Hlavne Namestie (Main Square), Bratislava (must see)
The central point of Bratislava's Old Town, the Main Square, has been a hub of city life for centuries. It is surrounded by notable landmarks, including Kutscherfeld Palace on the northwestern side, the Old Town Hall on the eastern side, and the Maximilian Fountain at the center. Numerous restaurants, cafés, and bars in the area keep the square lively throughout the day. Kutscherfeld Palace stands at the corner of Main Square and Sedlárska Street.
During the winter months, the Main Square is home to Bratislava's Christmas market. The entire area is decorated, and vendors set up stalls throughout the square. You'll find souvenirs, mulled wine, beer, and a variety of traditional Slovak foods.
Over the years, the square has changed names several times. During World War II, it was named in honor of Adolf Hitler. From 1948 to 1989, it was known as 4 April Square, commemorating the date Bratislava was liberated by the Red Army.
Several sculptures also decorate the square. One of the most popular is the Napoleonic Soldier, leaning over the back of a bench and commemorating the city's siege during the Napoleonic Wars. At the southeastern corner of the square, where it meets Rybárska Brána Street, stands the Schöne Náci statue, depicting the well-known Bratislava character Ignác Lamár tipping his top hat to passersby.
During the winter months, the Main Square is home to Bratislava's Christmas market. The entire area is decorated, and vendors set up stalls throughout the square. You'll find souvenirs, mulled wine, beer, and a variety of traditional Slovak foods.
Over the years, the square has changed names several times. During World War II, it was named in honor of Adolf Hitler. From 1948 to 1989, it was known as 4 April Square, commemorating the date Bratislava was liberated by the Red Army.
Several sculptures also decorate the square. One of the most popular is the Napoleonic Soldier, leaning over the back of a bench and commemorating the city's siege during the Napoleonic Wars. At the southeastern corner of the square, where it meets Rybárska Brána Street, stands the Schöne Náci statue, depicting the well-known Bratislava character Ignác Lamár tipping his top hat to passersby.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Bratislava. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Hlavne Namestie (Main Square) on Map
Sight Name: Hlavne Namestie (Main Square)
Sight Location: Bratislava, Slovakia (See walking tours in Bratislava)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Bratislava, Slovakia (See walking tours in Bratislava)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Nearby Sights
Walking Tours in Bratislava, Slovakia
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The capital of Slovakia, Bratislava, is a lovely city straddling the Danube River near the convergence of the Austrian and Hungarian borders. Such proximity has taken its toll on the city's long and often tumultuous history, in which Austrians, Croats, Czechs, Germans, Hungarians, Jews, Serbs, and Slovaks have all played a role.
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