Michael's Tower and Street, Bratislava (must see)

The only surviving gate from Bratislava's medieval fortifications stands at the end of Michael's Street. Michael's Gate was built around 1300 and once stood alongside three other gates leading into the city. It is one of the oldest buildings in Bratislava. The gate received its name from the Church of Saint Michael, which once stood just outside the city walls nearby.

The tower's Baroque appearance is the result of reconstruction work carried out in the 1750s. The statue of Saint Michael and the Dragon was placed at the top during this period. At one time, Bratislava was surrounded by medieval fortifications, and entry into the city was possible only through four guarded and fortified gates. The other three, all now demolished, were the Saint Lawrence Gate, Fisherman's Gate near the Danube River, and Vydrica Gate.

At its height, Michael's Gate formed part of a much larger defensive system. This included two rings of city walls, bastions, a barbican, and a bridge across a moat. Parts of the former defensive structures can still be seen today. The original bridge over the moat was replaced by a stone one in 1727, and a section of the moat also remains visible.

The view from the top of the seven-story, 51-meter-tall tower is spectacular, offering an excellent panorama of Bratislava's Old Town. The tower is accessible through the Museum of Arms, whose exhibits focus on the city's fortifications, weapons, and military history.

Michael's Street, leading away from the gate, is lined with shops and attractions. In addition to the Arms Museum, you'll also find the Pharmacy Museum nearby in a historic building. Bars, cafés, and restaurants along the street make it one of the liveliest parts of the Old Town.