Slovakia’s capital is a return between European capitals, Bratislawa and Vienna, just one hour from the train. A generation ago, the city was virtually a ghost city. Today, Bratislava is not only rich – colored with facades, vibrant outdoor cafes, and swanki boutiques – but it is also growing at an incredible speed.
World War II gave up a damaged husk to Bratislava. After the war, the communists showed very little interest in preserving the city’s legacy, to make way for the Jewish quarters to their Ultramodern New Bridge, built a highway sliced through the old city, and even sold the medieval coles of the city to lovely German cities, who were rebuilding the war and trying to make their own outdated world character.
With the collapse of communism in 1989, the new government of Slovakia began the process of sorting construction rights and returning them to its original owners. By 1998, most of these property issues were resolved, and the owners were encouraged to restore their buildings. The city also did its share, instead of all street coals, uprooted public buildings, and traffic-free the city. Bratislava was reborn, and life returned with a vengeance.
Old World Bratislawa’s stir center, its main class, is Hlavane Namasti. It has been rolled by an institution, Cafe Meyer, a very atmospheric cafe for an institution for Cafe Mondiu since 1873, an Art Nouveau has been placed in a bank building and is known for its 1904 kilometer mosaic. During the holidays, a Christmas gives a blanket to the market class.
Buildings that surround the square date from different architectural periods. When these buildings were restored, great pain was taken to achieve authenticity, corresponding to each color when it was used when it was originally manufactured. The impressive Old Town Hall stands on top of the square, with a Gothic core and baroque forefathers. Near the lower part of its bold yellow tower, a gun embedded in the mask serves as a memory of Napoleon’s influence on Brati’s. Another reminder is the cartoonish statue of a Napoleon officer which is twisted on one of the benches on the category. A cap was drawn on barefoot and her eyes, it is hardly a flattering picture.
It is one of the many eccentric sculptures that reflect the old city of Bratislava. Most of these dates from the late 1990s, when the city leaders wanted to bring the locals back to the new east-old city. Standing outside the Kaifi mayor, a Joviel Chap duffed his top hat. It is a poor carpet cleaner, dressed in a black suit and top hat, a statue of the Shauner Nasi, brightening the streets of Bratislava during the communist days, gifting women. Another Brathislava stability is a statue of čumil “The Peepar”, which exits a manhole with a smile on her face (despite being operated by a truck – twice).
There is a look at the discovery of Old Town where this country has been. But wandering outside the center takes a look at where it is. Construction with Danube Riverfront continues, which has already been converted into a public friendly park. At the bottom of the Old Town is futuristic Eurovia, a computer-related urban is similar to dreamskpe. This development includes a rivaraside park, luxury condos, a modern shopping mall and shiny office building.
Despite the large -scale progress, the city’s communist remains a holdover from the past. The most prominent milestone from this time is bizarre, flying-ascetic SNP Bridge. Local people are not crazy about this structure – not only represents the suspected starship enterprise design, but also due to oppressive rule. However, the capitalists have retrieved the bridge in the part, converting the space into a posh restaurant and observation deck, properly called UFO.
With thousands of students in many universities, Bratislawa has a young energy and optimism. You can feel their presence, especially at night. Because there is no campus in this way, Old Town is the place where students go to play. Some party operates in pre -bomb shelters, which was formed during the stressful time around the Cuba missile crisis. Today these make an ideal place for clubs – correct, but powerful soundproof in the city.
For me, Bratislava is one of the stories of the great urban success of Europe. I once thought as a pressed, disappointing place, now a vibrant and joy with an inspirational energy. Bratislava has played in the post-communist Central European city, showing what can happen when a government and its people work together for the reconstruction of a city.
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