st. Nicholas parish church Church with grounds
St. Nicholas Basilica in Trnava is a Roman Catholic Basilica minor and parish church from the 14th century. It is characterized by late-Gothic architecture, historical connection with the Archdiocese of Esztergom and the presence of the Virgin Mary of Trnava. The Monument Office of the Slovak Republic registers this object with the area under the number ÚZPF 1125. It consists of four parts, including the foundations of the Carner, the church itself, the extinct church of St. Michael and the partially examined church cemetery.
The first written reports of the Romanesque parish church of St. Nicholas come from the second half of the 11th century. The older church stood in the eastern part of today's city on the viper market of Romanesque housing estate. This grew up on an old trade road from the Czech Republic through the Jablonic Pass and Trnava further south-eastern towards the Danube and the Balkans. St. Nicholas' dedication reflects his position as patron of merchants. The original Romanesque building had an unknown ground plan, while it is assumed rectangular shape with narrower sanctuary semicircularly completed. On the northern side of the church stood the Romanesque chapel of St. George. It existed until the beginning of the 17th century when it gave way to the extension of the new sacristy of St. Nicholas' new Cathedral. Between 1380 and 1421 they built a new building in late Gothic style on the basis of the original church, as the old building did not meet the needs of the day.
The church is 60 metres long, 31 metres wide, and the main ship is 18 metres high. It is oriented to the later built Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and its main facade is two towers. In the north tower there is the bell St. Nicholas. The architectonic area registered under the number 1125 includes the foundations of the 13th century carner, the remains of the extinct Gothic church of St. Michael from the late 15th century and the partially examined church cemetery from the 13th century. In the side Baroque Chapel, which was built by Archbishop Imrich Esterhazi, there is an image of the Virgin Mary of Trnavská.
Over the centuries, the church served as a church center. From 1543 to 1820 he was the Cathedral metropolitan church of the Archdiocese of Esztergom. After the creation of the Apostolic Administration of Trnava in 1918 it became once again a cathedral chrome until 1977. At the request of the apostolic administrator Julius Gabrish, the pope then transferred the title of the cathedral temple to the church of St. John the Baptist in Trnava. In the interior of the church there are tombs and epitaphs of several Esztergom archbishops and church dignitaries. Mikuláš Oláh, Anton Verančič, Ján Kutassy, Imrich Lósy, Pope and Jáger Bishop Ján Cherödy, Sriem Bishop Ján Szászy and Juraj III. Druget are buried here. The epitaphs contain Latin inscriptions and coats of arms, some showing the entire figures of the deceased archbishops.
Historical and religious events include the period of Turkish raids, during which the picture of the Virgin Mary of Trnava shed tears. On August 10, 2008, the Archbishop Ján Sokol, who declared St. Nicholas' Cathedral to be the Marian pilgrimage site of the Archdiocese of Trnava, celebrated the sacred Mass of Trnava. Less than two months later, on November 9, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI declared. St. Nicholas' Cathedral for the Basilica minor. This status justifies using the papal sign of crossed keys on flags, temple tools, and stamps. The Erb basilica contains three apples symbolizing St. Nicholas and two seven-pointed stars representing the Seven Painful Virgin Mary.
Tehdy a dnes
Drag the slider and compare how the monument might have looked when it was built with the view today.
The historical view on the left is a visualisation generated by artificial intelligence and serves as inspiration.
Historical Milestones
- The second half of the 11th century: First mention of the Romanesque parish church of St.
Restoration history
| Years | Type | Extent | Condition after restoration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007–2008 |
Obnova
hrubý kostol,bazilika minor |
Časť obnovená komplexne | dobrý |
| 2007 |
Obnova
hrubý kostol,bazilika minor |
Časť obnovená komplexne | dobrý |
Source: Monuments Board of the Slovak Republic — open data, licence CC BY 4.0
Artistic features
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vitráž dekoratívna — Kobercový vzor
sklo, vkladanie do siete · novogotika · 1901-1910 -
vitráž figurálna s dekorom — sv.Katarína Sienská
sklo, vkladanie do siete · historizmus · 1901-1910 -
vitráž figurálna s dekorom — sv.Cecília
sklo, vkladanie do siete · novogotika · 1901-1910 -
vitráž figurálna s dekorom — Ukrižovanie
sklo, vkladanie do siete · historizmus · 1900-1925 -
vitráž figurálna s dekorom — Zjavenie Božského srdca Ježišovho sv.Margite Márii Alacoque
sklo, vkladanie do siete · novogotika · 1901-1910 -
vitráž figurálna s dekorom — sv.Imrich
sklo, vkladanie do siete · historizmus · 1901-1910 -
vitráž figurálna s dekorom — Pápež Lev XIII.kľačí pred sv.Jozefom
sklo, vkladanie do siete · novogotika · 1901-1910 -
vitráž figurálna s dekorom — sv.Ladislav
sklo, vkladanie do siete · historizmus · 1901-1910 -
vitráž figurálna — Kristus v Getsemanskej záhrade
sklo, vkladanie do siete · art deco · 1.pol.20.st. -
vitráž figurálna s dekorom — Panna Mária Patrónka Uhorska
sklo, vkladanie do siete · historizmus · 1901-1910 -
vitráž figurálna s dekorom — Zvestovanie Panne Márii
sklo, vkladanie do siete · historizmus · 1900-1925 -
vitráž dekoratívna — Kobercový vzor
sklo, vkladanie do siete · historizmus · 1901-1910 -
vitráž figurálna s dekorom — sv.Alžbeta rozdáva jedlo
sklo, vkladanie do siete · novogotika · 1901-1910 -
vitráž figurálna s dekorom — Krst sv.Štefana Kráľa
sklo, vkladanie do siete · novogotika · 1901-1910 -
vitráž figurálna s dekorom — sv.Terézia z Ávily
sklo, vkladanie do siete · novogotika · 1901-1910 -
vitráž figurálna s dekorom — sv.Klára
sklo, vkladanie do siete · historizmus · 1901-1910 -
vitráž figurálna s dekorom — Panna Mária Lurdská
sklo, vkladanie do siete · novogotika · 1901-1910 -
vitráž figurálna s dekorom — sv.Štefan Kráľ
sklo, vkladanie do siete · historizmus · 1901-1910 -
vitráž figurálna s dekorom — sv.Mikuláš utišuje búrku
sklo, vkladanie do siete · novogotika · 1901-1910 -
vitráž figurálna s dekorom — sv.Ján Nepomucký spovedá českú kráľovnú
sklo, vkladanie do siete · novogotika · 1901-1910
Source: Monuments Board of the Slovak Republic — open data, licence CC BY 4.0
Heritage surveys
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2017/02 — Architektonicky-historícký výskum
Čiastkový pamiatkový výskum
Interesting facts
- The church has a length of 60 metres, a width of 31 metres, and the main boat reaches a height of 18 metres. - In the northern tower of the church there is the bell of St. Nicholas. - Between 1543 and 1820 the church was a cathedral metropolitan temple of the Archdiocese of Esztergom. - In the side Baroque Chapel, which was built by Archbishop Imrich Esterhazi, there is an image of the Virgin Mary of Trnavská. - During Turkish raids the image of the Virgin Mary of Trnava shed tears.
Guide
Show guide text
The text was prepared by artificial intelligence and has not been editorially reviewed. It may contain inaccuracies.
Welcome to Trnava. Right now you are facing an impressive historical monument, the parish church of St. Nicholas and its entire adjacent area. When you look up and look ahead, you will surely be impressed by the massiveness and grandeur of the entire building in the first moment. Feel the strong atmosphere of this place, which has shaped the face of the city for centuries and breathed in history. Let us move closer to the very essence of this temple and look at its historical context. Although precise chronology of origin remains shrouded in mystery, the importance of this place far exceeds the boundaries of the region. Let us now move to the dimensions and spatial arrangements that make this church a truly exceptional dominant. When you look at the overall ground plan and the mass of the building in front of you, you will realize its vast scale. The church is proud of the esteemable length of 60 metres and the width of 31 meters. The main ship, which stretches to a height of eighteen metres, gives the entire interior and exterior a majestic and vertical oriented character. Don't pay attention to specific details that you can see right in front of you. Your view will certainly attract the north tower of the church. In this tower is hidden a rare bell bearing the name of St. Nicholas, which for generations measures time and accompanies the inhabitants of the city with their lives. When you look carefully at the side of the building, you can admire the Baroque Chapel. This beautiful chapel was built in time by Archbishop Imrich, bringing a new artistic dimension to the temple's appearance. Let's now dig deeper into the key stories that are closely connected to this place. Although the names of the original architects were lost in the stream of time, the importance of historical events remained preserved. Imagine that this parish church fulfilled the role of the Cathedral metropolitan church of the Archdiocese of Ostrihom in a period of time from 1543 to 1820. In these times this place was a real spiritual center where the fates of the entire church in Hungary were decided, and the walls around you witnessed the arrivals of the most important dignitaries of the time. Stop for a moment and see the attractions and secrets that make this monument so fascinating. In addition to the already mentioned impressive dimensions and historical role of the metropolitan temple, there is a legacy of the past on every step of the way, which still attracts visitors from close distance. We believe that you have been interested in this history walk and that you will fully enjoy further exploring not only this temple, but also the surrounding area. Thank you for your attention and I wish you a pleasant experience in discovering other beauties of Trnava. Goodbye.
Tips for visitors
The best time to visit and why: It is best to visit the parish church of St. Nicholas in autumn or winter when the days are shorter and less visitors.
What to take with you: Look at the church with a photo to capture its architectural details. Take a protective coat or jacket, especially in colder months. Don't forget the water and sweets for a short rest after a visit.
Photography - the best places and light: The best place to photograph is from the west, where the church illuminates the eastern sun. This time of the day provides warm barracks and a fine sting effect.
What to visit nearby (30 min from place): Near the church there are other historical monuments of Trnava, which are suitable for expanding your visit. See for example Old Trnava castle or look down the streets of the city.
Tips for families with children: It is advisable for families with children to visit the church for a short while so that adults can bow down and children can enjoy the movement. Prepare a fun game or book for a trip that might interest them during the visit.
Frequently asked questions
Can the monument be visited?
Religious buildings are usually open mainly during services; at other times a visit is normally arranged with the parish or the operator. We have not verified specific times. According to the heritage register restoration is under way, so access may be restricted.
Where is the monument?
Location: Námestie sv. Mikuláša 385/1, Trnava, Trnavský kraj. The map on this page shows the exact spot.
Why is the monument protected?
It is listed in the Central List of the Monuments Fund of the Slovak Republic as a national cultural monument (ÚZPF no. 217-1125).
Nearby
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Thematic route
Here is a draft thematic route focused on the parish church area and its immediate surroundings:
1. St. Nicholas parish church Type: Gothic basilica. Why it is worth visiting: The building is located in the city and is famous for its Gothic architecture, vipers and history from the 14th century.
2. Chapel of the Virgin Mary of Trnava Type: Baroque side chapel. Why it is worth visiting: Located near the northern part of the basilica and preserves the image of the Virgin Mary, which is an important element of the Trnava spiritual tradition.
3. St. George's Cardboard Type: Romano-Gothic osario. Why it is worth visiting: A circular building near the church is the oldest preserved sacral monument in the city.
4. Urban fortification near the Basilica Type: Historical walls. Why it is worth visiting: The preserved parts of brick fortifications are located right behind the church area.
5. Archbishop's Palace Type: Renaissance-baroque residence. Why it is worth visiting: It served long centuries as a residence for the Archbishops of Esztergom and is part of the historical core of the city.
Seasonal recommendations
Spring brings freshness and waking greenery to the surrounding parish church of St. Nicholas. Trees on the adjacent square begin to bloom, creating a fine contrast to the massive Gothic walls of this building. The light is bright and soft, ideal for capturing architectural details of the facade during the morning. It is recommended to choose layered clothing, as spring wind in the streets of the old Trnava is unpredictable. The best time to visit is morning.
During the summer, intense sunlight and hot air dominate the hall from historical pavement. The massive walls of the church, however, naturally radiant the cold, creating a more pleasant microclimate near the building. In the main summer season, the surrounding area is more vibrant, so it is advisable to plan a walk in the evening when the heat is tempered and the setting sun colors walled walls into deep red shades.
Autumn brings nostalgic and quiet atmosphere to Saint Nicholas' area. The deciduous trees are colored into a golden tree and the fallen leaves dampen the visitors ' steps, which reinforces the historical times of this place. Frequent morning mist gives towers a mysterious look, while the afternoon's low sun creates long shadows and highlights the plasticity of stone elements. During this period, warmer clothing resistant to moisture and wind is essential. The best time to visit is late afternoon.
The winter period in Trnava transforms the surroundings of the church into a place with a fabulous touch, especially if the historical walls and the roof of the building covers snow. In Advent time, there is a festive mood in the aisles near the monument, and early dusk allows the exterior lighting of the building to stand out. The air is freezing, so it is not necessary to underestimate very warm clothing, gloves and sturdy shoes suitable for tile, which can be slippery. The best time to explore the area is early afternoon.
Visualisations and artistic views
The visualisations are generated by artificial intelligence and serve as inspiration.
Photographs from the area
Real photos taken near the monument
Source and licence are given for each image.
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Zdroje a literatura
The factual basis for this text was the article na Wikipedii, whose authors are Wikipedia contributors. The article is available under the licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
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