Anniversary CEM to be held in Bratislava (SK)
The EAU 10th Central European Meeting (CEM) will be held in Bratislava, Slovakia in October 2010. The EAU expects not only to further increase the success of the longest running EAU regional meeting with a challenging programme but also to extend the participation of young urologists in the annual event. Professor Jan Breza is chairing the 10th CEM, which will be held in the Crowne Plaza hotel in his home town.
Prof. Breza: “Bratislava is a historical town. With less than 500,000 inhabitants, it is also a relaxed town which benefits the atmosphere”. The edges of the city form Slovakia's borders with Hungary (in the south) and Austria (in the west) making it the only capital city to border two neighbouring countries. The first record mentioning the town is from the year 907. In the 10th century, the Bratislava fortress became the King's residence and the border of the newly established Hungarian empire. The village at the foot of the castle became an important marketplace and grew in importance. In this period, Bratislava became one of the most significant towns in the empire. Its castle was fortified by King Sigmund in the 15th century.
In 1465 King Matthew Korvín established the first university in Slovakia, the Academia Istropolitana.
Bratislava was the capital of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy for over 200 years, following the battle with the Turks at Mohacs in 1526. Maria Theresia was perhaps the most well-known souvereign from that era; she ruled the monarchy from 1740 - when she was crowned in Bratislava – until 1780.
Bratislava has many interesting sites; world famous treasures and fine art is on display throughout the town, but mostly at the National Gallery (1949) and the Town Gallery (1967). The Biennale Illustrations Exhibition is world renowned. There are also many museums including the Slovak National Museum and the Town Museum. Some other sites are mentioned below:
Bratislava castle
Located on the hill overlooking the Danube, this is the town's most prominent landmark. In the 9th century it was a Moravian fortress. It has been rebuilt every century since in almost every possible style. The floor plan it has today dates back to the reign of Sigmund of Luxemburg (first half of the 15th century). During the reign of Maria Theresia, it became an imperial palace. After a fire in 1811, the castle fell into ruins. Reconstruction began in 1954. On the east side, remains of a 9th century Moravian basilica were found.
Grassalkovich Palace
The palace was built for the Chairman of the Hungarian Royal Council in front of the town's inner wall. It is a one-story building with a central Spanish hall branching up into two staircases with statues depicting the four seasons. Beautiful French gardens lay behind it.
The National Theatre
The theatre was built in 1886 in the spirit of the Neorenaissance by Viennese architects F. Fellner and H. Helmer. The main facade with its balcony is decorated by allegorical statues by V. Tilgner. In 1888, a fountain was constructed in front of the theatre. Today the building is home to the National Opera and Ballet
The castle Devín
Used to be a border fortification at the confluence of the Danube and Morava rivers. It was inhabited successively by Celtic and Roman settlers. In the 9th century, it became a Slavic fortress. A Gothic castle was built there in the Middle Ages and later rebuilt in the Renaissance. Since 1809, when it was destroyed by Napoleon's army, it has been a ruin.
St. Martin's Cathedral
This is the most significant Gothic building in the town. There used to be a Roman church on this site. Construction began in 1221 and continued in the 14th and 15th centuries. The cathedral was built into the town's outer walls as part of its fortification. In 1563, when Bratislava became the capital of Hungary, the cathedral was used as the coronation chapel.
“Bratislava is certainly worthwhile to visit. However, the scientific programme of the 10th CEM meeting will in the end convince you to join us!” As soon as we have more information about its contents it will be posted on this website, so please take a regular look at cem.uroweb.org or mail your questions to CEM2010@congressconsultants.com.