Sihoť

Sihoť is a protected river island in the Danube near Bratislava, situated between the main channel and a side branch near the Austrian border. The island contains water infrastructure that supplies the city and serves as an ecological area.

In 1882 water engineer Bernhard Salbach recognized the island's potential as a water source and designed a system to supply Bratislava's center. This discovery established a foundation that remained essential to the city's infrastructure.

The island takes its name from dairy farmers who once processed milk here, a legacy reflected in both its German and Slovak names. This connection to local craftsmanship shows how communities shaped the place through everyday work.

Access to the island is controlled through a guarded bridge, with entry permissions limited to protect water infrastructure. Visitors should plan ahead as restrictions may apply.

Wells on the island have supplied drinking water to Bratislava since the 1800s, tapping into an underground aquifer that continues to serve the city. This long-standing system demonstrates how 19th-century engineering remains vital to daily urban life.