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Pressburg is the recognized historical name of Bratislava in English
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[[Image:Ba-michalská brána.jpg|thumbnail|St. Michael's Gate is the only remaining from the original four gates]]
[[Image:Ba-michalská brána.jpg|thumbnail|St. Michael's Gate is the only remaining from the original four gates]]
The ''' today's Bratislava (Pressburg), (Pozsony) Fortifications''' was a system of fortifications in the city of today's [[Bratislava]], largely demolished in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The '''Bratislava''' (''Pressburg'') '''Fortifications''' was a system of fortifications in the city of [[Bratislava]], largely demolished in the 18th and 19th centuries.


==History==
==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]] (Vödric Gate) (west) and [[Laurinc Gate]] (east).<ref name="museum">[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<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In the 15th century another smaller gate was added: the [[Fishermen's Gate]] (south, leading to the [[Danube]]). 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, Holy Roman Emperor|Sigismund]], after a [[Hussites|Hussite]] invasion. The town's outer line had five gates: the Kozia Gate (Kecske Gate), and gates at Suché mýto (Szárazvám), Špitálska (Kórház), Dunajská (Duna) and Schöndorf (Széplak) (today's Obchodná) streets.<ref name="museum"/>
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) and [[Laurinc Gate]] (east).<ref name="museum">[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<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In the 15th century another smaller gate was added: the [[Fishermen's Gate]] (south, leading to the [[Danube]]). 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, Holy Roman Emperor|Sigismund]], after a [[Hussites|Hussite]] invasion. The town's outer line had five gates: the Kozia Gate, and gates at Suché mýto, Špitálska, Dunajská and Schöndorf (today Obchodná) streets.<ref name="museum"/>


Due to the [[Ottoman wars in Europe|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 [[Bratislava Castle|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.<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 36</ref> 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.<ref name="museum"/>
Due to the [[Ottoman wars in Europe|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 [[Bratislava Castle|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.<ref>Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 36</ref> 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.<ref name="museum"/>

Revision as of 10:09, 18 June 2008

St. Michael's Gate is the only remaining from the original four gates

The Bratislava (Pressburg) Fortifications was a system of fortifications in the city of Bratislava, largely 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) and Laurinc Gate (east).[1] In the 15th century another smaller gate was added: the Fishermen's Gate (south, leading to the Danube). 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 Obchodná) streets.[1]

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.[2] 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.[1]

Today

A part of the remaining stretch of fortification near St. Martin's Cathedral

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.[3][4] 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 the Nový Most bridge, and parts of fortifications were uncovered.[5] The narrowest house in Europe is located on Michalská Street, near the St. Michael's Gate.[6]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Bratislava City Museum: Museum Of Arms - Michael’S Tower: Museum Of Arms - Michael’S Tower
  2. ^ Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 36
  3. ^ Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 47
  4. ^ Sloboda, Martin (2006). Bratislava. MS Agency s.r.o. ISBN 80-89159-16-6. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help); External link in |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ Lacika, "Bratislava", p. 70
  6. ^ Bratislavské kultúrne a informačné stredisko - Najužší dom v Európe

References

  • Lacika, Ján (2000). Bratislava. Visiting Slovakia (1st ed. ed.). Bratislava, Slovakia: DAJAMA. ISBN 80-88975-16-6. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help); External link in |publisher= (help)