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Category: Cities in Slovakia

Pezinok is a nice wine production known town in the foothills of the Little Carpathians. The main tourist attractions include Pezinok castle. It was built on the foundations of a medieval water castle and is currently being used to store win. A tavern is located at this place as well.

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Category: Cities in Slovakia

Svaty Jur, once a free royal city, like all the cities of this region's has a rich wine production tradition.  There are many sihgts situated over here. In the village part called Neštich is loacated early Gothic church and above the village a ruin of castle Biely Kamen with remains of Slavic settlement. The natural attractions are presented by a swamp called Sur.

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Category: Natural monuments in Slovakia

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

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Category: Architectural monuments and buildings

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.

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Category: Zoo and botanical gardens in Slovakia

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.

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Category: Natural monuments in Slovakia

The attractions of Bratislava undoubtedly include this important paleontological site, which harbors a large number of Tertiary fossils. Sandberg is located near the village of  Devinska Nova Ves, namely on the slopes of a mountain called Devinska Kobyla.

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Category: Castles and ruins in Slovakia

The history of Bratislava has another important monument – Devin Castle. From the city center it is situated about 10 km and is located above the village of the same name - Devin. Devin Castle is an important historical location, as well as popular relax area of Bratislava citizens. Location of the castle was once strategically important because it lies at relatively high rocky cliff above the confluence of the Danube and Morava. Signs of settlements are documented here in prehistoric times. Later on around the nearby town of Carnuntum outposts of the Roman army base were built. Devin name comes from the Old Slavonic word – dowina, meaning a girl. Devin was in those times a fortress, where the Prince Rastislav resisted the Frankish troops. The castle became a ruin in 1809 after being blown up by Napoleon's troops.

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Category: Historical monuments in Slovakia

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.

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Category: Theatres in Slovakia

The theater building is located on Hviezdoslavovo Square and was built in 1886. It should serve as a space of urban theater. Currently, the theater is a place of opera and ballet, but in the past belonged to drama. An interesting monument standing directly in front of the theater is Ganymede's fountain, which had been built by V. Tilgner. It symbolizes the story of Ganymede, which is displayed on top of the fountain. Eagle kidnapped him, according to legend, to serve the gods on Mount Olympus as a waiter.

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Category: Castles and ruins in Slovakia

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.

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Category: Historical monuments in Slovakia

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).

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Category: Castles and ruins in Slovakia

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.

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Category: Historical monuments in Slovakia

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.

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Category: Festivals and cultural events in Slovakia

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.

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Category: Churches in Slovakia

St. Martin's cathedral is one of the most famous buildings in Bratislava. It became famous as a particular church, where the coronation of kings took place. The history of this church dates back to 1221 when a Romanesque basilica construction started. Later in the 16th century, the church was completed as a Gothic cathedral with three naves. Later four chapels were built. St. Martin's Cathedral was part of the city fortifications.

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Category: Castles and ruins in Slovakia

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.

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