Church of St. Elizabeth. Church of St. Elizabeth (Bratislava, Slovakia)
The romantic Blue Church of St. Elizabeth is located outside the historical center of Bratislava, but can be reached on foot in about 20 minutes. This Catholic church is affectionately called “kostelik” by locals. It is often used for weddings, so you shouldn’t come here on Saturdays so as not to interfere with someone else’s celebration.
The church in the Secession style was built at the insistence of Countess G. M. Sapari near the Old Bridge in 1909-1913. But urban legend says otherwise. Rumor has it that this church was founded by Emperor Franz Joseph, grieving for his wife Sisi, who absurdly died at the hands of a murderer.
Be that as it may, for the construction of the church they used the services of the famous architect Eden Lechner. At first, the church with one oval nave was used as a school church, because the church was considered part of a gymnasium, built in the same architectural manner. The building of the educational institution is located next to the church. The priest's house was built in the same style.
Above the church, an oval-shaped tower with a dial and bells rises to a height of 36.8 m. She is crowned with a cross. You can endlessly look at the details of the church’s design. Above the main entrance to the temple there is a mosaic depicting St. Elizabeth, who was a Hungarian princess and was born in a local castle. The church has an unusual interior, made in white and blue tones.
Interestingly, it was the Church of St. Elizabeth that had the honor of representing the architecture of Slovakia in the Brussels miniature park.
There is a truly fabulous building that made a great impression on me - this is the Church of St. Elizabeth (Alzhbeta) or in common people the Blue Church, so called by local residents and tourists for its heavenly color.
It is located a little further from the center, on Bezrucova Street. You'll have to spend a little time searching, but it's definitely worth it, and the path passes through no less interesting places..
For example, through the very green, quiet and secluded Safari Square.
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At first sight I fell in love with this bright building on Alzhibetskaya Street! Some kind of fabulous colorful area!)
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What an abundance of greenery, walking here is a pleasure.
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A very touching “Duck Fountain” (Kacacia fontana) from 1914, symbolizing the legend of the watery ones turned to stone.
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I also came across this building with a fancy decor right opposite the Blue Church.
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Probably, if I lived in Bratislava, I would want to live somewhere in this positive area).
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And here it is - the most unusual and beautiful church in Bratislava!
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The church was built in 1913, in just 4 years, by the Hungarian architect Eden Lechner in the Art Nouveau style.
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Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary established this church in memory of his murder in Geneva in 1898. wife, Empress Elisabeth of Bavaria (Sisi).
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Near this building there are very unusual sensations, as if you were in a fairy tale, everything seems so unreal and fabulous. By the way, in the Mini-Europe park in Brussels, it is the Blue Church model that represents Bratislava and Slovakia as a whole.
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The church was consecrated in honor of the namesake of Empress Sisi, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, who lived in the 13th century. Above the main entrance there is a mosaic illustration of Elizabeth's main miracle. According to legend, her husband forbade her to do charity work, but she did not listen to him and hid bread in her apron, which she distributed to the poor. When she was asked to open her apron, everyone saw roses there. Elizabeth died at only 24 years old, but during her short life she managed to open a hospital, where she worked along with other nurses. She was later canonized as a saint.
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The interior of the church is also blue, and above the main altar you can see an image of St. Elizabeth.
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It was impossible to go inside, but, in principle, almost everything can be seen from afar.
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The building next to the church is made in the same style as the church.
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Small statue of St. Elizabeth.
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To the right of the Blue Church there is a building built by the same architect in the same style, only in a different color - this is the Catholic Gymnasium. Previously, the church was part of the gymnasium and served as a chapel; later it was separated and became an independent object.
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A memorial stone next to the church with the inscription on it "Nenarodenym", which translates as "Unborn"...
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But not everything looks so fabulous in this area of Bratislava. This sad picture can be seen right in front of the main entrance to the Blue Church... Bratislava is all about such contrasts...
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And even this is not all the interesting places in Bratislava; in the following posts we will continue to walk along its unusual streets!
The capital of Slovakia, Bratislava, is undeservedly forgotten by tourists. The city is small, but beautiful and interesting. You have no idea how rich its 2000-year history is!
Bratislava, photo PROBeth Doherty
When the Czech Republic and Slovakia were united after World War II, Bratislava became a simple provincial city. It lost its status as a capital, because all important institutions moved to Prague. Tourists forgot the city; it received insufficient funding. Architectural monuments were gradually destroyed.
After the collapse of Czechoslovakia, everything changed. Bratislava again became a significant capital of the newly independent Slovakia. Thanks to its advantageous location in a picturesque area on the border of three countries (Slovakia, Hungary, Austria), the tourism industry has revived. The city came to life, old monuments were restored.
Modern Bratislava is a beautiful European city that has preserved its historical features.
How to visit Bratislava
A visit to the city can be combined with a trip to the Schengen countries. It’s not worth going to Bratislava “for the sake of Bratislava itself”: the compact historical center, if desired, can be explored in a few hours. From Vienna you can get here in an hour. There is no need to change currency: in the capital of Slovakia, payments are made in euros.
Walk around the city
The main sites can be explored within a day, but a detailed exploration will require several trips. Not all historical places in Bratislava are yet accessible to the public: many monuments are under reconstruction. If you're lucky with the weather, take a walk around the city. I will describe the optimal route covering the main attractions of Bratislava. And in cloudy and rainy weather, it is better to go to a museum or sit in one of the cozy bars.
Bratislava Castle
Music Museum
Sigismund's Gate
Cathedral of St. Martina
Mikhailovsky Gate
Wine Museum
Church of the Most Holy Savior
Church of the Annunciation
Gvezdoslav Square
Slovak National Theater
Redoubt Palace
Monument to Ludovit Štúr
Fishing Square
St. Elizabeth's Church
Trinitarian Church
Monument to the Slovak National Uprising
Church of St. Ladislava
Church of St. Elizabeth
Bratislava Castle, photo by Hugo Hofverberg Hagman
Bratislavský hrad or “Kremlin” is the dominant feature of the city. The powerful quadrangular complex adorns many postcards with views of Bratislava. Its white walls and pointed towers rise above the Danube bank and old roofs. Although the Castle is not very original in architectural terms and is surrounded by a not at all impressive residential area, you can walk along its walls and admire the panorama of historical Bratislava.
The castle has existed since the 10th century. It was rebuilt more than once: its current appearance dates back to the 15th century, and the last reconstruction took place in the last century. Under Maria Theresa, changes were made in the Baroque style, but after a devastating fire set by the Austrian military in 1811, they were hardly preserved. The city was completely burned out from the inside, stood in ruins for a long time, and was rebuilt in 1968 in the late Gothic style.
Address: Zámocká 811 01 Bratislava-Staré Mesto. The city is open all year round from 09:00 to 17:00. Entrance to the territory is free.
The Slovak National Museum (Slovenské národné múzeum – Historické múzeum) has been opened within the walls of the Bratislava Kremlin. The museum's collection contains historical rarities: paintings and furniture, antique watches and weapons, medals. The Coronation Tower has a viewing platform.
At the foot of the castle you will find another museum, the Musical Museum (Slovenské národné múzeum – Hudobné múzeum). It is located in the Luginsland tower. The exhibition is based on folk instruments.
Nearby, the Zygmunt Gate (Žigmundova brána) from the 15th century has been preserved - a fragment of fortifications built in the late Gothic style.
The castle stairs lead to the Blue House (Modrý Dom). The Museum of Artistic Crafts (Múzeum umeleckých remesiel) is open here. The collection contains works of decorative and applied art.
Address: Beblavého 1, 811 01 Bratislava-Staré Mesto.
Next to it is an unusual old house, the House of the Good Shepherd (dom U dobreho pastiera), the narrowest in the capital. The house received its name because of the sculpture of Christ, called the Good Shepherd, installed on the corner of the mansion. It houses the Clock Museum (Múzeum hodín). The exhibition features watches made by local craftsmen from the 17th to the 19th centuries: portable and sundials, floor and wall clocks, alarm clocks and pocket watches.
Address: Židovská, 811 01 Bratislava-Staré Mesto. Website: muzeum.bratislava.sk. The entrance ticket costs €2.30.
Address: Židovská 297/17, 811 01 Bratislava – Staré Mesto-Staré Mesto. Website: snm.sk. Entrance €7.
Cathedral of St. Martina
The Gothic Cathedral of St. Martin (Katedrála sv. Martina) has existed since the 13th century. The emperors of the Holy Roman Empire and the kings of the Austro-Hungarian Empire were once crowned here, which is why the main tower of the temple is decorated with a golden Hungarian crown. Inside there are neo-Gothic stained glass windows and a baroque sculptural group of St. Martina. In the dungeon under the temple there are burial places of priests and eminent nobles.
Address: Rudnayovo námestie 1, 811 01 Bratislava. Website: dom.fara.sk.
City walls
Several buildings from the 17th century have been preserved near the cathedral. If you go up from the temple to the New Bridge, you can see fragments of the 18th century fortifications that then surrounded the city.
Mikhailovsky Gate
The old town is a labyrinth of narrow streets. One of them, Michalská, opens with the ancient Michalská brána. This is an architectural complex consisting of a baroque gate tower, a gate, a drawbridge and a moat. The 50-meter tower was built in the 13th century. Inside there is the Bratislava City Museum with an exhibition of historical weapons and city fortifications (Múzeum zbraní a mestského opevnenia), and at the top there is an observation deck. Under the gate arch you can see the Prime Meridian - the starting point of the roads in Slovakia.
Address: Michalská 22,811 03 Bratislava-Staré Mesto. Website: bratislava.sk. Entry €4.30.
Palace of the Hungarian Royal Chamber
Along Michalska Street, passing the baroque palace of the 18th century, we move to the intersection with Sedlarska Street. There stands the Palace of the Hungarian Royal Chamber (Palác Uhorskej kráľovskej komory) with an allegorical sculptural group of Law and Justice on the roof.
This baroque mansion was built for the royal chamber in 1753-1756. Later, the lower house of the Hungarian Diet met here; Hungarian, Czechoslovak and Slovak judiciaries; cadastral agencies. Now the palace houses a university library, where valuable Islamic manuscripts are stored, which are included in the list of UNESCO monuments. This is written on a board near the entrance.
Address: Michalská 263/1, 811 01 Bratislava.
Ventúrska Street leads to the baroque-classical Palace of Leopold de Pauliho (Palác Leopolda de Pauliho), built in 1775 – 1776. This building preserves the music salon where 9-year-old Franz Liszt made his debut on November 28, 1820. In 1802 - 1848 The Hungarian parliament met in the building. Nowadays the university library is located in the Pauli Palace.
Address: Ventúrska 263/11,811 01 Bratislava – Staré Mesto.
Nearby is another Baroque building that is part of the city's musical glory. In 1762, 6-year-old Mozart performed at Pálfiho palác. Today the Austrian embassy is located here.
Address: Ventúrska 274/10, 811 01 Bratislava.
Market Square
From Michalska Street we turn left towards the heart of the city – the Main Square (Hlavné námestie) or Market Square. Her ensemble is decorated in a baroque style with fragments of classicism and gothic style. The center of the square is the Renaissance Roland Fountain (Rolandova fontána), installed in 1572, dedicated to Maximilian II. It is crowned with a sculpture of a glorious knight with a sword and armor.
Old Town Hall – City Museum
Opposite Roland is the Old Town Hall (Stará radnica), a Renaissance building with a Gothic gate. The town hall tower has existed since the 13th century; new wings were added to it both in the 15th century and in the 20th century during the neo-Gothic reconstruction. City council meetings were once held here, prisoners were then kept, and coins were minted. Nowadays the City Museum (Mestské múzeum) is opened in the town hall. You can relax in the cozy courtyard of the complex, but not everyone can climb the tower: it works according to a certain schedule.
Address: Radničná 577/1, 811 01 Bratislava – Staré Mesto-Staré Mesto. Website of the city museum: muzeum.bratislava.sk. Entrance – €1.
Wine Museum
From the town hall courtyard, you can go to the left to the Wine Museum (Múzeum vinohradníctva) with a historical cellar and an exhibition of ancient equipment.
Address: Apponyiho palác, Radničná 1, Bratislava. Website: muzeum.bratislava.sk. Entrance – €4.
Jesuit Church
If we turn right, we will get to Franciscan Square (Františkánske námestie) with wonderful public gardens. On its right side stands the Jesuit Church of the Most Holy Savior (Kostol Najsvätejšieho Spasiteľa (Jezuitský)), built in 1636-1638. Baroque style, without tower and presbytery.
The main portal is decorated with massive wooden carved doors. The interior of the temple is decorated in Rococo style. Pay attention to the pulpit by the sculptor Ludwig Gode and the altar with paintings by Franz Xavier Palck.
Address: Františkánske námestie,811 01 Bratislava-Staré Mesto.
Franciscan Church
Next to the Jesuit church is the Franciscan Church of the Annunciation (Kostol Zvestovania Pána) - one of the oldest religious buildings in the city (XIII century), which has retained the original Gothic features only in its decoration.
The main nave of the church contains the relics of Saint Reparatus, an Italian priest who died in 353. The Franciscan Church played a large role during the coronation processions of the Hungarian kings. Here they knighted the Golden Spur.
Address: Františkánske nám. 406/1, 811 01 Bratislava.
Mirbach Palace – Picture Gallery
Opposite the Church of the Annunciation stands the Mirbachov Palace - a beautiful building, an example of Slovak Rococo, built in 1770. Its author is considered to be Anton Hillebrandt, and the relief design of the facade was created by M. Gerligl. Emil Mirbach bequeathed his palace to the city as an art museum. Since the middle of the last century, the Bratislava Picture Gallery (Galéria mesta Bratislavy) has been open here with a large collection of Baroque paintings, engravings, miniatures with scenes from the Bible and a rich sculpture collection.
Address: Františkánske námestie,811 01 Bratislava. Gallery website: gmb.sk.
Palace of the Primate
If you move in the other direction from the Town Hall courtyard, you can reach the cozy Primas Square (Primaciálne námestie). Here stands the neoclassical Archbishop's Palace or Primate's Palace (Primaciálny palác), as the heads of Bratislava's self-government were called, with a powerful portico of four columns. The building was built in 1781: it was the residence of Archbishop Joseph Batany, so the pediment above the golden-pink facade is topped with a large cardinal's hat.
An exposition of the city Art Gallery is now open in the palace. All that remains of the original ancient interiors are portraits of representatives of the Habsburg dynasty, English tapestries and carpets of the 17th century. Interesting is the Hall of Mirrors, where the Peace of Prespor was concluded in 1805. Now it has been turned into a concert hall.
Today the Primate's Palace is the residence of the mayor of Bratislava.
Address: Primaciálne námestie 1, 811 01 Bratislava-Staré Mesto.
Gvezdoslav Square
We leave the Main Square along Rybárska brána street - we find ourselves on Hviezdoslavo Square (Hviezdoslavovo námestie). The ancient square underwent reconstruction at the end of the last century, and its appearance has changed significantly. Before perestroika it was a park. Now it is a beautiful boulevard with fountains and plenty of greenery. Here stands the historic Carlton Hotel, completely restored by the beginning of the 21st century.
On the square there is a monument to the Slovak writer Pavel Orsaga Hvezdoslav, after whom it is named.
National Theater and Ganymede Fountain, photo Dan
The dominant feature of the square is the Slovak National Theater (Slovenské národné divadlo), the oldest in the country. The neo-Renaissance building has existed since 1886. Its pediment is decorated with a plastic composition, the center of which is the muse Thalia.
In front of the theater there is an elegant fountain “Ganymeda” (Ganymedova fontana). Zeus, turning into an eagle, stole and carried away the most beautiful boy on Earth - Ganymede - to Olympus. The pedestal is surrounded by a bowl decorated with sea turtles, crayfish and frogs, into which water flows. Beneath it sit 4 boys holding fish.
Address: Jesenského,811 02 Bratislava-Staré Mesto. Theater website: snd.sk.
Redoubt Palace
Not far from the National Theatre, if you walk along Mostovaya Street, there is another theater building - the beautiful neo-baroque Reduta Palace. Previously, it housed a theater and a cinema. Now the building is given to the Slovak Philharmonic, and several halls belong to a restaurant and the largest casino in the city.
The rectangular building is richly decorated with stucco and decorated with architectural details characteristic of the Baroque, Rococo and Viennese Secession.
Address: Medená, 811 02 Bratislava-Staré Mesto.
Church of the Assumption
Hidden in the shade of the trees between the theaters is an 18th-century church - the Baroque Church of the Assumption or Notre Dame (Kostol Nanebovzatia Panny Márie (Notre Dame)), which is part of the monastery complex.
Address: Jesenského 198/2, 811 02 Bratislava.
Monument to Ludovit Štúr
Near the Redoubt Palace, on Štúra Square (Námestie Ľudovíta Štúra), there is a monument to the educational reformer, writer, linguist and historian - Ludovit Štúra (Socha Ľudovíta Štúra). Until 1919, a monument to Maria Theresa stood on this site.
Fishing Square
From the west, Fishing Square (Rybné námestie) adjoins Gvezdoslavskaya Square. In the middle of the small Fish Square stands the plague pillar (Morový stĺp) - the column of the Holy Trinity, erected in 1713. The pompous baroque monument offers a view of the New Bridge.
New bridge
The New Bridge (Nový most), now called the SNP Bridge (Bridge of the Slovak National Uprising) (Most SNP) is a majestic modern structure supported by a single high-rise pillar (85 m), on top of which there is a “flying saucer” restaurant. You can get there by elevator. The bridge leads to the Petrzalka area.
A promenade stretches along the Danube embankment Rázusovo nábrežie. Right on the river, there is an unusual floating hotel called Gracia.
On the Rázusovo embankment there is the Slovak National Gallery (Slovenská národná galéria, SNG). She occupies the Esterháziho palác, which was rebuilt and expanded especially for her in the 1970s. The gallery displays many works of art, authentic Gothic altars.
Address: Námestie Ľudovíta Štúra, 811 02 Bratislava-Staré Mesto. Gallery website: sng.sk.
The exhibition of the Natural Museum (Prírodovedné múzeum), which belongs to the Slovak Folk Museum (Slovenské národné múzeum), tells about the flora, fauna and geological structure of Slovakia. The museum is located on the Wayanskaya embankment of the Danube.
Address: Vajanského nábrežie,811 02 Bratislava-Staré Mesto. Website: snm.sk.
A monument was erected near the entrance to the museum in 1988, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Czechoslovak Republic. After 5 years the state collapsed.
In front of the museum there is a pier for high-speed passenger ships that travel around the capital's environs, as well as to Vienna and Budapest.
Further on you can see the Old Bridge (Starý most), opened with the personal participation of Emperor Franz Joseph I in 1890. In 2008, private cars were banned from driving across the bridge. Now you can cross it on foot, by bus or tram.
Turning through Safari Square (Šafárikovo námestie) onto Bezručova Street, you can go to the Church of St. Elzbety (Kostol svätej Alžbety), it is also called the Blue Church (Modrý kostolík). Franz Joseph ordered the construction of this unusually beautiful building in memory of Sissi, after the death of his wife. The temple was built in 1913 in Art Nouveau style - it became Elizabeth's symbolic mausoleum. The architect Lechner, who created the church, also built the original gymnasium building located nearby.
Address: Bezručova,811 09 Bratislava-Staré Mesto.
Župnaya Square
On Župné námestie Square there are two Baroque churches: the Church of St. Stephen and the Church of St. Trinity.
The Church of St. Stephen (Kostol sv. Štefana) with the Capuchin Monastery is a complex of religious buildings on Šupna Square. The church is simply decorated and lacks a bell tower. Above the main entrance with a rose window there is a niche where there is a sculpture of the patron of the church. Under the temple there are catacombs with burials of wealthy citizens. In front of the church, in an open area, there is a column with a statue of the Virgin Mary.
Address: Župné námestie 11, 811 03 Bratislava.
Trinitarian Church
Nearby is the Church of St. Trinity or Trinitarian Church, full name Church of St. John de Math and Felix de Valois (Katedrála svätých Jána z Mathy a Felixa z Valois, Kostol trinitárov), which, together with the Trinitarian monastery, forms a single historical and architectural monument.
The main decoration of the temple is a painted dome with optical illusions, the work of the Italian artist Antonio da Bibiena. He is also the author of the main altar with a canvas by the German artist Franz Xavier Palck, which depicts the founders of the Trinitarian order and patrons of the church, ransoming slaves from Turkish captivity.
Address: Župné námestie 11,811 03 Staré Mesto.
Presidential palace
Grassalkovich Palace, photo cajorys
Suché mýto street will lead to one of the main capital squares – Hodžovo námestie. Here stands the Grassalkovičov palác, the residence of the President of Slovakia. In front of its façade there is a symbolic “globe” fountain. You can watch the changing of the guard or go to the palace garden.
Address: Hodžovo námestie 2978/1, 811 06 Bratislava.
On the same square, in the former archbishop's residence, is the seat of the Slovak Council of Ministers; Main Post Office building; the building of the Slovak Radio in the form of a rotated pyramid.
From Hodžovo Square through Poštová and Obchodná streets we go to the Slovak National Uprising Square (Námestie SNP). The monument to participants in the Slovak national uprising is dedicated to the memory of Slovak anti-fascists who rebelled in 1944 against the occupation regime. In front of the sculptural group in the style of socialist realism, the Eternal Flame burns.
Passing the Tesco hypermarket, we turn onto Špitálska Street. Two more ancient churches have been preserved on it: the classical church of St. Ladislaus and the Baroque Church of Elzbetanok.
Church of St. Ladislava
Church of St. Ladislava (Kostol svätého Ladislava) is dedicated to the Hungarian king Ladislaus I of the Arpad family, the first building dates back to 1309. The modern church was built in 1830. He is considered hospitalized because adjacent to the city hospital.
In the interior, noteworthy is the large fresco by Ferdinand Lüttgendof depicting the Apotheosis of St. Ladislaus and mosaic above the main altar. Upon entering the nave, on the right side, there is an imitation of the Lourdes Cave.
Address: Špitálska,811 08 Bratislava-Staré Mesto.
St. Elizabeth's Church
Church of St. Alzhbety (Elizabeth) (Kostol a kláštor svätej Alžbety) is part of the monastery complex of the Order of St. Elizabeth. It was built in the 18th century in the Baroque style and consecrated in honor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary.
In a niche in the façade of the church there is a sculpture of St. Elizabeth and a beggar. Inside, notice the ceiling fresco.
Address: Špitálska 2189/21,81232 Bratislava – Staré Mesto-Bratislava. Website: alzbetinky.sk.
Slavin
Memorial on Slavin, photo Peter Kuzmin
At a distance from the center of the capital, behind Bratislava Castle, stands Slavín Hill - the resting place of 6,845 Soviet soldiers who died during the bloody battles of 1945. Since 1960, a 37 m high monument has been built here, which is a stele with the figure of a liberating soldier, towering over the hall in the manner of ancient mausoleums with an exhibition about the feat of the dead. The memorial on Slavina is visible from anywhere in the Old Town.
In addition to the graves near the stele, you will see underground bunkers, the Meadow of Peace, and an Orthodox wooden crucifix. Some of the trees planted were brought from the Soviet Union. There is an observation deck near the monument.
Transport
Bratislava's public transport includes trams, trolleybuses, buses and taxis. There is no metro in the city. Public transport runs almost 24 hours a day, from approximately 04:00 to 23:30 during the day, and in between at night.
Transport tickets are valid for a specific time: 15, 30, 60 and 90 minutes, as well as one or more days. On weekends, the duration of tickets increases: 30-minute tickets are valid for 45 minutes, and 60-minute tickets are valid for 90 minutes.
Official website of Bratislava public transport dpb.sk. You can plan your trip in advance. At the stops there is a schedule with the route and time.
Bratislava has two zones. The 1st is the city center and its surroundings, the 2nd is areas located far from the center. Ticket prices also depend on the zone.
Ticket prices
15 minutes. costs €0.70,
60 min. - €0.90,
24 hours - €4.50,
48 hours – €8.30
weekly - €15.
Tickets are sold in special machines at stops (the machine only accepts coins), at DPB branches, at the central station, at newsstands or by SMS to number 1100.
How much you pay for a taxi depends on the carrier company. If you order a taxi by phone, it will be cheaper than catching one on the street.
Bratislava is a small city, so it is better to travel on foot around the city center.
Transfer from Bratislava airport. Milan Rastislav Stefanik can be ordered.
Events and holidays
- Coronation Day, which takes place on the first weekend of September,
- International music festival of classical music, takes place in the fall,
- International Photography Festival,
- Christmas Fair.
Devin Fortress, photo Palo Bartos
Not far from Bratislava you can see: the Red Stone and Paishtun castle, the castle in Trencin (between Zilina and Bratislava), the Spis Fortress, the castle in the city of Nitra, the Rusovce palace-estate.
Bratislava is located on the border with Hungary and Austria. Take advantage of this and visit Budapest and Vienna. A little further are the Czech Republic and Poland.
I wrote in the article about how to travel from Bratislava to Vienna.
How can you breathe fresh river air, and then go to the capital of Austria for one, wrote.
You can order a transfer to the place you are interested in.
How can I save up to 20% on hotels?
It’s very simple - look not only on booking. I prefer the search engine RoomGuru. He searches for discounts simultaneously on Booking and on 70 other booking sites.
The Church of St. Elizabeth in Bratislava is a Roman Catholic church, which is called Blue for its façade color. According to the stories of local historians, the construction of the church was conceived by the King of Austria-Hungary, Franz Joseph: according to his idea, the temple took on the appearance of a symbolic mausoleum of Sisi’s tragically deceased wife (Hungarian inscriptions also speak about this). Above the portal is a mosaic image of St. Elizabeth, who was the patroness of the royal wife. Once upon a time there was a church on the street. Bezrucova was a chapel belonging to one of the universities. And in 1908 it was turned into an elegant, chiseled Catholic basilica, based on the design of a Hungarian architect Eden Lechner . The consecration of the church took place in 1913.
In the name of St. Many European monasteries, infirmaries, and churches are named after Elizabeth. A person of aristocratic roots married Landgrave Ludwig at an early age Thuringian and, as expected, led a court life. But this did not stop her from following the Franciscan ideals of the poor, so she never tired of caring for the poor and infirm.
Church of St. Elizabeth appears before townspeople and tourists in all the glory of Viennese Secession (Art Nouveau). Its exterior is made in the form of an oval with an adjoining tower (height - 36.8 m) in the shape of a cylinder. At first, the Blue Church was supposed to be crowned with a dome, but the roof of the temple was covered with glazed blue tiles. They are made in the Slovak city Modra . Surprisingly, the church walls are also decorated with blue tiles, which is not typical for religious buildings. The gates, main and side, are decorated with double Roman columns. The main gate at the top is decorated with a mosaic pattern laid out with a rose. There is a legend associated with this flower, which tells about such a miracle that happened. Saint Elizabeth ignored the request of her rich husband not to patronize the poor and hid bread intended for the poor in her apron. Her husband, who found out about this, forced her to show what she hid in her apron. But when the wife showed what she had buried in it, the surprised husband saw that they were roses. So this miracle formed the basis of the worship of the saint.
The Art Nouveau style is distinguished by the subtle flow of all the details of the structure into each other. There are similar elements in the interior of the church. As intended, the color of heavenly blue predominates in it. Saint Elizabeth in the temple is depicted above the altar distributing bread to the poor, and her good deeds are depicted on the frescoes.
In the architectural ensemble together with the Church of St. Elizabeth also includes a monument in the form of a huge stone with the inscription “Unborn Children” in front of the church and the building of the Catholic Gymnasium, located nearby.
