Garden Hall

On the ground floor of the Presidential Palace, the Garden Hall (also known by the Italian name Sala Terrena) links the palace’s interior with its historic gardens. From the 18th century it served both practical and aesthetic functions – it was a winter garden sheltering precious botanical specimens from the park, a refuge from the heat in summer months and a venue for small-scale cultural events.

During extensive renovation work in 1998, experts uncovered and restored the original wall paintings from 1765. The fine frescos with plant motifs in shades of green and pink still evoke tranquillity and a close connection with nature, which are common themes in Baroque garden halls.

The hall is fitted out with Rococo-style furniture from the late 19th century and a 20th-century chandelier in the shape of a lantern. The centrepiece of the room is a Baroque-inspired fountain in Italian green marble by the architect Ivan Salay. It evokes the union of nature and art, which was an ideal of life in a stately home.

Another eye-catching part of the decor are the sculptures of monumental incomplete figures that originally graced the facade of the former Pálffy Palace in Stupava. Despite being headless, their striking silhouettes still exude majesty and are a cause for reflection on the shifting fortunes of historical artefacts.

The hall is occasionally a venue for presidential press briefings or media statements, as well as certain receptions and meetings. In the past, it has also hosted presentations of fine-art works by Slovak artists.