Introduction
The capital and largest city of the Eastern European country of Slovakia is Bratislava. Bratislava lies on the Danube River, at the western end of the Carpathian Mountains. It is in the southwestern corner of Slovakia, near the borders with Austria and Hungary. The famous city of Vienna, Austria, is only 35 miles (56 kilometers) to the west. Just outside the city on the slopes of the Carpathian Mountains are Slovakia's many wine vineyards. Bratislava is the cultural center of Slovakia.
Places of interest
The main landmark in Bratislava is an enormous castle, which stands on high ground about 300 feet (100 meters) above the Danube River. The castle was the home of the royal family until a fire destroyed it in 1811. Afterward the castle was repaired and rebuilt. The city also has a large Gothic cathedral. Several kings and queens of the Hapsburg empire were crowned there. Michalská is a historic street lined with old palaces, and St. Michael's Tower is a watchtower that has a collection of antique weapons inside.
As the cultural center of Slovakia, Bratislava has many museums, concert halls, and theaters. The Municipal Museum, located in the 13th-century Town Hall, has displays about the city's history. The Slovak National Gallery has paintings and other art, particularly by modern Slovak artists. The Reduta is a well-known concert hall, and the historic Slovak National Theater presents operas and ballets.
Economy
Bratislava has a mixed economy. Many people work in government agencies, business offices, banks, and other places that provide services. The city's factories make cloth, chemicals, electrical goods, and other products.
History
People have lived in the Bratislava region since prehistoric times. Groups of Celts and Romans built forts and villages there, and a group of Slavs known as Slovaks arrived in about the 6th century AD. In the 10th century the area around Bratislava, called Slovakia, became part of the kingdom of Hungary. Bratislava soon became a center of trade and grew into a large city. In the second half of the 15th century, a university was opened there.
In 1526 the city became Hungary's capital after the previous capital, Buda, was taken over by Turkish invaders. Bratislava remained the Hungarian capital until 1784, and the Hungarian parliament continued to meet there into the 19th century. During the time that Bratislava was the capital of Hungary, the city prospered. Grand palaces were built and music and culture thrived.
After World War I (1914–18), Slovakia broke away from Hungary and became part of the new Czechoslovakian Republic. Bratislava was the capital of Slovakia during this period, and it remained the capital when Slovakia became an independent country in 1993. Population (2000 estimate), 448,290.
