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| Picture by Kolohe |
After visiting Vienna, Austria, we decided to take the "fast boat" to Bratislava, Slovakia, on the Danube River. However, when we arrived at the river, the boat wasn't at the dock, and an employee told us the "fast boat" wasn't in service that day. We quickly consulted our tourist information guide and discovered we could catch a "fast train" from Vienna's main train station to Bratislava in less time than the boat trip. Using the U-Bahn mass transit system, we reached the main train station with only one rail transfer.
The train journey was uneventful until we were about five miles from the Bratislava station, when the train stopped. We were told they were working on the rails and that we would be transferred to buses for the rest of the journey. While on the bus, we found out what happens if you board the transportation system without a ticket. The man standing next to us did not have a valid ticket. It cost him 75 euros!
When our bus arrived at the train station, we learned it was 2 km (1.2 miles) to Old Town, and public transportation was limited. Since it was a nice day, we decided to walk and see more of the city.
Czechoslovakia was formed in 1918 following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire after World War I. Then, in 1993, Czechoslovakia was split into two independent countries: Slovakia, with Bratislava as its capital, and the Czech Republic (now called Czechia), with Prague as its capital. The peaceful separation is known as the "Velvet Divorce."
As we were walking to Old Town, we passed through Námestie slobody (Freedom Square) and found the Fontana Druzby (Druzba Fountain, also known as the Fountain of Union). The stainless-steel fountain is 9 meters (30 feet) across, and the entire fountain is 45 meters (148 feet) in diameter, making it Bratislava's largest fountain. It was constructed in 1980 and represents an opening linden (lime) blossom, a traditional symbol of the Slavic people. However, the fountain fell into disrepair in 2007 and sat empty for 16 years. Then, in 2023, the fountain and square underwent a major restoration, and water once again flowed. The fountain symbolizes friendship and peace among nations.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
Before reaching Old Town, we passed by Hurbanovo namestie (Hurban Square) and the Trinitarian Church, formerly known as the Church of St. John of Matha. The Trinitarian Order built the church between 1717 and 1727 on the site of an earlier church that was demolished in the 17th century for defensive reasons. We tried to go inside the church, but they were having services, and we were not allowed to enter or take pictures.
Bratislava's Old Town (Stare Mesto) is located along the Danube River and reflects more than a thousand years of Central European history. In 1291, it was developed into a fortified trading town with walls, gates, and defensive towers. Michael's Gate was built in the 14th century and is the only city gate preserved from the medieval fortification.
Two statues stand on Michael's Bridge leading to Michael's Gate: St. Michael the Archangel and St. John of Nepomuk. Michael's Tower is visible in the background.
The statue of St. Michael the Archangel is portrayed as a warrior and defender against evil and carries a shield bearing the Coat of arms of Bratislava. On the other side of the bridge is a statue of St. John of Nepomuk, a Bohemian priest who was killed in the 14th-century after refusing to reveal the queen's confession. He was thrown from a bridge into the Vltava River in Prague and consequently became the Patron Saint of Bridges.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
Just inside Michael's Gate, we encountered a group of musicians entertaining tourists as they entered Old Town. The narrow street then turns and leads to Michael's Tower.
Red Crayfish Pharmacy Museum is located on the left side of the street just a few doors from the corner. The pharmacy was founded in the16th century, and by the 18th century it occupied five rooms. The pharmacy's original shelves and cabinets display an assortment of ceramic, wooden, porcelain, and glass containers that held medicines and pharmaceutical ingredients. The wooden containers held dried plants, animal materials, and even gemstones, while tin vessels held oils, fragrances, resins, medicinal honey, and substances with exotic names such as "dragon's blood." Glass and ceramic containers held liquids, powders, ointments, and syrups. The main room itself is amazing because the ceilings are decorated with Baroque-Classicist paintings and frescoes devoted to healing.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
The Pharmacy also serves as a visitor center for Old Town and sells tickets to climb Michael's Tower. In the visitor center lobby is a three-dimensional model showing what the fortified city looked like in the 15th century.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
After purchasing tickets to climb Michael's Tower, we had to cross under the tower because the entrance door was on the other side.
On the front of the tower is a heraldic relief with three coats of arms dating from the 15th century. The top shield is the Jagiellonian coat of arms, the lower left is the historical Hungarian arms, and the lower right is Bratislava's coat of arms. Bratislava has used this coat of arms since 1436.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
Located directly under the tower is a large metal disk set into the street known as "Zero Kilometre Maker." The disk is the starting point for measuring the directions and distances from Bratislava to 29 major world cities.
It is unknown when Michael's Tower was first constructed, but records indicate it existed in 1291 as part of a fortification system. Originally, the tower was three stories tall, but over the years it has undergone numerous structural changes. By the end of the 16th century, the Tower's height had been extended to seven stories, which is its current height.
To reach the top of the Tower requires climbing many narrow steps. Fortunately, windows line the way, and benches provide rest stops on some floors.
On the second floor, niches carved into the medieval masonry during the Renaissance period remain, but their purpose is unknown.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
Michael's Tower had two bells dating from 1589 and 1697, but the historic Tower clock mechanism did not strike them. A watchman listened for the Town Hall clock, and then used a hammer to manually sound the bells to announce the time. The bells also warned residents when fire or other danger threatened the city.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
Located on Michalska Street, which runs under the Tower, the Korzo Stone is a modern abstract sculpture just a short distance from Michael's Tower, commemorating the renewal of Bratislava's historic pedestrian promenade. The word Korzo is from the European tradition of an evening promenade where residents gathered to stroll, socialize, and be seen.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
