Trnava: History, Art and Culture in the Historic Centre

Since 1987, the historic centre of Trnava has been an urban heritage reserve. Medieval buildings, sacred art and museums come together here to create a multifaceted picture of the city’s history.

History

The Renaissance town tower of Trnava was built in 1574 as an observation tower. Its viewing gallery is 29 metres high, while the tower itself reaches 57 metres. In the Cathedral of St John the Baptist, you will encounter Slovakia’s first early Baroque building. Its furnishings include an original wooden high altar dating from 1640.

Culture

The Ján Koniarik Gallery in Trnava is a cultural, cultural-memory and educational institution focusing on contemporary visual art. The former Neolog synagogue at 2 Halenárska Street has a different historical setting: since June 1994, it has served as a centre for contemporary art. The building’s former function remains part of its history.

The West Slovak Museum is housed in a 13th-century Poor Clares convent. Its collections cover natural sciences, history and ethnology. The Emmer Villa also takes visitors back to an earlier era: it is a national cultural monument, considered the oldest surviving summer house in Trnava, and was built around 1770.

Exhibitions

The House of Music in Trnava features a permanent exhibition on the life and work of Mikuláš Schneider Trnavský. The exhibition on book culture explores the beginnings of printing in the Trnava region. In addition, the historic library of the West Slovak Museum presents a permanent exhibition of old and rare prints on the book culture of Trnava and its surroundings.

Orientation

The fortifications of Trnava are the oldest, longest and best-preserved city fortifications in Slovakia. During a guided tour of Trnava, visitors can explore the interior of a bastion forming part of the city fortifications. The Trnava Region Tourist Information Centre is located in the town tower in Trnava’s historic centre. It provides information about events, services and excursions.

Religious Life

The Basilica of St Nicholas served as the archbishop of Esztergom’s cathedral church from 1543 to 1820. Today, it is a centre of Trnava’s religious and cultural life. The international Trnava Organ Days take place at the basilica every year, around the turn of August and September.

Getting There

The pedestrian zone is a five-minute walk from Trnava’s railway or bus station. Trnava has frequent train connections in all directions, as well as good rail connections to Vienna, Prague and Budapest. These connections are as much a part of the cityscape as its historic buildings and cultural institutions.

Those considering Trnava as a destination can compare various hotel offers and organise their travel plans according to their personal priorities. The city combines historic buildings, museums and musical institutions within a clearly recognisable cultural setting. An objective comparison of hotel offers allows you to weigh up space, price expectations and your preferred type of travel for yourself.

Further Destinations

To explore the surrounding area further, you can also visit Veľká Paka, Trstín.

For the higher-level travel overview: Tyrnau.