Bratislava, Aug. 21, 2026

I visited Bratislava in Slovakia from Vienna by boat. It was my first visit since the early 1990s. I found both significant changes and unchanged elements.

Slovakia has a population of approximately 5.5 million and about 500,000 people live in Bratislava.

 

When I visited more than three decades ago — shortly after the end of the Cold War — the city lacked vitality and the buildings were run-down. On this visit, the historic city center had been beautifully renovated. The streets were well-maintained, and there were neat restaurants and souvenir shops.

 

The Marktplatz lies at the center of the town, and the Old Town Hall stands there.

Comparing it to other cities I have visited, I found its town views have some similarity with those in Prague, Tallinn, and Luxembourg.

The 2nd photo shows the view from the Town Hall tower, featuring the red-roofed buildings of the Old Town.

I saw high buildings of the modern district beyond the old town.

 

At the same time, I also noticed facilities that had lagged behind in development. They retained the look of the former socialist era.

 

Bratislava Castle served as the base of the city's development. It was used as a residence of the Habsburg dynasty.

 

From the hill where the castle stands, there was a clear view of the Danube River.

 

After World War II, Slovakia was under the socialist regime of the Soviet bloc but democratized following a revolution in 1998. It had separated from the Czech Republic in 1993.

The 1990s were marked by severe turmoil accompanying the transition of the political system. Several sculptures were created in Bratislava during that period, as part of a project to revitalize the city. One such work is the "Man at Work" (known as Čumil). It has become a popular tourist attraction. (See also the top photo)

 

The country joined the EU and NATO in 2004, and partly as a result, its economy has grown relatively steadily. According to the IMF, GDP per capita reached approximately $28,000 in 2025.

As for the politics in the last two decades, Prime Minister Fico held the power for a large part of the period. He is a leftist figure characterized by nationalist and authoritarian leanings. Corruption scandals involving the administration have surfaced at times during this period. Nevertheless, a certain level of political and social stability has been maintained.

While the political landscape is complex, there is no doubt that the 1989 revolution, which ended the socialist regime, shapes the nation's fundamental principles.

A monument commemorating the 1989 revolution stood in the park in front of the Prime Minister's Office. The structure is featured with the footprints of many people. (See the 3rd photo)

Historically, Slovakia was under Hungarian rule for a long period — unlike the Czech lands, which were long dominated by Austria. Furthermore, while Slovakia has a large Catholic population, many people in the Czech Republic identify as non-religious. A walking tour guide cited history and religion as reasons for the 1993 breakup of Czechoslovakia.