Our local guide, Martin, met us on a street running along the Danube next to the "UFO" bridge which we had crossed to get into the city. He immediately led us down a pedestrian path where we had a view of Bratislava Castle from the Holy Trinity Statue. Further down the path was a statue of Hans Christian Andersen and Dievča so srnkou (Girl with Deer).

We cut through a private courtyard to view St. Martin's Cathedral then down the street where Martin told us how music played a big part in the history of his city... Beethoven, Mozart, Liszt, Haydn, and Hummel all visited, played, composed, even taught music in this capital.

We followed a street towards Michael's Gate. Martin's tour included lengthy explanations so at one stop, I went into a store that was selling ceramic flowers and bought tulip like flowers for "the family". I didn't need to rush out. The group was still within throwing distance.

Instead of travelling through Michael's Gate, we turned off and went towards a square containing Maximilian's Fountain. In front of the French Embassy, there was a statue of "Napoleon" (or maybe not :). His rear end sticking out towards the embassy MIGHT be retribution for his (and the French) laying siege to the city in 1809. You can even see a canon ball from that time lodged in the Old Town Hall.

When we saw a "Man at Work" sign at a corner near the end of our tour, we were surprised to see that the man had been "working" a long time. Sasha saw eye to eye with the worker so all's well.

Our formal tour ended on the pedestrian walk in front of Historic Slovak National Theatre.