Bratislava Coronation Days Programme
The glorious royal past will be revived in Bratislava and the coronation atmosphere will take over the city
Three days of festivities will bring an attractive programme, reminding how it looked in Bratislava during the coronations. Choose from themed guided city tours, see the coronation procession and return back to the knights’ times:
Friday to Sunday
🚶Guided Tours on Coronations
Discover the coronation history of Bratislava through the eyes of our knowledgeable guides. The former royal city will come to life again, immersing you in its illustrious past. Follow in the footsteps of kings and delve into the rich royal heritage. Enjoy the coronation atmosphere during the free tours.*
*Thank you for your interest, all tours are booked! 👑
17:00 – 12:00 Historic Center
🦹The Tale of the Stolen Crown
Embark on a cryptographic game for children and adults on your mobile device, free of charge. Will you find the stolen coronation jewels and save the coronations?
00:00 – 00:00 Historic Center
🏹The History of the Bratislava Coronation Days
Exhibition of photographs from the history of the Bratislava Coronation Days in the unique space of Martineneum, which is part of St. Martin’s Cathedral.
10:00 – 18:00 Martineum
Friday, July 28, 2023
⛪St. Martin’s Cathedral for the Public
Come and see the exceptional architecture and decoration of the most significant and largest church in Bratislava. St. Martin’s Cathedral, whose history dates back to the 11th century. It was also the coronation church of Hungarian monarchs from 1563 to 1830.
11:30 – 18:00 St. Martin’s Cathedral
⚔️Small Historical Procession
The historical group Exheredis will parade through the city center in magnificent costumes and demonstrate combat techniques of the time period.
Procession route: Hlavné námestie, Sedlárska, Michalská brána, Michalská, Ventúrska, Panská, Rudnayovo námestie, Rybné námestie, Hviezdoslavovo námestie, Rybárska brána, Laurinská, Laurinská brána, Uršulínska, Primaciálne námestie, Kostolná ul., Hlavné námestie.
18:00 – 19:00 Historic Center
👸Renaissance Festivities
Don’t miss the demonstrations of falconry techniques on horseback, bird-of-prey hunting, and hunting dog breeds by the art group Falconia. Enjoy fencing matches by the historical group Tostabur. Lastly do not miss a musical experience from the past – renaissance singing and play on archlute by the Ensemble Thesaurus Musicum duo.
19:00 – 20:00 Bratislava Castle – Eastern Terrace
Saturday, July 29, 2023
⛪St. Martin’s Cathedral for the Public
Come and see the exceptional architecture and decoration of the most significant and largest church in Bratislava. St. Martin’s Cathedral, whose history dates back to the 11th century. It was also the coronation church of Hungarian monarchs from 1563 to 1830.
09:00 – 11:30, 13:00 – 18:00 St. Martin’s Cathedral
👑Hungarian Royal Crown Returns to Bratislava
You can admire the faithful replica of the Hungarian royal crown, created by the master jewelers of Mikuš Diamonds, in the premises of St. Martin’s Cathedral, which served as the coronation church of Hungarian monarchs from 1563 to 1830.
The Hungarian Crown Jewels are one of the oldest preserved treasures in Europe. Their presence guaranteed stability in Hungary, but their fate involved adventurous journeys around the world. Thanks to the Mikuš Diamonds family workshop, you will have the opportunity to see a replica of the crown. Their intention was to make this coronation jewel, which carries many stories, accessible to the public.
09:00 – 11:30, 13:00 – 18:00 St. Martin’s Cathedral
🍷Wine Tasting
Experience the rarely accessible historical cellar from the 17th century beneath the Jeszenákový Palace. In honor of the 300th anniversary of Maria Theresa’s coronation, a limited quantity of special rosehip wine is produced each year. Moreover, the rosehips were harvested around Kopčany and Holíč Castle, which served as her summer residence. During BKD, you can taste the unique wine made from frozen rosehips (for a fee) and enjoy three Slovak grape wines for free.
10:00 – 18:00 Michalská 3 – Hotel Palace apartments
👑👑👑Grand Coronation Procession
Join the coronation procession! Starting from Bratislava Castle, you will accompany a procession of approximately 200 members dressed in exquisite historical costumes through the streets of Bratislava.
15:00 – 16:00 Bratislava Castle – Streets of the Old Town – Main Square
🫅Commemoration of Leopold I’s Coronation
This year, we commemorate the coronation of Leopold I. The program includes a falconry performance, demonstrations of bird-of-prey hunting from horseback, anti-Ottoman battles, and theatrical fencing displays.
16:00 – 17:00 Main Square
👸Life of Maria of Spain
To celebrate the beginning of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, we will explore the Spanish-Hungarian coronation history through the life of Maria of Spain, the wife of Emperor and King Maximilian II of Habsburg. Get closer to her life through stories and dance.
17:00 – 17:30 Main Square
Sunday, July 30, 2023
🛡️Family Coat of Arms – Personal Symbol
Creative workshops for children and parents, where children will create their family coat of arms and learn something about their history and significance. The workshops will run every hour. Please register here.
10:00 – 16:00 Bibiana Children Museum Courtyard
⚒️Demonstration of Period Crafts
Come and see how bookbinding workshops operated, how document sealing was done, or experience a medieval lathe. Strike your own coin and take a ride on a historical wooden carousel. All this and more awaits you if you join us!
10:00 – 18:00 Main Square
👸Roses and Sword – Fairytale and interactive games
A fairy tale in verse from the Middle Ages for children and adults, where there is a gentle princess, a powerful king, a good and an evil prince and a storyteller who can change the course of fate with her magic.
After the fairy tale, you will learn how a horse becomes a battle paripa. It will be an interactive entry with a live knight’s horse, which the knight prepares for battle in cooperation with the audience.
This will be followed by demonstrations of fencing matches, a flag celebration and medieval dances with a dance school.
10:00 – 11:00 Bratislava Castle – Leopold´s Courtyard
⚔️Small Historical Procession
A fencing parade through the center of the Old Town, with fencing and theatrical performances at selected locations, starting at the Main Square. You will see drummers, standard bearers, and the fencing of the members of the Manu Forti group.
Procession route: Hlavné námestie, Sedlárska, Michalská brána, Michalská, Ventúrska, Panská, Rudnayovo námestie, Rybné námestie, Hviezdoslavovo námestie, Rybárska brána, Laurinská, Laurinská brána, Uršulínska, Primaciálne námestie, Kostolná ul., Hlavné námestie.
10:00 – 11:00 Historic Center
🍷Wine Tasting
Experience the rarely accessible historical cellar from the 17th century beneath the Jeszenákový Palace (now Hotel Palace apartments). In honor of the 300th anniversary of Maria Theresa’s coronation, a limited quantity of special rosehip wine is produced each year. Moreover, the rosehips were harvested around Kopčany and Holíč Castle, which served as her summer residence. During BKD, you can taste the unique wine made from frozen rosehips (for a fee) and enjoy three Slovak grape wines for free.
10:00 – 18:00 Michalská 3
📖Journey through History – cancelled
Dass Aramis’ performance will showcase the evolution of clothing, firearms, and fencing techniques from the Gothic period to the Rococo era.
10:30 – 10:55 Main Square
🏹Torture Chamber
A presentation of medieval torture and torture devices by the Bojník group.
11:30 – 11:50 Main Square
⚔️Small Historical Procession
A historical procession through the city center with a start at the Main Square. Exheredis will demonstrate combat techniques at locations where historical gates of Prešporok once stood or still stand.
Procession route: Hlavné námestie, Sedlárska, Michalská brána, Michalská, Ventúrska, Panská, Rudnayovo námestie, Rybné námestie, Hviezdoslavovo námestie, Rybárska brána, Laurinská, Laurinská brána, Uršulínska, Primaciálne námestie, Kostolná ul., Hlavné námestie.
11:30 – 12:15 Historic Center
💃Period Dances
Learn to dance Renaissance-era dances! Come and watch demonstrations of period dances combined with a dance workshop for both young and old, provided by artists from the Galthilion group.
12:30 – 13:00 Main Square
⚔️Small Historical Procession
A historical procession through the city center with a start at the Main Square. Exheredis will demonstrate combat techniques at locations where historical gates of Prešporok once stood or still stand.
Procession route: Hlavné námestie, Sedlárska, Michalská brána, Michalská, Ventúrska, Panská, Rudnayovo námestie, Rybné námestie, Hviezdoslavovo námestie, Rybárska brána, Laurinská, Laurinská brána, Uršulínska, Primaciálne námestie, Kostolná ul., Hlavné námestie.
13:00 – 13:45 Historic Center
⛪St. Martin’s Cathedral for the Public
Come and see the exceptional architecture and decoration of the most significant and largest church in Bratislava. St. Martin’s Cathedral, whose history dates back to the 11th century, was the coronation church of Hungarian monarchs from 1563 to 1830.
13:30 – 16:30 St. Martin’s Cathedral
👑Hungarian Royal Crown Returns to Bratislava
You can see a faithful replica of the Hungarian royal crown, created by the jewelers of Mikuš Diamonds, in the premises of St. Martin’s Cathedral, which served as the coronation church of Hungarian monarchs from 1563 to 1830.
13:30 – 16:30 St. Martin’s Cathedral
🎎Turkish Island
The Tyjátr Theater brings a puppet show based on the play of folk puppeteers, which belonged to the repertoire of every puppetry dynasty.
14:00 – 14:45 Main Square
🫅Bratislava during the Reign of Leopold I
Come and enjoy a nice historical building. A lecture on the rule of Leopold I will describe the situation in Europe, Hungary, and Bratislava at that time – the period of the Reformation, Ottoman invasions, anti-Habsburg uprisings, their consequences, the coronation, and the position of Leopold I as a monarch. *The lectujre will be held in Slovak
14:00 – 15:00 Rómer’s House
🎼Organ Concert
Enjoy the unique atmosphere of St. Martin’s Cathedral during an organ concert performed by Daniel Gabčo and Kristína Gabčová. The concert will feature works by J.S. Bach and others.
15:00 – 16:00 St. Martin’s Cathedral
⚔️Small Historical Procession
URSUS – Historical parade through the city with demonstrations of period music, starting and ending at the Main Square.
Procession route: Hlavné námestie, Sedlárska, Michalská brána, Michalská, Ventúrska, Panská, Rudnayovo námestie, Rybné námestie, Hviezdoslavovo námestie, Rybárska brána, Laurinská, Laurinská brána, Uršulínska, Primaciálne námestie, Kostolná ul., Hlavné námestie.
15:00 – 16:00 Historical Center
🗡️Musketeer Drill
A performance by the musketeer unit Banderium, where the audience will learn about the appearance, equipment, and training of a musketeer during the 30 Years’ War.
15:30 – 16:00 Main Square
⚔️Small Historical Procession
Historical parade by the Ursus group through the city with demonstrations of period music, starting and ending at the Main Square.
Procession route: Hlavné námestie, Sedlárska, Michalská brána, Michalská, Ventúrska, Panská, Rudnayovo námestie, Rybné námestie, Hviezdoslavovo námestie, Rybárska brána, Laurinská, Laurinská brána, Uršulínska, Primaciálne námestie, Kostolná ul., Hlavné námestie.
16:30 – 17:30 Historical Center
👸Fairy Tale for Young and Old
Havran Theater – The play “Fairy Tale” is a comedic story that enchants with unexpected twists through traditional fairytale imagery, entertaining children and even more parents.
17:00 – 17:45 Main Square
* The programme is subject to alterations, thank you for understanding.
*Dear visitors, photographic and/or video recordings may be made during the event for the purpose of promoting Bratislava as a tourist destination. By participating, you agree to the possibility of making and using these photos and recordings.
