Seeing Squares in Slovakia

If Bratislava is known for its old town, then that historic area is known for its squares. There are four main squares that you'll likely encounter in the city's heart, and here's the rundown on each of them.

Main Square is probably the first you will encounter when entering the capital city's old town area. Once called April 4 Square after the day the Red Army liberated Bratislava from the Nazis, the popular spot has since been renamed the Main Square and boasts such key attractions as the Roland Fountain and the Old Town Hall.

Despite its less than pronounceable name, one of the most important public areas is Hviezdoslav Square. This is where President George W. Bush gave a speech in early 2005 (oh how I hope he tried to pronounce the square's name) after his Slovakia Summit with Vladimir Putin. According to legend, this square dates back over 1,000 years to when this area was part of the Kingdom of Hungary. It was an upscale area that once housed the Hotel Zoldfa, now the Hotel Carlton, where guests such as Albert Einstein and Alfred Nobel have stayed. Today the lush, pedestrian square hosts countless restaurants and bars, the Slovak National Theatre and the American and German embassies.

Located in central Old Town, Freedom Square was once a vineyard and later a palace for the Archbishop (priests gotta have a pimp pad, don't they?). It currently hosts the the national government, and it's fittingly named after the region's Velvet Revolution, the 1989 event in which the Czech Republic and Slovakia broke free from the Soviet Union. (Of course, the square was previously named after Czechoslovakia's first Commie president.)

Also located in central Old Town is Primate's Square, which kind of lack's the romantic ring one might imagine from such a beautiful city. Nevertheless, it's named after Primate's Palace on the south side of the square.

If you are heading to the Hostel films' favorite country, you'll no doubt visit Bratislava's Old Town. The area is small enough that you'll naturally stumble upon all of these squares, but at least now you'll know what they're all about.