Bratislava

Cousin Bobby took an overnight train from Warsaw to meet us for a weekend in Bratislava. We did a 90 minute guided bus tour on Saturday morning, which is the best way to see a medieval town with its fortified castle built on a tall hill!

This region has evidence of human settlements going back 7, 000 years. Located on the Danube River, the city has a multi-cultural history with various influences and languages dominating different eras. In the early twentieth century, Slavic national identity was emphasized and the city was re-named Bratislava and became part of the newly established Czechoslovakia. Nazi occupation gave way to Soviet occupation and eventual independence was achieved after the Velvet Divorce. Bratislava is now the capital of Slovakia and is the wealthiest region in the country.

Our hotel was in Old Town and was originally built as a monastery in the thirteenth century. Gorgeously appointed, the central atrium is capped with beautiful stained glass panels. And the buffet breakfast here came with champagne (Sarah added a drop of fresh orange juice for vitamin C benefits).

On Saturday night, we attended a concert of Slovakian chamber music by the Štátny komorný orchester Žilina. The program concluded with Mikuláš Moyzes’ Mass in C Major sung by the Lúčnica Choir. It was a beautiful evening in a neo-baroque building.