Slovak Radio Building, Budova Slovenského rozhlasu, Rozhlas a televízia Slovenska, Slovenský rozhlas, Bratislava, Slovakia

Slovak Radio Building – Sights in Bratislava

The Slovak Radio Building, in Slovak Budova Slovenského rozhlasu, is easy to recognize when walking around in Bratislava. It is not its triangular shape that reminds passers-by of the communist times. Rather, it’s the color. This construction from 1983 is 80 meters high and it is shaped as an inverted pyramid. The building contains a concert hall with a large concert organ as well as it since 2011 is housing the Rozhlas a televízia Slovenska, Radio and Television Slovakia. Up until 2011 the building was instead housing the predecessor of Rozhlas a televízia Slovenska, the Slovenský rozhlas or Slovak Radio.

There has through the years been several opinions regarding the Slovak Radio Building. It has for example been considered one of the ugliest buildings in the world by the Telegraph. Now, we haven’t seen all the buildings in the world, but it is not very pretty. You might not have any specific reason to visit it, but at least you will know what it is when you pass by. The building is quite prominent in the city’s skyline after all.

Slovak Radio Building: How to get there?

The Slovak Radio Building is  a short walk up north from the old town of Bratislava. The closest tram stop is Slovenská technická univerzita (STU). Trams will connect you with most of Bratislava.

Want to find more sights in Bratislava? Check out our Bratislava Guide >>

This Post Has 23 Comments

  1. Whoa, this looks remarkably like a building we saw in China during the 2010 Shanghai World Expo – the China Pavilion looked almost exactly like this with the same inverted pyramid shape. It was even bright red. Kinda looks like maybe they copied the Slovak Radio Building.

  2. Siddhartha Joshi

    I actually quite like the geometry of it’s form, and it’s inverted shape. May not be pretty but it certainly does stand out 🙂 It would be interesting to photograph it…

  3. Emily

    Nice post! I wouldn’t agree with the Telegraph and say its the ugliest buildings i’ve ever seen, but its definitely not one of the nicest! I like how you included the map, very helpful!

  4. Local Nomads

    What an interesting building! Is there a practical reason for the design or is it just for looks?

    1. Jesper

      That is a question that we would love to have an answer to as well 🙂

  5. neha

    I had seen pyramid shaped building so far. This is the first inverted pyramid shaped building. There must be a balancing act in constructing such buildings.

  6. Soumya Nambiar

    I have to agree with Telegraph. It does look like an ugly building. But how they managed to construct such an inverted pyramid is beyond me?

  7. Sushmita

    I too loved the inverted Pyramid design!
    Also, you have taken very well snaps which do justice to the building otherwise I have seen people who take bad pictures how much ever beautiful the location is!
    Thanks for sharing. Shared it ahead 🙂

  8. I think the building looks great .I was thinking what made the architect decided to make something like that.
    I’m not sure but I think i saw same structure like that, just don’t remember where. .sigh!

  9. Mary

    Very interesting shape, I thought I was upside down for a minute there, ha! 😉

  10. Swati & Sam

    A unique design we must say. You may love it or hate it but you cannot ignore such radical designs and architecture. You would have to stop and look at it. Such design ideas are generally used to a great extent in the field of marketing to grab people’s attention. 🙂 🙂

  11. Sandy N Vyjay

    Wow!Such an innovative and creative piece of architecture, never seen such construction. The inverted pyramid design is so unique. The structure seems to mock at all norms of building and architecture.

  12. I guess it is kind of an ugly building but it is also pretty cool looking at the same time. I thinks it is something tourists would appreciate more than locals. That seems to be the case with a lot of weird looking buildings around the world.

  13. Christina

    I don’t think it looks ugly at all! I think its unique and stands out. I really like its architecture and now I know a little bit about its history.

  14. I must say, that I don’t agree with the Telegraph. I’ve seen many uglier constructions. This building is really strange but also remarkable. If you see it, you’ll never forget it, that’s for sure.

  15. sudiptode

    This inverted pyramid building does look really curious. Is there a ticket to get inside? Can we find some food nearby?

    1. Jesper

      I don’t think that it is open to the public, sadly. There are several restaurants within a short walking distance. 🙂

  16. Indrani

    I spent just a day in Bratislava but that has been my most memorable visit. Lots to see during the walking tour there. This one is really a landmark. I remember some quirky statues there.

  17. Parnashree Devi

    I quite like the building and its not ugly at all. I am sure that it is one of the landmarks in the city. Nice post.

    1. Jesper

      Actually it is a building most miss, mainly due to the fact that there are more prominent landmarks such as the Bratislava Castle. 🙂

  18. esther

    Wow! I’ve never been to Slovakia and didn’t know they had buildings with such design! I liked the explanations and the pictures! Thanks for the recommendations 🙂 Best travel! E

  19. Sia

    I would really love to visit Slovakia and Bratislava, hopefully this year!
    It is funny that it was considered one of the ugliest building (though can we really blame them?), because there was also a building in Bucharest that was considered both the best and the ugliest. Buildings liek this usually bring a lot of different opinions.

  20. Kristina

    This is a fascinating piece of architecture, and one I didn’t know about! Had the chance to go to Bratislava, but sadly had to give it a miss. Definitely making sure I check this place out when I finally go!

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