Coronation city Bratislava

Bratislava, which the Slovaks once called Prešporok, the Germans Pressburg and the Hungarians Pozsony, became the coronation city after the Turkish occupation of Hungary, when the Turks also occupied the local coronation city of Stuhlweißenburg (Székesfehérvár). At that time, Bratislava was a safe place near the imperial residence city of Vienna, chosen as a refuge by the Hungarian nobility, secular and ecclesiastical dignitaries. From 1536 the then Bratislava also became the capital of Hungary. There was a boom in the history of the small city on the Danube. It was the administrative center of the country, the seat of the king, the archbishop, Hungarian parliament and at the same time the coronation city for the Hungarian kings. Ten kings, one reigning queen and seven royal consorts were crowned in St. Martin's Cathedral in the years 1563-1830. The first crowned monarch was Maximilian of Habsburg from the family of the same name. Bratislava's famous coronation era ended with the coronation of Ferdinand V. The only reigning queen crowned in Bratislava was Maria Theresa, who solemnly assumed her title and crown on June 25, 1741.

In the streets of today's Bratislava there are churches and buildings where historical events took place. The houses that lined the route of the coronation procession and witnessed the coronation ceremony still stand here. Part of the route of the original coronation procession is marked today with brass crowns in the pavement.

Follow in the footsteps of kings and complete part of the route of the original coronation procession as part of guided coronation tours organized by the city's Tourist Information Office and selected travel agencies. Discover places that breathe history and witnessed famous coronations. You can also walk along the Coronation Trail alone with the help of your cell phone as part of an interactive scrambling game. The royal past comes alive during the Bratislava Coronation Celebrations in June, when visitors become direct participants of the coronation ceremony with the participation of actors and enthusiasts in historical costumes. The multi-day festival is accompanied by a series of events, jousting games, theater performances and concerts, lectures and exhibitions, guided tours, interactive programs for children and fun for all.

Take yourself back to the time of coronations and "Become a King" in the Coronation Photo-Video-Point on one floor of the Michael Tower. St. Michael's Gate was an integral part of the coronation route of kings crowned in Bratislava, through which they left the city towards the place where they took their oath. In the Coronation Photo-Video Point you will find contemporary furnished rooms and an authentic 3D model of the historical city, in which the route of the coronation procession is marked. You can have your picture taken or video recorded in period costumes and with the coronation regalia and become a part of the historical spectacle. Photos and videos with images of the procession and the coronation spectacle you can save, print or share with friends by e-mail.