Trip to Bratislava: Michael's Gate

From Hurban Square to Michael's Gate

Bratislava's old town is my favorite part of the city, even more interesting than the castle. I really enjoyed walking around the old streets and discovering hidden treasures like churches and palaces. Most parts of the historic city are very well preserved and restored. The lanes are clean and the paving is new. Some buildings are being renovated currently, most notably the famous St. Martin's Cathedral, Bratislava's main church. Even though the part around the main railway station was dirty and ran down, the old center was totally the opposite of that. I think Bratislava is worth a visit only for the old part. Let me tour you around the historic center of this city:

✰ Hubran Square

This is the first square you see upon entering the old town. It's also a huge intersection with many tram tracks and electrified lines for trolleybuses.

Leading to the eastern side of the old center.

Leading to the western side of the old center and to the castle.

A prominent sight on the Hurban Square is the Baroque Trinity Church (or Trinitársky kostol), which was built between 1717-1727. It's easy to spot and to remember, because it has three tops and two towers (source).

✰ Michael's Gate

There was a gate at this part of Bratislava already end of 14th century and stood here until 1534, when it was completely removed. The current building with a church like tower (51m tall) was completed in 1758 and named Michael's Gate (or Michalská brána). A statue of St. Michael was added in relation to a St. Michael's church uptown and that's where the gate got its name (source). Michael's gate is one of the landmarks of Bratislava.

The onion shaped top of Michael's gate.

Street vendors near the Michael's Gate.

A wine shop.

The top of Michael's Gate with the clock and the observatory.

Michael's Gate closeup.

This is what you see when you walk through Michael's Gate.

Many fancy restaurants, mostly occupied by tourists.

The southern facade of Michael's Gate.

Michael's Gate from afar.

This street leads to the Main Square of Bratislava.

After walking around the northern part of Bratislava's old center, we went to the central part and arrived at the famous Main Square. More about that in my next post. Stay tuned.

Presidential Palace <- BEFORE ✰ NEXT -> Main Square

Related: [Slovakia is not Slovenia][My Travels][All photos by MKL, 2010]