Thirteen. That’s exactly the number of churches standing in one of the most beautiful cities in Slovakia, Trnava. It’s no wonder that Trnava is called the “little Rome.” When you look at the city from above, you’ll have a hard time counting all the towers. One of the dominant towers is the Town Tower in Trnava, proudly overlooking Trojičné námestie (Trinity Square). Let’s take a look at a selection of 7 landmarks of this ancient city, which is the seat of the archbishop’s office.
1. Town Tower on Trinity Square
The Renaissance-style tower was built in 1574 as an observatory. The tower is very well preserved and is Trnava’s pride. From its gallery, located at a height of 29 meters, there’s a beautiful view of the city center. At the top of the Baroque dome sits a gilded statue of the Virgin Mary – Immaculate. A special feature of the tower is its functioning sundial, located on the south facade of the tower.
2. The Holy Trinity Sculpture
The Baroque sculpture is located in the vicinity of the tower. It’s the work of Ján Kristóf Khien from 1695. Upon closer inspection, you’ll identify statues of 4 saints: St. Florian, St. Agatha, St. Francis Xavier, and St. Anthony of Padua.
3. St. John the Baptist Cathedral
The most majestic church in Trnava is built in the early Baroque style. It was designed by Italian architects Pietro and Antonio Spazzovci. Inside, you can admire the original all-wooden main altar from 1640, standing 20.3 meters high and 14.8 meters wide. This church is lavishly decorated inside and has been the cathedral of the Trnava Archdiocese since 1977. Local residents as well as believers from all over Slovakia associate it mainly with the historical event – the visit of His Holiness Pope John Paul II in 2003.
4. Basilica of St. Nicholas
Trnavians call it nothing else but the “fat church.” The temple was built between 1380-1421. The Gothic basilica has three naves, and inside you can admire Baroque chapels. In the Baroque Chapel of Our Lady of Trnava, there’s a miraculous painting, thanks to which Trnava is known as a pilgrimage site. You can walk to the church directly from the square and along the way, you can taste ice cream at one of the fantastic ice cream parlors.
5. City Fortification
Trnava is one of the few Slovak cities where the city fortifications, or walls, are very well preserved. Walking from Trinity Square to the “fat church” and then along the walls will literally take you back in time – such a strong atmosphere is present here. The walls are often used as a backdrop for wedding photoshoots. A tip for sitting: the walls also house the charming bar “Northern Tower” with a view of the historic city walls. Give it a try!
6. Trnava Synagogues
While in some Slovak cities synagogues are in a sad state or already a thing of the past, Trnava stands out from the average. Trnava has not one but two synagogues, and both are doing well. They’re located close to each other, just a few dozen meters from St. Nicholas Cathedral. The larger one now serves as a contemporary art center, while the other houses SYNAGOGA CAFÉ – a sophisticated Trnava café with an amazing atmosphere. If you’re looking for a place to have coffee in Trnava, then definitely head here!
7. Town Hall
Look for the well-preserved town hall at the corner of Radlinského Street, again not far from Trinity Square. It dates back to the 18th century. It consists of a complex of several buildings in various styles – from Gothic to Baroque. Particularly interesting is the rich stucco decoration, the work of Italian masters. What few know is that the town hall also has rare Gothic cellars, which probably served as a prison in the past.
Don’t Miss Out on Other Landmarks Trnava has much more to see. If you’re in the mood for a romantic weekend, you can spend it wandering through the ancient streets of Trnava, where history mixes with new beautiful fashion boutiques, cafes, bistros, and restaurants at every turn. Be sure not to miss a visit to the Trnava Theater, a swim in the local aquapark, a beer tasting at the local Sessler brewery, or a visit to the gallery in Kopplova’s mansion. And for culture, visit “Little Berlin,” a modern independent cultural center. You’ll fall in love with Trnava!