Hlavné Square

Welcome to the main square of Bratislava, a lively hub right in the heart of the city’s historic center! Surrounded by charming 19th-century buildings and a colorful-roofed church, it’s the perfect spot to take a break, grab a drink, or sample some Slovak specialties at one of the local restaurants. Behind you stands the Old Town Hall, now home to the City History Museum. It’s one of the oldest stone buildings in Bratislava, originally built in the 14th century in Gothic style, later renovated in Renaissance fashion, and updated again in the Baroque style in 1733. Its architecture reflects the many eras it has survived. Nearly every building around the square was once a grand palace built for Slovak aristocrats. Among them is the Kutscherfeld Palace, excuse my Slovak, built in 1847 for the Russian piano virtuoso Anton Rubinstein, and today, it houses the French Embassy. The large building facing you is a great example of early 20th-century Art Nouveau, a style that’s especially well represented in Bratislava. At the center of the square is the city’s oldest fountain, the Maximilian Fountain, dating back to 1572. Topped with a Romanesque-style statue of a knight, it shares space with a more whimsical figure, a statue of Napoleon casually leaning on a bench. It never fails to bring a smile to visitors’ faces, especially the French!