Where on earth do you find a man sticking his head up from a hole in the middle of the street, a paparazzi sneaking his long camera lens around a corner, one of Napoleon’s soldiers hanging on a bench in the main square of the old town, and a cherished local character from the last century?
Čumil the worker
In Bratislava, that‘s where.
Schöner Náci, a famous mid 1900s Bratislava local who walked around in top hat and tails
These bronze images and numerous other curious things to see are all part of the charm of this delightful city.
Papparazzi on Laurinski street
I have a soft spot for the Slovakian capital. It reminds me of Prague before the hordes took over. Summer is an excellent time to visit. It’s especially wonderful to slowly drift in along the Danube. Bratislava is a leisurely 1.5 hours sail from either Vienna or Budapest, lovely river views along the way.
Fishing cottages along the Danube
Just outside Bratislava
Bratislavský hrad (Bratislava Castle) seen from the Danube
Do you like street art? Perhaps you have seen Bratislava’s interesting sculptures?
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I love Bratislava, so quaint and cute. I almost stumbled over that man in the street once 🙂
I love street art… that guy sticking his head out of the ground is such a creative piece of art!
how cool are these shots!
I’ve never thought of going to Bratislava, but I might now. Thanks.
Very cool – I love street art!
I also like the guys who do the weird 3-D chalk drawings on sidewalks – unfortunately, they don’t last. Even graffiti is pretty cool, if it’s done well.
I love street art too and thought all of these statues were unique and interesting. Isn’t the guys sticking his head out of a hole in the ground dangerous for walkers? I would probably stumble over him while admiring the other sites around 🙂
I don’t recall these gentlemen from when I was there – but that was more than 10 years ago.
I also like the city – and was only talking to someone about it just a couple of days ago, about the nice architecture and the small size of the city.
I always love how some countries or cities promote the tourism by engaging in arts of all sorts. This is one of the examples that impress me. Too bad in Malaysia, we are still not at that level yet.
Interesting art in Bratislava. I’ve been to Slovakia but didn’t get a chance to go to the capital. Very unique!
Ohhhh I loved these — especially the super-smiley guy. What creative statues!
for some reason when i hear the term street-art, i automatically think of spray-can style graf and stencil (which i might add im a big fan of). loving the sculptures. total respect to any city that encourages art of any form. i think it gives a city so much, rock on bratislava!
Hej Sophie — I’d love to see more of your pictures of Bratislava and I’d love to share them with Mom. The street art wasn’t there in ’73 when I was, but they look fun. The castle looks great! And the shots of the huts along the riverbank match my memory. We used to take the hyrdofoil to Vienna, loved it.
@Tina – It would have been so fascinating to experience Bratislava of 1973 – just 5 years after the Soviet invasion… – yet another time travelling dream…
I love street art! It tells so much about the city and its people. I love the paparazzi one. Maybe one day there will be a travel blogger sculpture 🙂
@Corinne – Wouldn’t that be something! Say, a bronze figure sitting at a cafe table with a camera, a pen and a notebook… or probably a laptop, more likely!
Love that paparazzi sculpture – everyone can feel like they’re famous (and stalked) in Bratislava.
We loved Bratislava, like you said wonderful in the same way Prague is but without the hordes of tourists! Glad you enjoyed it so much! If you’re still there definitely take one of the free walking tours, I can’t remember the company, but ours was lead by a really interesting history student- tons of great information!
Sophie, that’s a great one. I love street art and these examples are funny and gorgeous.
I love Street Art and had no idea that Bratislava was such a happening place for Street Art, especially like the one with the one with the guy’s head sticking out of the man hole.
Such interesting street art! Never seen such a form before. Thanks for sharing!
You have some beautiful pictures!
I am sorry about the previous comment. Got the wrong email.
You have some beautiful pictures!
Love those sculptures! Last time we saw one like that was in Wellington, New Zealand – so lifelike
if it reminds you of Prague before the crowds took over, I’m there!
Great statues 🙂
Beautiful country and I love the statue shots you captured !
Love these sculptures!
Thanks for posting to Travel Photo Thursday.
I also love street art. Love the paparazzi taking photo round the corner. What a beautiful place and you have captured the essence of it well in your photos.
I love art in public spaces, especially the first photo of the worker at ground level.
Hmm…I have been in Bratislava, but missed that paparazzi :/
Cumil the worker is a pretty clever piece. If I was walking down the street in the dark this would really have me jumping back!
I do like street art and these sculptures are great. When you come across something like this the first time, it’s so unexpected. I especially like “Čumil the worker”.
Cool shots! I love street art too, especially some with a sense of humor 🙂
The man in the manhole would never be allowed in the U.S. – too much of a tripping hazard and legal liability. Europeans are so much more sensible.
@Sonja – Lawyers just don’t have the same powers over here 🙂
I had heard about some of these sculptures before and it made me want to go see them for myself. It is amazing people don’t trip over the manhole guy, or maybe they do!
What a superb set of photos. Someone had a sense of humour in the city – looks like its well worth visiting.
Sophie,
I’ve never been to Bratislava and I’ve heard it is worth a visit. I’ve always wanted to get back to Prague — it’s been 20 years — and I hope I’m not disappointed. Perhaps I should just skip that and go straight to Bratislava. I enjoyed your photos, as well.
Jason
Great fun street art. Never been to Bratislava… one of these days.
These looks great, especially love the man sticking his head up from a hole in the street.
Great shots, what an imagination for statues!
First of all, I love street art! We were in Antalya earlier this year and to be honest, it was a bit boring till we spotted all the inconspicuous street sculptures. Brightened up the weekend.
Secondly, gutted to find out you can sail from Bratislava to Budapest. We travelled through Eastern Europe a while back and took a bus from Krakow to Budapest – via Slovakia – and both of us wanted to see Bratislava. Oh well, it’s an excuse to head that way again sometime. 🙂
Julia
We just arrived in Bratislava today, such a cute old town, and I love the many statues here!
I’ll be in Bratislava for a couple of days for a friend’s wedding. Looking forward to doing some exploring
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I was enamored with Bratislava’s quiet charm when I had the opportunity to visit several years ago as a student. In addition to the ‘street art’ captured in these photos, Bratislava’s urban exterior shows off the artistic capacity of graffiti artists and others who utilize less conventional means of personal expression.
I had the chance to meet several Bratislavan highschoolers when I visited, and spent a day with them in their classes. The principal had allowed his students to paint the entirety of the school with surreal illustrations culled from their daydreams and imaginations. Their school had a sense of vibrancy and life many American highschools lack.
I hope to return to Eastern Europe and continue exploring, while meeting more young people along the way. I recently became TEFL certified through this program, which I highly recommend: http://www.internationalteflacademy.com/TEFL-TESOL-certification-courses/online-distance-learning-TEFL-Class/
looking forward to getting back overseas!
@Elizabeth – Wow, sounds like you had a a unique experience in Bratislava. I agree, this little capital does have a quiet charm. I usually try to fit in a visit – be it ever so brief – whenever I’m in the ‘neighbourhood’.
[…] lighter side of Bratislava can be seen in the quirky statues found around the city. I’m not sure of the history behind the life-sized statues but tourists love to pose with […]
Lovely post 😉 I was born in Bratislava and I know all the places from your photos 😉
Thanks for sharing nice pictures and a lovely post.
BTW: the papparazi is not there anymore ;( I wanted to make some pictures with him this weekend and the restaurant is closed…