Grassalkovich Palace

This magnificent palace was built in 1760 at the request of Count Anton Grassalkovich, a Croatian aristocrat who, at the time, was president of the Hungarian Royal Chamber and a close advisor to the famous Maria Theresa, Archduchess of Austria, Queen of Bohemia, and Queen of Hungary, which included present-day Slovakia back when Bratislava was known as Pressburg. Blending Baroque and Rococo styles, it’s now better known as the Presidential Palace, since it’s been the official residence of the President of Slovakia since 1996, the year the country gained independence. Back in the 18th century, it was a popular gathering place for the city’s aristocracy, who came here to enjoy orchestral concerts by some of the era’s most celebrated musicians. Even today, it remains the largest Baroque building in the country, and arguably the most important, having once hosted royal families and their courts. The palace stands on one of Bratislava’s main squares, Hodžovo Square, where you’ll find a striking fountain at its center. Its name, which translates to “Earth, Planet of Peace,” dates from the communist era, when it was created as a symbol of global harmony. Behind the palace, a beautiful French-style garden adds to its charm, making Grassalkovich Palace one of Slovakia’s most visited landmarks. And don’t miss the entrance, it’s guarded, just like Buckingham Palace in London, by sentries dressed in elegant traditional blue uniforms.