The bronze sculpture (sometimes mistakenly called Napoleon) stylistically depicts a life-size Napoleonic soldier, and is the work of the sculptor Juraj Meliš. Its ceremonial unveiling took place on 26 July 1997 as part of the Korzo Party event that marked completion of the fourth stage of the renovation of the Old Town pedestrian zone. Two other works of art were unveiled near Napoleonic Soldier on the same day – the sculptures Schöne Náci (also by Juraj Meliš) and Čumil (by the artist Viktor Hulík). The original plan to create further similar works was later abandoned. 

The statue depicts a Napoleonic soldier wearing a coat, boots, and a bicorne. Standing and bending forwards, he leans with arms crossed onto the back of a bench in the western part of Main Square. The work is situated near the building of the Embassy of the French Republic in Slovakia (formerly Kutscherfeld Palace). 

The statue serves as a reminder of the presence of Napoleonic soldiers in former Pressburg. Soldiers were present in 1805 when the Peace of Pressburg was concluded, but also in 1809 when – in the broader military-political context of having been besieged and repeatedly shelled by the French army – Pressburg became part of the French demarcation line and needed to endure the occupation of foreign soldiers. 

Napoleonic Soldier is stored in the city repository during the winter season. In September 2018, it was vandalised and remained absent from the square for some time while the incident was investigated and restoration work was undertaken. It was returned to its place, and anchored more securely, in May 2020.

PB

Research status as of 25. 06. 2023.