Bratislava Coronation Days

Are you thinking about where to take the kids? What would you say about a coronation procession and a return to the times of chivalry? History is not dead and monarchs have not completely disappeared. In the former royal city, the past will come to life again this July.

This time, you can witness coronations as they once looked from July 25 to 27, 2025. A coronation procession will take place through the streets of the city, with participants in period costumes and with appropriate props to create the right mood. Thematic city tours, a procession and a return to the past await you.

👑 From Bratislava Castle you will be able to accompany a 200-strong coronation procession in ornate historical costumes through the streets of Bratislava. Slovak and Czech historical fencing groups as well as historical theatre and dance groups will be represented in the procession. You will find the king and queen, high and low nobility, church dignitaries as well as common people. The parade will end in the Main Square, where you will be able to see demonstrations of historical theatre and fencing performances.

There will also be a rich accompanying programme for families, guided tours of the city and much more.

During the coronation days you will learn for example:

👑 Why Bratislava became the coronation city of Hungarian kings and queens.

👑 Where the coronations took place.

👑 How many kings and queens were crowned in St. Martin’s Cathedral.

👑 How the actual coronation took place.

👑 How many bronze crowns marking the route of the coronation procession.

👑 Where the crowned hill was located.

The coronation ceremony is accompanied by a period fair and many other attractions completing the period atmosphere.

Programm:

1. Replica of the Hungarian Royal Crown at the Bratislava City Museum

🕘 Friday – Sunday | 10:00 – 18:00
📍 Old Town Hall, Bratislava City Museum
💶 €4 / €2 (reduced)

See a faithful replica of one of the oldest coronation crowns in Europe, crafted for the Bratislava City Museum by Mikuš Diamonds. The replica was created over more than 1,000 hours and features 362 pearls and 98 gemstones. The visit includes the exhibition on the history of Bratislava and its coronations, all within the authentic setting of the Old Town Hall.

2. Guided Tours of St. Martin’s Cathedral

🕘 Friday & Saturday | 09:00 – 11:30, 13:00 – 20:00
🕘 Sunday | 13:00 – 16:30, 18:00 – 20:00
📍 St. Martin’s Cathedral, Rudnay Square
💶 Free

A rare chance to enter the coronation space through a small side entrance not usually open to the public. Visit the presbytery where Hungarian kings and queens were crowned and view the list of all monarchs crowned in Bratislava displayed on the wall. The tour also includes access to the underground crypts. Out of respect for the sacred space, covered shoulders are recommended.

3. Guided Tours: Coronation Bratislava

🕘 Various times throughout the weekend (25 – 27 July)
📍 Meeting points vary by route – will be sent after booking
💶 Free, reservation required

Special themed walking tours focused on the coronation history of Bratislava. Learn more about the places where monarchs walked, the symbolism of the coronation rituals, and the monuments connected to this historic era. Tours are available in multiple languages and open to the general public. Reservations will soon be available via the platform tootoot.fm. Limited capacity.

4. Coronation Ride with Prešporáčik® Oldtimer

🕘 Friday – Sunday | 09:00 – 17:00
📍 Hviezdoslav Square ↔ Bratislava Castle
💶 €5 / person

Follow the route of the coronation processions in comfort aboard the Prešporáčik. This historical ride with audio commentary offers insight into the coronation history of Pressburg and the iconic places walked by Hungarian monarchs. Suitable for families and visitors with limited mobility. Kids receive paper royal crowns.

5. Guided Wine Tasting in the Wine Cellar

Friday | 11:00 & 13:00
Saturday | 11:00
Sunday | 11:00 & 13:00
📍 National Wine Salon of Slovakia, Radničná 1
💶 €6 / person, max. 25 people

Taste the royal wine of Maria Theresa – Blaufränkisch – in the cellars of Apponyi Palace. A sommelier will guide you through the aromatic and flavour nuances of outstanding Slovak wines.

6. Dark Tasting – Maria Theresa’s Rosehip Wine

Friday | 10:00 – 16:00
Saturday & Sunday | 10:00 – 18:00
📍 Dark Tasting, Michalská 3, Old Town
💶 Symbolic fee, no reservation needed

This 17th-century cellar on Michalská Street transforms into a unique wine experience during the coronation weekend. Taste the exceptional rosehip wine, produced since 2017 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Maria Theresa’s birth.

Made from frozen rosehips harvested near Holíč Castle and Kopčany – places linked with the Empress – the wine is served in a dark, atmospheric cellar without the need for reservations, and is accompanied by other Slovak wines from local wineries.
The historical ambiance, wine selection, and sensory experience provide a quiet yet enriching cultural highlight to the weekend.

FRIDAY, 25 July 2025

Knight Tournament & Falconry Show – “The Peace of Žitava in the Saddle”

17:30 – 20:00 (main programme from 18:30)
Tyršovo Embankment
💶 Free
🎯 17:30 – 18:30:

• Noble Art of Horseback Hunting – smooth handling of game from horseback
• Falconry Flight Show – 4 to 6 birds of prey in action
• Hunting Dogs Demonstration – two trained dogs working in sync with handlers
• Featuring one falconer on horseback and two on foot
🕠 18:30
• Horse warm-up before the crowd – rider introductions
🕡 18:45
• Hungarian Knight Tournament – theatrical performance with historical storytelling
• Inspired by the Peace of Žitava, concluded by Palatine Thurzo after conflict with the Ottoman Empire
• Tournament characters are based on real historical figures
• Includes horseback and foot disciplines and a symbolic cultural clash between Hungary and the Ottoman Empire

The event stands out for its historical accuracy, dramatic choreography, and visual grandeur. A unique experience for families, history lovers, and fans of traditional arts.

SATURDAY, 26 July 2025

Royal Illustration School – Children’s Workshop

🕘 10:00, 11:30, 13:00
📍 BIBIANA – International House of Art for Children, Panská 41
💶 €1 / child, reservation via Bookio, max. 17 children

Children become royal illustrators and depict coronation scenes – the king, trumpeters, or the act of coronation itself. A fun and creative way to step into the monarchy’s past.

Coronation Procession and Live Tableaux in the Streets

15:30 – 18:10
📍 Bratislava Castle → Main Square
💶 Free

Experience a majestic parade reminiscent of those that once accompanied every monarch during their coronation. The procession starts at the statue of Svätopluk at Bratislava Castle and passes through the historic centre via the Vienna Gate. The highlight is the symbolic return of King Charles III to Pressburg to take his coronation oath.

AI Photopoint: Become a King or Queen!

Create your own coronation portrait in Bratislava! Thanks to AI and a historical frame, every visitor gets a unique photo in the style of a royal celebration. Just step in front of the lens – AI does the rest.

📍 Main Square
🕓 16:00 – 19:00
💶 Free

SUNDAY, 27 July 2025

Sunday offers all the “weekend evergreens” – the crown exhibit, Prešporáčik rides, guided tours, and wine tastings. It’s the perfect day to wrap up the coronation weekend with ease and a historical atmosphere.

Programme subject to change – thank you for your understanding.

Dear visitors, please note that photographs and/or video footage may be taken during the event for the purpose of promoting Bratislava as a tourist destination. By participating, you consent to this.

Location: Bratislava
Date: 25.07.2025 – 27.07.2025
Entrance: free

Here you will find all the tips for events today, this weekend.