Trnava: City History and Trails near Smolenice

Trnava’s history spans medieval town rights, church buildings and fortifications. Its historic centre has been an urban conservation area since 1987. In 1238, Trnava became the first town in Slovakia to receive the privileges of a free royal town. After the Archbishopric of Esztergom was moved to Trnava in 1543, the town became the cultural and ecclesiastical centre of the Kingdom of Hungary for almost 300 years. The fortifications date from the 13th to the 16th century.

Churches and Historic Buildings

The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is considered Slovakia’s first early Baroque building. Its main altar is original, made entirely of wood and dates from 1640. The Basilica of St. Nicholas represents a different architectural period: it was built as a three-aisled Gothic basilica between 1380 and 1421. Inside is a miraculous image that makes Trnava a well-known pilgrimage site.

The Divadlo Jána Palárika also connects the city’s history with its present-day cultural offerings. The city had the building constructed in 1831; it is considered the oldest surviving building of its kind in Slovakia. The theatre currently stages productions for adults, though its repertoire may change. An exhibition in the western wing of the Town Hall presents the history of the municipal administration; the wing also hosts art exhibitions and concerts. If you are interested in a particular event, check the current programme.

Museums, Art and Events

The Museum of Western Slovakia is housed in a former Poor Clares’ monastery, which was already mentioned in Trnava in 1239. The main building includes exhibitions, exhibition rooms and courtyards open to visitors. An archaeological exhibition is also part of the museum; exhibitions and visitor arrangements may change, so check the latest information in advance.

The House of Music Mikuláš Schneidra Trnavského features exhibitions devoted to the composer Mikuláš Schneider-Trnavský. It also includes a Hall of Fame for the Dobro resonator guitar. The DOBRO Hall of Fame, newly established in 2020, was open to the public; check current access arrangements before visiting. The Galéria Jána Koniarka offers another highlight, with contemporary visual art. Its main exhibition venue is the former Neolog Synagogue on Halenárska Street, which has served as a centre for contemporary art since June 1994. The gallery also organizes the international Trienále plagátu Trnava poster competition.

The traditional Trnava Fair brings handicrafts and fairground specialties to the city centre every year. As the programme and dates may change, check the latest event information before your trip.

Castle and Trails near Smolenice

Near Smolenice, history leads from the site of a medieval castle to the present-day château: it was built on the ruins of a castle dating from the mid-15th century. The first work on the present-day château began in 1887, with the adaptation of the bastions and the construction of a chapel in the southern bastion.

Hiking options include trails of varying lengths and routes. The Smolenický kras educational trail is 7.5 kilometres long and has up to nine information panels or stops. It passes through the Hlboča Gorge to the Molpír archaeological site. There, information panels explain the prehistoric hillfort, its well and other areas. The site is also home to the only waterfall in the Little Carpathians; it is nine metres high. The Smolenice–Záruby circular hiking trail is longer, at approximately ten kilometres, and follows yellow- and blue-marked hiking trails. At 768 metres, Záruby is the highest mountain in the Little Carpathians and is located near Smolenice. There are easy hikes from Smolenice that are also suitable for families with children; trail conditions may vary.

Another nature experience is Driny Cave, the only cave in western Slovakia open to the public. The visitor circuit is 450 metres long. From the car park, it takes about 25 minutes to walk through the forest to the cave. Check current access and opening arrangements before setting out. The Little Carpathians Protected Landscape Area encompasses deciduous forests, meadows and forest clearings; Hlboče Valley has been a national nature reserve with the highest level of protection since 1905.

Activities and Getting Around

You can also explore the towns and landscapes in different ways by bike. The Trnava–Smolenice cycle route starts in front of Trnava railway station, is moderately difficult and has moderate climbs; it follows marked cycle routes 8218, 2204 and 2203. The Okolo Smoleníc route starts in Smolenice, by a church near the château, and leads through the forests of the Little Carpathians below the Záruby and Veterlín mountains. Check current route conditions before setting out by bike. Smolenice can be reached from Trnava by train and bus; check timetables before travelling.

Deciding which stops you want to include is a helpful starting point when choosing your destination.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Horné Dubové, Šúrovce, Zavar, Jaslovské Bohunice, Lošonec, Malženice, Horné Orešany, Smolenice, Hrnčiarovce Nad Parnou, Košolná, Boleráz, Suchá nad Parnou, Trnava, Šelpice.

For the overview of the wider region: Tyrnau.