Čumil, Bronze sculpture in Old Town, Slovakia
Čumil is a bronze sculpture at the corner of Panská and Laurinská streets showing a man with a wide grin emerging from a manhole. The figure appears dynamic and humorous, as if just popping up from beneath the street.
Sculptor Viktor Hulík created the work in 1997 during a period of urban renewal in Bratislava following Slovakia's independence. The creation occurred when the city was shaping its new identity and public artworks symbolized this transformation.
The figure embodies a municipal worker on break and reflects local humor about work culture in the region. It has become a meeting point for visitors navigating the Old Town's narrow streets.
The statue stands protected by its own traffic signs at the corner of Rybárska brána in the Old Town and is easy to reach on foot. The location is popular with pedestrians and sits in an area with other shops and restaurants to explore.
According to local legend, touching the head of the statue while keeping a secret makes a wish come true. This ritual has made the bronze figure a popular spot for tourists and locals eager to express their hopes.
Location: Bratislava
Inception: January 1, 1997
Creator: Viktor Hulík
Made from material: bronze
Address: Panská 251/1, 811 01 Bratislava-Staré Mesto, Slovakia
Website: http://supissoch.sk/cumil
GPS coordinates: 48.14284,17.10886
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:03
Bratislava reveals itself through its architecture that combines Gothic, Baroque, and Art Nouveau influences. The Slovak capital is centered around its medieval old town with cobblestone streets, dominated by Bratislava Castle and its recognizable outline with four corner towers. Visitors can explore St. Martin's Cathedral, the site of Hungarian royal coronations for several centuries, or the Blue Church, a 1913 Art Nouveau building fully decorated with blue and white mosaics. The city also features unexpected sites such as the Čumil statue, a bronze figure of a worker emerging from a manhole cover, and the UFO observation deck perched 95 meters above the top of the SNP Bridge. The surrounding area is worth visiting for Devín Castle, a medieval fortress built on a rocky promontory at the confluence of the Danube and Morava rivers, and the Slavín memorial that overlooks the city from a hill. This collection gathers Bratislava's main monuments and museums to facilitate your exploration of the Slovak capital.
Roland Fountain
67 m
Apponyi Palace (Bratislava)
65 m
Roland Palace
76 m
Kutscherfeldov palác
53 m
Embassy of Japan, Bratislava
62 m
Jesenákov palác
44 m
Kernův dům
58 m
The Handsome Guy
52 m
Dunajská banka
60 m
Rollandova fontána, socha
51 m
Meštiansky dom
58 m
Nájomný dom
85 m
Kernov dom
69 m
Nájomný dom
69 m
Nájomný dom
27 m
Dom bytový
52 m
1. bratislavská sporiteľňa
25 m
Pomník Floriána Romera, podstavec
74 m
Pomník Floriána Romera, busta
74 m
Gotické sedílie
35 m
Judenhof
31 m
Meštiansky dom
72 m
Eszterházyho palác
84 m
Meštiansky dom
56 m
Meštiansky dom
44 m
Apponyiho palác
74 m
Dom s kapln. Bož. tela
63 m
Rollandova fontána, fontána-nádrž
51 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes