Kapitulská street Bratislava – A medieval walk

Either you are visiting with an organized tour or you came here by chance, wondering how you got here, admiring the silence that reigns over the uneven cobblestones, with the Cathedral as a backdrop. This is one of my favourite places in Bratislava, because it's so unspoilt and yes - underdevelopped. Kapitulská is one of the oldest, and one of the most authentic, streets in the Old Town.

Fun fact – almost the entire street belongs to the Catholic Church. During Communist times it was all confiscated and fell into disrepair. On the one hand some of these medieval buildings are falling apart, on the other – the lack of development helped to retain the original architecture and even such details as door handles can be original.

There are no shops here and only a handful of people live here permanently, if you don't count the priests or seminarians living in the building closest to the cathedral. I've seen a dozen of them taking a walk on one summer night up and down the street in their long black robes, treading in silence, deep in thought. It could just as well have been the year 1650...

Twice a year an open doors event lets you discover the hidden yards behind the usually closed gates, with such gems such as secret gardens or an underground chapel.

It's a great place to get away from tourist groups.