Kind of new Bratislava
Bratislava, 2023
for Monocle Magazine
Photo Editor: Matthew Beaman

SOUND AND VISION - Matus Vallo is a gigging bass player, architect, progressive urbanist and one of Europe's most dynamic civic leaders, His efforts to revive his home city of Bratislava are striking a chord with voters: he recently won a second term in office with an increased share of the vote. Brandishing a physical, published manifesto for improving and expanding public spaces, restoring neglected buildings and renewing pride in a town with a turbulent past, Vallo is part of a team of creative contemporaries and key thinkers transforming the city's streets through their ambition and innovation. Monocle heads to the Slovakian capital to meet them and witness how Bratislava has been finding its groove.

Text by Andrew Tuck