CHEERS TO SLOVAKIA - Bratislava, Slovakia Jun 2016

CHEERS TO SLOVAKIA 

Bratislava, Slovakia June 2016

Slovakia was one of those places we came to with zero expectations. We knew virtually nothing about the country or the city of Bratislava before we arrived. 

Cultural surprises

We really did.

This was our first extended stay in Eastern Europe, having visited only a couple cities (Talin and Gdansk) briefly during our Baltic cruise summer 2001. Bratislava is a quick one-hour train from Vienna, about 35 miles but a world away. Crossing the former "Iron Curtain" surprisingly still presents a noticeable change.
  
Bratislava has a completely different feel than Vienna. It is a smaller and less cosmopolitan city, but it met our desire to be in places that are small enough to be manageable but big enough to have amenities, like a vibrant downtown, effective mass transit (there are street cars that go everywhere), culture and a variety of dining choices .

 Public art with humor

At the castle

The old town is relatively small and has managed to retain its charm in spite of an obvious attempt to draw tourists.  

Everything was noticeably less expensive than what we've seen in Western Europe--and that certainly includes the alcoholic beverages. We heard an English language guide tell his group that Brits are known to fly in because the cost of an entire weekend is cheaper than drinking beer back home.

Room with a view

During our stay our friends Fely and Kevin passed through briefly on a Danube cruise (to celebrate Fely's 60th birthday) and we were only able to wave from ashore, knowing we would meet up a few days later in Budapest.

Mozart stayed here

There are castles all over Europe and Slovakia is no different. We spent a few hours at the restored Bratislava Castle which has a commanding view of the Danube River below. Another day we took a boat up the river to the Devin Castle ruins which was a quiet break from the city. 

The Airbnb apartment was one of the best we've ever stayed in. Modern and recently renovated, it was small but had everything we needed, within easy walking distance of the historic center. 

Another reminder

After visiting the only synagogue in Vienna, we saw yet another reminder of what was once a thriving Jewish community in Bratislava. In 1930 there were approximately 15,000 Jews in a city with a total population of 120,000.

Despite the resistance of organizations such as the Bratislava Working Group, most of the city's Jews died in the Holocaust. 

The city has done an excellent job of preserving their heritage with the Heydukova Street Synagogue, Museum of Jewish Culture, the Bratislava Jewish Community Museum, and several cemeteries and landmarks throughout the city.