Bratislava history

Bratislava held a high status from the second century BC as an important defence and trading post, particularly prized for its vineyards. From 1536 (after the Ottoman invasion of Hungary) to 1783, Bratislava was the capital of Hungary, known as Pozsony, and the coronation town of four Hungarian kings and queens. It reached its zenith in the mid-18th century under the patronage of Empress Marie Theresa (the last of the Hapsburgs and probably its most capable ruler) who, it is said, was very fond of the local wines.

Until 1918 the city was a 'resort' area of Austria-Hungary, called Pressburg in German. After the fall of Communism in 1989, Bratislava restored its Old Town to attract visitors and, as Europe's bargain basement, soon became a popular visitor destination.

In 1993 the former Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Prague retained its capital status of the former, while Bratislava became the Slovak capital, later joining the EU in 2004.