Technical monuments Malé Karpaty

The Bratislava city district of Staré Mesto attracts tourists as well as locals with many attractions, whether cultural, artistic, or historical. Each of them has its own story. Michalská brána is among them as well. It is the only preserved gate from the original four through which people once entered the fortification of medieval Bratislava.

It received its name from the settlement and church of St. Michael, which was located in front of the fortification. In the 16th century, it was demolished due to the Turks. The settlement is now recalled only by a pink gravestone incorporated into the masonry of the tower. It is visible upon entering it, from the inner side, at approximately the height of the third floor.

The tower was built at the end of the 14th century, but throughout its lifetime it underwent many renovations and alterations. It is a fascinating blend of various styles, as there is a noticeable Gothic influence in the lower part of the tower, the upper floors bear hints of the Renaissance, and the elegant tower with a bulbous dome originated during the Baroque period. In the past, a drawbridge, a drawbridge tower, and strong drawbridge gates were also part of it.

The massive tower soars to a height of 51 meters. Once, a trade route to Moravia led through its gate. Today, the marking of the historical coronation route passes through the gate. Balancing on its tip is a copper statue of the Archangel Michael slaying a dragon, created by Peter Eller. Over time, the statue was significantly damaged and was removed from the tower in 1845. During its repair, a box containing literal historical treasures was removed from it. Among others, a copper plate engraved with text about the author of the statue, banknotes and copper coins from the time of the statue's last repair, a list of city council members, and two pieces of parchment. One of them contained text written in Latin. It stated that the statue was crafted during the reign of Maria Theresa and repaired during the reign of Francis I. There was also a list of saints and their relics stored in a silver-plated box.

On the right side, right next to the gate, house number 15 is seemingly glued to Michalská veža. It is a rarity. With its width of 1.3 meters, it is likely the narrowest house in Bratislava, as well as in all of Europe. Another point of interest is the kilometer zero marker with compass points, displaying the distances to 29 European and world capitals. Furthermore, a laser beam is emitted from the southern window of the tower, indicating the route of the original Korzo promenade.

In the Middle Ages, bad deeds were punished in truly cruel ways. There were so-called cages of shame where the offender was placed. When the Bratislava cage of shame was removed and stored in the municipal depot, a pillory was erected in front of Michalská brána. The offender was hung on it with a large, heavy stone ball attached to their leg. Passersby could spit on them.

When you step out onto the balcony of Michalská brána, you will enjoy a panoramic view of the castle hill, the villa neighborhood on the hills, the historical city center, and the individual roofs and towers of Bratislava. Inside the tower is Múzeum zbraní. While climbing up the tower across seven floors, visitors will view medieval weapons and armor, tournament equipment, firearms, and an exhibition of all the crafts related to the defense of the medieval city.

Especially during exam periods, the surroundings of Michalská brána are often full of silently walking students. Rumor has it that if a lazy student manages to walk through the alley under the arches of Michalská brána without uttering a single word, they will surely pass their exam. Whether true or a myth, a large number of them try it every year.

When you come to admire the individual attractions in Bratislava, definitely do not miss Michalská brána, one of the iconic symbols of our capital city. However, not only this place deserves your attention, which is why we recommend making a multi-day trip to Bratislava. The pages accommodation Bratislava and specifically accommodation Bratislava Staré mesto will help you choose the right accommodation, leaving you only with planning your trip.

Riding the Lesná železnica Katarínka is an experience for all age groups. It is located near the village of Naháč, but falls under the cadastre of the village of Dechtice. Feel free to plan a trip to Malé Karpaty and enjoy a wonderful time.

This narrow-gauge railway once served to transport timber from the surrounding forests directly to a chemical factory. At that time, the forests were the property of Count Jozef Pálffy. On his order, the chemical factory together with the forest railway was built during that period. Although it operated for only a few years, a group of enthusiasts from the count's lodge put it back into operation in 1997. The railway as such is not very long. Its track is approximately 600 meters long. As it was restored, it does not copy the exact rail layout of that time. Currently, it is situated more in the mountains, close to a tourist-sought attraction, namely Zrúcanina Kláštora svätej Kataríny. It is also on this basis that it received the name it boasts today. Riding a historical passenger train or watching a mining locomotive run with carriages of many types is an experience for everyone. You can see with your own eyes a limestone freight wagon, a passenger wagon with a brake.

If you decide to go for a ride on this railway, it is good to make sure in advance whether it is running. You can board at the depot and enjoy the charming romance of a clacking train with occasional warning signals along the narrow tracks. You might tire out your children so much that you will appreciate finding accommodation near Lesná železnica Katarínka.

In the village, in addition to the ride, you can view the aforementioned Zrúcanina Kláštora Katarínka. It is wonderful to soak in the atmosphere of the surrounding nature during a hike to this attraction in Dechtice. Families with older children might rather appreciate one of the manor houses located in the area. At Kúpalisko Dobrá Voda, not only couples can cool down their overheated bodies. Everything there is to do in the surroundings of Dechtice as well as all accommodation options in Dechtice can be found on our portal MegaUbytovanie.sk.

An inverted pyramid. This is also how the architectural gem of Bratislava, the Budova Slovenského rozhlasu building, can be described. Due to technological and structural complexity, its construction took as long as 16 years. The authors of this original building are a trio of architects: Štefan Svetko, Štefan Ďurkovič, and Barnabáš Kissling. The project originated back in 1967 at a time when socialist realism dominated Slovak art. Stop by and take a look at this 80-meter unique structure, which proudly holds the title ”Building of the Century in Slovakia". You can find the headquarters of Slovenský rozhlas in Bratislava's Staré Mesto.

The radio building features generous interior spaces, a top-tier concert hall, and well-equipped recording studios. Suspended in space on a steel structure with springs, the concert hall houses one of the largest organs in Central Europe, featuring 6,300 pipes. Outstanding acoustics offer visitors a unique musical experience. Office spaces are located around the entire perimeter of the building, behind which lies an atrium and an inner pyramid. Glass facades provide views of the surroundings and ensure plenty of daylight inside.

The first test broadcast from this building took place in 1984. Regular broadcasting of Slovenský rozhlas was launched on March 27, 1985. Since its completion, the building has undergone no major reconstruction, meaning most of the equipment is original. Throughout the entire building, you will find a single type of carpet, a single type of floor tiling, and a single type of railing. The massive pedestal housing the main recording spaces is thoroughly insulated against any noise. Located above it is the editorial and broadcasting section. Perhaps the most interesting part of the building is the terraced space between the 6th and 9th floors, which is spatially rich and interwoven with a number of unusual passages and footbridges.

Did you know that the Budova Slovenského rozhlasu was classified as a national cultural monument in 2017? With its values, it represents the architectural heritage of post-war modern architecture and is one of the crowning works of late modernism in Slovakia.

Stay in Staré Mesto and set off to discover other interesting places. Visit the Primaciálny palác, Archeologické múzeum Bratislava, the unique Modrý kostolík, or the magical Galéria Multium. A wonderful wrap-up to a great day will surely be dinner at Reštaurácia UFO, located at a height of 95 meters on the Vyhliadka na Moste SNP. Stay in a cozy guesthouse or apartment in Staré Mesto and plan further trips to the surrounding area. Our page Kam na výlet v Bratislave will help you with your choice. You can view the entire selection of accommodation near Budova Slovenského rozhlasu on our portal.

Kolonádový most v Piešťanoch is among the longest covered bridges in Slovakia. It is also nicknamed the Sklený most because one of its sections is completely glazed. When visiting the spa town of Piešťany, do not miss a walk across the bridge. You might just meet someone interesting there.

Spanning the Váh river, this masterpiece was designed by the architect Emil Belluš. The bridge ranks among functionalist structures in Slovakia. It replaced the original wooden bridge that connects the town center with the spa island. It is a fantastic pedestrian bridge that is also accessible to people with reduced mobility. A walk across it will leave you with a wonderful experience, as this is precisely where you can connect with other people, for instance while admiring the exhibited works.

Not only on the bridge but also in its surroundings, you can meditate and enjoy peaceful days in Piešťany. At its entrance on the town side stands the bronze statue of the barlolámač, the symbol of the spa town. In the year of its completion, namely in 1933, glass etchings entitled Detvy piesne and Na salaši were placed on the bridge. They were crafted by Martin Benka, and each consists of four panels. Today, these are classified among the movable cultural landmarks of the town. During World War II, the head of the spa protected them with his own body, and subsequently, to prevent the originals from being destroyed by vandals, they were replaced with replicas.

After walking across the bridge, you will certainly notice the facade carved with Latin inscriptions. On the town side, the loose translation reads Najuzdravujúcejšie piešťanské kúpele, and on the other side of the island it reads Vstaň a choď, which symbolizes the biblical scene where Jesus heals a paralytic.

So that you can walk across this bridge every day and perhaps enjoy the atmosphere of the town, which features various age groups, book your accommodation near Kolonádový most v Piešťanoch. You will not regret coming in spring when everything is blooming, nor in summer when a sightseeing boat cruises the Váh. In autumn, you can simply enjoy all the colors that the local nature bursts with, and in winter, you can relax your body in the spa.

Piešťany is popular with both domestic and foreign tourists. Thanks to its excellent location, seniors who prefer hotels in Piešťany will find what they are looking for here. Their range of services is truly extensive and provided at a high standard. If you come as a family with children, we recommend apartments instead. Of course, the choice of accommodation is entirely up to you! We will gladly help you.