Pozsony

Pozsony, the Hungarian name for Bratislava, is the capital and largest city of Slovakia. It lies on the Danube River opposite Vienna, near the Austrian border. The city has a long, multiethnic history and was for centuries an important center within the Kingdom of Hungary. In the early modern period it served as a seat of administration and royal residence; St. Martin's Cathedral in Bratislava was the traditional coronation church for Hungarian kings. The German name for the city, Pressburg, was widely used during the Habsburg era.

After World War I and the dissolution of Austria-Hungary, Pozsony became part of the new state of Czechoslovakia and was renamed Bratislava in Slovak. Since the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993, Bratislava has been the capital and administrative center of Slovakia. The Hungarian name Pozsony remains in use in Hungarian-language contexts and in historical references.

Today Bratislava is a political and economic hub, home to government institutions, universities, and a growing service sector. Its landmarks include Bratislava Castle, the Old Town with its towers and squares, St. Martin's Cathedral, and modern bridges spanning the Danube, such as the SNP Bridge. The city also serves as a gateway to the Danube region and to nearby Austria.