2017 River Cruise on the Danube

Leaving Passau, Germany our ship reversed course and began a downstream, southward journey on the Danube.  Passing through Vienna, our next destination was Bratislava, Slovakia.  Slovakia, formerly a part of Czechoslovakia, is now a part of the EU, with Bratislava as its' capital. Under communist rule as part of the Eastern bloc until the early 90's, Slovakia is now a vibrant, growing economy, with Bratislava having one of the highest personal incomes of any European city.  Just another example of how capitalism lifts up the population of any country that embraces it.

One of the many beautiful small towns we passed as we cruised the Danube

One of the more unusual structures in Bratislava.  A revolving restaurant overlooking the city.

This church is one that survived the communist rule in Slovakia.  Our guide shared with us the difficult times she and her family experienced during the Cold War.  She was to be christened in this church as a child, but because the communists had outlawed all religion, her priest came to their home, in disguise, and christened her in a private family ceremony.

Many of the buildings in Bratislava are painted in bright colors to protest against the former communist habit of painting them gray.  Our guide told us that during the communist rule, the government would deface any buildings that were ornate or beautiful and paint them gray or black.  The people are now rebuilding them, adding back the ornate portions and using bright colors.

Graffiti is prevalent in Bratislava, as the residents discover their new found freedoms.  In Vienna, we were told that the city has designated graffiti areas that are refreshed annually, in hopes that the graffiti artists will not deface the historic building.  

We stopped here for refreshments and some Slovak wine; not great, way too sweet for me.