St Michael's Gate

The St. Michael’s Gate (Michalská brána) is the only remaining medieval gate from the original fortifications of Bratislava, and one of the city’s oldest buildings. Built in the 14th century and later modified in Baroque style in the 18th century, it has long served as the northern entrance to the Old Town.

Crowned by a statue of Saint Michael slaying the dragon, the tower rises over 50 meters, offering panoramic views of the city. Below the gate, the zero kilometer plate shows distances from Bratislava to cities across the world — a modern symbol of openness rooted in medieval defense.

St. Michael’s Gate has been both a military checkpoint and a symbol of identity, protecting the city while connecting it to trade and diplomacy. Today, it houses an exhibition about Bratislava’s fortifications and remains a popular starting point for exploring the capital’s history.

In this activity, students will recreate St. Michael’s Gate and reflect on how city entrances are more than borders — they are portals between time periods, communities, and cultural stories.

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🛠️ What materials do you want to work with?

Choose how you want to explore each monument!Use the icons below to access resources on different platforms:

• 🗺️ Genially – Visit the interactive map with all the monuments

• 🎨 Canva – Open the classroom materials and printable activities

• ▶️ YouTube – Watch a tutorial video to learn more about the monument

• 🧱 Tinkercad – Access the 3D model to explore, copy, or customize the structure
  

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