The Archangel Michael statue will be removed for renovation in September 2021. This will be a big event for Bratislava. The admirable work of master Petr Eller that has adorned the top of Michal’s Tower since 1758, will remain at academic sculptor Stanislav Kožela’s studio for many months. Coper sculpture’s extremities look very fragile, parts are missing, and minor damage is clearly visible. The overall renovation aims to restore the sculpture to its original appearance.
«The idea is to restore everything that has been preserved and to repair all damage. I have to remake the archangel’s right hand with a sword and add a left wing, and sculpt a tongue and ear for the dragon,» explains the sculptor. The sculpture is wrought from very thin 0.5 to 2 mm copper and weighs only about 50 kilograms. To withstand the high winds atop the 50-metre Michal’s Tower, it has a wrought iron structure throughout the inside. The time box was stored, as expected, in the archangel’s head. Opening the box will not be quite so simple: “The box is soldered on the sides and how to do it safe? When tin melts at 290 degrees, at what temperature does paper burn? ”
Original source in Slovak language: bratislavskenoviny