LUCKILY, Bratislava is not a city where the streets have no name, so you too can get to know some of the most notorious ones. Here is a short guide:
Vazovova – until recently, the downtown street named after the Bulgarian writer Ivan Vazov was known mainly for the prominent high school which resides there. In the wake of the Gorilla scandal, in which it was supposedly the meeting place of oligarchs, corrupt politicians, and dirty cops, it has become a synonym for broken democracy. It seems perfectly fitting that Vazov’s best-known work was entitled Under the Yoke.
Krížna – while political prostitutes supposedly met on Vazovova, the real ones operated just around the corner. The police did manage to push the girls a little further out, to Vajnorská, but Krížna remains a symbol of decadence.
Miletičova – this is where you’ll find the traditional market. And its celebrity visitors such as former general prosecutor Dobroslav Trnka, who is known for visiting it every Saturday morning. It was Miletičova that made brands such as Adihash, Flaa, Miké and Rebuk famous.
Súmračná – this previously little-known street in the Ružinov district owes its fame to the Smer party, which moved its headquarters there a few years back. Smer is in opposition now, but is most likely to rule again after the March 10 elections.
Party chairman Robert Fico did, allegedly, visit the flat on Vazovova, but it is likely that Gorilla will in the end help him by keeping disgusted right-wing voters away from polling stations.
‘Súmračná’ means ‘the street of dusk’. It seems more than one street could bear that name.
