Inner fortifications of Pressburg comprised moats, palisade wall, palisade, main rampart wall, bastions, and four gates – Michael's Gate, Vydrica Gate, Lawrence Gate, and Fishermen's Gate. All gates except Michael's Gate were demolished as part of an urban-architectural intervention at the turn of the fourth quarter of the 18th century. 

The places where the gates once stood, and where their underground components are located to this day, are marked by commemorative metal plaques set into the pavements of the relevant streets. The stone-edged plaque on Laurinská Street in front of P. O. Hviezdoslav Theatre is composed of a double frame, the Bratislava coat of arms, and the text in upper and lower case letters: 

LAURINSKÁ BRÁNA 

Bránu mestského opevnenia s vežou 

a predbráním postavili na tomto mieste 

v 13. storočí. 

Zbúrali ju v roku 1778. 

* 

The municipal fortification gate with 

tower and foregate was built on this 

place in the 13th century. It was pulled 

down in 1778. 

A few metres away, suspended aloft by eight anchor ropes fixed to the façades of surrounding buildings, is a large rectangular "levitating" portcullis gate with eight horizontal and seven vertical stainless steel bars. All points at which the beams intersect are fitted with imitation rivet heads. The bars do not extend across the centre of the grille, as this area features a partially translucent coloured square of plexiglass or glass bearing the Bratislava coat of arms: a white wall with a gate and raised portcullis, battlements, three towers with yellow roofs, and a contrasting a red background. The ends of the grille beams are "blunt", except for the lower ends of the vertical beams, which have typical spikes. 

The paving beneath the grille is enhanced by seven spotlights that correspond to the axes of the vertical beams. The same elements indicate the location of a bridge that formerly stood in front of the gate (towards Dunajská Street). 

Placement of the objects, which were designed by Bogár Králik Urban Studio, followed renovation of the pedestrian zone and archaeological research into the gate and its surroundings. The lighting was installed in 1998, and the grille one year later. It is interesting to note that the original design entailed an upper edge of the grille in the shape of a pointed arch, a larger coat of arms, a ground plan of the gate accented by different paving, a laser beam pointing to the former Vydrica Gate, and a presentation of the medieval well discovered near P. O. Hviezdoslav Theatre.

PB

Research status as of  22. 12. 2023.