Square of Freedom, Bratislava

Námestie Slobody (Freedom Square), is one of the most well-known squares in Bratislava. It's located in the central part of the Staré Mesto district. The location of the current square was covered with vineyards during medieval times. It probably originated in the 17th century, with the Summer Archbishop's Palace which was built there. It currently houses the Slovakian government. Later, it was rebuilt as a grassy area, divided by an alley of trees. It was called Kniežacie or Fürstenallee and Hercegfasor. The Slovak expression Firšnál originated from Fürstenallee. The Post Office palace (which is the biggest post office in the world), and the buildings of Slovak Technical University, were built there during the 1940s and 1950s, thereby closing the square in from all sides. The biggest fountain in Bratislava stands there, and it was built in 1980. It was one of the first squares in Bratislava that was renamed after the Velvet Revolution in 1989.