Bratislava History

The history of a creative human presence in the territory of today’s Bratislava goes back to the Stone Age. However the Celtic settlement (establishment of a large power and defence town – Oppidum near the Castle hill of Bratislava) and Roman military forts (Devin Castle rock, Bratislava Castle and Gerulata/Rusovce community) opened the real doors to history.

Moreover Bratislava situated on the banks of the river Danube was predetermined to develop itself into important trade crossroad and multinational culture centre (Baltic-Adriatic Sea and Danube merchant axis). The territory of Bratislava became a significant meeting point situated on a border zone separating Roman Empire and Germanic worlds. In Middle Ages it became an important border town between Austrian, Czech and Hungarian area of interest.
The first written notice about the city and the Castle comes from 907 AD. The Salzburg Chronicle mentioned the battle between Bavarians and Old Hungarians at the foot of Brezalauspurch castle hill. At that time being the territory of today’s Slovakia was still a part of Great Moravia Empire. But Bavarians defeat at Bratislava opened the doors to the newcomers – Hungarians.

Since that time (10th century) up to 1918 Slovakia was an integrated part of Hungarian Kingdom and Bratislava became an important strategic border town on the way to the Czech and Austrian Kingdoms. The geographical position of the city – on the crossroads – made it attractive and Austrians, Czechs and Hungarians wanted to be the city’s only ruler.

The date 2nd of December 1291 was a significant milestone in history of Bratislava. The King Ondrej III (Andrew) granted Bratislava full town privileges and its inhabitants became free citizens of a royal borough (a free royal city). In the course of next two hundred centuries (14th and 15th) Bratislava received another privileges: a right to strike coins in its own mint and a right to use coat of arms. The development of trade and crafts (especially viticulture, textile and food industry) strengthened Bratislava’s political and economic position within the Hungarian Kingdom. In 1465 was established by the King Matthias Corvinus the first University - Academia Istropolitana - in Bratislava (and at the same time on the territory of Slovakia).

As a result of Turkish occupation of Lower Hungarian Lands after the tragic defeat at Mohacs in 1526 (today’s Hungary), Bratislava was proclaimed in 1536 the capital town of Hungarian Kingdom. Bratislava was a seat of the Parliament, the Royal Chamber and Esztergom archbishop (1536-1780). It became also the coronation town of Hungarian Kings as well (1563 – 1830).

Although of its dominant position, Bratislava was permanently threatened by the Turks and anti-Habsburg uprisings organised by Hungarian noblemen in the course of 16th and 17th centuries. After a final defeat of Turks in 1683 (battle at Vienna) Bratislava as well as Vienna got a real chance to develop as a modern city. With the peace restoration the town fortifications and most of town gates were dismantled. The way to the further urban development of Bratislava was open. New suburbs have been built and banks of the river Danube were regulated in the course of 18th and 19th centuries.

At the time of the Empress Maria Therese government (1740-1780) Bratislava was the largest city in Hungarian Kingdom (over 33.000 inhabitants) and became a significant political, economic and culture centre of the country.
It was there in Bratislava the oldest public park in Europe was opened in 1775/1776 in the territory of a former island Bruck Au (today Petrzalka district). It was also there, where in Bratislava the first German newspaper in Europe - „Pressburger Zeitung“ was printed (1764).

In the course of 19th century Bratislava became the most important industrial centre of the country. A strong economic growth was reflected by establishment of biggest factories as for example - Dynamit Nobel, Stein Brewery, Appollo refinery, Stollwerk chocolate plant, textiles and rubber factories. The country’s first steam locomotive entered the Bratislava railway station in 1848. The first country’s electric tram and trolley buses were introduced in Bratislava in 1895 and 1911.

The establishment of the first Czechoslovak Republic (1918-1938) strengthened the position of Bratislava. Being a largest city of Western Hungary province it became now a metropolis of Slovakia. During that time Bratislava developed itself into a modern town, which was open to all new avant-garde influences within art, architecture, music, science and urbanism.

In March 1939 Bratislava became capital of authoritarian Slovak State (politically dependent from totalitarian Germany and Italy). With the communist dominance in the post-war Czechoslovakia (1945-1989), Bratislava lost its metropolitan position and lived in the shadow of the capital Prague. The Velvet Revolution in 1989 and the fall of communist regime opened a new opportunity for the city on the river Danube.

Since January 1993 Bratislava is a capital of the independent and democratic Slovak Republic. It is the youngest capital city of Europe. It has ca 450.000 inhabitants and good perspectives for further development. Bratislava together with the neighbouring Vienna constitutes a ”twin city region”. It is one of the most dynamic regions in Central Europe. Today’s Bratislava with an area of 367 km2 consists of 5 municipal districts, 17 local districts and 20 local areas or townships.

In the course of centuries Bratislava was not only an important trade crossroad. It was also a significant multinational centre. Mainly Germans, Hungarians and Slovaks as well as Czechs and Jews formed the material structure of the city and shaped the spirit of the town. Bratislava in Slovak, Pressburg in German, Poszony in Hungarian – there are 3 different names of the same city. Anyway all these names originate from Slavonic Braslav and Bozan. Since 1919 the official name is Bratislava. The city was also called Istropolis (Ister = Danube in Latin, polis – town in Greek), Presporok and Wilsonovo.

As a Central European meeting point Bratislava with its rich history and culture is worthy to be visited and explored. It is also a gateway to Slovakia...