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St. Michael's Gate
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You are standing in front of the 14th century St. Michael's gate, the last of the former four gateways into the old town.
Above the entrance there is a coat-of-arms praising Maria Theresa, the popular empress who was very fond of the city. Portrayed slaying a dragon, St. Michael the archangel protects the gate from the top of the green Baroque dome roof, constructed in the middle of the 18th century. It is possible to walk up to the tower, which now houses the Museum of Weapons. A splendid view of the city from there is guaranteed.
Now look to the left side. There is a narrow street called Baštová Ulica. In the past it was known to the locals as Executioner's Street. The town's executioner used to live there in the house number 5. People were very superstitious in those times and always avoided the street, as they were scared that something horrible would happen to them if they entered.
Standing right below the city gate, look to the ground. A kilometre zero indicates the distance to 29 cities worldwide, you may find a distance to your hometown.
Now walk under the tower and look to the left side. You will see the narrowest house of Bratislava with its entrance only about 160cm wide.
Continue to walk up and from the corner of the turning look back. Standing below the big sign which says “Barbakan”, you can observe the clever defensive system. The turning was designed to slow down the enemy army. While being stuck in a very vulnerable position between the inner tower and the outer gate, the archers would fire down at the army. It was also a means of protection of the inner gate from cannon fire.
Behind the outer gate there is a bridge featuring two statues: St. John Of Nepomuk, a patron saint of bridges, and again St. Michael on the right side. This bridge used to be a wooden drawbridge with a moat on either side. The moat areas are now used for cultural events and summer reading gardens. If you look back at the outer gate, standing on the bridge, you can see holes for the chains that would pull the drawbridge up.
Above the entrance there is a coat-of-arms praising Maria Theresa, the popular empress who was very fond of the city. Portrayed slaying a dragon, St. Michael the archangel protects the gate from the top of the green Baroque dome roof, constructed in the middle of the 18th century. It is possible to walk up to the tower, which now houses the Museum of Weapons. A splendid view of the city from there is guaranteed.
Now look to the left side. There is a narrow street called Baštová Ulica. In the past it was known to the locals as Executioner's Street. The town's executioner used to live there in the house number 5. People were very superstitious in those times and always avoided the street, as they were scared that something horrible would happen to them if they entered.
Standing right below the city gate, look to the ground. A kilometre zero indicates the distance to 29 cities worldwide, you may find a distance to your hometown.
Now walk under the tower and look to the left side. You will see the narrowest house of Bratislava with its entrance only about 160cm wide.
Continue to walk up and from the corner of the turning look back. Standing below the big sign which says “Barbakan”, you can observe the clever defensive system. The turning was designed to slow down the enemy army. While being stuck in a very vulnerable position between the inner tower and the outer gate, the archers would fire down at the army. It was also a means of protection of the inner gate from cannon fire.
Behind the outer gate there is a bridge featuring two statues: St. John Of Nepomuk, a patron saint of bridges, and again St. Michael on the right side. This bridge used to be a wooden drawbridge with a moat on either side. The moat areas are now used for cultural events and summer reading gardens. If you look back at the outer gate, standing on the bridge, you can see holes for the chains that would pull the drawbridge up.
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