Battle of Pressburg in 1809 repeated in Bratislava

Janko Kral Park in city center here was transformed into the camps of Austro-Hungarian and French armies from 19th century on Saturday.

The military from six countries turned back the clock to 1809 when Bratislava was besieged by troops of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Hundreds of soldiers performed an authentic reconstruction of the battle of Pressburg.

"This year, we focused more on tactical side of things. We showed spectators the movements of battle formations on battlefield and deployment of formations," said Peter Kovac, who fought in the second infantry regiment of Austro-Hungarian army.

In history defenders led by Austrian General Bianchi fought so hard, that Napoleon's Grande Armee didn't conquer former Pressburg.

"We've got artillery, cavalry and infantry here. Spectators saw the firing of the cannons, cavalry charge and all fundamental components of a historical army on smaller scale," Kovac said, adding that in the park are still visible ground walls, which protected defending army before artillery.

Some 450 people from Slovakia, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Hungary and Poland were involved in the historical military manoeuvres. Endit