On Day 6 of our journey, 14 May 2026, we arrived in Bratislava, the capital and largest city of Slovakia. After breakfast, we set out on our customary guided walking tour to explore the city's historic center and landmarks.
As we disembarked and walked along the embankment near the docking area, we were greeted by the striking building known locally as Fajnorka, home to the Secondary School of Mechanical Engineering. The building's distinctive architecture and prominent riverside location make it one of the recognizable landmarks along the Danube waterfront.
Adjacent to Fajnorka, on the right-hand side of the photograph, stands the Faculty of Arts of Comenius University, the oldest and largest university in Slovakia. Its elegant façade reflects the city's rich academic tradition and serves as a reminder of Bratislava's role as an important center of education and culture. Together, these buildings provide an impressive introduction to the city, blending its educational heritage with the architectural character of the Danube riverfront.
Fajnorka.
We crossed the Old Bridge, which offered panoramic views of the surrounding cityscape and the Danube River. From this vantage point, we could appreciate Bratislava's unique blend of historic architecture and modern development. In the distance, we caught sight of another of the city's most iconic landmarks - the UFO Bridge.
The bridge is instantly recognizable by its distinctive "flying saucer" structure perched atop a single pylon. Rising 85 meters above the river, the saucer-shaped observation deck dominates the skyline and has become a symbol of modern Bratislava. Housed within this futuristic structure is the renowned UFO watch.taste.groove. restaurant, which offers visitors spectacular panoramic views of the city, the Danube, and even neighboring Austria and Hungary on clear days.
Completed in 1972, the UFO Bridge is considered one of the most remarkable examples of modern engineering in Slovakia. Its striking design creates a dramatic contrast with the medieval charm of Bratislava's Old Town, reflecting the city's seamless blend of history and innovation.
UFO Bridge at far left.
In the distance, perched atop a hill, we could make out Bratislava Castle, a prominent landmark and historic fortress that overlooks the Danube River and dominates the skyline of Slovakia's capital.
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The tour began at a small building marked by a squatting boxer figure. Our guide explained that it commemorates David Unreich (1907–1957), also known as Ben Shalom, a celebrated Jewish heavyweight wrestler from Bratislava. A national champion and international competitor, he later helped defend the city's Jewish community against rising fascism before escaping Europe in 1939 and continuing his career in the United States.
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Entrance to the Main Square.
From there we entered Hlavné námestie (Main Square), the historic heart of Bratislava's Old Town. Surrounded by colorful merchant houses and noble residences, the square reflects centuries of rebuilding after fires, wars, and political upheavals. At its center stands the Maximilian Fountain, Bratislava's oldest fountain, built in 1572 by King Maximilian II and still accompanied by local legends about the knight atop the monument.
We then visited the Old Town Hall, one of Slovakia's oldest civic buildings, dominated by the Town Hall Tower. Dating from the late 13th and 14th centuries, the tower originally served both administrative and defensive purposes. Over time it was rebuilt following earthquakes and fires, resulting in its present Baroque appearance. Highlights include the clock tower, historic stone carvings, coats of arms, and the cannonball embedded in the wall, a reminder of Napoleon's 1809 bombardment of Bratislava. Today the complex houses the Bratislava City Museum.
The above two photographs presents the courtyard side of the complex, where later additions are more visible. The building with the distinctive patterned green roof and Neo-Gothic details was added during major renovations in the early 12th century. Its decorative stonework and picturesque roofline demonstrate the period's enthusiasm for reviving medieval architectural forms. Adjacent to the complex stands the elegant Primate's Palace, a separate but closely associated landmark that historically served ecclesiastical and ceremonial functions.
Together, these buildings illustrate how the Old Town Hall evolved from a collection of private houses into the civic heart of medieval Bratislava. Although the structures originated in different periods and styles, they are physically and historically connected as parts of the same municipal complex. Today, the Old Town Hall houses the Bratislava City Museum, serving as a center for exhibitions, education, cultural events, and public access to the city's rich historical heritage.
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Strolling through the surrounding pedestrian streets, we encountered some of Bratislava's most famous statues: Čumil, the bronze worker peering from a manhole; Schöne Náci, honoring the city's beloved eccentric Ignác Lamár; and Napoleon's Soldier, leaning casually on a bench for photographs.
Čumil.
Schöne Náci.
Napoleon's Soldier.
The tour concluded at the Historic Building of the Slovak National Theatre on Hviezdoslav Square. Built in 1885–1886 in Neo-Renaissance style by Viennese architects Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer, it became the home of the Slovak National Theatre in 1920. With its grand colonnaded façade, rooftop sculptures, central dome, and the nearby Ganymede Fountain, it remains one of Bratislava's most important cultural landmarks.
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