdoslav Square]]


=== Performing arts ===
Bratislava is the seat of the ], housed in two buildings.<ref name="Slovak National Theatre">{{cite web |url=http://www.bratislava-city.sk/slovak-national-theatre |title=Slovak National Theatre |first=|last=BratislavaCity.Sk |work=bratislava-city.sk |year=2011 |accessdate=5 July 2011}}</ref> The first is a ] theatre building situated in the Old Town at the end of ]. The new building, opened to the public in 2007, is on the riverfront.<ref name="liptakova"/><ref name="Slovak National Theatre"/> The theatre has three ensembles: opera, ballet and drama.<ref name="Slovak National Theatre"/> Smaller theatres include the Bratislava Puppet Theatre, the Astorka Korzo '90 theatre, the ], L+S Studio, and the Naive Theatre of Radošina.
Bratislava is the seat of the ], housed in two buildings.<ref name="Slovak National Theatre">{{cite web |url=http://www.bratislava-city.sk/slovak-national-theatre |title=Slovak National Theatre |last=BratislavaCity.Sk |work=bratislava-city.sk |year=2011 |access-date=2 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929024346/http://www.bratislava-city.sk/slovak-national-theatre |archive-date=September 29, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The first is a ] theatre building situated in the Old Town at the end of ]. The new building, opened to the public in 2007, is on the riverfront.<ref name="liptakova"/><ref name="Slovak National Theatre"/> The theatre has three ensembles: opera, ballet and drama.<ref name="Slovak National Theatre"/> Smaller theatres include the ], the ], the ], the L+S Studio, the Naive Theatre of Radošina and the Bratislava Puppet Theatre.


Music in Bratislava flourished in the 18th century and was closely linked to Viennese musical life. ] visited the town at the age of six. Among other notable composers who visited or lived in the town were ], ], ] and ]. It is also the birthplace of the composers ] and ]. Bratislava is home to both the ] and the ], ]. The city hosts several annual festivals, such as the ] and Bratislava Jazz Days.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1036&p1=1817 |title=Visit Bratislava – Culture |accessdate=May 1, 2007}}</ref> The ], held annually since 2000, brings dozens of international musical acts to the city each year.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wilsonic ako bratislavský hudobný festival|url=http://www.bratislavskenoviny.sk/buxus/generate_page.php?page_id=41413 |date=May 31, 2007 |accessdate=2007-06-11 |publisher=Bratislavské Noviny |language=Slovak}}</ref> During the summer, various musical events take place as part of the Bratislava Cultural Summer at ], ] and elsewhere. Apart from musical festivals, it is possible to hear music ranging from underground to well known pop stars.<ref name="travelmusic">{{cite web |publisher=Slovak Tourist Board |url=http://www.slovakia.travel/entitaview.aspx?l=2&ami=108102&smi=108102&llt=1&idp=16546 |title=Musical Bratislava |year=2007 |accessdate=July 26, 2007}}</ref> Music in Bratislava flourished in the 18th century and was closely linked to Viennese musical life. ] visited the town at the age of six. Among other notable composers who visited or lived in the town were ], ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.visitbratislava.com/whats-on/classical-bratislava/|title = Classical Bratislava &#124; What to do?}}</ref> ] and ]. It is also the birthplace of the composers ], ], and ]. Bratislava is home to both the ] Orchestra and the ], ]. The city hosts several annual festivals, such as the ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1036&p1=1817 |title=Visit Bratislava – Culture |access-date=May 1, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070305050032/http://visit.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700014&id=1036&p1=1817 |archive-date=March 5, 2007}}</ref> During the summer, various musical events take place as part of the Bratislava Cultural Summer at ]. Apart from musical festivals, it is possible to hear music ranging from underground to well known pop stars.<ref name="travelmusic">{{cite web|publisher=Welcome to Bratislava |url=https://www.welcometobratislava.eu/musical-bratislava/ |title=Musical Bratislava|date=May 18, 2021 }}</ref>


Bratislava is home to two of Slovakia's national folk dance ensembles, Lúčnica and Slovenský ľudový umelecký kolektív (SĽUK).<ref>{{Cite web|title=www.sluk.sk {{!}} Slovenský ľudový umelecký kolektív|url=http://www.sluk.sk/sk|website=www.sluk.sk|access-date=2020-05-19|archive-date=September 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922013422/http://www.sluk.sk/sk|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Lúčnicu čaká obrovská zmena. Po rokoch sa tanečníkom splnil vytúžený sen|url=https://glob.zoznam.sk/lucnicu-caka-obrovska-zmena-po-rokoch-bude-subor-skusat-vo-svojom/|date=2020-04-24|website=Glob.sk|language=sk-SK|access-date=2020-05-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Burda|first=Michal|date=2020-05-14|title=Vystoupení SĽUKu ve Vsetíně se ruší, zasáhlo slovenské ministerstvo|language=cs|work=Valašský deník|url=https://valassky.denik.cz/zpravy_region/vystoupeni-sluku-ve-vsetine-se-rusi-zasahlo-slovenske-ministerstvo-20200514.html|access-date=2020-05-19}}</ref>
The Kupele Central (]) have become a focus for street art.


{{Multiple image
===Museums and galleries===
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| caption1 = The old ] building on Hviezdoslav Square
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}}

=== Museums and galleries ===
{{Main|Museums and galleries of Bratislava}} {{Main|Museums and galleries of Bratislava}}
]-style "]", home to the Museum of Clocks]]
]


The ] (''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. It is the largest museum and cultural institution in Slovakia. The museum manages 16 specialised museums in Bratislava and beyond.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Slovak National Museum |url=http://www.snm.sk/?lang=eng&section=expo&org=1&show |title=Slovak national museum – SNM office |year=2007 |accessdate=October 7, 2007}}</ref> The ] (''Múzeum mesta Bratislavy''), established in 1868, is the oldest museum in continuous operation in Slovakia.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Bratislava City Museum |url=http://www.muzeum.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700016&id=1004&p1=51 |title=Profile of the museum |author=Beáta Husová |date=January 19, 2007 |accessdate=May 4, 2007}}</ref> Its primary goal is to chronicle Bratislava's history in various forms from the earliest periods using historical and archaeological collections. It offers permanent displays in eight specialised museums. The ] (''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. It is the largest cultural ] in Slovakia, and manages 16 specialized museums in Bratislava and beyond.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Slovak National Museum |url=http://www.snm.sk/?lang=eng&section=expo&org=1&show |title=Slovak national museum – SNM office |year=2007 |access-date=October 7, 2007}}</ref> The ] (''Múzeum mesta Bratislavy''), established in 1868, is the oldest museum in continuous operation in Slovakia.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Bratislava City Museum |url=http://www.muzeum.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700016&id=1004&p1=51 |title=Profile of the museum |author=Beáta Husová |date=January 19, 2007 |access-date=May 4, 2007 |archive-date=September 20, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070920222524/http://www.muzeum.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700016&id=1004&p1=51 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Its primary goal is to chronicle Bratislava's history in various forms from the earliest periods using historical and archaeological collections. It offers permanent displays in eight specialised museums.


The ], founded in 1948, offers the most extensive network of galleries in Slovakia. Two displays in Bratislava are next to one another at ] (''Esterházyho palác'',''Eszterházy palota'') and the Water Barracks (''Vodné kasárne'',''Vizikaszárnya'') on the Danube riverfront in the Old Town. The ], founded in 1961, is the second-largest Slovak gallery of its kind. The gallery offers permanent displays at ] (''Pálffyho palác'',''Pálffy palota'') and ] (''Mirbachov palác'',''Mirbach palota''), in the Old Town.<ref name="Citygallery">{{cite web |publisher=Bratislava City Gallery |url=http://www.gmb.sk/en/ |title=Bratislava City Gallery – about us – buildings |year=2007 |accessdate=May 17, 2007}}</ref> Danubiana Art Museum, one of the youngest art museums in Europe, is near ] ].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum |url=http://www.danubiana.sk/eng |title=Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum – About us |year=2007 |accessdate=June 21, 2007}}</ref> The ], founded in 1948, offers the most extensive network of galleries in Slovakia. Two displays in Bratislava are next to one another at ] (''Esterházyho palác'') and the Water Barracks (''Vodné kasárne'') on the Danube riverfront in the Old Town. The ], founded in 1961, is the second-largest Slovak gallery of its kind. The gallery offers permanent displays at ] (''Pálffyho palác'') and ] (''Mirbachov palác''), in the Old Town.<ref name="Citygallery">{{cite web |publisher=Bratislava City Gallery |url=http://www.gmb.sk/en/ |title=Bratislava City Gallery – about us – buildings |year=2007 |access-date=May 17, 2007}}</ref> Danubiana Art Museum, one of the youngest art museums in Europe, is near ] ].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum |url=http://www.danubiana.sk/eng |title=Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum – About us |year=2007 |access-date=June 21, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208132538/http://www.danubiana.sk/eng/ |archive-date=December 8, 2007}}</ref>


{{Multiple image
===Media===
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] headquarters building]]
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| image3 = Danubiana peninsula.jpg
| width3 = 240
| alt3 =
| caption3 = The Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum, museum of modern art at Danube river
}}


=== Media ===
As the national capital, Bratislava is home to national and many local media outlets. Notable TV stations based in the city include ] (''Slovenská televízia''), ], ] and ]. ] (''Slovenský rozhlas'') has its seat in the centre, and many Slovak commercial radio stations are based in the city. National newspapers based in Bratislava include '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'' and the English-language '']''. Two news agencies are headquartered there: the ] (TASR) and the Slovak News Agency (SITA).
{{See also|Television in Slovakia|List of radio stations in Slovakia|List of newspapers in Slovakia}}
]]]


As the national capital, Bratislava is home to national and many local media outlets. Notable TV stations based in the city include ] (''Slovenská televízia a rozhlas''), ], ] and ]. ] radio's ] has its seat in the centre, and many Slovak commercial radio stations are based in the city. National newspapers based in Bratislava include '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'' and the English-language '']''. Two news agencies are headquartered there: the ] (''TASR, Tlačová agentúra Slovenskej republiky'') and the Slovak News Agency (''SITA, Slovenská tlačová agentúra'').
===Sport===
{{Main|Sport in Bratislava}}


== Sport ==
{{Main|Sport in Bratislava}}
Various ]s and sports teams have a long tradition in Bratislava, with many teams and individuals competing in Slovak and international ] and ]s. Various ]s and sports teams have a long tradition in Bratislava, with many teams and individuals competing in Slovak and international ] and ]s.


]]]
] is currently represented by two clubs playing in the top Slovak football league, the ]. ], founded in 1919, has its home ground at the ] stadium. ŠK Slovan is the most successful football club in Slovak history, being the only club from the former ] to win the European football competition the ], in 1969.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Slovan Bratislava |url=http://www.slovanfutbal.com/sk/?go=sien_naj_uspechy |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080108060109/http://www.slovanfutbal.com/sk/?go=sien_naj_uspechy |archivedate=2008-01-08 |title=Slovan Bratislava – najväčšie úspechy (Slovan Bratislava – greatest achievements) |year=2006 |accessdate=May 15, 2007 |language=Slovak}}. {{cite web |publisher=Slovan Bratislava |url=http://www.slovanfutbal.com/sk/?go=klub_historia |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071024190426/http://www.slovanfutbal.com/sk/?go=klub_historia |archivedate=2007-10-24 |title=Slovan Bratislava – História (History) |year=2006 |accessdate=May 15, 2007 |language=Slovak}}</ref>
] is the oldest of Bratislava's football clubs, founded in 1898, and is based at ] in Nové Mesto (formerly at ] in Petržalka). They are currently the only Slovak team to win at least one match in the ] group stage, with a 5–0 win over ] in the qualifying round being the most well-known, alongside a 3–2 win over ]. Before then ] in the 1997–98 season lost all six matches, despite being the first Slovak side since independence to play in the competition. In 2010 Artmedia were relegated from the Corgon Liga under their new name of MFK Petržalka, finishing 12th and bottom. Another known club from the city is ]. Founded in 1945, they have their home ground at Štadión Pasienky and currently play in the ].


] is currently represented by the only club playing in the top Slovak football league, the ]. ], founded in 1919, has its home ground at the ] stadium. ŠK Slovan is the most successful football club in Slovak history, being the only club from the former ] to win the European football competition the ], in 1969.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Slovan Bratislava |url=http://www.slovanfutbal.com/sk/?go=sien_naj_uspechy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080108060109/http://www.slovanfutbal.com/sk/?go=sien_naj_uspechy |archive-date=January 8, 2008 |title=Slovan Bratislava – najväčšie úspechy (Slovan Bratislava – greatest achievements) |year=2006 |access-date=May 15, 2007 |language=sk |url-status=dead |df=mdy}}. {{cite web|publisher=Slovan Bratislava |url=http://www.slovanfutbal.com/sk/?go=klub_historia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024190426/http://www.slovanfutbal.com/sk/?go=klub_historia |archive-date=October 24, 2007 |title=Slovan Bratislava – História (History) |year=2006 |access-date=May 15, 2007 |language=sk |url-status=dead |df=mdy}}</ref>
], ice-hockey and mixed use arena]]
] is the oldest of Bratislava's football clubs, founded in 1898, and is based at ] in Petržalka (formerly at ] in Nové Mesto and ] in Petržalka). They are currently the only Slovak team to win at least one match in the ] group stage, with a 5–0 win over ] in the qualifying round being the most well-known, alongside a 3–2 win over ]. Before then ] in the 1997–98 season lost all six matches, despite being the first Slovak side since independence to play in the competition.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tipovanie24.sk/historia/futbal-bratislava/ |title=História a súčasnosť futbalu v Bratislave |last=Kováč |first=Jan |year=2024 |website=tipovanie24 |access-date=September 3, 2024 |quote=}}</ref>
Bratislava is home to three winter sports arenas: ] Winter Sports Stadium, ] Winter Sports Stadium, and ] Winter Sports Stadium. The ] ice hockey team represents Bratislava in Slovakia's top ice hockey league, the ]. ], a part of ] Winter Sports Stadium, is home to HC Slovan. The ] in 1959 and 1992 were played in Bratislava, and the 2011 Men's Ice Hockey World Championships will be held in Bratislava and ], for which a new arena is being planned.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=The Slovak Spectator |url=http://slovakspectator.sk/clanok.asp?vyd=online&cl=23434 |title=Slovakia to host ice hockey World Championships in 2011 |author=Marta Ďurianová |date=May 22, 2006 |accessdate=April 27, 2007}}</ref>


In 2010 Artmedia were relegated from the Corgon Liga under their new name of MFK Petržalka, finishing 12th and bottom. FC Petržalka akadémia currently competes in ] after bankruptcy in summer 2014. Another known club from the city is ]. Founded in 1945, they have their home ground at ] in ], (formerly at Štadión Pasienky) and currently plays in the ]. There are many more clubs with long tradition and successful history despite the lack of success in last years, e.g. ] Bratislava currently playing in ]; ] Bratislava competing in the ] as well as Inter; ], following ŠKP Devín (successful team from the 1990s) and partially following the original Inter (original Inter bankrupted in 2009, sold the ] license to ] and legally merged with FC ŠKP Dúbravka; current Inter has taken over the tradition, name, colours, fans, etc., but legally is no successor of the original Inter); ], the club that was successful mostly at youth level and merged with ŠKP Bratislava in 1995; ], playing under the name ''ŠK Iskra Matadorfix Bratislava'' in the former 1st League (today ]) in ].
The ] is a ] and ] area, close to the ]. It hosts several international and national ] and ] competitions annually.


], ice-hockey and mixed use arena]]
The National Tennis Centre, which includes ], hosts various cultural, sporting and social events. Several ] matches have been played there, including the ] final. The city is represented in the top Slovak leagues in women's and men's ], women's ] and ], and men's ]. The Devín–Bratislava National run is the oldest athletic event in Slovakia,<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.bratislava.sk/soubory/700000/3089784_TwincityApril2006Web.pdf |title=Twin City Journal – The Oldest Athletic Event in Slovakia |format=PDF |page=7 |month=April |year=2006 |accessdate=April 28, 2007}}</ref> and the Bratislava City Marathon has been held annually since 2006. A ] is located in ], where ] and ] events and ] are held regularly.


Bratislava is home to three winter sports arenas: ] Winter Sports Stadium, ] Winter Sports Stadium, and ] Winter Sports Stadium. The ] ice hockey team has represented Bratislava from the ] in the ]. ], a part of ] Winter Sports Stadium, is home to HC Slovan. The ] in 1959 and 1992 were played in Bratislava, and the ] were held in Bratislava and ], for which a new arena was built.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Slovak Spectator |url=http://slovakspectator.sk/clanok.asp?vyd=online&cl=23434 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927215944/http://slovakspectator.sk/clanok.asp?vyd=online&cl=23434 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |title=Slovakia to host ice hockey World Championships in 2011 |author=Marta Ďurianová |date=May 22, 2006 |access-date=April 27, 2007}}</ref> The city also played host to the World Championship in 2019.
Bratislava is also the centre of ].
{{-}}


The ] is a ] and ] area, close to the ]. It hosts several international and national ] and ] competitions annually.
==Education and science==
] building]]
] headquarters at Šafárikovo námestie]]


In 1966, Bratislava named its new multi-sports stadium after tennis player ].<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n_j1DwAAQBAJ&dq=hecht+stadium+bratislava&pg=PA228 | isbn=9781496201881 | title=Jewish Sports Legends: The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame | date=August 2020 | publisher=U of Nebraska Press }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/10/sports/ladislav-hecht-94-a-tactician-on-the-tennis-courts-in-the-30-s.html|title=Ladislav Hecht, 94, a Tactician On the Tennis Courts in the 30's|first=Frank|last=Litsky|work=The New York Times |date=June 10, 2004 }}</ref>
The first university in Bratislava, in the ] (and also in the territory of present-day ]) was ], founded in 1465 by King ]. It was closed in 1490 after his death.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www4.bratislava.sk/en/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=2009414& |title=Academia Istropolitana |date=2005-02-14 |accessdate=January 5, 2008}}</ref>


The National Tennis Centre, which includes ], hosts various cultural, sporting and social events. Several ] matches have been played there, including the ] final. The city is represented in the top Slovak leagues in women's and men's ], women's ] and ], and men's ]. The Devín–Bratislava National run is the oldest athletic event in Slovakia,<ref>{{cite web|publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www.bratislava.sk/soubory/700000/3089784_TwincityApril2006Web.pdf |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20070614183400/http://www.bratislava.sk/soubory/700000/3089784_TwincityApril2006Web.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 14, 2007 |title=Twin City Journal – The Oldest Athletic Event in Slovakia |page=7 |date=April 2006 |access-date=April 28, 2007 }}</ref> and the Bratislava City Marathon has been held annually since 2006. A ] is located in ], where ] and ] events and ] are held regularly.
Bratislava is the seat of the largest university (], 27,771 students),<ref name="uips1">{{cite web|url=http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/VS_P01.PDF|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080227082041/http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/VS_P01.PDF|archivedate=2008-02-27 |title=Univerzita Komenského |accessdate=2008-02-15 |format=PDF |publisher=Ústav informácií a prognóz školstva |language=Slovak}}</ref> the largest technical university (], 18,473 students),<ref name="uips21">{{cite web|url=http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/VS_P21.PDF|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080227082113/http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/VS_P21.PDF|archivedate=2008-02-27 |title=Slovenská technická univerzita |accessdate=2008-02-15 |format=PDF |publisher=Ústav informácií a prognóz školstva |language=Slovak}}</ref> and the oldest art schools (the ] and the ]) in Slovakia. Other institutions of tertiary education are the public ] and the first private college in Slovakia, ].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City University of Seattle |url=http://www.cityu.edu/loc_bratislava.htm |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080212140409/http://www.cityu.edu/loc_bratislava.htm |archivedate=2008-02-12 |title=Bratislava, Slovakia: Vysoka Skola Manazmentu (VSM) |year=2005 |accessdate=June 1, 2007}}</ref> In total, about 56,000 students attend university in Bratislava.<ref name="factsandfigures">{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://visit.bratislava.sk/en/VismoOnline_ActionScripts/File.aspx?id_org=700014&id_dokumenty=1041 |title=Visit Bratislava – Facts and Figures |year=2007 |accessdate=April 30, 2007 |format=PDF}}</ref>


Bratislava is also the centre of ] and ] previously existed at several venues throughout the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.speedwaya-z.cz/?p=28385 |title=They call him Efa or Jozef Toth left the flat track at the top |website=Speedway A - Z |date=February 9, 2018 |access-date=29 March 2024}}</ref>
There are 65 public ]s, nine private primary schools and ten religious primary schools.<ref name="uips">{{cite web |title=Prehľad základných škôl v školskom roku 2006/2007 |year=2006 |publisher=Ústav informácií a prognóz školstva |url=http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/ZS_P1.PDF |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080227082059/http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/ZS_P1.PDF |archivedate=2008-02-27 |accessdate=2008-02-15 |language=Slovak|format=PDF}}</ref> Overall, they enroll 25,821 pupils.<ref name="uips"/> The city's system of ] (some middle schools and all high schools) consists of 39 ] with 16,048 students,<ref name="uips2">{{cite web|url=http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/GYM_P1.PDF|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080227082105/http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/GYM_P1.PDF|archivedate=2008-02-27 |title=Prehľad gymnázií v školskom roku 2006/2007 |accessdate=2008-02-15 |format=PDF |publisher=Ústav informácií a prognóz školstva |language=Slovak}}</ref> 37 specialized ]s with 10,373 students,<ref name="uips3">{{cite web|url=http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/SOS_P1.PDF|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080227082051/http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/SOS_P1.PDF|archivedate=2008-02-27 |title=Prehľad stredných odborných škôl v školskom roku 2006/2007 |accessdate=2008-02-15 |format=PDF |publisher=Ústav informácií a prognóz školstva |language=Slovak}}</ref> and 27 ]s with 8,863 students (data as of 2007).<ref name="uips4">{{cite web|url=http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/ZSS_P1.PDF|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080227082121/http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/ZSS_P1.PDF|archivedate=2008-02-27 |title=Prehľad združených stredných škôl v školskom roku 2006/2007 |accessdate=2008-02-14 |format=PDF |publisher=Ústav informácií a prognóz školstva |language=Slovak}}</ref><ref name="uips5">{{cite web|url=http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/SOU_P1.PDF|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080227082128/http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/SOU_P1.PDF|archivedate=2008-02-27 |title=Prehľad stredných odborných učilíšť a učilíšť v školskom roku 2006/2007 |accessdate=2008-02-15 |format=PDF |publisher=Ústav informácií a prognóz školstva |language=Slovak}}</ref>
{{Clear}}


== Education and science ==
The ] is also based in Bratislava. However, the city is one of the few European capitals to have neither an ] nor a ]. The nearest observatory is in ], {{convert|30|km|mi|0}} away, and the nearest planetarium is in ], {{convert|70|km|mi|0}} away. CEPIT, the Central European Park For Innovative Technologies, is slated for development in ]. This science and technology park will combine public and private research and educational institutions.<ref name="CEPIT">{{cite web |publisher=CEPIT Management |url=http://www.cepit.info/?id=101 |title=Your Innovative Centre in Bratislava-Vajnory |year=2007 |accessdate=April 28, 2007}}</ref> Construction was expected to begin in 2008, but has since stalled.<ref>{{cite news |first=Juraj |last=Handzo |title=CEPIT Project moved one step forward (''Projekt CEPIT sa posunul o krok vpred'') |url=http://www.bratislavskenoviny.sk/60236/vystavba/projekt-cepit-sa-posunul-o-krok-vpred |date=2007-11-21 |accessdate=2008-01-29 |publisher=''Bratislavské Noviny'' |language=Slovak}}</ref>
{{Multiple image
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| image1 = Blava 2007-3-28-33.jpg
| width1 = 195
| alt1 =
| caption1 = Universitas Istropolitana building
| image2 = Univerzita Komenského.jpg
| width2 = 195
| alt2 =
| caption2 = Comenius University headquarters at Šafárikovo námestie
}}


The first university in Bratislava, in the ] (and also in the territory of present-day Slovakia) was ], founded in 1465 by King ]. It was closed in 1490 after his death.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://www4.bratislava.sk/en/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=2009414& |title=Academia Istropolitana |date=February 14, 2005 |access-date=January 5, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930154657/http://www.bratislava.sk/en/vismo5/dokumenty2.asp?u=700000&id_org=700000&id=2009414& |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |df=mdy }}</ref>
==Transport==
]
]
{{Main|Transport in Bratislava}}
{{Main|Public Transport in Bratislava}}


Bratislava is the seat of the largest university (], 27,771 students),<ref name="uips1">{{cite web|url=http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/VS_P01.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227082041/http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/VS_P01.PDF |archive-date=February 27, 2008 |title=Univerzita Komenského |access-date=2008-02-15 |publisher=Ústav informácií a prognóz školstva |language=sk |url-status=dead |df=mdy}}</ref> the largest technical university (], 18,473 students),<ref name="uips21">{{cite web|url=http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/VS_P21.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227082113/http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/VS_P21.PDF |archive-date=February 27, 2008 |title=Slovenská technická univerzita |access-date=2008-02-15 |publisher=Ústav informácií a prognóz školstva |language=sk |url-status=dead |df=mdy}}</ref> and the oldest art schools (the ] and the ]) in Slovakia. Other institutions of tertiary education are the public ] and the first private college in Slovakia, ].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=City University of Seattle |url=http://www.cityu.edu/loc_bratislava.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212140409/http://www.cityu.edu/loc_bratislava.htm |archive-date=February 12, 2008 |title=Bratislava, Slovakia: Vysoka Skola Manazmentu (VSM) |year=2005 |access-date=June 1, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy}}</ref> In total, about 56,000 students attend university in Bratislava.<ref name="factsandfigures">{{cite web|publisher=City of Bratislava |url=http://visit.bratislava.sk/en/VismoOnline_ActionScripts/File.aspx?id_org=700014&id_dokumenty=1041 |title=Visit Bratislava – Facts and Figures |year=2007 |access-date=April 30, 2007 |format=PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070305044446/http://www.visit.bratislava.sk/en/VismoOnline_ActionScripts/File.aspx?id_org=700014&id_dokumenty=1041 |archive-date=March 5, 2007}}</ref>
The geographical position of Bratislava in Central Europe has long made it a natural crossroads for international trade traffic.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |url=http://concise.britannica.com/ebc/article-9357955/Bratislava |title=Bratislava |year=2007 |accessdate=April 30, 2007}}</ref>


There are 65 public ]s, nine private primary schools and ten religious primary schools.<ref name="uips">{{cite web|title=Prehľad základných škôl v školskom roku 2006/2007 |year=2006 |publisher=Ústav informácií a prognóz školstva |url=http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/ZS_P1.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227082059/http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/ZS_P1.PDF |archive-date=February 27, 2008 |access-date=2008-02-15 |language=sk |url-status=dead |df=mdy}}</ref> Overall, they enroll 25,821 pupils.<ref name="uips"/> The city's system of ] (some middle schools and all high schools) consists of 39 ] with 16,048 students,<ref name="uips2">{{cite web|url=http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/GYM_P1.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227082105/http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/GYM_P1.PDF |archive-date=February 27, 2008 |title=Prehľad gymnázií v školskom roku 2006/2007 |access-date=2008-02-15 |publisher=Ústav informácií a prognóz školstva |language=sk |url-status=dead |df=mdy}}</ref> 37 specialized ]s with 10,373 students,<ref name="uips3">{{cite web|url=http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/SOS_P1.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227082051/http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/SOS_P1.PDF |archive-date=February 27, 2008 |title=Prehľad stredných odborných škôl v školskom roku 2006/2007 |access-date=2008-02-15 |publisher=Ústav informácií a prognóz školstva |language=sk |url-status=dead |df=mdy}}</ref> and 27 ]s with 8,863 students (data {{As of|2007|lc=y}}).<ref name="uips4">{{cite web|url=http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/ZSS_P1.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227082121/http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/ZSS_P1.PDF |archive-date=February 27, 2008 |title=Prehľad združených stredných škôl v školskom roku 2006/2007 |access-date=2008-02-14 |publisher=Ústav informácií a prognóz školstva |language=sk |url-status=dead |df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="uips5">{{cite web|url=http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/SOU_P1.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227082128/http://www.uips.sk/statis/pdf/SOU_P1.PDF |archive-date=February 27, 2008 |title=Prehľad stredných odborných učilíšť a učilíšť v školskom roku 2006/2007 |access-date=2008-02-15 |publisher=Ústav informácií a prognóz školstva |language=sk |url-status=dead |df=mdy}}</ref>
Public transport in Bratislava is managed by ], a city-owned company. The transport system is known as ''Mestská hromadná doprava'' (MHD, Municipal Mass Transit) and employs buses, ]s, and ]es.<ref name="publictransportroutes">{{cite web |publisher=] |url=http://www.dpb.sk/trasy/trasy.htm |title=Trasy liniek (routes) |year=2007 |accessdate=May 17, 2007 |language=Slovak}}</ref> An additional service, ''Bratislavská integrovaná doprava'' (Bratislava Integrated Transport), links train and bus routes in the city with points beyond.


The ] is also based in Bratislava. However, the city is one of the few European capitals to have neither an ] nor a ]. The nearest observatory is in ], {{convert|30|km|mi|0}} away, and the nearest planetarium is in ], {{convert|70|km|mi|0}} away.
As a rail hub, the city has direct connections to Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany and the rest of Slovakia. ] and ] are the main stations.


== Transport ==
The motorway system provides direct access to ] in the Czech Republic, ] and other points in Slovakia, and ] in Hungary. The ] between Bratislava and Vienna was opened in November 2007.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vienna-Bratislava in 50 Minutes (''Wien – Bratislava in 50 Minuten'') |language=German |publisher=] |date=2007-10-19 |url=http://burgenland.orf.at/stories/229622/ |accessdate=2007-10-19}}</ref> The ] provides access to the ] via the Danube and to the ] through the ]. ] is {{convert|9|km|mi|1}} north-east of the city centre. It served 2,024,000 passengers in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=TASR, published in Bratislavské Noviny |url=http://www.bratislavskenoviny.sk/73806/cestovny-ruch/letisko-vybavilo-vlani-viac-ako-2-miliony-pasazierov |title=Airport served more than 2 million passengers last year (''Letisko vybavilo vlani viac ako 2 milióny pasažierov'') |language=Slovak |date=2008-01-13 |accessdate=January 13, 2008}}</ref>
{{Main|Transport in Bratislava|Public Transport in Bratislava}}
{{See also|List of bridges in Bratislava city}}


{{multiple image
==International relations==
| direction = vertical
| width1 = 195
| image1 = Bratislava má stanicu, ktorá sa vyrovná európskym metropolám. Nazrite do Nivy centra (51536059094).jpg
| caption1 = ] is a mixed use complex with underground international bus station opened in 2021.
| image2 = BRATISLAVSKÝ TERMINÁL - panoramio.jpg
| width2 = 195
| caption2 = Terminal building at ] (BTS)
| width3 = 195
| image3 = 2011-06-14 10-23-56 Austria Niederösterreich Fischamend Markt.jpg
| caption3 = Bratislava is also served by the ], located {{convert|49|km|mi|1}} west of the city centre.
}}

The geographical position of Bratislava in Central Europe has long made it a natural crossroads for international trade traffic.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |url=http://concise.britannica.com/ebc/article-9357955/Bratislava |title=Bratislava |year=2007 |access-date=April 30, 2007 |archive-date=December 8, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208151849/http://concise.britannica.com/ebc/article-9357955/Bratislava |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Public transport in Bratislava is managed by ], a city-owned company. The transport system is known as ''Mestská hromadná doprava'' (MHD, Municipal Mass Transit) and employs buses, ]s, and ]es.<ref name="publictransportroutes">{{cite web|publisher=] |url=http://www.dpb.sk/trasy/trasy.htm |title=Trasy liniek (routes) |year=2007 |access-date=May 17, 2007 |language=sk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070506025027/http://www.dpb.sk/trasy/trasy.htm#Vlaky |archive-date=May 6, 2007}}</ref> Most of the Bratislava public transport is coated in a typical color combination of red and black.

Bratislava is also part of an integrated system, ''IDS BK,'' connecting city public transport with other transport companies in the Bratislava region. Traveling with a single ticket is possible throughout the system network, both in Bratislava and to the nearby villages and cities, including three other districts of Senec, Malacky, and Pezinok.

As a rail hub, the city has direct connections to ], ], the ], ], ], ], ] and the rest of Slovakia. ] and ] are the principal railway stations.

Daily trains and buses from Bratislava to Vienna run multiple times every hour, with the ] train station serving Bratislava as well, with more connections throughout Europe, opening possibilities for a travel to ] and ] with a quick change of trains in Vienna.

The main bus station (''Autobusová stanica'' or ''Autobusová stanica Nivy'') is located at Mlynské Nivy, east of the city centre, and offers both bus connections to cities in Slovakia and international bus lines. A new bus station attached to a shopping mall, administration centre, and Bratislava's tallest skyscraper, Nivy Tower, was opened on the 30th of September 2021.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://spectator.sme.sk/c/22753588/new-bus-station-opened-to-public-together-with-roundabout-and-bike-tower.html | title=New bus station opened to public, together with roundabout and bike tower | date=September 30, 2021 }}</ref> The bus station lies underground and its design was inspired by airport terminals. The waiting area offers enough space and comfort to wait for the bus.

The motorway system provides direct access to ] in the Czech Republic, ] in Austria, ] in Hungary, ], and other points in Slovakia. The ] between Bratislava and ] was opened in November 2007.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vienna-Bratislava in 50 Minutes (''Wien – Bratislava in 50 Minuten'') |language=de |publisher=] |date=October 19, 2007 |url=http://burgenland.orf.at/stories/229622/ |access-date=2007-10-19 |archive-date=July 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706093610/http://burgenland.orf.at/stories/229622/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The ] is one of the two international ] in Slovakia. The port provides access to the ] via the Danube and to the ] through the ]. Additionally, tourist lines operate from Bratislava's passenger port, including routes to ], ], and elsewhere. In Bratislava there are currently six bridges standing over the ] (ordered by the flow of the river): ] (Lafranconi Bridge), ] (Bridge of the Slovak National Uprising, previously called ''Nový most'' or ''New bridge'') with the famous ], ] (The Old Bridge), ] (Apollo Bridge), ] (The Harbor Bridge) and Lužný most (The Floodplain bridge).

Bratislava's ] is the main ] in Slovakia. The airport is located {{convert|9|km|mi|1}} north-east of the city centre, with fast connections served by the city public transport. It serves civil and governmental, scheduled and unscheduled domestic and international flights. The current runways support the landing for all common types of aircraft. It served 2,024,000 passengers in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=TASR, published in Bratislavské Noviny |url=http://www.bratislavskenoviny.sk/73806/cestovny-ruch/letisko-vybavilo-vlani-viac-ako-2-miliony-pasazierov |title=Airport served more than 2 million passengers last year (''Letisko vybavilo vlani viac ako 2 milióny pasažierov'') |language=sk |date=January 13, 2008 |access-date=January 13, 2008}}</ref> Bratislava is also served by the ] located {{convert|49|km|mi|1}} west of the city centre. It is common for Bratislava residents to use the Vienna airport often, as it offers more variety and can be reached under 60 minutes from Bratislava with a car.

{{Multiple image
|align = center
|direction = horizontal
|width =
|image1 = 2017-06-15 SK Bratislava V, Jantárova cesta, zastávka Farského, Škoda 30 T 7524 linka 3 (50137864221).jpg
|width1 = 200
|alt1 =
|caption1 = ] tram in Bratislava
|image2 = Bratislava, Devín, Twin City liner.jpg
|width2 = 280
|alt2 =
|caption2 = ] express boat on the ], connecting Bratislava with ]
|image3 = Mercedes-Benz Capacity Bratislava line 95.JPG
|width3 = 175
|alt3 =
|caption3 = A typical red bus in Bratislava
}}


== International relations ==
]
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Slovakia}} {{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Slovakia}}


===Twin towns and sister cities=== ===Twin towns – sister cities===
Bratislava is ] with the towns and cities:
Bratislava is ] with:<ref name="Twin">{{cite web|url=http://www.bratislava-city.sk/bratislava-twin-towns|title=''Bratislava City – Twin Towns''|publisher=] 2003–2008 Bratislava-City.sk|accessdate=2008-10-26}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
*{{flagicon|CZE}} ], Czech Republic<ref name=blava>{{cite web |title=Partnerské mestá|url=https://www.bratislava.sk/mesto-bratislava/sprava-mesta/medzinarodna-spolupraca/partnerske-mesta|publisher=Bratislava|language=sk|access-date=2022-10-17}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|HUN}} ], Hungary<ref name=blava/>
*{{flagicon|POL}} ], Poland<ref name=blava/>
*{{flagicon|POL}} ], Poland<ref name=blava/>
*{{flagicon|ITA}} ], Italy <small>''(1962)''</small><ref name=blava/>
*{{flagicon|SVN}} ], Slovenia <small>''(1967)''</small><ref name=blava/>
*{{flagicon|ARM}} ], Armenia <small>''(2001)''</small><ref name=bcity.sk>{{cite web |title=Partner (twin) towns of Bratislava|url=https://bratislava-city.sk/bratislava-twin-towns/|website=bratislava-city.sk|access-date=2019-09-02}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|CYP}} ], Cyprus <small>''(1989)''</small><ref name=bcity.sk/>
*{{flagicon|FIN}} ], Finland <small>''(1976)''</small><ref name=bcity.sk/>
*{{flagicon|GER}} ], Germany <small>''(1989)''</small><ref name=bcity.sk/>
*{{flagicon|EGY}} ], Egypt<ref name=bcity.sk/>
*{{flagicon|UKR}} ], Ukraine<ref name=blava/>
*{{flagicon|USA}} ], United States<ref name=bcity.sk/>
<!--rest - other form of cooperation than twinning-->
{{div col end}}


<small>* Numbers in parentheses list the year of twinning. The first agreement was signed with the city of ] in Italy on 18 July 1962.</small>
{|class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|
*{{Flagicon|Armenia}} ], ] <small>''(2001)'' <ref name="Yerevan Sister Cities">{{cite web|url=http://yerevan.am/main.php?lang=3&page_id=194|title=Yerevan Municipality – Sister Cities|publisher=© 2005–2009 |accessdate=2009-06-22}}</ref></small>
*{{Flagicon|Austria}} ], ]
*{{Flagicon|Bulgaria}} ], ]
*{{Flagicon|Bulgaria}} ], ]
*{{Flagicon|Cyprus}} ], ] <small>''(1989)''</small>
*{{Flagicon|Czech Republic}} ], ]<ref name="Prague Partner Cities">{{cite web|url=http://magistrat.praha-mesto.cz/72647_Partnerska-mesta|title=Prague Partner Cities|publisher=] 2009 |language=Czech|accessdate=2009-07-02}}</ref>
*{{Flagicon|Egypt}} ], ]
||
*{{Flagicon|Finland}} ], ] <small>''(1976)''</small>
*{{Flagicon|Germany}} ], ]
*{{Flagicon|Germany}} ], ] <small>''(1989)''</small>
*{{Flagicon|Greece}} ], ] <small>''(1986)''</small><ref name=Thessaloniki>{{cite web |url=http://www.thessalonikicity.gr/English/twinning-cities.htm |title=Twinning Cities |work=City of Thessaloniki |accessdate=2009-07-07}}</ref>
*{{Flagicon|Hungary}} ], ]
*{{Flagicon|Italy}} ], ] <small>''(1962)''</small>
*{{Flagicon|Italy}} ], ] <small>''(1967)''</small>
||
*{{Flagicon|Netherlands}} ], ] <small>''(1991)''</small>
*{{flagicon|Russia}} ], ]
*{{Flagicon|Russia}} ], ]
*{{Flagicon|Slovenia}} ], ] <small>''(1967)''</small>
*{{Flagicon|Turkey}} ], ] <small>''(2003)''</small>
*{{Flagicon|Ukraine}} ], ]
*{{Flagicon|United States}} ], ], ]
|}


==Notable people==
<small>* Numbers in brackets list the year of twinning. The first agreement was signed with the city of ], ] in Italy on July 18, 1962.</small>
{{main|List of people from Bratislava}}


===Partnerships=== ===Honorary citizens===
People who have received the ] of Bratislava are:


{| class="wikitable" width="75%" style="font-size: 85%; border: gray solid 1px; border-collapse: collapse; text-align: middle;"
*{{Flagicon|Poland}} ] in ]<ref name="Kraków">{{cite web|url=http://www.krakow.pl/otwarty_na_swiat/?LANG=UK&MENU=l&TYPE=ART&ART_ID=16|title=Kraków otwarty na świat|publisher=www.krakow.pl|accessdate=2009-07-19|last=|first=}}</ref>
! style="text-align: left;background:#B0C4DE"|Date
! width="240" style="text-align: left;background:#B0C4DE"|Name
! style="text-align: left;background:#B0C4DE"|Notes
|-
||4 September 1990||] || Mayor of ]
|-
||24 September 1997||] || Sopranist
|-
||19 November 2009||] (1936–2011)|| ] 1989–1992 and ] 1993–2003<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://spectator.sme.sk/c/20034526/bratislava-grants-honorary-citizenship-to-vaclav-havel.html|title=Bratislava grants honorary citizenship to Václav Havel|date=November 19, 2009|website=spectator.sme.sk}}</ref>
|-
||26 September 2011|| ] Roy Martin Umbarger|| ] Officer<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://spectator.sme.sk/c/20041161/american-general-to-receive-honorary-citizenship-of-bratislava.html|title=American general to receive honorary citizenship of Bratislava|date=September 26, 2011|website=spectator.sme.sk}}</ref>
|-
||28 October 2014|| ]|| Czech singer<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lidovky.cz/relax/lide/zpevak-karel-gott-se-stal-cestnym-obcanem-bratislavy.A141028_172907_lide_ele|title=Karel Gott získal jako druhý Čech po Havlovi čestné občanství Bratislavy|website=lidovky.cz|date=October 29, 2014 |language=cs}}</ref>
|-
||19 December 2020|| ]|| Catholic Pope<ref>{{cite web |title=Stalin a Gottwald už nie sú čestnými občanmi Bratislavy |url=https://www.obecne-noviny.sk/clanky/stalin-a-gottwald-uz-nie-su-cestnymi-obcanmi-bratislavy |website=www.obecne-noviny.sk |access-date=10 August 2023 |language=sk}}</ref>
|}


==Gallery== == Image gallery ==
<gallery> <gallery class="center">
File:Hviezdoslavovo námestie (10267450433).jpg|]
File:Pozsinycivertanéegi1.jpg
File:Bratislava14Slovakia65.JPG|The ], the oldest city hall in the country
File:Pozsinycivertanéegi2.jpg
File:Michael's Gate and tower (10267681486).jpg|]
File:Pozsinycivertanéegi3.jpg
File:Laurinc Gate-Bratislava Slovakia.JPG|]
File:
File:Bratislava14Slovakia86.JPG|Reformed church
File:Church of Saint Stephen.jpg|Church of Saint Stephen
File:Trinitarian Church of Bratislava (10267484535).jpg|]
File:The Old Town of Bratislava (10267450365).jpg|The Old Town of Bratislava
File:Bratislava, Panská a Rybárska.jpg|Streets of the Old Town
File:Bratislava Old Town (10267673226).jpg|Bratislava Old Town
File:Bratislava-dom u dobrého pastiera.jpg|The ]-style "]", home to the Museum of Clocks
File:Laurinská ul..JPG|Laurinská Street
File:Stara Tržnica - panoramio.jpg|Stará Tržnica Market Hall, the oldest indoor market in Bratislava
File:Einsteinova.jpg|Einsteinova street
File:Bratislava12Slovakia5.JPG|Embankment
File:Polus City Center 5.jpg|]
File:6681 train-to-bratislava (90451358).jpg|CityShuttle train connects Bratislava with Austria's capital ].
File:Refinery of Slovnaft, view from Nový most viewpoint in Bratislava, Bratislava II District.jpg|Refinery of Slovnaft in Bratislava
File:Zimný prístav (Bratislava) 2019.jpg|]
File:Manhole cover Bratislava.jpg|Manhole cover in Bratislava
</gallery> </gallery>


==See also== ==See also==
* ]
{{Portal|Slovakia}}
* ]
*]
*] * ]
{{Portal bar|Europe|Slovakia|European Union}}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}}
*{{Cite book |title=Dejiny Bratislavy (History of Bratislava)|year=1979 |publisher= |location=Bratislava, Slovakia |language=Slovak |edition=2nd |last=Horváth, V., Lehotská, D., Pleva, J. (eds.) et al.}}

*{{Cite book
==Sources==
* {{Cite book |title=Dejiny Bratislavy (History of Bratislava)|year=1979 |url=http://www.obzor.sk/|location=Bratislava, Slovakia |language=sk |edition=2nd |editor=Horváth, V. |editor2=Lehotská, D. |editor3=Pleva, J. |display-editors=etal}}
* {{Cite book
|last=Janota |last=Janota
|first=Igor |first=Igor
Line 585: Line 1,051:
|edition=1st |edition=1st
|year=2006 |year=2006
|publisher= |publisher=Vydavateľstvo PT
|location=Bratislava, Slovakia |location=Bratislava, Slovakia
|language=Slovak |language=sk
|isbn=80-89218-19-9 |isbn=80-89218-19-9
|isbn-status=May be invalid – please double check
}} }}
*{{Cite book * {{Cite book
|last=Kováč |last=Kováč
|first=Dušan |first=Dušan
|title=Bratislava 1939–1945 – Mier a vojna v meste (Bratislava 1939–1945 – Peace and war in the town) |title=Bratislava 1939–1945 – Mier a vojna v meste (Bratislava 1939–1945 – Peace and war in the town)
|edition=1st |edition=1st
|year=2006
|year=2006 |publisher=
|publisher=Vydavateľstvo PT
|location=Bratislava, Slovakia |location=Bratislava, Slovakia
|language=Slovak |language=sk
|isbn=80-89218-29-6 |isbn=80-89218-29-6
|isbn-status=May be invalid – please double check
}} }}
*{{Cite book * {{Cite book
|last=Kováč |last=Kováč
|first=Dušan et al. |first=Dušan
|title=Kronika Slovenska 1 (Chronicle of Slovakia 1) |title=Kronika Slovenska 1 (Chronicle of Slovakia 1)
|edition=1st |edition=1st
|year=1998
|series=Chronicle of Slovakia
|publisher=Fortuna Print
|year=1998
|publisher=
|location=Bratislava, Slovakia |location=Bratislava, Slovakia
|language=Slovak |language=sk
|isbn=80-7153-174-X |isbn=80-7153-174-X
|display-authors=etal}}
|isbn-status=May be invalid – please double check
* {{Cite book
}}
*{{Cite book
|last=Kováč |last=Kováč
|first=Dušan et al. |first=Dušan
|title=Kronika Slovenska 2 (Chronicle of Slovakia 2) |title=Kronika Slovenska 2 (Chronicle of Slovakia 2)
|edition=1st |edition=1st
|year=1999
|series=Chronicle of Slovakia
|publisher=Fortuna Print
|year=1999
|publisher=
|location=Bratislava, Slovakia |location=Bratislava, Slovakia
|language=Slovak |language=sk
|isbn=80-88980-08-9 |isbn=80-88980-08-9
|display-authors=etal}}
|isbn-status=May be invalid – please double check
* {{Cite book
}}
*{{Cite book
|last=Lacika |last=Lacika
|first=Ján |first=Ján
Line 635: Line 1,096:
|series=Visiting Slovakia |series=Visiting Slovakia
|year=2000 |year=2000
|publisher= |publisher= DAJAMA
|location=Bratislava, Slovakia |location=Bratislava, Slovakia

|isbn=80-88975-16-6 |isbn=80-88975-16-6
|isbn-status=May be invalid – please double check
}} }}
*{{Cite book * {{Cite book
|last=Špiesz |last=Špiesz
|first=Anton |first=Anton
Line 647: Line 1,106:
|edition=1st |edition=1st
|year=2001 |year=2001
|publisher= |publisher= Perfekt
|location=Bratislava, Slovakia |location=Bratislava, Slovakia
|language=Slovak |language=sk
|isbn=80-8046-145-7 |isbn=80-8046-145-7
|isbn-status=May be invalid – please double check
}} }}
*{{Cite book * {{Cite book
|last=Varga |last=Varga
|first=Erzsébet |first=Erzsébet
Line 661: Line 1,119:
|publisher=Madách-Posonium |publisher=Madách-Posonium
|location=Pozsony |location=Pozsony
|language=Hungarian |language=hu
|isbn=80-7089-245-5 |isbn=80-7089-245-5
}}
|isbn-status=May be invalid – please double check}}
*{{Cite book * {{Cite book
|last=Jankovics |last=Jankovics
|first=Marcell |first=Marcell
Line 672: Line 1,130:
|publisher=Méry Ratio |publisher=Méry Ratio
|location=Pozsony |location=Pozsony
|language=Hungarian |language=hu
|isbn=80-88837-34-0 |isbn=80-88837-34-0
}} }}


=== Genealogical resources ===
===Notes===
The records for genealogical research are available at the state archive "Statny Archiv in Bratislava, Slovakia"
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
* Roman Catholic church records (births/marriages/deaths): 1601–1897 (parish A)
* Lutheran church records (births/marriages/deaths): 1606–1919 (parish A)


==External links== == External links ==
{{Sister project links}} {{Sister project links|voy=Bratislava}}
<!--========================{{No more links}}============================ <!--========================{{No more links}}============================
|PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS IN ADDING MORE LINKS TO THIS ARTICLE. Misplaced Pages | |PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS IN ADDING MORE LINKS TO THIS ARTICLE. Misplaced Pages |
|is not a collection of links nor should it be used for advertising. | |is not a collection of links nor should it be used for advertising. |
| | | |
|Excessive or inappropriate links WILL BE DELETED. | |Excessive or inappropriate links WILL BE DELETED. |
|See ] & ] for details. | |See ] & ] for details. |
| | | |
|If there are already plentiful links, please propose additions or | |If there are already plentiful links, please propose additions or |
|replacements on this article's discussion page, or submit your link | |replacements on this article's discussion page, or submit your link |
|to the relevant category at the Open Directory Project (dmoz.org) | |to the relevant category at the Open Directory Project (dmoz.org) |
|and link back to that category using the {{dmoz}} template. | |and link back to that category using the {{dmoz}} template. |
======================={{No more links}}=============================-->
*
*{{Wikitravel|Bratislava}}
*


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=== Official sites ===
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{{Bratislava Region}} {{Bratislava Region}}
{{Boroughs of Bratislava by district}} {{Boroughs of Bratislava by district}}
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Latest revision as of 10:44, 3 January 2025

Capital and largest city of Slovakia For the region, see Bratislava Region.

Capital city in Slovakia
Bratislava
Capital city
View of Bratislava over the DanubeEurovea TowerGrassalkovich PalaceStreets of Old Town and Main SquareBlue ChurchSky Park in business district
Flag of BratislavaFlagOfficial seal of BratislavaSealCoat of arms of BratislavaCoat of armsOfficial logo of BratislavaLogo
Nicknames: Beauty on the Danube, Little Big City
Bratislava is located in SlovakiaBratislavaBratislavaLocation of Bratislava in SlovakiaShow map of SlovakiaBratislava is located in Bratislava RegionBratislavaBratislavaBratislava (Bratislava Region)Show map of Bratislava RegionBratislava is located in EuropeBratislavaBratislavaBratislava (Europe)Show map of Europe
Coordinates: 48°08′38″N 17°06′35″E / 48.14389°N 17.10972°E / 48.14389; 17.10972
Sovereign state Slovakia
Region Bratislava
First mentionedAD 907; 1118 years ago (907), as Brezalauspurc
Administrative HQPrimate's Palace,
Old Town
Local government17 Bratislava boroughs
Government
 • TypeMayor–council government
 • BodyBratislava City Council
 • MayorMatúš Vallo
 • City Council45 members
Area
 • Capital city367.584 km (141.925 sq mi)
 • Urban853.15 km (329.40 sq mi)
 • Metro2,053 km (793 sq mi)
Elevation124 m (407 ft)
Highest elevation514 m (1,686 ft)
Population
 • Capital city475,503
 • Rank
 • Metro719,537
 • Density1,297/km (3,360/sq mi)
Demonyms
  • Bratislavčan (m), Bratislavčanka (f) (sk),
  • Bratislavan (en),
  • pozsonyi (hu),
  • Preßburger (de)
Ethnicity (2021)
 • Ethnic groups List
  • 86% Slovaks
  • 3% Hungarians
  • 1% Czechs
  • 10% other
Religion (2021)
 • Religion List
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code8XX XX
Area code+421 2
Car plateBA, BL, BT
City budget€626.8 million
(2025)
Websitebratislava.sk

Bratislava, historically known as Pozsony and Pressburg, is the capital and largest city of the Slovak Republic and the fourth largest of all cities on the River Danube. Officially, the population of the city is about 475,000; however, some sources estimate daily number of people moving around the city based on mobile phone SIM cards is more than 570,000. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia at the foot of the Little Carpathians, occupying both banks of the River Danube and the left bank of the River Morava. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital to border two sovereign states.

The city's history has been influenced by people of many nations and religions, including Austrians, Bulgarians, Croats, Czechs, Germans, Hungarians, Jews and Slovaks. It was the coronation site and legislative center and capital of the Kingdom of Hungary from 1563 to 1783; eleven Hungarian kings and eight queens were crowned in St Martin's Cathedral. Most Hungarian parliament assemblies were held here from the 17th century until the Hungarian Reform Era, and the city has been home to many Hungarian, German and Slovak historical figures.

Today, Bratislava is the political, cultural and economic centre of Slovakia. It is the seat of the Slovak president, the parliament and the Slovak Executive. It has several universities, and many museums, theatres, galleries and other cultural and educational institutions. Many large businesses and financial institutions have headquarters there. Bratislava is the 19th-richest region of the European Union by GDP (PPP) per capita. GDP at purchasing power parity is about three times higher than in other Slovak regions. The city receives around one million tourists every year, mostly from the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria.

Etymology

The city received its contemporary name on 16 March 1919. Until then, it was Pozsony, mostly known in English as "Pressburg" (from its German name, Preßburg), since after 1526, it was dominated mostly by the Habsburg monarchy and the city had a relevant ethnic German population. That is the term from which the pre-1919 Slovak (Prešporok) and Czech (Prešpurk) names are derived.

The linguist Ján Stanislav believed the city's Hungarian name, Pozsony, to be attributed to the surname Božan, likely a prince who owned the castle before 950. Although the Latin name was also based on the same surname, according to research by the lexicologist Milan Majtán, the Hungarian version is not found in any official records from the time in which the prince would have lived. All three versions, however, were related to those found in Slovak, Czech and German: Vratislaburgum (905), Braslavespurch, and Preslavasburc (both 907).

The medieval settlement Brezalauspurc (literally, 'Braslav's castle') is sometimes attributed to Bratislava, but the actual location of Brezalauspurc is under scholarly debate. The city's modern name is credited to Pavol Jozef Šafárik's misinterpretation of Braslav as Bratislav in his analysis of medieval sources, which led him to invent the term Břetislaw, which later became Bratislav.

During the revolution of 1918–1919, the name 'Wilsonov' or 'Wilsonstadt' (after US President Woodrow Wilson) was proposed by American Slovaks, as he supported national self-determination. The name Bratislava, which had been used only by some Slovak patriots, became official in March 1919 with the aim that a Slavic name could support demands for the city to be part of Czechoslovakia.

Other alternative names of the city in the past include Greek: Ιστρόπολις, romanized: Istropolis (meaning 'Danube City', also used in Latin), Latin: Posonium, Romanian: Pojon, Croatian: Požun.

In older documents, confusion can be caused by the Latin forms Bratislavia, Wratislavia etc., which refer to Wrocław (Breslau), Poland, not Bratislava. The Polish city has a similar etymology despite spelling differences.

History

Main article: History of Bratislava For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Bratislava. Biatec, presumably a king, who appeared on the Celtic coins minted by the Boii at the current location of Bratislava, 1st century B.C.Gerulata, a Roman Empire military camp, built in the 2nd century A.D. at the current location of BratislavaBattle of Bratislava in 907

The first known permanent settlement of the area began with the Linear Pottery Culture, around 5000 B.C. in the Neolithic era. About 200 B.C., the Celtic Boii tribe founded the first significant settlement, a fortified town known as an oppidum. They also established a mint, producing gold and silver coins known as biatecs.

The area fell under Roman influence from the 1st to the 4th century A.D. and was made part of the Danubian Limes, a border defence system. The Romans introduced grape growing to the area and began a tradition of winemaking, which survives to the present.

The Slavs arrived from the East between the 5th and 6th centuries 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 (Brezalauspurk) and Devín (Dowina) were important centres of the Slavic states: the Principality of Nitra and Great Moravia. Scholars have debated the identification as fortresses of the two castles built in Great Moravia, based on linguistic arguments and because of the absence of convincing archaeological evidence.

The first written reference to a settlement named "Brezalauspurc" dates to 907 and is related to the Battle of Pressburg, during which a Bavarian army was defeated by the Hungarians. It is connected to the fall of Great Moravia, already weakened by its own inner decline and under the attacks of the Hungarians. The exact location of the battle remains unknown, and some interpretations place it west of Lake Balaton.

In the 10th century, the territory of Pressburg (what would later become Pozsony county) became part of Hungary (called the "Kingdom of Hungary" from 1000). It developed as a key economic and administrative centre on the kingdom's frontier. In 1052, German Emperor Henry III undertook a fifth campaign against the Kingdom of Hungary, and besieged Pressburg without success, as the Hungarians sank his supply ships on the Danube river. This strategic position destined the city to be the site of frequent attacks and battles, but also brought it economic development and high political status. It was granted its first known "town privileges" in 1291 by the Hungarian King Andrew III, and was declared a free royal town in 1405 by King Sigismund. In 1436, he authorized the town to use its own coat of arms.

The earliest known depiction of Pressburg Castle (Chronicon Pictum, 1358)Pressburg (Bratislava) in 1588

The Kingdom of Hungary was defeated by the Ottoman Empire in the Battle of Mohács in 1526. The Ottomans besieged and damaged Pressburg, but failed to conquer it. Owing to Ottoman advances into Hungarian territory, the city was designated the new capital of Hungary in 1536, after becoming part of the Habsburg monarchy and marking the beginning of a new era. The city became a coronation town and the seat of kings, archbishops (1543), the nobility and all major organisations and offices. Between 1536 and 1830, eleven Hungarian kings and queens were crowned at St. Martin's Cathedral.

The 17th century was marked by anti-Habsburg uprisings, fighting with the Ottomans, floods, plagues and other disasters, which diminished the population. Great epidemics were spreading in Bratislava in 1541–1542, 1552–1553, 1660–1665 and 1678–1681. A terrible outbreak of 1678–1681 left approximately 11,000 casualties among Bratislava’s residents (city population was in that time around 30,000 people). The last plague outbreak of Bratislava was between the years 1712–1713.

Pressburg flourished during the 18th-century reign of Queen Maria Theresa, becoming the largest and most important town in the Kingdom of Hungary. The population tripled; many new palaces, monasteries, mansions, and streets were built, and the city was the centre of social and cultural life of the region. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart gave a concert in 1762 in the Pálffy Palace. Joseph Haydn performed in 1784 in the Grassalkovich Palace. Ludwig van Beethoven was a guest in 1796 in the Keglevich Palace.

The Plague Column built in 1713Coronation of Maria Theresa in 1741Maria Theresa's ride in Bratislava, 1747

The city started to lose its importance under the reign of Maria Theresa's son Joseph II, especially after the crown jewels were taken to Vienna in 1783 in an attempt to strengthen the relations between Austria and Hungary. Many central offices subsequently moved to Buda, followed by a large segment of the nobility. The first newspapers in Hungarian and Slovak were published here: Magyar hírmondó in 1780, and Presspurske Nowiny in 1783. In the course of the 18th century, the city became a centre for the Slovak national movement.


The city's 19th-century history was closely tied to the major events in Europe. The Peace of Pressburg between the Austrian Empire and French Empire was signed here in 1805. Devín Castle was ruined by Napoleon's French troops during an invasion of 1809. In 1825 the Hungarian National Learned Society (the present Hungarian Academy of Sciences) was founded in Pressburg using a donation from István Széchenyi. In 1843 Hungarian was proclaimed the official language in legislation, public administration, and education by the Diet in the city.

Devín Castle, in 1809 Napoleon Bonaparte's French army blew up the castleIn 1811, a huge fire raged through Bratislava Castle, destroyed the main palace and more than 70 nearby housesPressburg (Bratislava) in the 19th century

As a reaction to the Revolutions of 1848, Ferdinand V signed the so-called April laws, which included the abolition of serfdom, at the Primate's Palace. The city chose the revolutionary Hungarian side, but was captured by the Austrians in December 1848.

Industry developed rapidly in the 19th century. The first horse-drawn railway in the Kingdom of Hungary, from Pressburg to Szentgyörgy (Svätý Jur), was built in 1840. A new line to Vienna using steam locomotives was opened in 1848, and a line to Pest in 1850. Many new industrial, financial and other institutions were founded; for example, the first bank in present-day Slovakia was founded in 1842. The city's first permanent bridge over the Danube, Starý most (Old Bridge), was built in 1891. Between the years 1867-1918, the territory of Pressburg became part of Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Before World War I, the city had a population that was 42% German, 41% Hungarian and 15% Slovak (1910 census). The first post war census in 1919 declared the city's ethnic composition at 36% German, 33% Slovak and 29% Hungarian but this may have reflected changing self-identification, rather than an exchange of peoples. Many people were bi- or trilingual and multicultural.

After World War I, the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire began. U.S. president Woodrow Wilson and the United States played a major role in the establishment of the new Czechoslovak state. American Slovaks proposed rename the city “Wilsonovo mesto” (Wilson City), after Woodrow Wilson.

On 28 October 1918, Czechoslovakia was proclaimed, but its borders were not settled for several months. The dominant Hungarian and German population tried to prevent annexation of the city to Czechoslovakia and declared it a free city, while the Hungarian Prime Minister Károlyi protested against the Czech invasion. The Slovak National Assembly meanwhile called it a "defensive action of the Slovaks themselves, to end the anarchy caused by the flight of the Hungarians." The Allies of World War I drew a provisional demarcation line, this was revealed to the Hungarian government on December 23, in the document known as the Vix Note. The Czechoslovak Legion arrived from Italy, began to advance on 30 December and by 2 January 1919, all important civil and military buildings were in Czechoslovak hands. It was the beginning of the conflict, which later continued as the Hungarian–Czechoslovak War. The city became the seat of Slovakia's political organs and organizations and became Slovakia's capital on 4 February.

Pressburg (Bratislava) in 1915 during World War ICzechoslovak Legion at the Old Bridge (Starý most) in Bratislava during Hungarian–Czechoslovak War, 1919

On March 27, 1919, the name Bratislava was officially adopted for the first time to replace the previous Slovak name Prešporok.

At the beginning of August 1919, Czechoslovakia got permission to correct the borders for the strategic reasons, mainly to secure the port and to prevent a potential attack of the Hungarian Army on the town. On the night of 14 August 1919 barefoot Czechoslovak soldiers silently climbed to the Hungarian side of the Starý most (Old Bridge), captured the guards and annexed Petržalka (currently part of Bratislava's 5th district) without a fight. The Paris Peace Conference assigned the area to Czechoslovakia with the aim of creating a bridgehead for the newly created Czechoslovak state for controlling the Danube.

Left without any protection after the retreat of the Hungarian army, many Hungarians were expelled or fled. Czechs and Slovaks moved their households to Bratislava. Education in Hungarian and German was radically reduced in the city. By the 1930 Czechoslovak census, the Hungarian population of Bratislava had decreased to 15.8% (see the Demographics of Bratislava article for more details).

In 1938, Nazi Germany annexed neighbouring Austria in the Anschluss; on 10 October 1938 on the basis of the Munich Agreement it also annexed (still-separate from Bratislava) Petržalka and Devín boroughs on ethnic grounds, as these had many ethnic Germans. Petržalka was renamed Engerau. The Starý most (Old Bridge) became a border bridge between Czechoslovakia and Nazi Germany.

German Führer Adolf Hitler on his visit to Bratislava after Munich Betrayal, October 1938Bratislava was bombarded by the United States Army Air Forces, during the Nazi occupation in 1944

Bratislava was declared the capital of the first independent Slovak Republic on March 14, 1939, but the new state quickly fell under Nazi influence. In 1941–1942 and 1944–1945, the new Slovak government cooperated in deporting most of Bratislava's approximately 15,000 Jews; they were transported to concentration camps, where most were killed or died before the end of the war in the Holocaust.

Bratislava, occupied by German troops, was many times bombarded by the Allies. Major air raid included the bombing of Bratislava and its refinery Apollo on June 16, 1944 by American B-24 bombers of the Fifteenth Air Force with 181 victims Bombardment group attacked in four waves with overall 158 planes. On 4 April 1945, Bratislava was liberated by the Soviet Red Army 2nd Ukrainian Front during the Bratislava–Brno offensive. The Czechoslovak government and president Edvard Beneš then moved to Bratislava on 8 May.

At the end of World War II, most of Bratislava's ethnic Germans were evacuated by the German authorities. A few returned after the war, but were soon expelled without their properties under the Beneš decrees, part of a widespread expulsion of ethnic Germans from eastern Europe.

After World War II, Slovak Republic lost its so-called independence and was reunified again with the Czech Republic as Czechoslovak Republic, Petržalka (currently part of Bratislava's 5th district) and Devín (currently part of Bratislava's 4th district) was returned to Czechoslovakia. Furthermore, after signing the Peace Treaty of Paris on 10 February 1947, three Hungarian villages, namely Horvátjárfalu (Jarovce), Oroszvár (Rusovce), and Dunacsún (Čunovo) situated south of Bratislava were transferred to Czechoslovakia, in order to form the so-called "Bratislava bridgehead" (currently all three of them are part of Bratislava's 5th district).

After the Communist Party seized power in Czechoslovakia in February 1948, the city became part of the Eastern Bloc. The city annexed new land, and the population rose significantly, becoming 90% Slovak.

Soviet tank in Bratislava during the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968Iron Curtain memorial in Bratislava, 400 people were killed trying to cross the border into the West during the communist era

Large residential areas consisting of high-rise prefabricated panel buildings, such as those in the Petržalka or Dúbravka borough, were built. The Communist government also built several new grandiose buildings, such as the Slovak Radio Building, Slavín or Kamzík TV Tower. A quarter of Bratislava’s Old Town was demolished in the late 1960s for a single project: the bridge of the Slovak National Uprising. To make space for this development, much of the city’s centuries-old, historical Jewish quarter was razed, including the 19th-century Moorish-styled Neolog Synagogue.

In 1968, after the unsuccessful Czechoslovak attempt to liberalise the Communist regime, the city was occupied by Warsaw Pact troops. Shortly thereafter, it became capital of the Slovak Socialist Republic, one of the two states of the federalized Czechoslovakia.

Bratislava's dissidents anticipated the fall of Communism with the Bratislava candle demonstration in 1988, and the city became one of the foremost centres of the anti-Communist Velvet Revolution in 1989.

The end of Communist rule in Czechoslovakia in 1989 was followed once again by the country's dissolution, this time into two successor states. Czechoslovak Socialist Republic renamed as Czech and Slovak Federative Republic, the word "socialist" was dropped in the names of the two republics within the federation, the Slovak Socialist Republic renamed as the Slovak Republic.

In 1993, Bratislava once again became the capital of the newly formed independent Slovak Republic, following the Velvet Divorce.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Bratislava
Map of Bratislava
Satellite view of Bratislava

Bratislava is situated in southwestern Slovakia, within the Bratislava Region. Its location on the borders with Austria and Hungary makes it the only national capital that borders two countries. It is only 18 kilometres (11.2 mi) from the border with Hungary 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 sq mi), making it the second-largest city in Slovakia by area (after the township of Vysoké Tatry). Bratislava straddles the Danube River, along which it had developed and for centuries the chief transportation route to other areas. The river passes through the city from the west to the southeast. The Middle Danube basin begins at Devín Gate in western Bratislava. Other rivers are the Morava River, which forms the northwestern border of the city and enters the Danube at Devín, the Little Danube, and the Vydrica, which enters the Danube in the borough of Karlova Ves.

The Carpathian mountain range begins in city territory with the Little Carpathians (Malé Karpaty). The Záhorie and Danubian lowlands stretch into Bratislava. The city's lowest point is at the Danube's surface at 126 metres (413 ft) above mean sea level, and the highest point is Devínska Kobyla at 514 metres (1,686 ft). The average altitude is 140 metres (460 ft).

Climate

Bratislava has recently shifted into the humid subtropical climate under Köppen–Geiger climate classification (Cfa), closely bordering on Dfa, and is classified as temperate oceanic climate under Trewartha climate classification (Doak), It is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7b with a mean annual temperature of around 11.1 °C (52.0 °F), an average temperature of 22.0 °C (71.6 °F) in the warmest month and 0.3 °C (32.5 °F) in the coldest month, four distinct seasons and precipitation spread rather evenly throughout the year. It is often windy with a marked variation between hot summers and cold, humid winters. There also can sometimes be a significant difference in weather, between the parts of the city. Bratislava, just like any other city, has an urban heat island effect, but there is no weather station directly in the urban core, so the temperature there can be slightly higher than the official weather station reports. The city is in one of the warmest and driest parts of Slovakia.

Recently, the transitions from winter to summer and summer to winter have been rapid, with short autumn and spring periods. Snow occurs less frequently than previously. Extreme temperatures (1981–2013) – record high: 39.4 °C (102.9 °F), record low: −24.6 °C (−12.3 °F). Some areas, particularly Devín and Devínska Nová Ves, are vulnerable to floods from the Danube and Morava rivers. New flood protection has been built on both banks.

Climate data for Bratislava Airport (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1951–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 19.8
(67.6) 		19.7
(67.5) 		25.0
(77.0) 		30.3
(86.5) 		33.4
(92.1) 		36.3
(97.3) 		38.2
(100.8) 		39.4
(102.9) 		34.0
(93.2) 		28.0
(82.4) 		21.6
(70.9) 		17.9
(64.2) 		39.4
(102.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 3.1
(37.6) 		5.8
(42.4) 		11.1
(52.0) 		17.5
(63.5) 		21.7
(71.1) 		25.6
(78.1) 		28.0
(82.4) 		27.9
(82.2) 		21.9
(71.4) 		15.6
(60.1) 		9.3
(48.7) 		3.7
(38.7) 		15.9
(60.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) 0.3
(32.5) 		1.9
(35.4) 		6.1
(43.0) 		11.7
(53.1) 		16.2
(61.2) 		20.2
(68.4) 		22.0
(71.6) 		21.5
(70.7) 		16.2
(61.2) 		10.7
(51.3) 		5.7
(42.3) 		1.1
(34.0) 		11.1
(52.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −2.8
(27.0) 		−1.7
(28.9) 		1.7
(35.1) 		5.7
(42.3) 		10.6
(51.1) 		14.2
(57.6) 		16.2
(61.2) 		15.9
(60.6) 		11.2
(52.2) 		6.3
(43.3) 		2.6
(36.7) 		−1.5
(29.3) 		6.5
(43.7)
Record low °C (°F) −24.6
(−12.3) 		−24.6
(−12.3) 		−16.4
(2.5) 		−5.0
(23.0) 		−1.6
(29.1) 		2.7
(36.9) 		4.4
(39.9) 		4.8
(40.6) 		−1.7
(28.9) 		−7.6
(18.3) 		−12.5
(9.5) 		−20.3
(−4.5) 		−24.6
(−12.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 37.4
(1.47) 		32.9
(1.30) 		36.8
(1.45) 		35.9
(1.41) 		58.6
(2.31) 		59.2
(2.33) 		61.8
(2.43) 		60.5
(2.38) 		58.6
(2.31) 		43.6
(1.72) 		46.2
(1.82) 		42.7
(1.68) 		574.3
(22.61)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 13.2 11.4 11.7 9.2 11.3 10.9 11.5 10.0 9.6 11.2 12.5 13.6 136.1
Average snowy days 11.2 8.7 5.8 1.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 4.1 8.6 39.8
Average relative humidity (%) 80.9 74.7 67.5 61.0 62.8 62.0 60.5 62.3 69.2 76.8 81.9 83.2 70.2
Mean monthly sunshine hours 65.5 99.3 153.7 218.6 258.1 269.4 286.5 273.3 194.5 134.6 69.5 51.9 2,074.9
Source 1: World Meteorological Organisation
Source 2: SHMI (extremes, 1951-present)

Location

Destinations from Bratislava
Czech Republic Prague Czech Republic Brno Poland Kraków
Austria Vienna Bratislava Slovakia Košice
Austria Graz Hungary Győr Hungary Budapest

Cityscape and architecture

See also: List of palaces in Bratislava Hviezdoslav SquareMain Square

The cityscape of Bratislava is characterized by medieval towers and grandiose 20th-century buildings, but it underwent profound changes in a construction boom at the start of the 21st century.

Most historical buildings are concentrated in the Old Town. Bratislava's Town Hall is a complex of three buildings erected in the 14th–15th centuries and now hosts the Bratislava City Museum. Michael's Gate is the only gate that has been preserved from the medieval fortifications, and it ranks among the oldest of the town's buildings; the narrowest house in Europe is nearby. The University Library building, erected in 1756, was used by the Diet 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) was enacted there.

The historic centre is characterized 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, diplomats of emperors Napoleon and Francis II signed the fourth Peace of Pressburg in the Primate's Palace, after Napoleon's victory in the Battle of Austerlitz. Some smaller houses are historically significant; composer Johann Nepomuk Hummel was born in an 18th-century house in the Old Town.

St. Martin's CathedralChurch of St. Elisabeth

Notable cathedrals and churches include the Gothic St. Martin's Cathedral built in the 13th–16th centuries, which served as the coronation church of the Kingdom of Hungary between 1563 and 1830. The Franciscan Church, dating to the 13th century, has been a place of knighting ceremonies and is the oldest preserved sacral building in the city. The Church of St. Elizabeth, better known as the Blue Church due to its colour, is built entirely in the Hungarian Secessionist style. Bratislava has one surviving functioning synagogue, out of the three major ones existing before the holocaust.

A curiosity is the underground (formerly ground-level) restored portion of the Jewish cemetery where 19th-century Rabbi Moses Sofer is buried, located at the base of the castle hill near the entrance to a tram tunnel. The only military cemetery in Bratislava is Slavín, unveiled in 1960 in honour of Soviet Army soldiers who fell during the liberation of Bratislava in April 1945. It offers a view of the city and the Little Carpathians.

Franciscan Church and Monastery with the tall gothic tower was built in the late 13th century. The oldest building in Bratislava.

Other prominent 20th-century structures include the Most Slovenského národného povstania (Bridge of the Slovak national uprising) 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. In the early 21st century, new edifices have transformed the traditional cityscape. At the beginning of the 21st century, a construction boom has spawned new public structures, such as the Most Apollo and a new building of the Slovak National Theatre, as well as private real-estate development.

Bratislava Castle

Main article: Bratislava Castle
Bratislava Castle

One of the most prominent structures in the city is Bratislava Castle (Bratislavský hrad), situated on a plateau 85 metres (279 ft) above the Danube. The castle hill site has been inhabited since the transitional period between the Stone and Bronze ages and has been 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 not constructed until the 10th century, when the area was part of the Kingdom of Hungary, however, in the 9th century a pre-romanesque stone basilica, was standing in the area of the hillfort.

The castle was converted into a Gothic anti-Hussite fortress under Sigismund of Luxemburg in 1430, became a Renaissance castle in 1562, and was rebuilt in 1649 in the baroque style. Under Queen Maria Theresa, the castle became a prestigious royal seat. In 1811, the castle was inadvertently destroyed by fire and lay in ruins until the 1950s, when it was rebuilt mostly in its former Theresian style. In the 1940s, it was planned to demolish the castle ruins and replace them with a new university complex. However, it was never realised, and in the 1960s, reconstruction began. Nowadays, it serves ceremonial purposes and as a historical museum of the Slovak National Museum.

Devín Castle

Main article: Devín Castle Ruins of Devín Castle, first written reference to the Devin Castle dates back to 864.View from Devín Castle

The ruined and recently renovated Devín Castle is in the borough of Devín, on top of a rock where the Morava River, which forms the border between Austria and Slovakia, enters the Danube. It is one of the most important Slovak archaeological sites and contains a museum dedicated to its history. Due to its strategic location, Devín Castle was a very important frontier castle of Great Moravia and the early Hungarian state. It was destroyed by Napoleon's troops in 1809. It is an important symbol of Slovak and Slavic history.

Rusovce

Rusovce mansion, with its English park, is in the Rusovce borough. The house was originally built in the 17th century and was 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 centuries AD.

Parks and lakes

Further information: Parks and gardens in Bratislava
Kuchajda lake

Due to its location in the foothills of the Little Carpathians and its riparian vegetation on the Danubian floodplains, Bratislava has forests close to the city centre. The total amount of public green space is 46.8 square kilometres (18.1 sq mi), or 110 square metres (1,200 sq ft) per inhabitant. The largest city park is Horský park (literally, Mountainous Park), in the Old Town. 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 (10.5 sq mi), of which 96% is forested mostly with oak and mixed oak/hornbeam forest, and contains original flora and fauna such as European badgers, red foxes, wild boar and red and roe deer. On the right bank of the Danube, in the borough of Petržalka, is Janko Kráľ Park 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 the rare white lion and white tiger. The Botanical Gardens, which belong to Comenius University, can be found on the Danube riverfront and house more than 120 species of domestic and foreign origin.

The city has a number of natural and human-made lakes, most of which are used for recreation. Examples include Štrkovec lake in Ružinov, 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

Main article: Demographics of Bratislava
High-rise apartments in Bratislava
2021 census results
District Population Ethnic group Population
Bratislava I–V 475,503 Slovaks 407,358
Bratislava I 46,080 Hungarians 11,167
Bratislava II 125,179 Czechs 5,031
Bratislava III 76,270 Ukrainians 1524
Bratislava IV 105,245 Germans 750
Bratislava V 122,729 Other/undeclared 47,239

From the city's origin until the 19th century, Germans were the dominant ethnic group. By the end of World War I, 42% of the population of Pressburg spoke German as their native language, 40% Hungarian, and 15% Slovak.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1950194,225—    
1960238,519+22.8%
1970305,932+28.3%
1980380,259+24.3%
1991442,197+16.3%
2001428,672−3.1%
2011411,228−4.1%
2021475,503+15.6%
Source:

After the formation of the Czechoslovak Republic in 1918, Bratislava remained a multi-ethnic city, but with a different demographic trend. Due to Slovakization, the proportion of Slovaks and Czechs increased in the city, while the proportion of Germans and Hungarians fell. In 1938, 59% of the population were Slovaks or Czechs, while Germans represented 22% and Hungarians 13% of the city's population. The creation of the first Slovak Republic in 1939 brought other changes, most notably the expulsion of many Czechs and the deportation or flight of the Jews during the Holocaust. In 1945, most of the Germans were evacuated. After the restoration of Czechoslovakia, the Beneš decrees (partly revoked in 1948) collectively punished ethnic German and Hungarian minorities by expropriation and deportation to Germany, Austria, and Hungary for their alleged collaborationism with Nazi Germany and Hungary against Czechoslovakia.

The city thereby obtained its clearly Slovak character. Hundreds of citizens were expelled during the communist oppression of the 1950s, with the aim of replacing "reactionary" people with the proletarian class. Since the 1950s, the Slovaks have been the dominant ethnicity in the city, making up around 90% of the city's population.

Politics

See also: Mayor of Bratislava, Boroughs and localities of Bratislava, and International relations of Bratislava
Grassalkovich Palace, seat of the president of Slovakia

Bratislava is the seat of the Slovak parliament, presidency, ministries, supreme court (Slovak: Najvyšší súd), and central bank. It is the seat of the Bratislava Region and, since 2002, also of the Bratislava Self-Governing Region. The city hosts 41 foreign embassies and 22 consulates.

The building of the National Council of the Slovak Republic

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

Episcopal Summer Palace, the seat of the government of Slovakia

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 of Bratislava is Matúš Vallo, who won the election held on October 29, 2022, as an independent candidate. The city council is the city's legislative body, responsible for issues such as budget, local ordinances, city planning, road maintenance, education, and culture.

Primate's Palace at Primate's Square, the seat of the city's mayor

City Council

The building of the City Council

The Bratislava City Council is the legislature of the City of Bratislava. It has 45 members. The Council usually convenes once a month and consists of 45 members elected to four-year terms concurrent with the mayor's. 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 composed of the mayor and his deputies, the borough mayors, and up to ten city council members. The board is an executive and supervisory arm of the city council and also serves in an advisory role to the mayor.

Embassy of Japan (left) and Greece (right) at the Main Square. There are 41 embassies and 22 honorary consulates in Bratislava.

Administration

Administratively, Bratislava is divided into five districts: Bratislava I (the city centre), Bratislava II (eastern parts), Bratislava III (north-eastern 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 recognizes additional quarters and localities.

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

Economy

Main article: Economy of Bratislava See also: List of tallest buildings in Bratislava
National Bank of Slovakia

The Bratislava Region is the wealthiest and most economically prosperous region in Slovakia, despite being the smallest by area and having the third smallest population of the eight Slovak regions. It accounts for about 26% of the Slovak GDP. According to GDP per capita, Bratislava is the 19th-richest region in the European Union in 2023. The unemployment rate in Bratislava was 2,38% in June 2023. The average monthly salary in the Bratislava region in 2024 was €2,150.

Residential building Eurovea Tower, the tallest building in Slovakia

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, and tourism. The Bratislava Stock Exchange (BSSE), the organiser of the public securities market, was founded on 15 March 1991.

Companies operating predominantly in Bratislava with the highest value added according to the 2018 Trend Top 200 ranking, include the Volkswagen Bratislava Plant, Slovnaft refinery (MOL), Eset (software developer), Asseco (software company), PPC Power (producer of heat and steam) and Trenkwalder personnel agency.

Volkswagen Group took over and expanded the BAZ factory in 1991, and has since considerably expanded production beyond original Skoda Auto models. Currently, 68% of production is focused on SUVs: Audi Q7; VW Touareg; as well as the body and under-chassis of the Porsche Cayenne. Since 2012, production has also included the Volkswagen up!, SEAT Mii and Skoda Citigo.

In recent years, service and high-tech-oriented businesses have prospered in Bratislava. Many global companies, including IBM, Dell, Lenovo, AT&T, SAP, Amazon, Johnson Controls, Swiss Re and Accenture, have built outsourcing and service centres here. Reasons for the influx of multi-national corporations include proximity to Western Europe, skilled labour force and the high density of universities and research facilities. Also Slovak IT companies including ESET, Sygic and Pixel Federation have headquarters in Bratislava.

High-rise buildings in new Bratislava downtown. The area is composed of Sky Park, Eurovea City and New Nivy, 2024

Other large companies and employers with headquarters 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, AeroMobil, 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 or are planned in Bratislava. Areas attracting developers include the Danube riverfront, where two major projects are already finished: 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, the former industrial zone near the Old Town and in the boroughs of Petržalka, Nové Mesto and Ružinov. In 2010, the city had a balanced budget of €277 million, with one fifth used for investment. Bratislava holds shares in 17 companies directly, including the city's public transport company Dopravný podnik Bratislava, the waste collection and disposal company named OLO (Odvoz a likvidácia odpadu), and the water utility. The city also manages municipal organisations such as the city police (Mestská polícia), Bratislava City Museum and ZOO Bratislava.

Tourism

See also: Tourism in Slovakia

In 2022 a total of 927,950 people came to visit Bratislava and spent there 1,719,409 nights. These were most commonly 65% foreigners. Bratislava attracts predominantly visitors from the neighboring and nearby countries - Czech Republic, Germany, Austria and Poland. The top 5 is closed by visitors from the UK. Bratislava offered 272 accommodation facilities with 10,338 rooms in 2022. A considerable share of visits is made by those who visit Bratislava for a single day, but their exact number is not available.

Among other factors, the growth of low-cost airline flights to Bratislava, led by Ryanair, has led to conspicuous stag parties, primarily from the UK. While these are a boom to the city's tourism industry, cultural differences and vandalism have led to concern by local officials. Reflecting the popularity of rowdy parties in Bratislava in the early to mid-2000s, the city was a setting in the 2004 comedy film Eurotrip, which was actually filmed in the city of Prague, the Czech Republic.

The Prešporáčik tourist train in the Old TownMan at Work (Čumil), an icon in the Old TownGroup of tourists on a street of Old Town front of Michael's Gate

Shopping

Bratislava has eight major shopping centres: Aupark, Avion Shopping Park, Bory Mall, Central, Eurovea Galleria, Nivy Centrum, Vivo! (formerly Polus City Center) and Shopping Palace.

A month before Christmas, the Main Square in Bratislava is illuminated by a Christmas tree and the Christmas market stalls are officially opened. Around 100 booths are opened every year. It is opened most of the day as well as in the evening.

Aupark shopping mallInterior of Eurovea Galleria shopping mallCentral shopping mall

Culture

Bratislava is the cultural heart of Slovakia. Owing to its historical multi-cultural character, local culture is influenced by various ethnic and religious groups, including Germans, Slovaks, Hungarians, and Jews. Bratislava enjoys numerous theatres, museums, galleries, concert halls, cinemas, film clubs, and foreign cultural institutions.

Performing arts

Bratislava is the seat of the Slovak National Theatre, 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 in 2007, is on the riverfront. The theatre has three ensembles: opera, ballet and drama. Smaller theatres include the New Scene Theatre, the Astorka Korzo '90 Theatre, the Arena Theatre, the L+S Studio, the Naive Theatre of Radošina and the Bratislava Puppet Theatre.

Music in Bratislava flourished in the 18th century and was closely linked to Viennese musical life. Mozart visited the town at the age of six. Among other notable composers who visited or lived in the town were Haydn, Liszt, Bartók and Beethoven. It is also the birthplace of the composers Johann Nepomuk Hummel, Ernő Dohnányi, and Franz Schmidt. Bratislava is home to both the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra and the chamber orchestra, Capella Istropolitana. The city hosts several annual festivals, such as the Bratislava Music Festival and Bratislava Jazz Days. During the summer, various musical events take place as part of the Bratislava Cultural Summer at Bratislava Castle. Apart from musical festivals, it is possible to hear music ranging from underground to well known pop stars.

Bratislava is home to two of Slovakia's national folk dance ensembles, Lúčnica and Slovenský ľudový umelecký kolektív (SĽUK).

The old Slovak National Theatre building on Hviezdoslav SquareThe new building of Slovak National TheatreSlovak Philharmonic

Museums and galleries

Main article: Museums and galleries of Bratislava

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. It is the largest cultural institution in Slovakia, and manages 16 specialized museums in Bratislava and beyond. The Bratislava City Museum (Múzeum mesta Bratislavy), established in 1868, is the oldest museum in continuous operation in Slovakia. Its primary goal is to chronicle Bratislava's history in various forms from the earliest periods using historical and archaeological collections. It offers permanent displays in eight specialised museums.

The Slovak National Gallery, founded in 1948, offers the most extensive network of galleries in Slovakia. Two displays in Bratislava are next to one another at Esterházy Palace (Esterházyho palác) and the Water Barracks (Vodné kasárne) 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), in the Old Town. Danubiana Art Museum, one of the youngest art museums in Europe, is near Čunovo waterworks.

Slovak National MuseumSlovak National GalleryThe Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum, museum of modern art at Danube river

Media

See also: Television in Slovakia, List of radio stations in Slovakia, and List of newspapers in Slovakia
Slovak Radio Building

As the national capital, Bratislava is home to national and many local media outlets. Notable TV stations based in the city include Slovak Television and Radio (Slovenská televízia a rozhlas), Markíza, JOJ and TA3. STVR radio's headquarters has its seat in the centre, and 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 The Slovak Spectator. Two news agencies are headquartered there: the News Agency of the Slovak Republic (TASR, Tlačová agentúra Slovenskej republiky) and the Slovak News Agency (SITA, Slovenská tlačová agentúra).

Sport

Main article: Sport in Bratislava

Various sports and sports teams have a long tradition in Bratislava, with many teams and individuals competing in Slovak and international leagues and competitions.

National football stadium

Football is currently represented by the only club playing in the top Slovak football league, the Fortuna Liga. ŠK Slovan Bratislava, founded in 1919, has its home ground at the Tehelné pole stadium. ŠK Slovan is the most successful football club in Slovak history, being the only club from the former Czechoslovakia to win the European football competition the Cup Winners' Cup, in 1969. FC Petržalka akadémia is the oldest of Bratislava's football clubs, founded in 1898, and is based at Stadium FC Petržalka 1898 in Petržalka (formerly at Pasienky in Nové Mesto and Štadión Petržalka in Petržalka). They are currently the only Slovak team to win at least one match in the UEFA Champions League group stage, with a 5–0 win over Celtic FC in the qualifying round being the most well-known, alongside a 3–2 win over FC Porto. Before then FC Košice in the 1997–98 season lost all six matches, despite being the first Slovak side since independence to play in the competition.

In 2010 Artmedia were relegated from the Corgon Liga under their new name of MFK Petržalka, finishing 12th and bottom. FC Petržalka akadémia currently competes in 5. liga after bankruptcy in summer 2014. Another known club from the city is FK Inter Bratislava. Founded in 1945, they have their home ground at Stadium ŠKP Inter Dúbravka in Dúbravka, (formerly at Štadión Pasienky) and currently plays in the 3. liga. There are many more clubs with long tradition and successful history despite the lack of success in last years, e.g. LP Domino Bratislava currently playing in 4. liga; FK Rača Bratislava competing in the 3. liga as well as Inter; FK ŠKP Inter Dúbravka Bratislava, following ŠKP Devín (successful team from the 1990s) and partially following the original Inter (original Inter bankrupted in 2009, sold the Corgoň Liga license to FK Senica and legally merged with FC ŠKP Dúbravka; current Inter has taken over the tradition, name, colours, fans, etc., but legally is no successor of the original Inter); FC Tatran Devín, the club that was successful mostly at youth level and merged with ŠKP Bratislava in 1995; MŠK Iskra Petržalka, playing under the name ŠK Iskra Matadorfix Bratislava in the former 1st League (today 2nd) in 1997/98.

Ondrej Nepela Arena, ice-hockey and mixed use arena

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 has represented Bratislava from the 2012–13 season in the Kontinental Hockey League. Slovnaft Arena, a part of Ondrej Nepela Winter Sports Stadium, is home to HC Slovan. The Ice Hockey World Championships in 1959 and 1992 were played in Bratislava, and the 2011 World Championship were held in Bratislava and Košice, for which a new arena was built. The city also played host to the World Championship in 2019.

The Čunovo Water Sports Centre is a whitewater slalom and rafting area, close to the Gabčíkovo dam. It hosts several international and national canoe and kayak competitions annually.

In 1966, Bratislava named its new multi-sports stadium after tennis player Ladislav Hecht.

The National Tennis Centre, which includes Aegon Arena, hosts various cultural, sporting and social events. Several Davis Cup matches have been played there, including the 2005 Davis Cup final. The city 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 Devín–Bratislava National run is the oldest athletic event in Slovakia, and 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.

Bratislava is also the centre of rugby union in Slovakia and motorcycle speedway previously existed at several venues throughout the city.

Education and science

Universitas Istropolitana buildingComenius University headquarters at Šafárikovo námestie

The first university in Bratislava, in the Kingdom of Hungary (and also in the territory of present-day Slovakia) was Universitas Istropolitana, founded in 1465 by King Matthias Corvinus. It was closed in 1490 after his death.

Bratislava is the seat of the largest university (Comenius University, 27,771 students), the largest technical university (Slovak University of Technology, 18,473 students), 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 the first private college in Slovakia, City University of Seattle. In total, about 56,000 students attend university in Bratislava.

There are 65 public primary schools, nine private primary schools and ten religious primary schools. Overall, they enroll 25,821 pupils. The city's system of secondary education (some middle schools and all high schools) consists of 39 gymnasia with 16,048 students, 37 specialized high schools with 10,373 students, and 27 vocational schools with 8,863 students (data as of 2007).

The Slovak Academy of Sciences is also based in Bratislava. However, the city is one of the few European capitals to have neither an observatory nor a planetarium. The nearest observatory is in Modra, 30 kilometres (19 mi) away, and the nearest planetarium is in Hlohovec, 70 kilometres (43 mi) away.

Transport

Main articles: Transport in Bratislava and Public Transport in Bratislava See also: List of bridges in Bratislava city Nivy is a mixed use complex with underground international bus station opened in 2021.Terminal building at Bratislava Airport (BTS)Bratislava is also served by the Vienna International Airport, located 49 kilometres (30.4 mi) west of the city centre.

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

Public transport 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) and employs buses, trams, and trolleybuses. Most of the Bratislava public transport is coated in a typical color combination of red and black.

Bratislava is also part of an integrated system, IDS BK, connecting city public transport with other transport companies in the Bratislava region. Traveling with a single ticket is possible throughout the system network, both in Bratislava and to the nearby villages and cities, including three other districts of Senec, Malacky, and Pezinok.

As a rail hub, the city has direct connections to Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Croatia, Slovenia and the rest of Slovakia. Bratislava-Petržalka railway station and Bratislava Main station are the principal railway stations.

Daily trains and buses from Bratislava to Vienna run multiple times every hour, with the Wien Hbf train station serving Bratislava as well, with more connections throughout Europe, opening possibilities for a travel to Italy and France with a quick change of trains in Vienna.

The main bus station (Autobusová stanica or Autobusová stanica Nivy) is located at Mlynské Nivy, east of the city centre, and offers both bus connections to cities in Slovakia and international bus lines. A new bus station attached to a shopping mall, administration centre, and Bratislava's tallest skyscraper, Nivy Tower, was opened on the 30th of September 2021. The bus station lies underground and its design was inspired by airport terminals. The waiting area offers enough space and comfort to wait for the bus.

The motorway system provides direct access to Brno in the Czech Republic, Vienna in Austria, Budapest in Hungary, Trnava, and other points in Slovakia. The A6 motorway between Bratislava and Vienna was opened in November 2007.

The Port of Bratislava is one of the two international river ports in Slovakia. The port provides access to the Black Sea via the Danube and to the North Sea through the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal. Additionally, tourist lines operate from Bratislava's passenger port, including routes to Devín, Vienna, and elsewhere. In Bratislava there are currently six bridges standing over the Danube (ordered by the flow of the river): Most Lafranconi (Lafranconi Bridge), Most SNP (Bridge of the Slovak National Uprising, previously called Nový most or New bridge) with the famous UFO Tower, Starý most (The Old Bridge), Most Apollo (Apollo Bridge), Prístavný most (The Harbor Bridge) and Lužný most (The Floodplain bridge).

Bratislava's M. R. Štefánik Airport is the main international airport in Slovakia. The airport is located 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) north-east of the city centre, with fast connections served by the city public transport. It serves civil and governmental, scheduled and unscheduled domestic and international flights. The current runways support the landing for all common types of aircraft. It served 2,024,000 passengers in 2007. Bratislava is also served by the Vienna International Airport located 49 kilometres (30.4 mi) west of the city centre. It is common for Bratislava residents to use the Vienna airport often, as it offers more variety and can be reached under 60 minutes from Bratislava with a car.

Škoda 30 T tram in BratislavaTwin City Liner express boat on the Danube, connecting Bratislava with ViennaA typical red bus in Bratislava

International relations

Paparazzi statue in Bratislava's Old Town
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Slovakia

Twin towns – sister cities

Bratislava is twinned with the towns and cities:

* Numbers in parentheses list the year of twinning. The first agreement was signed with the city of Perugia in Italy on 18 July 1962.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Bratislava

Honorary citizens

People who have received the honorary citizenship of Bratislava are:

Date Name Notes
4 September 1990 Helmut Zilk Mayor of Vienna
24 September 1997 Edita Gruberová Sopranist
19 November 2009 Václav Havel (1936–2011) President of Czechoslovakia 1989–1992 and President of the Czech Republic 1993–2003
26 September 2011 Major General Roy Martin Umbarger United States Army Officer
28 October 2014 Karel Gott Czech singer
19 December 2020 John Paul II Catholic Pope

Image gallery

See also

Portals:

Notes

  1. English: /ˌbrætɪˈslɑːvə/ BRAT-iss-LAH-və, US also /ˌbrɑːt-/ BRAHT-, Slovak: [ˈbracislaʋa] ; Hungarian: Pozsony [ˈpoʒoɲ] .
  2. Hungarian: Pozsony, Hungarian pronunciation: [ˈpoʒoɲ]; German: Pressburg or Preßburg, pronounced [ˈpʁɛsbʊʁk] ; Slovak: Prešporok. The name fell out of use in both languages after the establishment of Czechoslovakia.

References

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  6. "Sčítanie: Koľko ľudí sa v Bratislave hlási k rôznym cirkvám a koľkí sú bez vyznania?". Bratislavské noviny (in Slovak). January 24, 2022.
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  8. Wells, John C. (2008), Longman Pronunciation Dictionary (3rd ed.), Longman, ISBN 978-1-4058-8118-0
  9. Roach, Peter (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary (18th ed.), Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, ISBN 978-0-521-15253-2
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Sources

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  • Janota, Igor (2006). Bratislavské rarity (Rarities of Bratislava) (in Slovak) (1st ed.). Bratislava, Slovakia: Vydavateľstvo PT. ISBN 80-89218-19-9.
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Genealogical resources

The records for genealogical research are available at the state archive "Statny Archiv in Bratislava, Slovakia"

  • Roman Catholic church records (births/marriages/deaths): 1601–1897 (parish A)
  • Lutheran church records (births/marriages/deaths): 1606–1919 (parish A)

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    The Danube
    Countries Map indicating the Danube
    Cities
    Tributaries
    Canals
    See also
    Capitals of European states and territories
    Capitals of dependent territories and states whose sovereignty is disputed shown in italics.
    Sovereign states
    States with
    limited recognition
    Dependencies
    United Kingdom
    Constituent countries
    Crown Dependencies and
    Overseas Territories
    Other
    Federal states
    Austria
    Belgium
    Communities
    • Brussels, Flemish Community and French Community
    • Eupen, German-speaking Community
    Regions
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Germany
    Russia
    Republics
    Autonomous okrugs
    Krais
    Oblasts
    Federal cities
    Switzerland
    Autonomous
    entities
    Italy
    Autonomous regions
    Portugal
    Autonomous regions
    Spain
    Other
    European Union Capital cities of the member states of the European Union
    Netherlands:
    Amsterdam
    Amsterdam
    Greece:
    Athens
    Athens
    Germany:
    Berlin
    Berlin
    Slovakia:
    Bratislava
    Bratislava
    Belgium:
    Brussels
    Brussels
    Romania:
    Bucharest
    Bucharest
    Hungary:
    Budapest
    Budapest
    Denmark:
    Copenhagen
    Copenhagen
    Ireland:
    Dublin
    Dublin
    Finland:
    Helsinki
    Helsinki
    Portugal:
    Lisbon
    Lisbon
    Slovenia:
    Ljubljana
    Ljubljana
    Luxembourg:
    Luxembourg
    Luxembourg City
    Spain:
    Madrid
    Madrid
    Cyprus:
    Nicosia
    France:
    Paris
    Paris
    Czech Republic:
    Prague
    Prague
    Latvia:
    Riga
    Riga
    Italy:
    Rome
    Rome
    Bulgaria:
    Sofia
    Sofia
    Sweden:
    Stockholm
    Stockholm
    Estonia:
    Tallinn
    Tallinn
    Malta:
    Valletta
    Valletta
    Austria:
    Vienna
    Vienna
    Lithuania:
    Vilnius
    Vilnius
    Poland:
    Warsaw
    Warsaw
    Croatia:
    Zagreb
    Zagreb
    Categories: