Bratislava region

Academia Istropolitana is located in two houses on medieval street Ventúrska. It was residence of one of the first humanistic schools of Hungary. The founder of the Academia Istropolitana was King Matthias Corvinus and lectures were given here by a well-known scholars of those times, such as J. Muller Regiomontanus. At the moment these spaces are being used by Theatre Arts Faculty of Comenius University.

A nice tip for a trip during a weekend of relaxation within a shorter Botanical Garden of the Comenius University was founded in 1942.

Perhaps the most characteristic symbol of Bratislava is Bratislava Castle. The castle dominates the city, which is underlined by its position. The castle is clearly visible from far and is built on the castle hill, which was inhabited for several thousand years and is therefore older than the other city extending from underneath. Complicated renovation of the castle after the devastating fire in 1811 gave the building its present form known as overturned chair - legs are just four distinctive towers.

Regular celebration in September is the coronation ceremony, held at the old town. This is held to remember the first coronation in 1563, when Maximilian II. Habsburg was crowned in Bratislava. The essence of this celebration is the reconstruction of a coronation ceremony at the Cathedral of St. Martin. The program continues in the beautiful historical streets with the traditional acts that had freshly crowned king in the past completed.

Of course there is the coronation procession in historical costumes, vow ceremony, Knights of the Golden Spur dubbing ceremony. The route of the coronation procession is marked in urban pavement depicting metal objects shaped as kings crown.

Bratislava Zoo is the traditional place of leisure for families with children. In the past, the area has undergone several changes and now you can find here the newly built Dinosaur Park. Perhaps the biggest attraction of the zoo is rhinoceros, as well as giraffes, zebras, camels, predatory felines, monkeys placed in a special pavilion, and a variety of birds. Dinopark visitors can admire the large-size models of prehistoric reptiles and learn many interesting facts about their way of life. Bratislava Zoo can be visited all year round. It is a convenient target for unusual walk.

Budmerice known for its romantic manor house, built it in the 19th century by the Pálffy line. At the moment it serves as House of Slovak writers.

Červený Kameň Castle is one of the most famous castles in Slovakia. It is a frequent target of hiking and belongs to the Little Carpathian Wine Route. The history of the castle was written by Fugger and Palffy families, who rebuilt the castle into pompous Renaissance palace. At Červený Kameň are often organized cultural events, such as historical fencing tournaments. Visitors can check out interesting historical collections here as well.

In Slovakia, the Danube cycling route passes Berg border crossing and can be an excellent tip for your holiday in Slovakia. It runs along the Danube embankment towards the Prístavný most bridge.
From the Prístavný most bridge bike path continues on both sides of the Danube – around the Gabčíkovo dam to the village Vojka.

Devín - Bratislava Run is a traditional running event, which usually launches the whole running season in Slovakia. This year it will be held on Saturday 13.04.2014. Pleasant spring run, suitable for all categories of runners takes place on the main track 11,625 m long with start under the Devín castle rock and finish line in the center of Bratislava near the Danube river.

Mansion complex in the village of Dolná Krupá has been managed by Music Museum since 2003, which belongs under Slovak National Museum. The village is located 10 km from Trnava. Objects of the  mansion including 20 hectares English park are unique classical monument in whole Slovakia range.

This important administrative center is known by two castles, while in the older one - the Renaissance – the city gallery is located. Tudor style Gothic can be admired in the second mansion, which has a beautiful park

Hurbanovo is located near the town of Komárno and is known mainly for beer production. As well there is the oldest slovak observatory from 1871 located here. Near Hurbanovo, in Martovce village tourists can view a clay peasant home of 19 century and the related exposure of folk dwelling.

This village is situated on the left bank of the Danube. The main attractions include Iža remnants of the Roman Kelemantium. Tourist can enjoy their stay in this area by visiting the southernmost village in Slovakia - Patince, where a thermal bath is located.

Komárno lies at the confluence of the Danube and Váh and Danube. Komárno is next important administrative centre of this part of Slovakia. It is well known for relatively large number of  sights such as Fortress of Komárno. In the 17th century it was the biggest bastion fortification in Central Europe. The city is also surrounded by an outer fortification system. Currently, one of the main attractions of Komárno is so-called Europe square, which concetrates various architecture styles, trying to symbolize the different euroregions.

Little Carpathians are mountains with a height of 700 m stretching across south – western Slovakia with a total range of about 100 km. The near lying region is popular for its viniculture. The southern slopes of the Little Carpathians have ideal orientation for the cultivation of vines and also satisfactory ground. Throughout the vast area of vines from Bratislava Raca to Smolenice are scattered towns and villages constituting the Little Carpathians Wine Route, where they organize various wine tastings. Vines were brought by Roman soldiers into this area. That supported local growth, development and nowadays tourism. Little Carpathians region is rich for very nice castles and ruins. The main centers are Modra, Pezinok, Smolenice and Svaty Jur.

Little Carpathians mountains are very suitable for undemanding summer and winter tourism, whether by foot, by bike or on skis. The most popular peaks are Zaruby (the highest peak), Vapenna and Vysoka, where hiking can be combined with a visit to the many castles and ruins around this area. Other attractions include an information trail called the World of Color in Pezinok, which is particularly appreciated by fans of art. The trail leads the visitor through the locations connected with the name of important slovak painter Jan Kupecky. The trail includes his birthplace, but also presents other painters. It stops at Schaubmans mill as well, which includes Gallery of Naive Art.
Svaty Jur

Pezinská Baba is the most important winter sports resort in the Little Carpathians at an altitude of 527 m above sea level. Located 12 km from the town Pezinok on top of the mentioned mountain range.

The resort features five lifts with a total capacity of 3680 people per hour, and ski runs with the summary length of 2910 m, equipped with artificial snow and artificial lighting.
Lift operation is daily 9:00 to 16:00 and night skiing from 17:00 to 21:00.

The center is equipped with ski equipment rental and ski school www.dksport.sk

The center has also regularly groomed cross-country trails - 8 km long, suitable for classic and skating technique as well.

More detailed information available at www.lkbaba.sk and tel.: +421 33 6 402 312

text: LK Baba Pezinok

This medieval building was a major point of city fortifications. Michalska brana is one of the main sights of the old city. It is the only surviving gate of the city fortifications. It was built in the 14th century and later held more construction changes. Visiting St. Michaska brana is interesting not just because of seeing the historical collections, but mainly because of the excellent view of the old town. The tower is accessed via St. Michael Bridge, which rises above the fortification ditch at a former Barbican.

Skyline of Bratislava is strongly characterized by the SNP Bridge, also known under the name of New Bridge. The bridge has an unusual structure with a restaurant situated in a building shaped as UFO, which is located above the bridge on two 85 meter higj pilons, anchored by ropes. It is this structure that significantly affects the overall impression of the city. The bridge is 430 meters long, 21 meters wide and weighs 7,537 tons. The restaurant previously known as Bystrica is a very good view point of the city. Is it possible to use a lift that is situated in the left pilon. In the right pilon is situated an emergency staircase. The bridge has two stages. On the top stage runs a motorized transport and the bottom, consisting of two footbridges, is used by pedestrians and cyclists.

Nitra Castle can be recommended as a tip for a nice and really cheap trip during your holiday in Slovakia. It rises on a hill above the city of Nitra.

Nové Zámky is the largest center of the Danube region. This city was in ancient times under the rule of the Turks and a fortress against them was build in here, whose foundations can now be seen in the streets, that are of star arrangement. You can visit tomb of the first codifier of slovak language - A. Bernolák, located in the Chapel of the Holy Trinity.

Medieval buildings located between the Hlavne square and Primacialne square represent the city town hall. During the founding of the town hall in the 14th century, a Jacobean house was rebuilt. It is located on the town hall tower site. Hall was eventually extended to the neighboring town houses, as well as other buildings, were completed. The Old Town Hall offers collections, that are showing the history of Bratislava and feudal justice. The collections are located in Town Museum. It is interesting that this museum is the oldest in Slovakia. It was founded in 1868. Town Hall Tower offers a nice view of the Hlavne square and the Maximilian fountain, which is situated there (built in 1572).

The Presidential Palace is located on Hodžovo square and belongs to the Rococo period and is popular for a very nice baroque garden. Is also known under the name Grassalkovichov palace and was built in 1760. The first owner was just Anton Grassalkovich. Palace now serves as the seat of the Slovak president, but in the past has been the center of cultural life. In 1772 there was organized a ball here in honor of Mary Christine - daughter Maria Theresa of Saxe-Teschen and Prince Albert.  Grassalkovich palace was visited by J. Haydn as well, who led the ballroom orchestra. The president resided here from 1939 until the end of the war in 1945. The head of state resides here again as of year 1993.

Primacialny Palace is placed on the same-named square and is one of the main symbols of Bratislava. This palace was built for J. Batthyanyi - Primate of the Hungarian Catholic Church, which symbolizes the huge cardinal's hat on top of the impressive neoclassical facades of the building. The interior of the palace includes the Hall of Mirrors, where was signed in 1805 Peace of Pressburg, after the battle Emperors by Slavkov. Primacialny Palace is especially famous by its tapestries that were woven during the 17th century by the royal weaving in England in Mortlake.

Danube region is known by plenty of Romanesque churches. They represent the architecture of the early Middle Ages. The most important religious buildings include the Diakovce Basilica, churches in Holice, Štvrtok na Ostrove, Hamuliakovo and Šamorín.

Very nice romantic castle, one of the most famous in Slovakia, located above the same name village on the slopes of Little Carpathians. Castle belonged to Pálffy line and today it is used by the Slovak Academy of Sciences as the House of researchers.

All fans of active recreation are invited to heavy dose of relax in Stupava. The popular event - Stupava marathon with a rich accompanying program is a stable sport event taking place in summer and winter more than 10 years in a row. It is great mountain cycling and trail running event.

The main point of all cycling and marathon running activities is concentrated in Stupava village at the foot of picturesque Little Carpathians. For mountain cycling marathon participants of all ages from young children to seniors are prepared tracks in length from a few short rounds in Stupava park up to 105 kilometer challenge in the forests of the Little Carpathians for the true distance lovers.

longest trail is nearly 3000 m elevation! Start of each cycling stage is on Saturday and it is separated within time according to the length of the trail. On Sunday, you can run a 17 km run through beautiful Carpathian forests. As well a combination of cycling and running is possible. This run except of enjoying  a beautiful forest area offers 350 m elevation of uphill trail.
If you would like to enjoy run and cycling, organizers offer a combination of them. This category also offers discounted entry fee.

Accompanying program of Stupava Marathon is really the right place to be for families with children. You can experience the unique sightseeing flight in a hot air balloon and helicopter overlooking the track, or enjoy a cultural program in Stupava.

Performances by musical groups, or showman on BMX bikes. You can also visit booths with outdoor equipment. Come and have fun at Stupavska Marathon!

For more information on the event website: www.stupavskymaraton.sk

Šurany is located near Nové Zámky. It is interesting that part of this town called Nitriansky hrádok is famous for a number of archaeological findings. This place is called Slovak Troy related this fact.  One of the most fundamental discovery was finding of Hrádocká Venus. In 1854 there was the first slovak sugar factory  built in Šurany.

Podunajská nížina lowland - is due to its geological structure rich for significant sources of hot mineral water. The most famous thermal drill is located in Veľký Meder, which erupts 14 liters of water per second with a temperature of  almost hundred degrees of Celsius. This represented an excellent base to build the local thermal baths. There are many similar baths located in this area - Patince, Podhájska, Dunajská Streda, or Štúrovo.

The most popular tourist attractions in Slovakia include technical romantic sights hidden in oxbows of the Danube - the old water mills. To this day only a few of them preserved - in Kolárovo, Jelka, Dunajský Klátov, or Tomášikovo. Each of these mills ahs something specific, such as Kolárovo mill is the only mill in Slovakia built as a floating ship.

Zochová chata - Piesok is well-known resort in the Little Carpathian Mountains at an altitude of 438 m above sea level. The centre can be reached via the city of Modra. Distance from the town of Pezinok is 12 km.