Primate’s Palace
Where the Peace of Pressburg Was Signed
About
The Primate’s Palace, a luxurious residence of the Archbishop of Esztergom, was built in 1781 behind the Old Town Hall, on a square that once served as a meat market. Designed by Vienna-based architect Melchior Hefele, the palace is considered the finest example of classical architecture in Slovakia.
The building’s attic is adorned with allegorical sculptures, and a monumental, 1.8-meter-wide, 150-kilogram bishop’s hat made of iron is positioned above the primate’s coat of arms atop the tympanum. The tympanum itself features a later mosaic by renowned 20th-century artist Ernest Zmetak, replicating the original fresco. Among the palace’s most valuable artifacts are six English silk-and-wool tapestries depicting the ancient tale of Hero and Leander. These masterpieces were woven in the 1630s at the Royal Mortlake Tapestry Works. Additionally, a striking Renaissance fountain featuring St. George battling the dragon adorns the palace’s courtyard.
The Primate’s Palace has borne witness to multiple landmark events that shaped the history of the Empire and Europe. On December 26, 1805, the Peace of Pressburg (now Bratislava) was signed in the Mirror Hall of the palace. This historic treaty, negotiated after the Battle of Austerlitz, was concluded between Austria, represented by Johann I Joseph, Prince of Liechtenstein, and France, represented by Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand. The treaty led to the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire and is commemorated by Rue de Presbourg in Paris. Decades later, on April 11, 1848, the palace became the site where Emperor Ferdinand signed the abolition of serfdom in the Kingdom of Hungary.
Logistics
Tips
Interior
St. Ladislau's Chapel
Nearby restaurants
The streets close to the Primate’s Palace are filled with coffee shops, bars, and restaurants to suit every taste. On Laurinská Street near the Nedbalka Gallery, you’ll find the quality Thai restaurant SOHO, the informal and relaxed Urban House, and the popular coffee shop Mondieu. From the Main Square, you can visit the Dubliner Irish Pub or the Barrock Pub on Sedlárska Street, or explore the numerous options on Panská Street and Hviezdoslav Square. For traditional Slovak cuisine, head to the Flagship Restaurant on SNP Square, just outside the pedestrian zone, or indulge in festive treats at the Christmas Market, held every December on the Main Square and Hviezdoslav Square. If you’re looking to slow down and unwind, step into the Mirbach Palace, where you’ll find Emil, a delightful coffee shop with seating options both indoors and in a charming, cozy atrium.
Things to do nearby
To the west of the Primate’s Palace, you’ll find the Old Town Hall and the charming Main Square with its iconic Maximilian Fountain, as well as the Franciscan Square that boasts several stunning buildings, including the Jesuit Church, the Franciscan Church and Monastery, and the Mirbach Palace, known for its art exhibitions. To the east, enjoy the Nebalka Gallery, which houses some of Slovakia’s most treasured works by modern painters and sculptors.
A beautiful complex of the Old Town Hall, built from the 14th to the early 20th centuries, showcases Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Modern architectural styles. Since 1868, it has been housing the City Museum of Bratislava, making it the oldest museum in Slovakia. The permanent exhibition highlights the historic premises, decorations, and artifacts, guiding visitors through the city’s rich and fascinating history. Be sure to climb to the top of the medieval tower for a picturesque view of the Main Square, and don’t miss the wine cellars and the viticulture exhibition located in the adjacent Apponyi Palace.
The Main Square, the beating heart of the Old Town, is a key crossroads and a picturesque spot begging to be photographed. Dominated by the tower of the Old Town Hall, the square is surrounded by charming cafés, bars, and restaurants. It also transforms into the site of a traditional Christmas Market during the Advent season. The square’s history dates back to 1373, when it was first mentioned in writing as Forum (the market). At its center stands the Renaissance-style Maximilian Fountain, also known as the Roland Fountain, built in 1572 on the site of an old well. The fountain was commissioned by and named after Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian II, who was crowned King of Hungary in St. Martin’s Cathedral.
Originally a Protestant church built in the early 17th century as a place of worship for German immigrants was transferred to the Roman-Catholic Jesuit Order after the suppression of a Protestant coup of 1672. When visiting the church, note the ornate wooden door, as well as the most precious artifact, the black gold-plated Rococo pulpit. Under the building, there is a large crypt that hides the remains of important members of the Jesuit Order who worked and died in Bratislava, including Cardinal Leopold Kolonic. The Holy Saviour Church is located right next to the Old Town Hall in the very center of the Old Town.
The longest operating church in Bratislava was consecrated on March 27, 1297 A.D. with the presence of king Andrew III. The monastery was attached to it during the 14th century. Through the 16th to 19th centuries, the Franciscan Church witnessed accolades of Knights of the Golden Spur by Hungarian kings coronated in Bratislava’s Saint Martin’s Cathedral. The complex includes architectural and artistic elements of the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classicist styles. The most beautiful masterpiece is represented by the 14th century marble statue of Pieta. The church and monastery are run by the Franciscan Order until these days.
This 18th century Rococo building has been hosting the Gallery of Bratislava since 1975. Its permanent exhibition installed on the first floor of the Mirbach Palace includes beautiful sacred paintings and sculptures, mostly representing Gothic and early Renaissance art. The oldest Medieval artifact, a wooden sculpture of madonna, probably dates back to the 13th century. The second floor features a selection of Central European Baroque art of the 18th century, including Franz Xaver Messerschmidt’s works Capuchin and Character Heads. The palace also houses a nice coffee shop, Emil.
This Rococo palace, complete with a medieval wine cellar, serves as the Museum of Viticulture and offers quality wine tastings. Explore the museum to discover Bratislava’s rich wine-growing and winemaking heritage, which dates back to the 3rd century and flourished further from the 13th century onward. The museum, located in the Apponyi Palace, is connected to the museum in the Old Town Hall, where combined tickets are available for purchase. The underground rooms house the Slovak National Collection of Wines, a commercial wine-tasting establishment.
A small private gallery showcasing the works of Slovakia’s finest painters and sculptors from the late 19th century to the present day. Situated on Nedbalova Street, between the Primate’s Palace and the Old Market Hall, it offers the perfect opportunity to slow down and appreciate modern art. The experience is further enhanced by the building itself—a stunning cultural monument with four levels of galleries encircling a central open space.
