River Danube - Czech republic

South Slovak town of Komárno has rather rich history. As an evidence, these are many monuments and sightseeings along each step. However, their actual state does not always correspond to its importance as well as tourist potential. As an eloquent example, it is romantic point of headland, along tributary of two biggest Slovak rivers - Váh and Danube - inaccessible behind fenced enclosure. Even extent historical citadel, seized by Soviet Army troops till recent time, dilapidated from its great part, is waiting for its new sensual utilization. Nor famous natives are not enjoyed with sufficient respect. This fact is supported with a photo of monument, dedicated to Ladislav Pohrobek, Bohemian and Hungarian King. When we visited this place, the monument was covered with advertisement base presenting some coffee-house. Nevertheless, some monuments would not be let to erected, as a consequence of political passions, but would serve for beautifying of the town, reminding as permanent remembrance for future generations.

Text/photo: Jiří Výborný

Old Town Hall of Bratislava is located in historical heart of the city. Its town offers beautiful panoramatic  view of the centre of capital city. There is also very interesting Museum of city history.

Text/photo: O. Kubáčková

On the northern top of the small Žitný island is situated hungarian town Dunakiliti. The town is limited by the waters of Danube and Mošonský Danube. The town is an entrance gate to the nature full of wild animals, doe, deers and wild swines. On the trip to his land untouched by the man, you will fell like you are in a rain forest. There are lianas hanging from trees, bushes, and grasses give this place feeling of mistery and adventure. This will encourage you to discover unusual beauties of the island.

Nearby you can find impressive Dunakliti weir, which plays the role of  billower of Danube's waters to serve its purpose to Čulovo basin. The most appropriate time to visit the weir in evenings, when the sun slowly sets under the horizon. This view not only pleasure eye, but also soul.;-).

 

Text and photo: Oskár Mažgút

The ZOO in Bratislava was opened in 1960 and today there live 147 animal species (600 animals in total). Among top expositions are certainly beast of prey pavillon and pavillon of primates. Also very interesting is terrarium, or exotarium. I was most exited about the run for rhinos. Attention of visitors is also catched by a unique exposition named The Dinopark showingf Mesozoic reptiles. It also consists of a kids paleonthologic playground, or interesting 3D cinema.

Text and photo: O. Maňáková

Near the capital of Slovakia, in the Province of Lower Austria is situated the picturesque town of Hainburg an der Donau, lying in the stream of the Danube. Enchanted many a visitor's historic streets, medieval gates and city walls. For local residents, but also many Slovakian, this city has become a favorite rest and recreation. Bratislavans visit here mainly swimming pool with water slide and local shops. Well, those hungry for tourism here come into their own in the nearby National Park Donauauen that surrounds itself Hainburg. Above the town rises reconstructed ruins of 11 century. Opposite him, at the very top of limestone cliffs, is standing re-built Celtic oppidum (fortification).

Text: Oskar Mažgút

Photo: Oskár Mažgút, Pavol Jemala

Devín castle is well preserved ruins. Located on a rock at the confluence of the Morava with the Danube. The first mention dates back to 864th Due to its strategic location became the site of the oldest documented settlement agglomeration. During the long centuries that have replaced many monarchs, among others, Prince Rostislav, or known genera and Báthory Pálffy. Děvín was a place of eternal battle of the Austria-Hungarian, but also faced the invasions of Turkish and Napoleonic troops. Since the days of the Slovak national movement when walking on Štúrovci its walls, became a symbol of Slovakia and friendship among nations. Today is a popular tourist attraction that offers not only a beautiful view of the cheese landscape and knowledge of history at the renovated courtyard.

Text: Oskár Mažgút
Photo: Daniel Babický

A colossal building we can see today had many forms in the past - originaly it was a Celtic oppidum, then a fortified settlement, followed by towers and palaces, and finally a representative residence of the royal court. However, it has been a strategic position of this national cultural heritage (since 1961), an essential part of Bratislava rising above Dunaj, that remained invariable through ages. No wonder that the the castle is a symbol used on a back side of Slovak eurocoins.

It has been already several decades since the gradual reconstruction of the castle begun. Its purpose is to keep this proud national heritage for future generations and to make it accessible for tourists.

Text: Monika Babická

Photo: Daniel Babický

The Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Hungary and Slovakia as well were hit with floods last week. Floods were stronger than 10, 100 and somewhere even 1000 years records. In Slovakia the situation was especially critical in the area of Devin in Bratislava, Old Town and also along theRiver Danube, around Gabcikovo, Komarno and Sturov. Thanks to great information service the rescue services and water managers managed to install necessary anti-flood barriers and prepare their regions for floods. This resulted in lower damage than in the devastating 2002 floods. However, regardless this cleaning and drying flooded areas will take several weeks at least. The Infoglobe website gives you a photogallery of the Danube in Bratislava in the time of critical water level and its decline.

Text: Oskár Mažgút
Photo: Roman Tvarožka, Oskár Mažgút

A group of friends of me and my husband tried to go down the Danube. Despite I have great respect of water I was really worried at first. I have to admit that a sail on the Danube is among my most precious experiences. We took a ship below Devin Castle rock , at the place where the Danube meets the River Morava. Next we sailed through Bratislavaand sailed under every bridge in Bratislava. On from Cunov we continued on the Danube's branches. There we dared even to swim as the current wasn't that strong. We spent two nights in tent, cooked our food on fire and we were talking, signing by a bonfire until the early morning. It was just an unforgettable weekend.

Did you ever think of sailing some river? What would you say if you sailed down the Dunajec, the river which carved out a beautiful canyon on the 18th kilometer? Just join our photo-contest that you may find HERE.

Text and photo:O. Maňáková

Our great friends gave as a an hour scenic flight as a wedding gift. We took off and landed ati Boleraz airport near Trnava. We flought over the Small Carpathian Mountains to Bratislava. While we were flying we admired Cerveny Kamen castle and a TV tower on Kamzik, Bratislava Castle and many more or less known places. Next we moved over the Danube to Gabcikovo. From there we headed to Orechova Poton and there we saw beneath well-known Slovakia Ring circuit. On our way back to Trnava we unintentionally landed in Sladkovicove for sometimes you just have to go to the toilet, especially when you have cold. About one and half hour later we returned back to v Boleraz airport. There, our friends had been waitning for us with a huge amount of goulash. and cold beers. To us this trip was really unforgettable.

Text and photo: O. Maňáková

Bratislava and its surroundings offer great possibilities for bike tourism thus we (the Infoglobe editor staff) decided to try one of many bike trails along Danube. We departed from Slovakia's largest housing development, Petrzalka, to beautiful landscape of Lower Austria. In the first photo gallery, we are going to show you our road across border zone through the town of Wolfsthal to the medieval town of Hainburg. The view of golden fields, blue sky and colorful meadows was... captivating.

Croatian branch is a channel going through Bratislava's district of Petrzalka. It was built within a former branch of Danube. It goes from north to south until it turnes to the southeastern corner of Petrzalka. There live many plants and animals in the Croatian Branch. This unusual place in nature is located in the center of Petrzalka. Mostly birds live there and also fish, reptiles and amphibians. The most often you encounter there insects, mostly dragonfles, darners, grasshoppers, and butterflies. In the summer, the water surface of Croatian Branch is covered with white blossoms of water lilies . Partially for rich fauna and flora and sevreal endangered species the southeeastern part of the Croatian Branch was declared a 4th level protected area.

Text and photo: Radoslav Biskupič

Stary Haj in Petrzalka is a green oasis in the middle of the largest housing estate in Slovakia. It is a forest where birds sing in the trees, squirells play in its benches, bugs work in grass. All of this is surrounded by beautiful flora such as Allium Ursinum or dandelion. A forest full of life. But threre is also a small path and nooks that will provide you with a relief of hectic life. This is just one way how you can describe Stary Haj.

Text and photo: Oskár Mažgút

On the second weekend of October all fans of Infoglobe and Slovakian Paleontological Club decided to learn something about unique geological localities in the area of National Nature Reservation of Devinska Kobyla. The summit of voluntary enthusiasts took part by the paleontological locality of Sandberg. There were conducted short lectures about new, yet still not opened, Sandberg-Pajstun geopark and also about the locality of Sandberg. After an interesting presentation, people received bags for trash around. Then they moved to other locality of no lesser importance, Waituv Quarry. There the second interesting lecture took part. From there, people moved to Bratislava’s borough of Devin. The trash was collected and put on the yeard of local municipality that helped the organizers with the event. The participants helped to cclean nature and learned a lot of new interesting facts as well as enjoyed beauty of this colorful autumn. We present you the event in our photo gallery.

We give thanks also to CIMA company for providing the participants with free cleaning products.

Text and photo: Oskár Mažgút

Hluboka Road contains many interesting place woth visiting, even though you usually dont find it in travel books. You can visit not only the Lurdska cave which is very close to Calvary in Bratislava. At the first glimpse you can see tables with thanksgiving to the Virgin Mary. The place rather resembles the oldest sanctuary in Slovakia - Marianka. Also it resembles very interesting church of the Virgin Mary of Snow. Unfortunately, its original 50-meter tower was demolished in the totalitarian past. The Hluboka Road, today protected zone, was built in a rocky hollow way in 1870. It served as an entrance road to Horsky Park. The park was created after adjustments to the existing forest. Even today it resembels a small forest rather than a park in the city.

Text: O. Maňáková
Photo: O. Mažgút a O. Maňáková

Last couple of years it hasnt been common for snow to cover our city. This time, we went on a beautiful winter walk. We began in Petrzalka. There colorful panel houses contrasted white duvet of snow. Gradually, we moved to the city center to visit Bratislavský hrad. There we enjoyed beautiful vista of the city. The same we enjoyed at Slavin. Enthusiastic about unexpected beautiful walk we enjoyed a cup of tea back home.

Text and photo: Oskár Mažgút

Překlad: Stanislava Waniová

The hill of Devinska Kobyla is one of the highest peaks (514 m) of the Devinske Karpaty, southern part of the Small Carpathian Mountains , at the edge of Bratislava. It is part of the Small Carpathians CHKO. Between Bratislava’s districts of Devinska Nova Ves and Devin, on the area of 1 011 157 m² the Devinska Kobyla NPR of 4th level of protection is located.

Devinska Kobyla is frequented and popular locality mostly visited by people of Bratislava and from around. It is really easy tourism. Regardless the season it lures visitors here. The best are the vistas from western slopes of Devinska Kobyla. The town and Devin castle are easilyvisible. They are on the confluence of Danube and the Morava. In the distance, the Hainburg hills dominate the vista. On its foot near the Danube’s bank, there is the town of Hainburg an der Donau. If the visibility is good, you can see the silhouettes of the Eastern Alps in the distance, mostly Schneeberg (2 076 m).

Text and photo: Radoslav Biskupič

In case you love to watch nature in spring take a look at our gallery showing you Rusovce. There is 766-meter long nature trail showing the beauties of the Danube islands, Rusovsky canal, and the life of the locals. Going down paths you can see first spring’s flowers, abandoned lake, or the first English-style park with huge platan trees. Of course, notice Rusovsky chateau which has been in decay.

Text and photos: Oskár Mažgút

One beautiful sunny weekend we set off to see Rendez, an annual Slovakian gathering of historical trains. This event takes place at the Bratislava train station and an adjacent compound Bratislava east. It is a parade of beautiful railroad giants - steam or electric engines and carriages. Once these transported myriads of people. Thanks to enthusiasts these vehicles come back to life again. We saw military and firefighting pieces and railroad scale models. The entire event has interesting cultural program. Among the most interesting things is a ride in a steam engine, and a grand parade of engines on a railway turntable. There also vehicles from other countries were put on display. Our photogallery provides a small sample of what you can saw at this great event.
 
Text and foto: Oskár Mažgút

Maybe you will be suprised but Bratislava has many beautiful places in nature. Join us for a tour to the ramparts, Presidential Garden, Janek Kral Orchard, Franciscan garden, summer reading place, or Vodarenska garden which is bit off. All these places are charming. Don't you believe us? Well, take a look at our photo gallery
 
Text and photos: Oskár Mažgút

Does it often happens to you that it is weekend but you don't know that to do? Yet you don't wnat to stay at home doing nothing and would rather do something interesting with your children. If so, we recommend you to viist the famous event the Knights at Devin.

Every year the Tovarysstvo starych bojovych umeni a remesel (Society of Old Martial Arts and Crafts) organizes several events at Castle Devin.  These allow you to see how medieval knight fights, or various crafts actually looked. Apart the main program you will be entertained at other events. This year the main topics will be the Gothic era, and the ancient  Rome.
 
Text and photos: Simona Svanová

The hot summer days will be made special by visiting the Botanical Garden UK Bratislava of the Comenius University in Bratislava, which is not only a beautiful plant kingdom for visitors, but also a scientific and pedagogical workplace of the Comenius University. The shade of trees, tropical refreshment in greenhouses or a small picnic at the lakes will surely be a pleasant summer. In addition, looking at over 3 000 plant species, breathtaking rock gardens, ravines or rosaria will remind you of the diversity of nature around us.

Text and photos: Oskár Mažgút

Today we will take you to the largest housing estate in Slovakia - Petržalka in Bratislava. But if you think that blocks of flats are waiting for you, you are wrong. We will visit the Starý háj nature reserve, which is located in the eastern part of the housing estate, near Dolnozemská Trail, i.e. Danube cycle paths (Eurovelo 6). A Danube forest full of huge trees, flora, beautiful shrubs and grassy plains awaits you. Embark on the beauties of perfect and unfettered nature.

Text and photos: Oskár Mažgút

We invite you on a trip to the Petržalka lakes, which you will find on the edge of a relatively dense housing estate. In addition to relaxation in the form of swimming, fishing or easy hiking, they also offer beautiful natural scenery. So come with us to Velký and Malý Draždiak with a stop at the nameless lakes, the Dead Arm of Kutlík or at the Díků meadow and discover the last remnants of floodplain forests in Central Europe.

Text and photos: Oskár Mažgút

Southwest of the confluence of the Danube and the river Hron lies the town of Štúrovo, which abounds in several unique sights. These are, for example, the waterfront promenade offering a view of the breathtaking Classicist Esztergom Basilica, the Baroque parish church of St. Imrich, the Marie Valérie cross-border bridge, a memorial park with monuments or, last but not least, the sought-after Vadaš thermal swimming pool.

Text and photos: Oskár Mažgút

Accept the invitation for an autumn walk through the historic Ondrejský Cemetery, which was founded in 1784 and is located in the Old Town district of Bratislava, more precisely, on August 29 Street. This national cultural monument is an oasis of peace, beautiful architecture in the form of artistically rendered tombstones, or a charming tangle of sidewalks in the shade of massive trees. Many exceptional personalities have found their last rest here, and the Greek Catholic Church of the Exaltation of the Noble and Life-Giving Cross from 1861 is literally a jewel of this place of reverence.

Text a foto: Oskár Mažgút

Embark on the last autumn walk. This time we will take you to a public park located in Bratislava'sOld Town. The Medická Garden is one of the most popular places in the capital, offering well-kept lawns, flower beds, massive trees, as well as a children's playground, small architecture or a majestic fountain, all surrounded by relatively dense buildings. Not for nothing is it considered an oasis of peace in the bustling heart of the city.

Text and photos: Oskár Mažgút

Today, we invite you to take a walk around the exceptional sports complex, which offers professional conditions for the performance of 26 Olympic disciplines on an area of over 1 million square meters, as well as active recreation for recreational visitors. We will then move on to the local part of Šamorín - Čilistov, where we will wander around the park, walk over the footbridge over the Danube River and finally "anchor" in the local harbour.

Text and photos: Oskár Mažgút

Austrian capital belongs to most attractive European towns from tourist point of view. The wealthy of historical monuments, big number of sightseeings, interesting from architectonical point of view, including modern places of interest, all this joined with famous names and its stories or legends, makes from Vienna very pleasant and always new target for each visitor. Most of photos were made at the end of March 2010.

Photo: Jiří Výborný