Bratislava, Capital city on the Danube River, Slovakia.
Bratislava is a capital on the Danube River in Slovakia, spreading from the slopes of the Small Carpathians to the water's edge. The old town with its narrow lanes sits below the castle hill, while modern districts grow on both riverbanks and several bridges connect the center to the northern neighborhoods.
The settlement was first recorded in writing during the 10th century and received town privileges from the Hungarian king in 1291. It became the capital of the Kingdom of Hungary from 1536 after the Ottoman Empire conquered much of the country, remaining so until the mid-19th century.
Locals gather in coffeehouses and wine cellars, where Slovak wines from the nearby vineyards are served throughout the day. The main square fills with residents during weekend markets and open-air concerts, while the pedestrian zone becomes a meeting point in the evenings.
Most sights in the old town are within walking distance and public transport runs regularly to all districts during the day. The central train station sits close to the historic core and offers hourly connections to several Central European capitals.
The city shares borders with both Austria and Hungary, making it the only national capital that touches two independent countries. From the castle observation platform, you can overlook three countries at once on clear days.
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