PICKING POSIES: SPENDOURS OF EUROPE

BRATISLAVA SLOVAKIA

Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia is set at the crossroads of ancient trade routes in the heart of Europe. Close to the borders of Austria and Hungary meant that its history was marked by the endless struggles associated with the Hapsburg empire. Today Bratislava is known for it's vibrant culture and educational institutions.

The Reduta concert hall of the Slovakia Philharmonic orchestra.

VICTORY - a monument to liberation by the Red Army in 1945

The National Theater of Slovakia

Statue of famous Slovakian poet, Pavol Orszagh Hviezdoslav

A statue of Hans Christian Anderson, author of universal fairytales for children. It was erected by the local town government in an attempt to throw off their austere reputation following the fall of communism in Slovakia

The Plague Column was built in 1713 to commemorate the gratitude to the Virgin Mary for an end to the plague epidemic from 1709 - 1710

St.Martin's Cathedral

The Holocaust Memorial in the center of the Old Town, on the site of the former Neolog Synagogue demolished in 1969. The monument was erected in 1996 to commemorate the 105,000 Holocaust victims from Slovakia.

The oldest street in Bratislava named Kapitulska St. is historically rich in preserved Medieval architecture, cobblestones and its tranquil ambiance.

Pressburg Bajgel is a bakery advertising a croissant. The tour guide was hurrying us, so no tasting, sigh.

A view of Bratislava Castle through a narrow street

The Old Town Hall from the 14th century houses the oldest museum in the country. The tower was built in 1370.

Window dressing

A canon ball has been lodged beside the window of the Old Town Hall since 1809 when Bratislava, then called Pressburg Austria, was bombarded by Napoleon Bonaparte.

Primate Square in the middle of the Old Town. I was interested in the roof design

In front of the Primate's Palace is the statue of 'St George and the Dragon' from the 1700's which became a symbol of the battle against evil.

Statue of The Four Angels

Cumil, "Man At Work" is a quirky modern statue of a man poking his head out of a city street manhole. Definitely a tripping hazard!

Sometimes we had to walk over sundecks or through lobbies of other cruise ships to get from shore to our ship. It was time for another delicious lunch and then on to an afternoon adventure. Wally stayed behind as he was coming down with a head cold

I boarded a coach which traveled away from the city, through beautiful countryside with the backdrop of the Little Carpathian mountains to a small village where we were divided into two groups to pay a visit to a local Slovakian family.

The driveway was lined with different fruit trees leading to a very modest farm house.

We were five guests plus a fashionable guide who became our translator.

Miko, the head of the family welcomed us and showed us through the nooks and crannies of his yard, garden and small vineyard. He owned several small vineyards in his neighbourhood to produce his own wine. Miko was proud of his entrepreneurial business.

An old winepress sat idly in the garden.

The courtyard was lined with plants on old wooden chairs. His family was not at home but Miko graciously invited us into a gazebo for a tasting of four wines.

The Rose Blush was my favourite.

Then we were served coffee and a delicious cake made by his wife, and we had time to ask questions and hear more of his story