Družba fountain in Bratislava. (source: SME - Marko Erd)
With the arrival of warm weather, Bratislava has started turning on fountains. The first of these to start operating have been the Družba fountain on Námestie Slobody Square and the Ganymede Fountain on Hviezdoslavovo Square, both in the city centre.
In total, 36 fountains will be gushing with water this season.
Lost in Bratislava? Impossible with this City Guide! (source: Spectacular Slovakia)
The Družba fountain was revamped last year as part of an extensive refurbishment of the whole Námestie Slobody Square, which included the introduction of a trampoline and lowered lawns. A large playground, hammock pegs and swings will be added by summer.
However, the fountain has come in for some criticism with visitors complaining of a lack of toilets. Surrounded by government and university buildings, the only toilets are at a bistro and café by the fountain and users have to pay. Other restaurants are too far from the square.
The city would like to make the restrooms of the private café and bistro accessible to the general public. If this plan fails, they may build public toilets.
When the fountain was re-launched last year, visitors praised the general quiet at the location, as the area is large and surrounded by trees around its perimeter.
The square has also seen several larger protests and a Pride march. It has hosted dance classes, yoga classes and last summer the Philharmonic Orchestra played there. The Gerlach club, which focuses on “the personal development of young boys”, also meets there every Friday.
Several other fountains have also been turned on in the city: Woman with a Jar Fountain on Františkánske Square, Maximilian's Fountain on Main Square, Lion with a Coat of Arms Fountain outside the Old Market Hall, as well as Girl with a Deer Fountain on Hviezdoslavovo Square.
The municipal organisation MARIANUM – Funeral of the City of Bratislava now manages municipal fountains: 38 fountains, 13 drinking fountains, 3 wells and 1 fountain with a fog effect.
There are more than 150 fountains in the city, but many of them belong to city districts, owners of hotels, shopping centres and other legal entities.
