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Cyril and Methodius Heritage
Slovakia
Living Cultural Heritage
Slovakia is linked to this legacy through ancient Nitra, the seat of Princes Pribina and Svatopluk and the site of the first bishopric. Devín Castle, at the confluence of the Danube and Morava rivers, remains a symbol of Christian and Slavic history. Archaeological finds in Bojná prove the existence of a sophisticated Christian culture even before the mission’s arrival. This tradition remains a pillar of Slovak identity and is enshrined in the preamble of the national constitution.
Branč Castle, Podbranč
Archaeological findings here document a settlement already from the younger Stone Age (Neolithic) 3 thousand years B.C. It is the only documented settlement also inhabited in the Great Moravian period in the Myjava basin. After the Celts, the Slavs rebuilt the fortress in a strategically important position on an elevation above the road between Moravia and the Danube region and inhabited it until the nearby Branč stone castle was built, when it lost its importance and disappeared.
Bratislava Castle
Bratislava Castle is a set of buildings in a historical complex on the left bank of the Danube in Bratislava. The castle is dominated by the monumental structure of the former royal palace, which forms an inseparable panorama of the Slovak capital. With its role in the history of Great Moravia, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and modern Slovakia, Bratislava Castle represents an important monument of the socio-historical development of the area.
Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius, Terchová
The architectural dominant of Terchová, a village famous as the birthplace of the legendary folk hero Juraj Jánošík, is the Church of St. Cyril and Methodius – the largest church dedicated to the Thessalonian brother in Slovakia. The church was built in the 1940s and, in addition to a place of prayer and meditation, now serves as a tourist attraction. There is a unique all-wood movable Betlehem in its vestibuleof the church.
Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius, Selce
Discover the Church of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Selce – the first church in Slovakia dedicated to the nation’s patron saints and Slavic apostles. In 1863, it was the site of the largest Slovak celebration marking the millennium since their arrival in Great Moravia. Today, the church serves as the Centre of Veneration of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in the Diocese of Banská Bystrica and preserves a rare and precious relic of St. Cyril.
Church of Saint Margaret of Antioch, Kopčany
One of the oldest preserved churches in Slovakia, dated to the 9th or 10th century, is situated in the land registry of the village Kopčany. Today’s small Chapel of St. Margaret of Antioch was probably a part of the “suburb” of Great Moravian hill fort “Valy” near Mikulcice (Czech Republic).
The chapel is preserved in the pre-Romanesqeu form, only slightly influenced with Gothic style. During centuries it served as a pilgrim Chapel.
Church of the Holly Cross, Bratislava-Devín
At the entrance to this church from the 13th century, it is impossible to overlook the sculpture of St. Cyril and Methodius, which refers to the sight of this place with their mission to Great Moravia. The flood single-nave Romanesque floor plan of the church gradually expanded to the Gothic three-nave. The remains of Romanesque, Renaissance, Gothic, Baroque and Classicist architecture can be seen here.
Devín Castle, Bratislava
Built on the top of a high crag, it towers over the small village of Devín and the confluence of the Danube and the Morava rivers which form the border with Austria. Up to 1989 the Iron Curtain was drawn below the Castle, lined with barbed wire. Along the Danube, under the Castle and further up the Morava, the Morava cycle-path leads through landscapes untouched for decades. Above the village of Devín, the highest hill of Bratislava is criss-crossed with a number of way-marked paths
Nitra Castle
Imagine yourself standing on a hilltop, overlooking a breathtaking panorama of the city of Nitra. Below you, the modern city unfolds, a vibrant tapestry of life. But your gaze is drawn upwards, towards the imposing silhouette of Nitra Castle, a majestic fortress that has witnessed centuries of Slovak history unfold. This is not just a castle; it’s a crown, a symbol of power and resilience, a testament to the enduring spirit of the Slovak people. Nitra Castle is a must-visit destination .
Rotrunda of St. George, Nitrianska Blatnica
At the foot of the majestic Zobor hill, just a short distance from the hustle and bustle of the city, lies one of the most important spiritual and historical places in Slovakia – Zobor Monastery. This unique location offers visitors not only a fascinating look into the past, but also a perfect combination of walking, culture and relaxation in nature. The history of the monastery dates back to the 10th century.
Zobor Monastery, Nitra
At the foot of the majestic Zobor hill, just a short distance from the hustle and bustle of the city, lies one of the most important spiritual and historical places in Slovakia – Zobor Monastery. This unique location offers visitors not only a fascinating look into the past, but also a perfect combination of walking, culture and relaxation in nature. The history of the monastery dates back to the 10th century, when the Benedictine monastery of St. Hyppolite stood here.
Hillfort Bojná-Valy
In the 9th century, the hillfort of Valy near Bojna was an important production, trade and missionary centre and the seat of the Slavic social elite. Most of the movable monuments so far recovered belong to the time of the Nitra Principality from the first third of the 9th century. The hillfort of Valy – together with the important princely courts in nearby Nitrianská Blatnica and in Ducove on the other side of the mountains – existed also at the time of Great Moravia.
Hillfort Kostolec-Ducové
It is a Great Moravian settlement and an important archaeological locality. Thanks to its favourable position near important ancient roads, the locality became inhabited already in several periods of prehistory. It had the form of a grand manor with an area of approximately 0.5 ha. At present, there are the remains of a Great Moravian court dating from the 9th century, with the preserved foundations of a rotunda-shaped church and a period reconstruction of part of a stake enclosure.
Smolenice
The village of Smolenice lies at the picturesque southeastern foothills of the Little Carpathians. It has approximately 3,200 inhabitants and belongs to the Trnava district. Smolenice was first documented in a document from 1256 as villa Solmus. The name Smolenice is probably derived from the somoliárov, producers of pitch. In the 13th century, it belonged to the Pezinok-Světojurských counts, at the end of the 14th century. to Ctibor of Ctiborice.
Monastery and Church of the Our Seven Sorrows Lady, Šaštín-Stráže
The most striking dominant feature of the Šaštín-Stráže town and an important place of pilgrimage is the monumental complex of sacral buildings consisting of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows, the former monastery of Pavlínov with farm buildings, the chapels of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows and the Pieta sculpture. The Minor Basilica of the Virgin Mary of the Seven Sorrows is one of the most important churches in Slovakia. Construction began in 1736.
Ostrá skala Hillfort, Vyšný Kubín
An important Celtic and later Slavic settlement in the territory of Orava was Ostrá skala (Sharp Rock), located north of Vyšný Kubín. It lies in close proximity to another important settlement – Tupá skala (Dull Rock), mainly known for its settlement from the Lusatian culture. From the southern side, the hillfort is protected by 50 to 70 m high rock walls, while the northern side has a gentler slope, used in prehistoric times for an access road. These are natural landmarks in Orava region.
St. Nicolas´ Basilica, Trnava
The silhouette of Trnava consists of the towers of many churches, for which the city is nicknamed… Little Rome. A significant monument is the Basilica of St. Nicolas, whom the people of Trnava do not say otherwise than the Rough Church. It has become an important place of pilgrimage. Even today we can still admire frescoes from this period in the church vestibule, Gothic portals or tracery windows, leaf bolts of the vaults hiding human faces. The first mention of the church dates back to the second half of the 11th century.
Trenčín Castle
The dominant feature of Trenčín and the whole Povazie region guards the ancient trade routes connecting the Mediterranean region with the Baltic States and northern Europe. On the site of today’s castle stood a fortress in the period of Great Moravia as the administrative centre of the adjacent region. Today’s castle was built in the 11th century as a border fortress guarding the important weigh fords and important Carpathian passes, through which the trade routes. Today’s area is formed by a set of palaces and the distinctive Matthew’s Tower.
Trstín pilgrimage place
Above the village of Trstín lies the historically valuable area and pilgrimage site of Hájiček with the Church of the Virgin Mary, with a wooden bell tower, a well and the Stations of the Cross. This is one of the oldest patronages of the Seven Sorrows Virgin Mary. The church was built in the 13th century as a Romanesque single-nave church with a semicircular apse, a presbytery tower, a northern sacristy and a southern modern antechamber. Hájiček experienced its heyday especially after 1764, when the statue of the Seven Sorrows Virgin Mary was transferred to Šaštín.
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Hillfort Majcichov
The hillfort was located at an important commercial crossroads. Majcichov already existed in this period under the name of Majtech as a small settlement on the local today’s upper street below the church. A watchtower probably stood on the site of the church. A whole network of service settlements was formed around the Majcichov hillfort. In this period the people of Majcichov embraced Christianity, which was consolidated by the old Hungarians after the hillfort had disappeared.
Hillfort Mesciská-Pružina
Several important sites and artifacts have been discovered in the area of the village and close neighborhood, including a depot of bronze jewelry dated to early La Tène-period and gold and silver Celtic coins (Michalová Hill). In Pružina-Mesciská, a hillfort existed in the Early Middle Ages and several Slavic burial mounds have been discovered in the wider area. A large iron depot discovered in Mesciská dated to the Great Moravian period is the largest collection of this type in Slovakia.
Pobedim Hillfort
The hillfort is one of the oldest fortified sites of the Danube Slavs. It was fortified with a rampart built by a chamber system. On the outside, an earthen rampart reinforced with wood protected the stone wall and on the inside the rampart was supported by sloping supports. A wooden palisade was set into the crown of the rampart. There were watchtowers in certain parts of the rampart. The fortified centre was the residence of the Grand Duke with his retinue and servants.
Veľký vrch Hilffort, Divinka
The most important site in the village is the hillfort on Veľký vrch. The hillfort is located on the border of the Žilina and Bytčianska basins, directly above the Hričovská dam and is one of the most important fortifications in northern Slovakia, which became important economic and cultural centres in at least three time horizons: the Late Bronze Age, the Late Latin Age and the 9th century. The fortifications on Veľký vrch are not among the smallest either. Even today one can see massive ramparts encircling the upper plateau of the hill.
Archeopark Martinský vrch, Nitra
Martinský vrch was inhabited as early as the Late Stone Age. At the end of the 8th and in the 9th century, a huge fortified settlement with a dense settlement lay on the terrace of the Nitra River. The area also included the Romanesque Church of St. Martin from the 11th century. Its origins date back to the pre-Romanesque, perhaps already Great Moravian period. It had a square apse, probably also a tower.
Church of St.Michael Archangel, Nitra-Dražovce
Travel back in time and experience spiritual beauty on an unforgettable visit to the Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Dražovce. This unique Romanesque church, built in the 11th century, will enchant you with its simple architecture and unique atmosphere. The church is one of the oldest and best-preserved sacral buildings in Slovakia. It dates back to the Great Moravian period and is a true witness to our rich history.
The church is located just 7 km from the center of Nitra on a limestone hill with a beautiful view of the surroundings. Although the Church of St. Michael the Archangel is not always open, a visit to the interior can be arranged with the Dražovce Parish Office. Contact them and book your tour so you can admire the rare frescoes and original architectural details.
Benedictine Monastery, Hronský Beňadik
The village lies at a strategic crossroads between Pohronie and Ponitrie. The dominant feature of the village is the monastery complex with the church of St. Benedict situated on a rocky ridge. It is one of the most beautiful preserved monastery complexes in Slovakia. The monastery and the church were built in the 11th century, on the site of an early medieval settlement.
St. Martin´s Cathedral, Bratislava
This cathedral is the main church of the Bratislava Archdiocese. At the beginning of the birth of this impressive architectural work, the papal consent was given to the relocation of the Prepost church from the castle to the castle grounds. The request of the Hungarian king Imrich was approved by Pope Innocent III. in 1221. Reconstruction of the former parish church began in the 14th century. and imprinted a portrait of a new Gothic church…
Church od Saitns Cyril and Methodius, Bratislava
The original chapel, which stood here as part of the monastery, was consecrated on July 5, 1936, belongs to the memory of the Thessaloniki brothers. It was the only Cyril-Method sacral object in Bratislava. It was assumed that a larger church would be built here, which did not happen until the outbreak of war, and later, during the totalitarian regime, there was no more room for it. But the Cyrilkovci choir was founded here, which has been singing hymns from the local choir since 1974.
Hillfort Bíňa
The village of Bíňa lies on the right bank of the river Hron. Hradisko is located on an elevated terrace dominating the surroundings, whose natural location was used in the construction of the fortifications. The fortification consists of three ramparts surrounding the area with an area of 107 ha, which was on the eastern side, towards Hron, protected by a steep slope…
Hillfort Hrádze / Festunok, Tlmače-Lipník
Hradisko is located on a promontory, the steep and rocky slopes of which, sloping into the Hron Valley, provided natural protection from the east and partly from the south.
Hillfort Mužla
In the early Middle Ages, a hillfort was divided into two parts, which were separated by a road leading to the Danube. Its area was fortified on three sides, on the south side there was probably no fortification, probably due to the unusually vertical bank 3-4 m high, which was a natural protection. The locality had an important economic function in the period of Great Moravia…
Hillfort Neštich, Svätý Jur
The location is located on the outskirts of the Little Carpathians. It is bordered on two sides by valleys and streams. The hillfort has an elliptical shape with an area of 8.5 ha and consists of an acropolis and two fortifications. The oldest settlement was probably located on the acropolis. On the northwest side there were two fortifications, which were also fortified by a fortification and a moat.
Starý Tekov Hillfort
In the middle of the village there is an elevated trachyte hill, surrounded by the river Hron and its tributary by the stream Perec. It is divided into three parts, while in the northeastern part there is a cemetery, and in the southwestern part there are family houses and gardens. Thanks to its natural location and the character of the terrain, a hillfort from the early Middle Ages was probably situated here…
Church of Saint George, Kostolany pod Tribečom
The church is one of the oldest standing sacral buildings in Slovakia. It is situated at the foot of the Tribeč Mountains. The pre-Romanesque building had one nave of irregular rectangular ground plan with a square apse. During the 11th and 12th centuries, minor alterations were made to the interior of the church and at that time it was probably decorated with frescoes…
SS Cyril and Methodius monastery, National Historical and Archaeological Reserve, Borova Gora
The construction of St. Cyril and Methodius monastery in Old Preslav is related to the 1000th anniversary of the death of St. Methodius in 885, the conversion to Christianity of the Bulgarian people nearby Veliki Preslav in 864 and later with the commemoration of 1000 years of Tsar Simeon’s reign.
Church of Saint Clement, Močenok
Baroková stavba kostola je situovaná východne od kaštieľa v priestore ohraničenom murovanou ohradou s trojicou brán. Jej jadro tvorí loď zaklenutá pruskými klenbami, rozšírená o novšie bočné lode s betónovými stropmi. Na východe sa na ňu napája svätyňa s päťbokým záverom a kupolou, k nej zo severnej i južnej strany priliehajú sakristie s valenými klenbami.
Zámčisko Hillfort, Modra
In the middle of the Modra vineyards near Kalvária is the Zámčisko site (468 m above sea level) with beautiful views. Here, around 700 BC a hillfort of the Kalendenberg culture until the Great Moravian times was located. It had the shape of a regular horseshoe, and was protected by defensive ramparts and a ditch.
Doľany, pilgrims place
The oldest written mention of the serf village (settlement) of the Červený Kameň estate dates back to 1390, when it was called Ottenthal, which in German means Otto’s Valley or Ompit’s Valley. The name was derived from the name of Emperor Otto II, later it was Slovene-spoiled to Ompitál and from the end of the 16th or beginning of the 17th century, based on a written privilege granted by the Hungarian King Ferdinand II, it became a famous market town headed by a mayor and was granted a municipal seal. Already at that time, several large fairs were held in the village every year.
A well-known figure in the village from the Renaissance period is Juraj Fándly, a priest, writer, historian and proclaimer of the first codified Slovak language together wit Anton Bernolák.
Červený Kameň castle
The history of the castle dates back to the first half of the 13th century. It was a royal property, later several well-known noble families took turns as owners, such as Matúš Čák Trenčiansky, the lords of Sv. Jura and Pezinok, the Zápoľskí or the Turzovci. The two most important noble families affected the history of the castle. The German Fuggers sold the castle to the Hungarian Pálffys, who kept the estate until 1945.
Marianka, pilgrims place
A national pilgrimage site, with a monumental basilica, in which you will find a richly decorated interior. On the feast of the Virgin Mary of the Seven Sorrows, an annual pilgrimage to the patron saint of Slovakia is held here every year. It is considered the oldest pilgrimage site in Slovakia, even in the former Kingdom of Hungary. Local legend tells of a robber who found a statuette and a spring beneath it, which springs here and supposedly has miraculous healing powers. The gracious statue is displayed on the main altar of the Basilica of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary from 1377.
Borský Mikuláš, birthplace of Ján Hollý
Borský Mikuláš, located in the Senica district, is the birthplace of the Slovak Catholic priest, writer and translator Ján Hollý. In the center of the village stands his birthplace, dating from the second half of the 18th century. In 1957, it was reconstructed and a memorial room of this important Slovak personality was opened. The exhibition dedicated to Ján Hollý, with its authentic furnishings, realistically documents the environment in which the poet was born, lived his childhood and to which he returned in later periods as a student and priest.
Holíč castle
Holíč Castle/Chateau is a Baroque-Classical dominant of Holíč with bastion fortifications. It is a castle that was created by rebuilding a medieval water castle. It was rebuilt into its current form after it was acquired by Francis of Lorraine in 1736, which makes it an imperial residence.
Thanks to the project “In the Footsteps of the Great Moravian Slavs”, the newly renovated premises of the Horse Stable were opened in 2023. In addition to the original ancient frescoes uncovered on the walls, the premises boast a modern exhibition about the Great Moravian Slavs, which also commemorates this ancient history of the region.
Rakovice
Rakovice, a village whose name is derived from an aquatic animal from the group of crustaceans – crayfish, is located in the northern part of the Trnava Hills between the towns of Trnava and Vrbové. Rakovice is first mentioned in the Zobor Charter from 1113 as part of the property of the monastery of St. Hypolite in Zobor near Nitra. There is a church dedicated to St. Cyril and Methodius by the main road with the relics of St. Cyril.
St. George´s Rotunda, Skalica
Rotunda of St. George in Skalica. A national cultural monument, the Romanesque rotunda, rebuilt and incorporated into the city fortifications in the Gothic period and significantly completed in the Baroque style, contains preserved and restored fragments of wall paintings with a motif from the legend of St. George from the late 15th century. A panel exhibition in the interior of the rotunda presents its architectural and historical development.
Piešťany
Piešťany belong to the eldest places in Slovakia. Traces of settlement in the Piešťany area date back to the Pleistocene. Stone tools of Neanderthal type were discovered in the nearby village of Banka and in the Čertova pec cave. There are important archaeological sites in the vicinity (Moravany nad Váhom, Krakovany-Stráže). The first written mention comes from the Zobor charter from 1113. Piešťany is known for its rich spa history, great opportunities for spending free time. There are many interesting and attractive places in the cityto visit.
Veselé, birthplace of Štefan Myozes
In the village of Veselé (Piešťany district) there is the inconspicuous birthplace of Štefan Moyses. There is a memorial plaque on the building and the birthplace is now a National Cultural Monument. Štefan Moyses was a bishop, an educator, co-founder and first chairman of Matica Slovenská.
Thanks to him, the Roman See agreed to celebrate the feast of Cyril and Methodius on July 5th.
ČIerne Kľačany
Čierne Kľačany is a small village in Danubian lowland with a rich history dating back to the Neolithic Age. This is evidenced by archaeological findings, including a unique Great Moravian ivory pyx, which is exhibited in Nitra. The first written mention of the village dates back to 1209. Every year, a popular race for the Čierne Kľačany pyx takes place here.
Šurany - Nitriansky Hrádok
Nitriansky Hrádok, part of Šurany, is located at the confluence of the Nitra and Malá Nitra rivers and is rich in history. The dominant feature is the extensive archaeological site of Zámeček, nicknamed the Slovak Troy, with finds from the Neolithic period. The most famous is the sculpture of the Hrádok Venus, depicted on the two-crown slovak coin. This area was inhabited by Slavic tribes from the 6th century as well as a Great Moravian settlement with square half-lands was discovered here. During archaeological research, about 10,000 different objects and their fragments were found.
Benedictine monastery Skalka
Skalka is the eldest pilgrimage site in Slovakia. It consists of two buildings: Malá Skalka with a Baroque church from 1745 and a monastery – Veľká Skalka. Experts date the settlement of Skalka based on archaeological finds from the late Stone Age (around 2800 BC). Skalka, with its advantageous strategic location, was an ideal place to establish settlements. The ancient Slavs left indelible traces here in the form of a hillfort and a burial ground from the 9th century. Saints Andrej-Svorad and Beňadik, whom we venerate at this pilgrimage site, are the main patrons of the Nitra diocese.
Čachtice castle
The origins of Čachtice Castle date back to the first half of the 13th century. It was managed by the royal castellan, who used the castle near Čachtice to secure the western border of Hungary. Therefore, it was built as a massive fortress. The castle was sadly made famous by Elizabeth Báthory, who lived here at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries. The story of the “bloody countess”, who died in 1614, has been adapted into books and plays several times. There is every year event about Cyril and Methodius at Čachtice Castle.
All Saint´s Church Haluzice
The Romanesque church with a defensive wall with an entrance tower, loopholes and a bell tower was built on the outskirts of today’s village of Haluzice in 1240. Fortified churches in the Middle Ages were often the only solid building in the area, they also served as a refuge from floods or storms. The Haluzice church ended its sacral ceremonial mission in 1810. At the beginning of the 18th century, a rare late Gothic statue of the Madonna from the end of the 15th century was taken from it.
Beckov castle
Beckov Castle was probably built in the mid-13th century and was intended to serve as a defense for the northwestern borders of the Kingdom of Hungary. The castle was originally owned by the Hungarian kings, but later became the property of Matúš Čák of Trenčín, who was responsible for its improvement. Beckov was an important center of trade and crafts at that time.
Pilgrim´s place Cross Butkov Ladce
Cross together with the rock in which it is anchored, it measures 12 meters and in its heart are placed precious relics of the wood of the Holy Cross. The monument to Pope and Saint John Paul II. was blessed in 2014 by the Archbishop of Krakow, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz. The monument to St. Faustina is a canonization and beatification image of the saint, placed in a magnificent rock, donated by believers from Myslenice (Poland). The cross and the entire area with the monuments of St. John Paul II. and St. Faustina in the quarry above the village of Ladce is the youngest pilgrimage site in Slovakia.
Mojmírovce
The first written mention of the village is from 1156 (Latene skeleton burial ground, Slavic skeleton grave of the 11th century). Anton Grasalkovič, a prominent figure in slovak history, was born in the village in 1694. He reached the court of Maria Theresa, where he gained an important position. In addition to his economic and legal skills, he was an admirer of culture and architecture. In Slovakia, he left behind a palace in Bratislava, which is currently the seat of the President of the Republic, castle in Ivanka pri Dunaji, the church in Komjatice, and the Church of St. Ladislaus in Nitra. Other buildings are in Hungary, the most famous of which is the palace in Gödöllõ.
Holy Trinity Cathedral Žilina
The church is the most important and oldest building in the city. It is very likely that the Žilina Castle stood near and on the site of the present church from the 13th century (written reports from 1318–1454). The church is the most important and oldest building in the city. It is very likely that the Žilina Castle stood near and on the site of the present church from the 13th century (written reports from 1318–1454). The church was mentioned as early as 1423, when it was still dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Budatín castle Žilina
You cannot leave Žilina without visiting one of the oldest castles of the Middle Ages. The water castle was intended to protect the Kysuca and Váh rivers. Today it houses the Považské Museum and visitors to the castle can visit the tinkering exhibition – the only exhibition of its kind in the world. The castle is surrounded by a historical park, probably founded in the mid-19th century in the natural-landscape English style. In addition to a pleasant place to relax, visitors can also find the Maple-leafed Plane Tree, which was declared the Slovak Tree of the Year in 2016.
Historical town Martin
Martin (Martin district) – an ancient town in the Turčianska basin (seat of the institutions Slovak National Library, Matica slovenská)