Vienna Day Four: To the East -- Bratislava, Slovakia

After some light cardio -- i. e. the time-honored tradition of running for one's train -- we found ourselves on our way to Bratislava.  The 60km train ride offered us the chance to view the Austrian countryside. We were particularly struck by the juxtaposition of the modern and medieval as we went farther from the city. 

Upon arrival in Bratislava, we recognized a stark contrast between Vienna and Bratislava, which we attributed to Slovakia's history as a former Soviet satellite.  Traces of Habsburg culture, however, were quite apparent and the city's architecture and layout reflected the mixing of Austrian, Hungarian, Slovakian and Soviet influences.

The city itself was celebrating its 20th anniversary as the capital of Slovakia, which had formed following the breakup of Czechoslovakia in 1993. During our walk to the old town, we passed Grassalkovich Palace, the Slovakian "White House."

The city was filled with several couples getting married, with some students inadvertently appearing in wedding photos.  Though our intent had been to visit one of the more famous churches, young love necessitated a change of plans.  Instead we broke into groups and explored the area around the main square, while examining examples of Bratislava's famous "whimsical" statues.

 The groups then ate lunch.  One group, while enjoying a thoroughly American meal of cheeseburgers, partook of the national cola, Kofola.  The beverage had a dark palette with a hint of licorice. Others, however, had more authentic meals of beef, sausage and potatoes or bean soup. Everyone enjoyed some ice cream afterwards, however.

Following lunch, we set our sights on the Imperial Palace. 

This location served as the seat of the former Kingdom of Hungary and became a favorite spot of the Austrian Empress Maria Theresa. After several -- or perhaps more accurately, innumerable -- flights of steps up the hill we arrived at the palace.  We took the opportunity to admire our view of the Danube and the varying districts of the city.

Following the Imperial Palace, we set out for the Slavin monument.  After descending the hill, we then ascended what felt like Bratislava's Mt. Everest.  After an arduous climb we arrived.  Dedicated in 1960, 15 years after the deliverance of the city by the Soviet army, the monument's cemetery is home to 6,845 soldiers buried in individual and mass graves. 

Awed and humbled, we could only think about the massive loss of life represented around us.  With new appreciation for the sacrifice of soldiers on the Easter Front, we prepared to depart Bratislava.