(Hung. Posony), a town of Hungary, at one time the capital of that kingdom, as it is still of the county of Pressburg, stands in a beautiful country, amidst vine-covered hills, near the foot of the Little Carpathians, on the left bank of the Danube, here crossed by a bridge of boats, 34 miles below Vienna. It is built on sloping ground, and has much the appearance of a quiet German country town, with few Hungarian characteristics. The most conspicuous object is a large brick castle, of which only the walls now remain, as it was destroyed by fire in 1811. The ruins, which stand on a hill, command a fine view of the broad plains of Hungary and the windings of the Danube. The cathedral, in which the kings of Hungary were crowned, is an ancient Gothic building of the eleventh century. It contains many trophies gained from the Turks, and an equestrian statue in lead of St Martin, which is a masterpiece of Donner. The Landhaus, in which the meetings of the Diet were held, is a very plain building; and the chambers are simple rooms with green baize tables, round which the members sat in their splendid Hungarian costume. Pressburg contains also an ancient town-hall; numerous churches, chapels, and convents; an archiepiscopal palace; archbishop's summer residence; and several palaces of the nobility. Near the end of the bridge there is an artificial hill, 12 or 14 feet high, surrounded by a railing. It is called the Königsberg; because here each king of Hungary after his coronation used to proceed on horseback, and from the top of the mound waved the sword of St Stephen towards the four points of the compass, as a sign that he would defend the country from all enemies. The educational establishments of Pressburg comprise a royal academy, with faculties of law and medicine; a Roman Catholic theological seminary and upper school; an evangelical college for philosophy and theology; and several elementary schools. The town has also a public library and several hospitals. Silk and cotton goods, tobacco, nitre, and leather, are among the chief manufactures of Pressburg; and an active trade is carried on, chiefly in rural produce. The town is of great antiquity, and is said to have existed even before the conquest of the country by the Romans. From 1547, when Buda was taken by the Turks, till 1784, it was the capital of Hungary; but in the latter year Joseph II. again made Buda the capital. In 1619 Pressburg was taken by Bethlen Gabor, but retaken in 1621 by the imperialists under Boucquet. In 1805, after the battle of Austerlitz, a treaty was concluded here between France and Austria. Pop. (1851), exclusive of the military, 42,178.