- Bratislava Fortifications
The Bratislava fortifications are the system of fortifications of the city of
Bratislava , of which one gate and two sections of walls remain today. Most of it was demolished in the 18th and 19th centuries.History
Construction of the town fortifications started in the 13th century; by the end of the 14th century, there were three gates leading to the town: the
Michael's Gate (north),Vydrica Gate (west) andLaurinc Gate (east). [http://www.muzeum.bratislava.sk/en/vismo/dokumenty2.asp?id_org=700016&id=1019&p1=1019 Bratislava City Museum: Museum Of Arms - Michael’S Tower: Museum Of Arms - Michael’S Tower ] ] In the 15th century another smaller gate was added: theFishermen's Gate (south, leading to theDanube ). The suburbs gradually grew around the fortification walls, which were fortified in the 15th century with embankments and dykes on the order of King Sigismund, after a Hussite invasion. The town's outer line had five gates: the Kozia Gate, and gates at Suché mýto, Špitálska, Dunajská and Schöndorf (today's Obchodná) streets.Due to the Turkish threat in the 16th century, the fortifications were reconstructed by Italian builders specialising in fortress building. Other changes were also planned in the 17th century, but only castle fortresses were implemented. However, as the town's inner walls were slowing the town's growth,
Maria Theresa of Austria allowed the demolition of the fortifications in 1775. [Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 36] Demolition continued until 1778, the moats were filled and the town united with its suburbs. At the beginning of the 19th century, the outer walls were also demolished.Today
Today, only Michael's Gate, a short stretch of former wall by it and a section by
St. Martin's Cathedral approximately 200 metres in length have survived. [Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 47] [cite book | last = Sloboda | first = Martin | title = Bratislava | year = 2006 | publisher = [http://www.msagency.sk MS Agency s.r.o.] | language = English | isbn = 80-89159-16-6] The section by St. Martin's Cathedral was renovated after a massive demolition in the area under the castle due to the construction of an access road to theNový Most bridge, and parts of fortifications were uncovered. [Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 70] The narrowest house in Europe is located on Michalská Street, near the St. Michael's Gate. [ [http://www.bkis.sk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=29 Bratislavské kultúrne a informačné stredisko - Najužší dom v Európe ] ]Notes
References
*cite book
last = Lacika
first = Ján
title = Bratislava
edition = 1st ed.
series = Visiting Slovakia
year = 2000
publisher = [http://www.dajama.sk DAJAMA]
location = Bratislava, Slovakia
language = English
isbn = 80-88975-16-6
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