Bratislava

My good friend Beth visited last week so we could continue making progress on a collaborative project, give a talk and do some sightseeing. We worked, went to the baths, she gave a talk and then we spent one day in Bratislava, Slovakia. 

We took the train up Saturday morning - took about 2.5 hours - then used our handy Rick Steves book to do a self-guided walking tour through old town, the castle & then had some good food & drinks before heading home on the train. 

The little guy was tired and fell asleep on the metro on the way home.

Hungarian Academy of Sciences Library

Our February Fulbright event was a tour of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences Library. 

We got a tour of the library & some reading rooms. 

The library was founded by Count István Széchenyi (left) and has an allegory,
a painting in the center of one meeting room, said to be a woman the Count
loved but who was married. After her husband died, they were
able to be together (maybe 10 years later).

 

The nicest part was probably seeing two of the special collections - 

the Oriental collection & Manuscripts. Amazing pieces of history in these collections, 

including items from the 2nd century. 

Pictures here from inside the gorgeous assembly hall. 

Themes of poetry & science were repeated throughout the room.

We also toured an art collection upstairs and then had a very fine 

lunch in the Academy restaurant. The multiple glasses & types 

of wines (paired with each course) induced a lovely afternoon nap when we got home.