11. February 2026
The gradual revitalisation of the riverbank forest park has begun on the right bank of the Danube, between the Old Bridge and Apollo Bridge. The project aims to open up and enhance approximately 3.6 hectares of riverside land while preserving its natural character and shaping it into a high-quality public space for the residents of Bratislava. The initiative is a joint effort between the City of Bratislava and the development companies JTRE and Penta Real Estate.
As the landowner, the City acts as the project client and guarantor of the public interest. JTRE and Penta Real Estate are responsible for delivering and financing the project, with a total investment of EUR 1.1 million, allocated at 70% by JTRE and 30% by Penta Real Estate. The financing structure reflects the division of the adjacent development area between the Nové Lido and Southbank projects.
The works will begin with professional selective vegetation clearing, including the removal of self-seeded and invasive tree species and the restoration of neglected parts of the site. The aim is to enhance visitor safety, improve accessibility and permeability of the area, and strengthen the ecological stability of the floodplain forest in line with nature protection legislation.
The revitalisation forms part of the broader Bratislava Danube Park concept, which seeks to enhance the long-term recreational potential of the riverfront while safeguarding its natural assets. The result will be a nature-oriented urban forest park combining maintained recreational meadows with more natural areas left to develop naturally. A network of pedestrian paths with permeable paving will run through the site, complemented by wooden boardwalks in waterlogged sections. The design also incorporates riverside seating areas, picnic facilities, fire pits, natural play elements for children, viewing points overlooking the Danube, and bespoke small-scale architectural features designed specifically for this setting.
The proposal respects the original landscape character of the floodplain forest and is guided by a principle of minimal intervention. Its ambition is to preserve an authentic fragment of the Danubian landscape within the urban environment while allowing it to function naturally amid ongoing development.
The revitalisation of the forest park represents the first tangible step in the gradual transformation of Zone City Centre – Petržalka district. Through cooperation between the City and its private partners, the project lays the groundwork for making the right bank of the Danube a more accessible, safer and higher-quality part of Bratislava’s public realm—even before the surrounding urban districts are fully developed.
Source of visualisations: JTRE
