Trnava – one of the oldest towns in Slovakia
Trnava is one of Slovakia’s oldest towns, located 47 km to the north-east of Bratislava. The town is home to many churches which has earned it the nickname ‘little Rome’. A lot of these churches feature tall spires which are a famous image for the area, even appearing on an old 200-crown note.
Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Henry Mühlpfordt
The town of Trnava features two former synagogues which can both be found in the centre. One is small and quite plain and sits behind a tall wall. However, the other is a completely different story having been rebuilt into an impressive art gallery and concert hall back in the 1990s. Originally, the building was something of a ruined shell and when it was restored, those who worked on it chose to retain some of the damaged effect in honour and memorial of the 2,000 local Jews who died in the Holocaust.
The building still looks fairly damaged, despite the restoration, and the inside features parts of some preserved frescoes and Hebrew inscriptions. Beyond the remarkable synagogues, the rest of the town holds traces of the rich history in its monuments, towers and the town hall. Life in Trnava is vibrant and there is always something going on.
After you’ve finished exploring the wonderful churches and buildings of Trnava, there are plenty of places to stay as well as a wide choice of restaurants serving local and international cuisine. If you’re after some nightlife, it’s worth checking out the ArtClub, Brooklyn Club and Planet4 Club.
Category: Slovakia
