SNP Square, Bratislava

The statues were erected in memory of the Slovenske Narodne Povstanie (Slovak National Uprising of 1944, for which the Square is named). These statues are considered a prominent flaw in the city by some of the locals, as it was built by communists, who claimed that the rebellion against the WWII pro-Nazi Slovak government (Slovakia declared independence from Czechoslovakia in early 1939, and was persuaded to side with Germany as Hitler led the Slovaks to believe their country would be divided up by other powers otherwise) was all done thanks to them.

July 2007

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The Slovak National Uprising Square (Nam. SNP) is home to a number of monuments remembering the nation's independence and its fight against an oppressive totalitarian government. With lots of trees to provide shade it's a great place to stop for a bottle of water or packed lunch as you explore the city by foot.

Namesti square is the square in honor of the Slovak National Uprising. On this site the rebellion of 1944 against the Nazi puppet state took place and also in 1989 a peaceful demonstrations took place here against the Communists in the Velvet Revolution. The statues are really nice. I was staying very close to this place.

There is still something going on in this old market hall from 1910. Unfortunately, It looks to be a shadow of the past. Maybe it was the day of the week, maybe it was the time in the year – but on a Friday morning, only one third of the stalls and shops was open. Some of them did look really abandoned. Anyway, it’s worth a detour as the world inside this hall is a contrast to the world outside. If you are looking for a souvenir, maybe you’ll find something in a shop on the first floor. They mostly have football shirts (some of them were not of best quality…) and similar acessoires, but it was there I got my scarf with a slovak flag on it.

The main gathering point for important rallies. Tens of thousands of people met here to celebrate the 1989 Velvet Revolution toppling Communism, 25.000 protested the authoritarian ruling of the former prime minister Vladimir Meciar in 1998, some 30.000 celebrated here after the Slovak national hockey team won the silver medal in the 2000 Ice Hockey World Championships, 40.000 fans greeted the national hockey team here after it won the 2002 Ice Hockey World Championships and finally 55.000 funs celebrated in 2003 victory (bronze medal) of our hockey players at World Championships 2003.