Enjoy the rich programme of the Bratislava Coronation Days with all the family

The Slovak capital will once again become the capital of the Kingdom of Hungary, albeit only for three days, but with all the more splendour. You can immerse yourself in the opulent royal past during the Bratislava Coronation Days and enjoy the festivities in honour of the coronation of King Leopold I. This year, the event takes place from 28 to 30 July on the streets of Bratislava. With its rich programme, the Coronation Days will offer a unique opportunity to enjoy the spirit of the coronation processions, historical tours and other events.

Experience knights’ duels & learn historical dances

The groups of knights will present their art from Friday, when they will give displays of falconry hunting from horseback, demonstrations of hunting with birds of prey and showing breeds of hunting dogs, comparisons of individual schools of fencing, duels, dances, lute-playing, as well as a short fashion show at Bratislava Castle.

You can also watch falconry performances, demonstrations of anti-Turkish battles and swordsmanship performances on the Main Square. Here you can also learn how to dance Renaissance dances. Professionals will perform historical dances combined with a dance workshop for both young people and adults.

Feel the spirit of the historical parade

The most important part of the programme will take place on Saturday 29 July: a festive parade will set off from Bratislava Castle at 3 p.m., completing its journey in the heart of the Old Town on the historic Main Square. Here, a programme devoted to the coronation of Leopold I will commence at 4 p.m. Afterwards, through stories and dance, you can relive the life of Maria of Spain, wife of Emperor and King Maximilian II. Habsburg.

Those who miss the spectacular Saturday parade can at least experience a shorter version of it in the streets of Bratislava. A small historical parade will also go through the historical centre on Friday at 6 pm and even three times on Sunday at different times.

See the exhibition from the history of the event

Bratislava Coronation Days also includes an exhibition of photographs from the history of the event. You can find it in the unique premises of the Martineum, which is a part of St Martin's Cathedral. Admission is free.

Admire the splendour of a rare Hungarian crown replica

The royal crown will return to the cathedral where Hungarian kings were crowned. On Saturday and Sunday, a faithful copy of the Hungarian crown, the work of art of expert jewellers, will be on display in St Martin's Cathedral.

Bring your children to the coronation parade

During the Bratislava Coronation Days, several small activities will be devoted to children. They can get to know the coronation history of the city from Friday thanks to special children's tours with Tino the Investigator. In Bibiana, they can create their family coat of arms at creative workshops and learn something about their history and significance.

During the festival, the youngest visitors can also enjoy a puppet show based on the play of folk puppeteers as well as a fairy tale performed by the Havan Theatre.

During the coronation events children and their parents can also get to learn how the bookbinder's workshop used to operate, how documents were sealed, or how a medieval lathe worked. They will have the chance to mint their own coin and ride on a historic wooden carousel.

Discover Bratislava's coronation route

Those who would like to learn more about the history of the coronations can take free tours in Slovak, English, German, Hungarian or Ukrainian organised by the Tourist Information Centre of the Bratislava Tourist Board on all three days from Friday to Sunday. More information can be found at Bratislava Tourist Board ↗︎.

Co-funded by the Ministry of Transport and Construction of the Slovak Republic