Thank you for your love letter to my hometown. It is fascinating geographically, ethnically, culturally when one is willing to learn history and facts. Because its history was often simplified, selective, written from a particular angle. It was built by Germans/Austrians, Hungarians, Slovaks, Jews. But it was settled by Celts, Romans, Slavs. In the first three centuries of the first millenium, in what is now Austria, there was a Roman City of Carnuntum, just 24 kilometers from today’s Bratislava. It was a city of 50 000 people, with amphitheaters, spa, central heating in the houses and migrants from all parts of the Roman Empire. It fascinates me.
the area Fermor describes was called Podhradie or Vydrica and was located between Chatam Sofer and the New Bridge - it was completely demolished by the communists in 1960s when they were building the bridge and all the roads around there. a big historical part of the city was lost, including the synagogue.
Thank you for your love letter to my hometown. It is fascinating geographically, ethnically, culturally when one is willing to learn history and facts. Because its history was often simplified, selective, written from a particular angle. It was built by Germans/Austrians, Hungarians, Slovaks, Jews. But it was settled by Celts, Romans, Slavs. In the first three centuries of the first millenium, in what is now Austria, there was a Roman City of Carnuntum, just 24 kilometers from today’s Bratislava. It was a city of 50 000 people, with amphitheaters, spa, central heating in the houses and migrants from all parts of the Roman Empire. It fascinates me.
That's really interesting. Had never heard of it! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnuntum
Oh, you must visit next time you will be down here! Austrians have built a great interactive museum there.
https://www.carnuntum.at/en/museumcarnuntinum?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=12188480840&_gl=1%2aht3uki%2a_up%2aMQ..%2a_gs%2aMQ..&gbraid=0AAAAADRUdk7DSKlMG2F1DV1WKzkFlUh4O
"I love Bratislava.
Not in the way Hitler loved Bratislava. I have no desire to annex its streets and subjugate its people. "
I think this might be my favourite ever disclaimer.
the area Fermor describes was called Podhradie or Vydrica and was located between Chatam Sofer and the New Bridge - it was completely demolished by the communists in 1960s when they were building the bridge and all the roads around there. a big historical part of the city was lost, including the synagogue.
Yep you can still see it in the aerial photo in the piece …
Lovely read about the city I call home now. Thank you 🙏
Ah lucky you Rui!
There is still a small but