Summary
The oldest city in Slovakia, Nitra was initially governed by Slavic princes during the early Middle Ages. At that time, this captivating city served as the capital of a principality that encompassed a significant portion of western Slovakia. Nitra also houses the country’s oldest diocese, with St Emmeram’s Cathedral as its seat. This remarkable edifice towers from the city’s highest point within Nitra Castle, showcasing a combination of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque architectural styles.
Allocate ample time to enjoy the serene atmosphere of the Castle and Upper Town. Additionally, it is advisable to hike Zobor Hill, rich in legend, and to visit the numerous churches and monasteries in this revered religious center.
Let’s explore the best things to do in Nitra:
1. Nitra Castle
Situated atop the old town and fortified by 16th-century ramparts and bastions, Nitra Castle marks the birthplace of the city.
During the early Middle Ages, a Slavic tribe established its stronghold here, which rose around a Bronze Age settlement.
The castle is not a singular building but rather a historic precinct.
Winding cobblestone pathways, centuries of heritage, and excellent viewpoints over Nitra make it an enchanting area to explore on foot.
The cathedral and episcopal palace are located here, along with the Diocese Museum and an archaeological exhibition housed within the 17th-century gun emplacements.
2. St Emmeram’s Cathedral
The central attraction within the castle walls is the cathedral, a composition of various buildings.
Within its grounds is a 14th-century Upper Church, an 11th-century rotunda, and a Lower Church established in the 17th century.
Upon the completion of the Lower Church, a uniform Baroque exterior was applied to all structures.
In the Gothic Upper Church, the exquisite altar dedicated to Christ the Redeemer is enhanced by a captivating relief of the entombment crafted by the 17th-century Austrian sculptor Hans Pernegger.
Notably, a stunning 14th-century fresco illustrating a dying Virgin Mary surrounded by apostles can also be found here.
3. Nitra Synagogue
Constructed in 1911, Nitra’s splendid synagogue is recognized as a Slovak “cultural monument” specifically designed for the city’s Neolog Jewish community.
Designed by the Budapest architect Lipót Baumhorn, who contributed to approximately 20 synagogues during the empire, this structure integrates Art Nouveau with Moorish and Byzantine decorations and has undergone recent restoration.
Although no longer active, the synagogue serves as a cultural center and exhibition space focusing on Jewish history.
A small exhibition commemorates the 20th-century Israeli painter Shagra Weil, who was born in Nitra in 1918. In the women’s gallery, there is a poignant display regarding the fate of Nitra’s Jewish population during the Holocaust.
4. Zobor
Nestled adjacent to Nitra’s northern suburbs is a 587-meter hill that provides a comprehensive panorama of the city.
Zobor represents the final peak of the Tríbeč range before descending into the lower-lying Nitra Valley.
At this elevation, the city appears as a miniature model, and the expansive views to the south are remarkable since Zobor serves as the first hill on the northern side of the Nitra Valley.
While the slopes present a challenging ascent, the idyllic scenery at the summit, along with the diverse oak, beech, and pine woodlands, justifies the effort.
Six springs are located on Zobor, and during the Bronze Age, approximately 3,600 years ago, a substantial fort was constructed at this site.
5. Dražovce Church
Located to the west of Zobor, this small Romanesque church dates back to the 11th century and remains in excellent condition.
The church is an iconic symbol in Slovakia, previously depicted on the 100 Koruna note prior to the transition to the Euro and can still be seen on postage stamps.
It features a modest single nave with an apse harmoniously adorned with a subtle pattern along the exterior wall.
Perched atop a hill, it terminates in a cliff on one side.
As you linger at the hilltop, you may observe traces of earthworks, suggesting that another fort existed on this elevation during the Iron Age.
6. Upper Town
Upon passing beneath the County Hall, you will enter the tranquil Upper Town, which developed downhill from the castle throughout medieval times.
This area was fortified by an outer ribbon of defenses, which have since been dismantled.
The Upper Town features winding cobblestone streets adorned with Baroque and Classical mansions and palaces, interspersed with attractions such as the Great Seminary, the Franciscan Monastery, and the city’s treasured Corgoň sculpture.
In Pribina Square, a contemporary statue commemorates the namesake Slavic prince Pribina, recognized as the first ruler of Slavic origin to embrace baptism and construct a Christian church.
7. Marian Column (Mariánsky Stĺp)
In 1710 and 1739, outbreaks of plague resulted in the loss of approximately a quarter of Nitra’s populace. Consequently, in 1750, this column, topped with a gilded statue of the Virgin Mary, was erected to honor the deceased and express gratitude to Mary for preventing further epidemics.
This monument, positioned in front of the castle gate, was commissioned by Imrich Esterházi and sculpted in an exuberant Baroque-Rococo style by the Austrian Martin Vögerl.
The pedestal supporting the column is richly adorned with symbols and decorations, including statues of four saints, vases, scrolls, reliefs, Imrich Esterházi’s coat of arms, and angels bearing monuments associated with the city.
8. Church of St Ladislaus
A significant monument in the Lower Town (Dolné Mesto) is this Late-Baroque church, part of a complex that includes monastic buildings and a school for the Piarist Order.
Construction began in the early 18th century; however, just as the finishing touches were being applied, the church suffered a fire and would not be consecrated until 1789. The façade showcases pilasters and niches beneath two domed towers.
A substantial portion of the decor was crafted by the Austrian sculptor Martin Vögerle, warranting some time to appreciate the intricate frescos.
One series illustrates significant religious events in Nitra’s history, such as the consecration of the city’s first three Slovak bishops and the arrival of the evangelical saints Cyril and Methodius to Great Moravia.
9. Corgoň
Symbolic of Nitra, Corgoň represents a statue depicting Atlas, positioned at the corner of the palatial residence constructed for Bishop Jozef Kluch in the 1820s.
This curiosity has acquired a new narrative: that of Corgoň, a blacksmith from Nitra during the Ottoman siege.
While working at the forge, he emerged covered in soot, eventually repelling the attackers by hurling hefty stones from the battlements.
The besiegers fled, unnerved more by his formidable, soot-covered appearance than by the rocks.
The name Corgoň has also been adopted for a beer brand and has found its way into local idioms, signifying remarkable strength.
10. Nitra Calvary
This vantage point offers a satisfying view of Nitra from the hillside to the south of the city. The elevation is imbued with religious significance and hosts various religious structures and monuments.
The focal point is a collection of stone crosses depicting Jesus alongside the two criminals who perished alongside him.
At the lower elevation of the hill lies the Church of the Assumption of Mary, which is nearly 900 years old.
This church is adjacent to the Virgin Mary’s Mission House, established in 1765 for the Spanish Nazarene order.
As you ascend the hill, you will encounter a series of small 19th-century chapels, each illustrating a scene from the Passion of Christ.
At the summit, near the crosses, stands a modest hexagonal chapel that once served as a watchtower communicating with the castle.
11. Diocese Museum
Situated in the castle courtyard, the Diocese Museum features a collection of illuminated manuscripts alongside the cathedral’s liturgical treasures.
The manuscripts date back to the early days of Christianity in this region, with the most notable piece being the Nitra Evangelistary, written in 1083. This book was bound in the 1300s, its cover embellished with gilded embossing.
The cathedral treasury is as magnificent as one would expect.
The standout artifact is the gold Chalice of Udalric de Buda, crafted in the early 16th century and inlaid with 18 gold coins, the oldest of which were minted by the Dacians in the 1st century BC.
12. Monastery and Church of St Peter and St Paul
Similar to the cathedral, the Franciscan Church of Peter and St Paul is older than its Baroque façade implies, originating from 1630. An intriguing remnant from its early days can be found near the entrance.
A stone relief of St Peter and St Paul, which once adorned the altar, remains intact despite the church being ransacked by the Ottomans in 1663. The interior underwent significant renovations in the 18th and 19th centuries and is now alive with vibrant decoration.
One of the most captivating features includes a series of oak reliefs lining the walls.
These were carved by the 18th-century Viennese sculptor Franz Xaver Seegen, depicting the life of St Francis Xavier.
13. Slovak Agricultural Museum
Rich with machinery and agricultural artifacts, the national agricultural museum features indoor galleries, an expansive open-air exhibit, and locomotives from a 19th-century railway.
Within, you can trace the prehistoric roots of agriculture in Slovakia, delve into agricultural themes in Slovak art, and explore traditional handicrafts.
The pavilion showcases an array of heavy machinery including vintage threshers, seeders, tractors, and harvesters, along with an aircraft utilized for crop-dusting.
The open-air museum hosts over 30 historical facilities, including a winery, bakery, various mills and distilleries, haylofts, beehives, and much more.
The railway yard houses locomotives available for exploration during summer, as well as wagons, switches, and various other train-related equipment.
14. County Hall (Župný Dom)
This grand Neo-Baroque edifice is located at the southern base of the upper town and marks the historical site of the main city gate during medieval times.
Even today, passage through this building is necessary to ascend the hill.
The County Hall’s origins date back to the 1700s, with numerous modifications and expansions throughout the years, achieving its contemporary design in the 1910s.
Since 1970, it has also been home to the esteemed Nitra Gallery, which boasts over 4,000 works from Nitra and its surrounding region, hosting many expertly curated exhibitions annually.
15. Mestský Park
Nitra’s city park encompasses 20 hectares of greenery winding around the river beneath the castle, conveniently located within walking distance of the city.
The “Sihoť” section represents the park’s oldest area, featuring an avenue of linden trees and a Neoclassical building originally established for Nitra’s bishop in the 1830s.
Today, this area buzzes with activity during summer, boasting a mini-zoo with donkeys, goats, pigs, and sheep, alongside a bar, children’s playground, and an outdoor pool complete with slides.
The riverside path offers quieter moments amidst gentle scenery lined by rows of poplar trees.
