Happy TravellerWelcome to Trnava, a charming city located in western Slovakia, just 47 km (29 mi) northeast of Bratislava. Trnava is the capital of the Trnava Region and the Trnava District, and is situated on the Trnávka river. The city is known for its rich history, beautiful architecture, and religious significance. Trnava is often referred to as Little Rome due to the many churches within its city walls, and is also known as the Slovak Rome.
Trnava’s name is derived from the creek Trnava, which comes from the Old Slavic/Slovak word tŕň (thornbush) that characterized the river banks in the region. The city has a long and fascinating history, with permanent settlements on its territory known from the Neolithic period onwards. During the Middle Ages, Trnava became an important market settlement at the junction of two important roads – from Bohemia to Hungary and from the Mediterranean to Poland. The first written reference to Trnava dates back to 1211, and in 1238, Trnava was the first town in present-day Slovakia to be granted a town charter by the king.
Trnava has a rich religious history, and is the seat of a Roman Catholic archbishopric. The cathedrals of the archbishopric are the Saint John the Baptist Cathedral and the Saint Nicholas Cathedral in the town. Trnava was also an important center of the Counter-Reformation in the Kingdom of Hungary, and the Jesuit Trnava University was founded by Archbishop Péter Pázmány in 1635. The university soon became a center of Slovak education and literature, and Pázmány himself was instrumental in promoting the usage of Slovak instead of Czech.
Trnava is home to many beautiful sights and landmarks, including St. Nicolass Church, St. Helens Church, and several church monastery complexes such as the Clarist, Franciscan, and Dominican. The Renaissance added a town tower to Trnava’s silhouette, and the town ramparts were rebuilt to a Renaissance fortification as a reaction to the approaching Turkish danger from the south. The 17th century was characterized by the construction of the Paulinian Church that bears badges of Silesian Renaissance. Trnava was gradually redesigned to Baroque, and the erection of the St. John the Baptist Church and of the university campus launched a building rush that continued with the reconstruction of the Franciscan and Clarists complexes.
Trnava is also known for its delicious local cuisine, which includes traditional Slovak dishes such as bryndzové halušky (potato dumplings with sheep cheese) and kapustnica (sauerkraut soup). The city is a great destination for foodies looking to explore the unique flavors of Slovakia.
Whether you’re interested in history, architecture, religion, or food, Trnava has something to offer every traveler. Come and discover the many treasures of this enchanting city for yourself!
