Danube River, Bratislava

Here are some shots of River Danube I took on my visit to my home town of Bratislava.

This is the Bridge of Slovak National Uprising, also known as the UFO Bridge.

The bridge featured on Some Photoblog before, where I talked about the controversy surrounding its construction. (Some parts of the Old Town, including a synagogue, were demolished so that the bridge could be built. It Was The Communists.)

UFO Bridge photographed from the Castle.

Also from the Castle; the opposite bank is Austria. Bratislava lies right on the border of not one but two countries (the second one is Hungary). They all used to be a part of one Habsburg empire once.

Sunset, the best thing anywhere in the world. This bridge is called the Old Bridge.

Danube is the second longest river in Europe and flows through nine countries. Aside from Bratislava, three other capitals are located on it: Vienna, Budapest and Belgrade.

Bridge – Bonus

I’ve already posted my contribution to this Weekly Photo Challenge, however my fingers keep itching to add one more. I really need to talk about the most (in)famous bridge in my home town of Bratislava–the Bridge of the Slovak National Uprising. Most SNP in Slovak (most means bridge). It is also commonly referred to as UFO Bridge. You can see why.

This is a controversial bridge. Why is it controversial?

The construction of the bridge started in 1967. For the bridge to be built, a portion of beautiful Old Town, including a Jewish quarter and a synagogue, had to be demolished.

For one reason or another, they built it in such a way that a roadway had to lead onto the bridge and it was for this reason they deemed the destruction of historical streets and buildings, even a part of castle hill, necessary.

Well, that’s Communists for you.

Bratislava UFO bridge1 — Photographed from Old Town side, the other side is Petrzalka

Obviously it’s deeply tragic. As far as I know, no such sacrilege took place in any other Communist country (please, feel free to correct me in the comments if I’m wrong). But the way I see it now is, you can’t escape your history and so, the SNP Bridge is as much a part of Bratislava as all the nice parts.

That round spaceship thing at the top has a restaurant in it–I haven’t been there as an adult though, so can’t tell you what’s on their menu. Apparently there is also an observation deck–imagine the views! I really must go there on my next visit.

You can find more information on the UFO Bridge here, if you want.

Also, Girl Astray has a cool post about it.

That’s it for my Bonus Bridge post.

Bridge

Bridges are one my favourite things to photograph. In fact, they are one of my favourite things ever. Bridges are great, really. I even like the word bridge. It looks nice written down (or typed) and is easy to pronounce for a non-native English speaker.

I decided to go for this one for this week’s photo challenge.

The bridge is a Metrolink bridge in inner city Manchester. Not quite aesthetically pleasing, perhaps, but that’s the point. If it wasn’t for all that glorious sunshine, it would be a proper grim shot!

Inspiration for this photo came from a scene in The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. I’ve taken a few similar shots after reading the book.

I’ve also been listening to my mega 90s playlist, which of course features the Red Hot Chili Peppers song Under the Bridge; probably one of the most iconic tunes of the decade. The song deals with feelings of loneliness and past drug abuse.

Under the bridge downtown
Is where I drew some blood
Under the bridge downtown
I could not get enough
Under the bridge downtown
Forgot about my love
Under the bridge downtown
I gave my life away
lyrics by Anthony Kiedis

Speaking of music, a bridge is also a section of a song, but I have no idea what exactly it means. If you know, please do enlighten me in the comments.

Another bridge that comes to mind is captain’s bridge on a ship. Or better–a spaceship.

So that would be it regarding the bridge. Have a great week/month/year.

Bridge

Reflections in the Water Part 2

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Two more photos of reflections. These were taken in Castlefield in Manchester.