Uncover Slovakia’s Soviet-era gems with Bratislava’s skate scene

Slovakia’s sprawling Soviet-era monuments span the divide between past and present.

The city’s sculptures, parks and shopping centres aren’t just reminders of the past: they’re flashpoints in the ongoing search for the country’s new identity.

Skater Marek Zaprazny has his own take on the city. He’s one of hundreds of skateboarders who have grown up among Bratislava’s socialist buildings, attracted by vast swathes of smooth concrete. Slowly, the city’s youth is reclaiming each space as their own — and forging a new identity for the future.

Credits:

Daryl Mersom — Research and Concept
Kubo Križo — Photography
Marek Zaprazny — Skating
Marco Savino — Camera and Editing