Grassalkovich palace or commonly known as “Presidential Palace” is the Baroque – Rococo Palace located at Hodzovo Square and was built in 1760 for count Anton Grassalkovich. The first owner of the palace the count Anton Grassalkovich was one of the most prominent figures in Hungarian Kingdom at the time. He served as the President of Hungarian Royal Chamber. After his death in 1771 his son, Anton Grassalkovich II. had the palace rebuilt and extended. The reconstruction gave the sight its present appearance. During II. World War the palace was the seat of the president of Slovak Wartime State (1939 – 1945), Dr. Jozef Tiso. After the war, during communist regime, the venue was known as the Pioneers Palace (referring the Comunist youth organisation). After the major refurbishment the Palace became in 1996 the seat of the first Slovakian president Michal Kovac. Ever since then it serves the same purpose. Fountain of Peace from 1980 is in front of Grassalkovich palace, on the square of Hodzovo namestie.

Josef Haydn and life at the court of Anton Grassalkovich

The palace enjoyed vibrant social life. The Anton Grassalkovich court orchestra was conducted by the father of Johan Nepomuk Hummel, native of Bratislava. In 1772 the Palace hosted a noble ball in honour of Maria Christina and her husband, the Vice Governor of Albert of Saxon and Tesin. The ball was also attended by Christina’s mother Maria Theresa. Joseph Haydn conducted the orchestra. That however wasn’t Haydn first concert in Bratislava. For thirty years he had worked as a bandleader in the service of the Count Esterhazy. He performed repeatedly in Bratislava palaces of the Esterhazy family and even premiered here his opera La Canterina. Maria Theresa admitted wishing to have repeatedly attend Haydn concerts had she not been kept by the many stately commitments.

Grassalkovich Gardens

The gardens were developed along with the Palace. Thorough their more than 250 year long history they underwent many changes. From the 19th century they are open for public. After the reconstruction in 1999 strictly in French Baroque style, it became one of the most favourite gardens of people of Bratislava. The sides of the garden are lined with the Presidential Alley. The trees hare were planted by presidents and kings who visited Slovakia. A riding statue of Maria Theresa is in the center of the garden.

Text is copied from DAJAMA publication Bratislava.
Two photos are from photobank of Visit Bratislava.