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by Wildcat Dianne
Milton, Florida
June 1, 2003
Grassalkovich Palace was built in the 1760's by Count Anton Grassalkovich, the President of the Royal Hungarian Chamber and advisor to the Empress Maria Theresia. It is said that the inventor Wolfgang von Kempelen introduced several of his inventions, including a speaking machine, in the palace's State Rooms.
Grassalkovich Palace is guarded 24 hours a day by an honor guard who can be seen marching in front of the castle daily by visitors. If you are lucky, you will get to see the changing of the guard which I got to see a little of when I visited Grassalkovich Palace for the first time in September 2001. The second time I saw the guards at Grassalkovich was in June 2002, and I felt bad for the guards in their woolen uniforms marching in the heat with barely any shade.
Grassalkovich Palace is situated in a huge, open park with a Baroque garden that is open to the public, even when the President is in residence. My friend Jana and I went to the Park after a long day of sightseeing in Bratislava to rest and get into some shade to avoid the summer heat and sun. We were lucky to get one of the last benches in the shade and sat down and read our new books that we bought in downtown Bratislava.
There is a fountain with statues of naked nymphs that children can play in, but be careful. I was tempted to wade my feet in the fountain, but didn't want to go back to my friend's house in Trnava soaking wet.
Grassalkovich Palace is located in the Namestie 1 Maja and is best (and safely) reached by walking under the underground passage that connects Namestie Staromietska to Namestie 1 Maja. Grassalkovich Palace is open to the public daily, except when the President is in residence, and the park is open all the time.
From journal Historical Bratislava