NITRA is referred to as the oldest urban formation in Slovakia. The attribute of “ancient” suits it as it was the seat of the Nitra Principality as early as the 9th century.

The dominant of the town is the Castle of Nitra. It was built in the 11th century on the site of a bulky Slav fort and it consists of several parts. The core of the Castle is the cathedral with the adjacent Bishops residence.

The oldest surviving part of the cathedral is the Romanesque church of St Emeram from the 11th or 12th century. Today, it forms together with the Upper and Lower Churches the most valuable structure in the area of the Castle.

The originally Gothic Bishops Palace standing by these sacral buildings obtained its Late Baroque appearance in the second half of the 18th century. Its outer fortifications with the oldest parts from the Romanesque period are especially interesting.

The legendary Vazilova veža tower with square ground plan was several times rebuilt and adapted in the Romantic style in the second half of the 19th century.

The Upper Town was founded below the Castle and became part of its Gothic fortifications. Its present Baroque-Classicist appearance consists of the Great Seminar, Franciscan monastery and the County House. Visitors of this part of the town will certainly stop at the Empire house of Bishop Kluch at the corner of which stands the statue of Corgoň, which also gave name to the local beer.

Source: Vydavateľstvo Dajama