The royal crown. (source: SITA/Branislav Bibel)
Once again, the royal past of Bratislava will come forth and reign over the city. This weekend, the Bratislava Coronation Days will bring plenty of festivities, showing visitors and locals alike how coronations used to look like.
Bratislava is a city where 10 of the Hungarian Empire's kings, one queen, and seven royal wives in total were crowned between the 16th and 19th century.
Free tours
This year's event will take place on August 16-17. A culturally rich and varied programme is poised to offer activities, workshops, live performances of artists, free tours in St. Martin's Cathedral, or special coronation-themed wine tasting.
For lovers of desserts and sweet treats, do not forget to try a special coronation dessert.
Free guided tours will be available in several languages, you can reserve a spot here.
A faithful replica of the Hungarian royal crown, one of the oldest in Europe, will be on display in the premises of Stará radnica (Old Town Hall) between 10:00 to 17:00.
The programme starts on Friday with renaissance festives at the eastern terrace of Bratislava Castle from 18:00. A captivating blend of history and skills of performers will be on display, with the likes of falconry prey hunting techniques, fencing matches, renaissance singing, and playing mediaeval instruments.
A replica of the Hungarian royal crown. (source: Mikuš Diamonds)
Procession with 200 people
The main part of the celebrations takes place on Saturday afternoon in the streets of the old Town at the main square. From 15:00, a grand coronation procession with 200 members dressed in historical costumes will march through the streets of Bratislava. This year, Bratislava commemorates the coronation of Joseph I who in 1687 was crowned the King of Hungary at the age of nine. The ceremony starts at 16:00 at the Hlavné námestie square. For film lovers, a special screening of a film about one of the oldest depictions of Bratislava will start at 19:00 at Hviezdoslavovo námestie square, a reservation can be made here.
Outside the programme, you can take part in creative workshops that will take place every morning in Bibiana, a children's art gallery; wine lovers can enjoy free Slovak wine degustations that will take place beneath the Jezsenák Palace from 10:00 until 17:00.
An organ concert in St. Martin's Cathedral performed by Daniel Gabčo and Kristína Gabčová will close up coronation celebrations on Sunday at 15:00.
