The Old Bridge (Starý most) is the steel bridge that crosses the Danube from Bratislava's old town to Petržalka on the south bank. It was the first permanent bridge in the city, opened in 1891, and it has carried four names in its life; today, rebuilt from scratch, it is the calmest way across the river, reserved for people on foot, cyclists and trams.
The Old Bridge at a glance
- Where: from the Vajanského embankment near Šafárikovo Square in the old town to the Sad Janka Kráľa park in Petržalka
- Built: first opened in 1891; rebuilt after 1945; replaced by a new steel structure in 2013–2016
- What it is today: a 460-metre crossing for pedestrians, cyclists and the tram line to Petržalka, with no car traffic
- Time needed: 10–15 minutes to walk across, longer if you stop for the views
From Franz Joseph to the Red Army and back to old
Until the late 19th century Pressburg, as Bratislava was then called, crossed the Danube on a pontoon bridge. In 1891 a steel bridge opened as part of the railway from Pozsony to Szombathely, carrying trains, carts and pedestrians, and it was named after Emperor Franz Joseph. After the creation of Czechoslovakia it became the Štefánik Bridge, after the Slovak general and statesman Milan Rastislav Štefánik.
At the end of the Second World War retreating German troops blew up the steel spans, leaving the stone piers standing. The Red Army and German prisoners of war rebuilt it, and it was later renamed the Red Army Bridge. After the Velvet Revolution it became simply the Old Bridge. By the 2000s it was worn out: cars were banned in 2009, and in 2013 the whole steel structure was dismantled. A new bridge, designed to echo the 19th-century original, opened in 2016 and now carries the tram line to Petržalka.
What to look for
- The riveted-look steel trusses, designed to recall the shape of the 1891 bridge.
- The wide shipping span in the middle: the new bridge has one pier fewer than the old one, giving ships a 140-metre gap.
- The view upstream to Bratislava Castle on its hill and St Martin's Cathedral below it.
- The view downstream along the river to the UFO tower of Most SNP and the newer bridges beyond.
- Trams gliding across in the middle of the deck, with walkers and cyclists on either side.
A bridge with many names
Few bridges have changed their name as often as this one: Franz Joseph Bridge, Štefánik Bridge, Red Army Bridge and Old Bridge, with proposals for a new name gathered again before the 2016 reopening. Each name marks a change of state, from Austria-Hungary to Czechoslovakia, the communist era and independent Slovakia. Locals now simply call it Starý most, though it is technically one of the city's newest crossings.
Tips for your visit
- Cross at sunset for the best light on the castle and the old town skyline.
- Stay in the marked pedestrian lanes: cyclists use the bridge as a commuter route and move fast.
- Walk over to Petržalka and come back by tram for a different view of the river.
- In summer, combine the walk with a drink at one of the riverside spots on the old town embankment.
Nearby
- Sad Janka Kráľa: a large, shady public park at the Petržalka end of the bridge, founded in the 18th century.
- Slovak National Gallery: the national art collection in the Esterházy Palace on the embankment, a few minutes' walk from the bridge.
- Ľudovít Štúr Square: the square with the monument to the leader of the Slovak national revival and a replica of the old Maria Theresa statue.
- Danube promenade: the riverside walk on the old town bank, leading towards the UFO bridge and the castle.
See Bratislava with World City Trail
Our Bratislava scavenger hunt turns the old town into a game you play on your phone. The route links 10 stops and takes around two hours, with about 31 minutes of walking. It includes places such as the Blue Church of St Elizabeth and St Martin's Cathedral.
If you prefer a different format, Bratislava also has a self-guided walking tour and an outdoor escape game.
Play the Bratislava scavenger hunt →
Take the self-guided walking tour of Bratislava →
Play the outdoor escape game in Bratislava →
Facts checked in October 2026.