Bratislava City Walls

Why visit

From the 13th century, stone walls, a moat and gates enclosed medieval Pressburg. In the late 18th century Maria Theresa had most of them pulled down, the moat filled in and the town joined to its suburbs.

What survives still shows where the medieval town ended. A long section beside St Martin’s Cathedral, uncovered when the approach road to the SNP Bridge was built, was restored and is open to walkers.

What to see

• Wall walk by the cathedral: the restored section above Staromestská Street, with views over the street towards the castle.
• Baxova Tower: a tower on the surviving stretch of the wall.
• Michael’s Gate: the only one of the town gates still standing; its tower houses a museum of the fortifications.
• Former gates: Laurin Gate stood at the end of Laurinská Street, Fishermen’s Gate near Hviezdoslav Square and Vydrica Gate below the castle.

Plan your visit

Walking the walls is free; the museum in Michael’s Tower charges admission. The wall walk opens for the summer season and has steps and uneven surfaces.

Allow 30 minutes to follow the line from Michael’s Gate to the cathedral. Kapitulská Street, one of the oldest in the Old Town, runs just inside the wall.