Happy birthday, Slovakian cosmonaut Ivan Bella!

Ivan Bella, born May 25, 1964 in Brezno, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia), is the first Slovak citizen to travel in space.  He flew aboard Soyuz TM-29 to the space station Mir.  He remained on board conducting experiments for a little over a week, and returned to Earth on Soyuz TM-28.

It was his only trip to space.

Day 9 - Bratislava, Slovakia: St. Martin's Cathedral

St. Martin's Cathedral is one of the oldest churches in Bratislava, Slovakia.  It was consecrated in 1452 and was the site of coronation of kings for over 300 years.  Today, a freeway runs within a few yards of the church, which is slowly deteriorating from the vibrations from the cars.

Statue of St. Martin.

The church is built over a cemetery so yes, these are real live skeletons!

Day 9 - Bratislava, Slovakia

Bratislava, the capitol of Slovakia.  This bridge is a reminder of the Soviet regime.  Locally it's referred to as the UFO Bridge.

The working man statue.  If you rub his helmet, you will have enough money for the rest of your life.

Soyuz TM-29 launched 1999

Crew of Soyuz TM-29

Mission logo

Soyuz TM-29, launched February 20, 1999, was the 38th mission to Mir.  Its crew consisted of Commander Viktor Afanasyev, Flight Engineer Jean-Pierre Haignere (France), and Research Cosmonaut Ivan Bella (Slovakia).   Bella is the first Slovak citizen to go into space.  He stayed on Mir for about a week and returned to Earth on Soyuz TM-28.

Afanasyev and Haignere remained on board until August 28 and returned with fellow cosmonaut Sergei Avdeyev.

I could not find a video of Soyuz TM-29 anywhere.