56-year-old lady's 14-day Central Europe trip to Bratislava Castle
June 9, Bratislava Castle~Brno,
Spent half the morning continuing to explore the old town of Budapest. Our itinerary: Parliament Building~tram to Central Market Hall~Corvinus University~Liberty Bridge~Elizabeth Bridge~hotel,
Lunch at Lin’s Chinese Restaurant opposite the hotel, very satisfying.
After lunch, we set off for Bratislava Castle, the capital of Slovakia. The castle is located on the Little Carpathians by the Danube River. We arrived at the castle entrance around 3 PM. In front of the castle stands a bronze statue of Svätopluk I, king of the Great Moravian Empire, who ruled from the late 9th to early 10th century and is considered a national hero of Slovakia and Moravia. The statue’s base is inscribed with the name Svatopluk and the title of the old Slovak king. The beginning of Pope John VIII’s decree Industriae tuae, sent to Svätopluk in 880 to confirm his royal status, is also engraved here.
To the right of the statue is the ticket office for the Slovak National Museum of History. The castle’s backyard features a newly restored Baroque garden with statues and fountains. We didn’t enter the National Museum but strolled through the Baroque garden in the backyard, which was stunning.
We left Bratislava Castle around 4:30 PM and headed to Brno, checking into the Orea Congress Hotel Brno. In the evening, the tour leader took us to explore the town of Brno.
Brno, the second largest city in the Czech Republic, can be charmingly experienced with about an hour’s leisurely walk.
The town’s landmark is the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, located on Petrov Hill southwest of the Cabbage Market. It is the city’s most striking example of Baroque art. Its 84-meter-high bell tower is a popular viewing spot, offering an unobstructed panoramic view of the city. The church’s interior decoration is said to be uniquely styled, fully showcasing Baroque art’s charm. Unfortunately, it was already late when we arrived, and the church was closed.
We bought Sunshine Rose grapes, eggs, shrimp, milk, and other items at the supermarket, making for a simple dinner.