Mirbach Palace
Gallery of the City of Bratislava
About
This 18th-century Rococo building has housed the Bratislava City Gallery since 1975. The Gallery itself was founded in 1961 with a mission to collect, preserve, and exhibit Central European art. Today, it holds over 35,000 pieces and operates in both the Mirbach Palace and the nearby Palffy Palace.
The palace’s first owner was Count Imre Csaky, while its last private resident before nationalization in the mid-20th century was Count Emil Mirbach—after whom both the building and its cozy café are named.
The permanent exhibition on the first floor features exquisite sacred paintings and sculptures, primarily from the Gothic and early Renaissance periods. Its oldest medieval artifact, a wooden sculpture of the Madonna, likely dates to the 13th century. The second floor showcases Central European Baroque art from the 18th century, including standout works like Capuchin and Character Heads by Franz Xaver Messerschmidt.
Tips
Nearby restaurants
Right within the Mirbach Palace, you’ll find Emil, a delightful coffee shop with seating options both indoors and in a charming, cozy atrium. For a more lively environment, visit the Dubliner Irish Pub or the Barrock Pub on Sedlárska Street, or explore the numerous options on Panská Street and Hviezdoslav Square. For traditional Slovak cuisine, head to the Flagship Restaurant on SNP Square, just outside the pedestrian zone, or indulge in festive treats at the Christmas Market, held every December on the Main Square and Hviezdoslav Square.
Things to do nearby
Just in front of the Mirbach Palace, you’ll find the Franciscan Church, the longest continuously operating one in Bratislava. Continue to the east and you’ll end up just under the Michael’s Gate.
To the south, you’ll find a beautiful Jesuit Church, the charming Main Square with a must-see Old Town Hall, and iconic Maximilian Fountain.
Just behind the Old Town Hall hides the magnificent Primate’s Palace. Further to the west is the Old Market Hall with its fantastic Saturday markets, and the Nebalka Gallery, which houses some of Slovakia’s most treasured works by modern painters and sculptors.
The longest operating church in Bratislava was consecrated on March 27, 1297 A.D. with the presence of king Andrew III. The monastery was attached to it during the 14th century. Through the 16th to 19th centuries, the Franciscan Church witnessed accolades of Knights of the Golden Spur by Hungarian kings coronated in Bratislava’s Saint Martin’s Cathedral. The complex includes architectural and artistic elements of the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classicist styles. The most beautiful masterpiece is represented by the 14th century marble statue of Pieta. The church and monastery are run by the Franciscan Order until these days.
Michael’s Gate is the only preserved gate from the medieval fortifications of Bratislava. It was built in the 13th century and served as a part of the city’s fortifications. The tower offers stunning views of the Old Town and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Bratislava. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to snap a photo with this iconic gate! Besides the tower, be sure to visit the Red Crayfish, a small Museum of Pharmacy located within the Gate’s barbican.
Originally a Protestant church built in the early 17th century as a place of worship for German immigrants was transferred to the Roman-Catholic Jesuit Order after the suppression of a Protestant coup of 1672. When visiting the church, note the ornate wooden door, as well as the most precious artifact, the black gold-plated Rococo pulpit. Under the building, there is a large crypt that hides the remains of important members of the Jesuit Order who worked and died in Bratislava, including Cardinal Leopold Kolonic. The Holy Saviour Church is located right next to the Old Town Hall in the very center of the Old Town.
The Main Square, the beating heart of the Old Town, is a key crossroads and a picturesque spot begging to be photographed. Dominated by the tower of the Old Town Hall, the square is surrounded by charming cafés, bars, and restaurants. It also transforms into the site of a traditional Christmas market during the Advent season. The square’s history dates back to 1373, when it was first mentioned in writing as Forum (the market). At its center stands the Renaissance-style Maximilian Fountain, also known as the Roland Fountain, built in 1572 on the site of an old well. The fountain was commissioned by and named after Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian II, who was crowned King of Hungary in St. Martin’s Cathedral.
A beautiful complex of the Old Town Hall, built from the 14th to the early 20th centuries, showcases Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Modern architectural styles. Since 1868, it has been housing the City Museum of Bratislava, making it the oldest museum in Slovakia. The permanent exhibition highlights the historic premises, decorations, and artifacts, guiding visitors through the city’s rich and fascinating history. Be sure to climb to the top of the medieval tower for a picturesque view of the Main Square, and don’t miss the wine cellars and the viticulture exhibition located in the adjacent Apponyi Palace.
This luxurious residence of the Primate, the Archbishop of Esztergom, was built in 1781 behind the Old Town Hall, on a square that once served as a meat market. In December 1805, the Peace of Pressburg (now Bratislava) was signed in the palace’s Mirror Hall, following the Battle of Austerlitz. The treaty, negotiated between Austria and France, led to the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire and is commemorated through the Rue de Presbourg in Paris. The Primate’s Palace houses six exquisite English silk-and-wool tapestries from the 1630s, depicting the ancient tale of Hero and Leander, woven at the Royal Mortlake Tapestry Works. Its courtyard features a striking fountain of St. George battling the dragon.
A small private gallery showcasing the works of Slovakia’s finest painters and sculptors from the late 19th century to the present day. Situated on Nedbalova Street, between the Primate’s Palace and the Old Market Hall, it offers the perfect opportunity to slow down and appreciate modern art. The experience is further enhanced by the building itself—a stunning cultural monument with four levels of galleries encircling a central open space.
The building served as a market hall from 1910 until 1960. After the fall of Communism, it was refurbished to return to its original purpose. Since then, it has become a hub for regular Saturday markets, exhibitions, cultural events, and a popular street food zone.
