As of January 1st, Slovakia will transition its currency from Slovak crown (Slovenska koruna) to Euro. Hence it is one of our last chances to look at Bratislava references on current Slovak banknotes and coins.

Bratislava is explicitly shown on 500 SKK banknote and references are also on 50 hal and 5 SKK coins.

The front of 500 SKK banknote (approx 16EUR) shows the portrait of Ludovit Stur, one of the greatest Slovak personalities of the 19th century, who was known as the father of the idea of Slovak national emancipation and the founder of the Slovak literary language. He was a lecturer on the high school in Bratislava an later also an active member of Hungarian parliament having its sessions in Bratislava. A street named after him- Sturova street- is mentioned in audiopoint Opera House (Hviezdoslavovo Sq)

The design on the back illustrates Bratislava Castle (The Castle audiopoint) together with the Baroque St. Michael´s church and a part of the Gothic tower of Klarisky Church. The central part of the composition displays the oldest layout of Bratislava dating from the 15th century wood carving CHRONICA PICTA depicting Bratislava Castle, three churches surrounded by a fortification, and a sketch of the River Danube.

Another reference to Bratislava is on the reverse of 5 SKK coin (approx. 16 eurocents) where you can see the Celtic coin depicting a galloping horseman beneath which the inscription "BIATEC" appears. It is a tetra drachma of Bratislava type from the first century BC

And finally, on the reverse of the coin with the minimal value-50 halers (1.6 eurocent), there is shown a renaissance polygonal tower with battlements- the most photogenic part of the Devin Castle, situated on a cliff above the confluence of the river Morava with the Danube. Ruins of the Devin Castle are situated outside the city center so they are currently not part of our audio tour but it is still the most recommended location for half-day visit when you are finished with city center.

All these currencies will end early next year but it does not mean that Bratislava will disappear totally. The Bratislava castle will be also shown on the new EURO coins with 50, 20 and 10 cents. 50 cents sample featuring Bratislava castle is attached here.