Bratislava, Slovakia travel resource.

Bratislava,Slovakia.

Slovakia's capital is a charming little city (pop. 441,000) that sits at the point where the Carpathian Mountains meet the Danube River. Like Vienna, though, it seems to ignore the fact that the Danube flows through it. The city has two personalities: The first is old-world, Hapsburg baroque, reflected in the charming row houses and the historic Old Quarter. The other is characterized by the drab concrete neighborhoods typical of former Eastern Bloc countries.
(You probably won't see much of the newer concrete expanses unless you visit Slovak friends in their homes.)
Much of older Bratislava has been spruced up recently-the center of Old Town is now an attractive pedestrian zone. At the heart of Old Town is Hlavne Square, which hosts a wonderful Christmas market in December. Stands are set up to sell wooden handicrafts, Christmas ornaments, hot schnapps, sausages, soup and palacinky (crepes).
Next to the square is the old City Hall, the most beautiful building in town. It has a colorful tile roof and a tower with a cannonball lodged in its side, supposedly fired by Napoleon's army. After his victory at Austerlitz, Napoleon and the defeated Austrians signed the Treaty of Pressburg (the German name for Bratislava) in the pink Primacialny Palace next door.
Michalska Street and its continuation, Venturska, pass a number of historical sites, including a venue at which Mozart performed at age 6. A much older Franz Liszt gave his first performance down the street (at the advanced age of 9). On Michalska is the city's oldest pharmacy, The Red Crayfish-it's worth at least a peek in the window-and Michael's Gate, the city's only remaining watchtower. The tower has a weapons museum (things you would want to have if you were fighting a knight) and a great view. You'll find the best shopping in the city on Obchodna Street (particularly good for handicrafts).