Discover Trnava: Historic Centre, Culture and Hotels

Trnava combines a protected historic centre with striking buildings, museums, art and a widely branching cityscape. The historic centre of Trnava has been an urban monument reserve since 1987. The city fortifications of Trnava are among the few oldest preserved brick fortifications in Slovakia. Visitors can walk along the surviving city walls.

Cityscape and Culture

Several institutions provide insights into different chapters of the city’s history. The West Slovak Museum is housed in a Poor Clare monastery dating from the 13th century. Its complex also includes the Mikuláš Schneider-Trnavský Music House, where the important Slovak composer lived and worked. The Museum of Book Culture has been located in the Oláh Seminary since 1979.

The Emmer Villa also represents Trnava’s historic architecture. It is the oldest preserved country estate in Trnava and was built around 1770. Among other features, the villa retains remnants of Rococo stucco decoration on the ceiling of the main hall. The Ján Koniarek Gallery is housed in the Neoclassical Koppl Villa. In addition, the Status Quo Ante Synagogue has been part of the Ján Koniarek Gallery in Trnava since 1994 and serves as a centre for contemporary art. The synagogue was built between 1891 and 1897.

History and Religious Buildings

The Renaissance landmark on Trojičné námestie was built in 1574 as a watchtower. The viewing gallery of Trnava’s Town Tower is located at a height of 29 m; the tower is 57 m high overall. The Town Tower also contains a unique clock mechanism.

A characteristic landmark of Trnava was built between 1380 and 1421 as a Gothic three-nave basilica. The Cathedral of St John has an original main altar made entirely of wood, dating from 1640. This main altar is 20.3 m high and 14.8 m wide. The Cathedral of St John is considered the first Early Baroque building in Slovakia.

The Baroque Chapel of the Virgin Mary of Trnava houses a miraculous image, making Trnava known as a pilgrimage site. Together with the city walls, the Town Tower and the other historic buildings, these structures shape the cultural diversity of the town.

City Life and Paths

Trnava’s city market is part of the everyday cityscape. It mainly offers fruit and vegetables as well as cakes, syrups, coffee, jams, forest fruits and mushrooms. For getting around by bicycle, Trnava now has more than 26 kilometres of urban cycle paths; the network is continuing to expand.

The Trnava Region Tourist Information Centre offers tours with experienced tourist guides. The centre provides cyclists with basic tools for unexpected technical problems. Thus, alongside the historic buildings, the cityscape also offers specific points of contact for guided tours and simple bicycle repairs.

If you would like to compare other places in addition to Trnava, you can find Horné Dubové, Horné Orešany, Smolenice, Šelpice, Jaslovské Bohunice, Malženice, Hrnčiarovce Nad Parnou and Lošonec here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Trnava.