Not only the Castle, but also the newly built baroque and rococo palaces of the nobility enjoyed a lively political, social and cultural life, enriched by the visits of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven and Franz Liszt. At the end of the 18th century Joseph II. moved the central governmental bodies to Buda. The importance of Bratislava partially decreased, although the Hungarian Assembly still had its sessions here.
1848 marked an important time in history with the memorable struggle of Ľudovít Štúr for the rights of the Slovak nation. Bratislava played an important role in the formation of the Slovak nation, its schools in particular acting as the cradle of national revival. General Seminary – the establishment of which was ordered by Joseph II. in 1783 – contributed to the education of the Bernolák generation, and led to the first codification of the standard literary language (1787). The Evangelical Lycee, where one of the teachers was Matej Bel, a Slovak scientist of European renown, educated a number of Slovak national revivalists, scientists and politicians.
In the second half of the 19th century the modern era in the history of the town began. In 1918, after becoming part of the newly formed Czecho-Slovak state, Bratislava turned into a metropolis of Slovakia. In1968, when the Constitutional Act of Czecho-Slovak Federation was signed in Bratislava Castle, the city became the capital of the Slovak Republic.

Sightseeing in Bratislava

The dominant landmark in our town is the Medieval Castle of Bratislava. The earliest powerful fort erected on this hill was a Slav fortification dating back on the 8th - 9th centuries. After the fall of the Great Moravian Empire, Bratislava Castle became one of the most important border strongholds of the new Hungarian state. In the 12th century the Castle was constructed of stone. In the 16th century it was rebuilt (for the 2nd time) in the renaissance style. Reconstruction in the middle of the 18th century turned the castle into a dignified royal palace. In 1811 the Castle of Bratislava was set on fire by Napoleon´s army and had until recently lain in ruins. Today the Castle is renovated. The Medieval Hall of Knights is used for various ceremonies, artistic and scientific expositions.The historical section of the Slovak National Museum has been arranged in the Castle Palace. Several apartmens in the Castle are reserved for ceremonies and sessions of the Government of the Slovak Republic. The Act of Federation was signed there too.
The gothic Cathedral of St. Martin is situated just below the Castle hill.