Gardens of the Presidential Palace
The Gardens of the Presidential Palace were once on the outskirts of the capital city but now at its heart, and rank amongst Bratislava’s most beautiful historical parks. Established in the 18th century as part of the summer residence of Count Anton I Grassalkovich, their layout reflects the refined style of French Baroque gardens, such as those at Versailles.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the garden served as a prestigious setting for ceremonies, concerts, and social gatherings. Historical records show that Empress Maria Theresa herself attended such events. Her visits are commemorated by an equestrian statue that originally adorned the Archdeacon’s Palace (Veľprepoštský palác) in Nitra. During this period, the garden also hosted a theatre that saw performances by Joseph Haydn, the director of music for the Esterházy family.
The garden earned a place in history for a technological milestone – on 25 August 1878, it became the first place in the territory of present-day Slovakia to have public electric lighting. In 1978, the sculptor Tibor Bártfay and his collaborators presented the iconic fountain Joy of Life.
After a period of decline in the second half of the 20th century, the garden underwent extensive renovation 1998 and 1999 which preserved its original Baroque layout while incorporating new symbolic elements. One of the additions was the Avenue of Presidents, a row of trees symbolically planted by heads of state from around the world during their official visits to the Slovak Republic between 1999 and 2003
The Grassalkovich Gardens are now under the administration of the Borough of Bratislava-Staré Mesto. They seamlessly connect historical traditions with the modern spirit, offering visitors botanical rarities such as a rose named in honour of Slovak hero Milan Rastislav Štefánik and tulips gifted by the Netherlands. After the most recent renovation in 2024, the gardens reopened as a versatile public space for both recreation and civic events.
The president also continues to use the gardens during visits by foreign heads of state or for ceremonies with many participants.
