Bratislava: A historical city on the Danube

We had just spent a fantastic few days in Vienna and to end our trip we took a ferry boat and sailed down the Danube. An hour and a half later we arrived in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. It may be compact but this city is steeped in history. Perched on a cliff close to the river stands the gleaming white Bratislava Castle. The castle dates back to the 13th century and an exhibition inside the castle charts its history through the ages. Taking a stroll round the town, you’ll pass Michael’s Gate, the only city gate that has been preserved as part of the old fortifications of the city. Heading north you’ll then come to the large, cobbled town square, Havlne namestie, with its brightly coloured buildings and historic Old Town Hall. Be sure to also check out the Blue Church on the eastern part of the old town. This Catholic art nouveau building really is blue inside and out, including the ceramic blue tiled roof. The one thing I noticed when wandering around town was the number of street statues that are dotted around. The most famous one is Cumil the sewer worker, popping his head up from underground. But there are loads of others from Napoleon to Hans Christian Anderson and everything in between. funny, sad, mythological - the creative geniuses were certainly at work in Bratislava. Slovakia’s cuisine is hearty and Bratislava is the perfect place to sample it. Try bryndzové halušky, soft potato dumplings with tangy sheep cheese and crispy bacon. For dessert, try a trdelník (a sweet pastry rolled in sugar and cinnamon) from a local street stand. We only had a couple of days to explore Bratislava but what we saw was a beautiful old town with lots of historic charm and friendly people and we would certainly return.