Grassalkovich Palace
The president's late-Baroque palace by the Old Town, with a French-style garden behind it that anyone can walk into for free.
Why visit
The palace was built in the mid-18th century for Count Antal Grassalkovich, one of the most powerful figures of the Hungarian Royal Chamber. It became a favourite venue for aristocratic balls and concerts, and Joseph Haydn performed here.
Since the 1990s it has been the official seat of the President of Slovakia. The interiors stay closed, but the garden behind the palace is a free, quiet park a few minutes from Michael’s Gate.
What to see
- Palace front: the late-Baroque façade facing the square, with the presidential honour guard at the gate.
- Presidential garden: laid out in the French formal style, with lawns, tree-lined paths and the Joy of Life fountain by Tibor Bártfay.
- Planet of Peace fountain: the globe-shaped fountain on the square in front of the palace, also by Bártfay and his colleagues.
Plan your visit
The palace itself is open only on occasional open days. The garden is free to enter and makes an easy half-hour break between the Old Town and the main railway station.
Michael’s Gate is about a 5-minute walk away, and Štefánikova Street leads on towards the station.
Opening hours
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Palace
not open to the public
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Garden
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Apr–Sep
9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
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Oct–Mar
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Address
Hodžovo námestie 2978/1, 811 06 Bratislava, Slovensko
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