Home >>
IN A FEW WORDS: SLOVAKIA >>
West
WESTERN SLOVAKIA
is the territory along the Czech and Slovak border. Abundant in nature beauties, this true tourists´ paradise offers a number of hiking paths, summer and winter holiday resorts, as well as places with rich history and well preserved architectural sights and castles.
The most visited part of West Slovakia are Small Carpathians, Slovakia´s largest viniculture area; a natural reserve with slopes covered with vineyards spreading from Bratislava suburbs towards the northeast up to Trnava with the first wine reference dating back to around 400 BC. Apart from Bratislava and Trnava, there are some more small local royal towns and villages famous for production of excellent wines. Having thrived under the under the Austrian-Hungarian empire, the region was later to suffer a blow under communism. The modern-day local wineries have resurrected, and are being promoted through the Small Carpathians Wine Route. The Small Carpathian excursions have largely gained in popularity over the last couple of years.
Another folkloric product typical of the Small Carpathians Region is Modra pottery, a tradition brought over by the Anabaptist refugees - the Habans. In Modra the use of so-called Haban pattern has survived till the present day.
Easily reachable from Bratislava, the region has become a popular leisure destination; it offers a number of facilities for summer and winter hiking or cycling as well as educational tourism.
A handful of selected must-see places
- Cerveny Kamen (Red Stone Castle - national cultural monument)
- originally a large 13th cen. royal castle, rebuilt and extended in the 16th century. Partially destroyed during the WW2, it was once again reconstructed after the war. Being one of the most popular castles in Slovakia, it nowadays hosts a permanent exposition of ancient furniture and arms, castle art gallery and castle cellars.
Modra belonged to the most important vinegrowing centres. Modra gained fame mainly by the manufacture of pottery, which has a high reputation worlwide-the well-known Modra Majolica.
- small village well known for its 100 year tradition of goose feast. As part of the tradition, from September till December many locals turn their private homes into restaurants offering goose specialities such as baked geese, potato cakes and goose liver.
Pezinok it is regarded as an important centre of wine - growing and building production. Several historical monuments are preserved here in Pezinok to prove it´s history, such as the first of all castle with its beautiful historical halls, large cellars with exquisitely made barrels
The surroundings of Pezinok offer visitors a network of marked hiking trails suitable for leisurely hiking in the protected country side area of the Little Carpathian Region. In the winter season the "Baba" centre offers skiing facilities (downhill and cross country) and the possibilities of sledding. The surface can be covered by artificial snow if necessary.
Trnava is situated 45 km to the north-east of the capital of Slovakia - Bratislava.
Trnava / as for the many churches behind its medieval walls nicknamed "The little Rome "/ - the ancient town is the hub of the west and one of Slovakia's oldest cities. Privileged royal town, it had been one of Central Europe´s greatest cities in the past. During the raids by the Turks, it became Hungary´s spiritual and cultural centre. Also known as the "university town".
Sightseeings
Katedrala Sv. Jana Krstitela (Cathedral of St. John the Baptist) / national cultural monument /
- university Church, part of university building complex, Slovakia´s first early baroque building. The wooden, more than 20 metres high altar, ranks to the biggest of its kind in Central Europe.
Kostol Sv. Mikulasa (St. Nicolas Church)
- Gothic 3-nave basilica temple with a baroque chapel of Virgin Mary of Trnava in the north, includes a painting of the Virgin Mary / the original painting is to be found in Rome /; it became famous for discovered blood sweat and tears. The legend has it, large plague epidemics ceased owing to the Virgin Mary in 1710.
Kostol Sv. Trojice (The Church of The Holly Trinity) /Jesuit church /
- the church belonged to the religious order of Trinitarians famous for buying out slaves. After the order had been abolished, the church was donated to the Jesuits. There is a box inside preserving the relics of Jesuit martyrs.
The city tower
-Renaissance eight-storey building topped by a two metres high statue of the Virgin Mary Immaculate and a sundial on the facade in the middle.
Piestany -a spa town - is well known all over the world with the local healing springs notable for the successful treatment of arthrisis, having made themselves a name as early as in the Middle Ages. Piestany offers its visitors a wide range of beautiful parks, sport facilities (golf) , music festivals, year-round live entertainment, casino, and is a great choice for shopping.
The city is a significant historical site and the alleged capital of the Quadi Germanic tribe back in 4th century BC. During the 8th and 9th cent. AD, it witnessed the rise of the Principality of Nitra and had built the first Christian church to be recorded throughout Central and Eastern Europe. It associates with the introduction of the Old Slavonic alphabet. It is the seat of archbishop.
Castle of Nitra/ national cultural monument /
the Cathedral consisting of an Upper and a Lower Church which ranks among the most significant Baroque temples to be found in Slovakia; the St. Emeram Church from the 11th century which is the oldest part of the Cathedral; the Bishop´s Palace which current look reflects a centuries long development and is nowadays the Bishop´s official seat. The nearby service buildings were originally utilized for diverse housekeeping purposes.
Locally and nationwide important, Trencin prides on a distinguishing castle dominating the historical centre.
Sightseeings
The Castle of Trencin
- third largest castle in the country, best known for a Roman inscription from 179 AD on the castle rock. The castle made its name through its mightiest owner - the influential feudal lord - Matus Cák Trenciansky. The site is divided into an upper and lower section with extensive fortifications. The upper castle has several palace buildings surrounding the central medieval tower. Below the actual castle there is an old parish church and a small upper square.
Roman Inscription
- a unique authentic proof of the presence of Roman legions in the territory of Trencin. The inscription on the steep face of the castle rock was carved in the memory of the victory over the Germanic tribes of Marcomanni and Quads in 179 AD.
Synagogue
- neo-Romantic building with a cupola built in an oriental style. One of Slovakia´s most exquisite and interesting works of its kind.
Early Baroque Convent Facility
- a facility of the Convent Collegium, today a Piarist comprehensive school known as Gymnazium J. Braneckeho. The complex was built as a three-nave, two-tract, four-storey building with a central paradise court
