The oldest free royal borough TRNAVA was the Church "capital" of the Kingdom of Hungary for several centuries in the past. Now it is the centre of the dynamically developing area that stretches between Bratislava and Nitra.

Fans of arts and music know the event bearing the name of important composer native of Trnava - Trnavská hudobná jar M. Sch. Trnavského (The Trnava Musical Spring of M. Sch. Trnavský). The event bears the name of an important composer, the local native. International country festival Dobrofest Trnava held here every June has won special sympathies of people. Trnava fair held every year in September is also very popular.

HISTORY

Trnava was probably founded in the late 9^th century on the crossroads of the trade routes as a small market settlement and its name Sobota (Saturday) derived of the day on which market was held. The first trustworthy written reference to Trnava is from 1211, but the document issued by King Belo IV in 1238 which contained privileges of the free royal borough for Trnava as the first Slovak town is much more important in this respect.

Trnava flourished the most in the 16^th century when it became an important centre of commerce. In 1543, when the Turks assaulted and occupied Esztergom, the Archbishop of Esztergom along with the Chapter moved to Trnava and the town became the centre of cultural and ecclesiastical life of the Kingdom of Hungary for almost 300 years.

In the period between the World Wars Trnava was the third biggest town of Slovakia. Its importance as an economic and cultural centre of Western Slovakia with strong agricultural background increased and it maintained this position until now.

MONUMENTS

The buildings in the historic centre are included in the Town Monument Reserve.
Only a few towns of central Europe can boast such a large section of town walls. For their high level of preservation, Trnava town walls are unique from the construction point of view and rank among the most significant monuments of the kind in Europe. Fortifications are from the 13^th to 16^th centuries.

The dominant feature of the square and in fact of the town as well, is the town tower. Majster Jakub built it in 1574 on Gothic foundations and its view terrace provides a perfect view of Trnava and its environs.

The first Early Baroque building of national significance, university church is one of the most valuable historical monuments. The monumental wooden main altar from 1640 is a real jewel of its interior. Other university buildings, including the college, grammar school, university, seminars and refectories were added to accompany the university church.  

Standing on the site of an older Romanesque church from the 14^th century, there is another important Gothic monument on the Námestie Sv. Mikuláša square - St. Nicholas Minster. It was a cathedral church of the Esztergom Archbishop in the years 1543-1820.

Source: Vydavateľstvo Dajama