Napoleon's Army Soldier

Bratislava is chock full of quirky statues, many of which don’t depict the usual historical or famous figures. Napoleon’s Army Soldier is one of these more playful sculptures. 

The statue was made by Juraj Melis and commemorates two occasions when Napoleon’s army entered the city. The statue was produced as the local town government wanted to create interesting features that would move the town away from its austere appearance.

Napoleon and his army came to Bratislava in December 1805, when 9,000 infantry soldiers and 300 horsemen marched through the streets. While passing through the town, one of the soldiers is said to have fallen in love with a local girl. He decided to stay in Bratislava and began making sparkling wine which he named after himself, Hubert. 

The sculpture stands bent over one of the park benches lining the Old Town square.