This homage to a local legend is a delightful photo opp and among the fun things to do in Bratislava Old Town.
One of the best things to do in Bratislava is walk around the Old Town. If you’re there during Christmas, the area gets transformed into a bustling Christmas market with the coolest collection of Christmas trees. No matter what time of year you’re in Bratislava, though, a visit isn’t complete without saying hello to Schöner Náci.
The Schöner Náci Statue
Created in 1997 by Juraj Meliš, the Schöner Náci statue is an homage to a Bratislavan legend. The statue is located at a corner in the Main Square, so it’s very easy to find.
Schöner Náci, who frequented the city in a top hat, is captured in a classic pose of him donning his hat, saying hello to all the passersby.
Naturally, this lends itself to a wonderful photo opp. You can pose underneath the statue, or if you happen to be wearing a cap of your own, you can tip it in a similar fashion.
Perhaps you’ll even have a better idea of what to do with your hands than I did.
The History of Schöner Náci
Schöner Náci (sometimes written as Schöne Náci) was born in 1897 with the real name Ignác Lamár. His grandfather was a famous circus clown, and Schöner Náci wanted to follow in his footsteps.
Perhaps the best way to describe Schöner Náci is that he was a lovable imp. He’d walk the Old Town area between Michael’s Gate and the Danube River, dressed to the nines in a fancy coat and a top hat while carrying a walking stick and some desserts.
He’d smile and tip his hat at people, telling ladies “I kiss your hands” in Slovak, Hungarian, and German. As a result of his charm, many Old Town cafes treated him to free food.
The last few years of Schöner Náci’s life were rough. He came down with tuberculosis and spent his remaining time at a treatment facility, dying in 1967. He was buried in Lehnice before being moved to Bratislava’s Ondrejský Cemetery 40 years later, on September 2, 2007.
Where to Stay in Bratislava
I’m a big fan of The Elegant Escape Apartment in Bratislava, which is just a perfectly located spot. It’s less than a mile from the city center (which is where Schöner Náci is) and less than two miles from other key destinations like Bratislava Castle, St. Michael’s Gate, the UFO Observation Deck, and the main train station. There are also a few nice cafes within a few blocks.
The apartment itself is delightful. I wish I had a place like this when I was living that apartment life! Every room is spacious and there’s some great natural light. On warmer days, you can enjoy a meal or coffee on the little balcony, or just cozy up on the couch when it’s chillier outside. I plopped down on that sofa each night after a busy day of exploration and it was a welcome experience for my tired body.
The folks running Elegant Escape are super friendly, too. They answered my questions promptly and with a ton of detail. Even more charmingly, they included a bottle of wine with my stay. Nothing warms the spirit quite like that.
While you’re walking around Old Town, make sure to say hello to Schöner Náci. He’ll greet you right back.
Location: Rybarska brana 217/1, Bratislava 811 01, Slovakia
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