Bratislava, Europe's Hidden Treasure Photo Gallery by Helen Betts at pbase.com

Bratislava, Europe's Hidden Treasure

This is a gallery of images taken in Bratislava, the capital of the Slovak Republic, and are part of a recent vacation to that city as well as to Prague http://www.pbase.com/helenpb/prague_gem_of_central_europe , Budapest http://www.pbase.com/helenpb/spice_of_life_budapest and Vienna (currently included in the Budapest gallery). Most images taken with Nikon D70; a few with Sony V1.

Old town	Old town	Street art	The other side
Five-sided steeple	Evening	Light and church	Door
Market and giant pumpkin	"Window"	House light	Bratislava Castle
House	Apartment building	Church door	Palace on the square
Tower in the square	Tower	Clock tower	Tower
The yellow house	Slovak National Theater	Sunset cathedral	Clock window
Bratislava door	Bratislava door	Bratislava door	The door in the door
Door detail	Palace gate	Your typical tourist picture	Palace Gate to Nowhere
Light details	Light details	Light details	Light details
Old town passage	Sign of the times	Stairway to the castle	Bratislava Castle
Castle area	Castle neighborhood	U.S. Embassy	Modern Bratislava
Whimsy 1	Whimsy 2	Bratislava detail	Bratislava detail
Bratislava detail	Bratislava detail	Bratislava detail	Bratislava detail

Helen Betts		11-Feb-2008 20:59
Hello Martin (and all), thank you so much for your comments on my Bratislava gallery. As I have no way of responding directly, I hope you return here to see this. We only spent a few days in Bratislava, but found it quite charming with some very nice people. With the work that's being done in the old city, I could envision it being a "mini-Prague" in five or so years. And yes, it had a delightful sense of whimsey that is lacking in, say, Prague or Vienna (at least to my eye). As our introduction to Bratislava, we got off the train (from Budapest or Vienna, can't remember now) only to be faced with an incredibly long and steep stairway to be managed with luggage. Out of nowhere a Slovak man came and helped us with our suitcases up the stairs, wished us a good stay, and was gone. I was dumbfounded and more than a little grateful! In any case, thanks again for your comments; I will add them to the one I recently received in my guest book that says, "Bratislava LOVE YOU!" :-). Helen

Martin, Abu Dhabi		11-Feb-2008 11:42
As a Slovak national, I'm very impressed by your perceptiveness. You seem to have captured the true essence of the city, which lies not in its size or splendour but rather in the playful, whimsical, often Art-Deco or Art Deco-inspired details. Bratislava doesn't sweep you off your feet the way Vienna or Prague do. Also, many photographers prefer to point their lens at the post-1948 concrete hideousness (of which there's plenty!). But if you keep an open mind and poke underneath the surface a bit - which you did really well, there's lots of unpretentious but fun nooks & crannies to be found, not least around the modernist, early 20th-century structures. Once again, well done!

Milan		18-Aug-2007 20:15
Well done!

Mario Sosa		26-Dec-2006 17:24
Thank you for bringing back such good memories. From Monterrey, Mexico.

oleg		18-Apr-2006 19:59
Great photos! Thanks !!!

Ron Horloff		18-Jul-2005 21:20
This reminds me a lot of Prague. Are ther similar? Ron

Doron Avi-Ad		10-Jul-2005 16:07
Great pics!

Selvin Chance		02-Apr-2005 23:48
The picture of the sculpture is a gem. Thanks for the wonderful travelougue.

Argishti Khachik		12-Jan-2005 17:36
Excellent gallery Helen! Very well done. Here is my Bratislava gallery!

Ron Horloff		19-Nov-2004 20:40
Very nice tour of the city; I look forward to more of your travels. Ron

Eldar Kadymov		17-Nov-2004 01:28
Simply amazing the way you see this city, unbelievable !

click on thumbnails for full image