Countless cities across the world have their name printed on T-shirts. But cities after which asteroids have been named are slightly more difficult to locate. Yet one such example exists in Slovakia: Nitra, otherwise known as the ‘Mother of Slovak cities’ and with an extra-terrestrial imitator to boot.
Nitra is the fifth largest city in Slovakia, located in the Nitra region, on the banks of the Nitra River, and about 80 km northeast of Bratislava. The Zobor mountain towers over the north side of the city, and the entire area is ringed both by hilly terrain and numerous fields, particularly towards its southern horizon.
Nitra is the oldest city in Slovakia, with its first confirmed historical reference dating from the beginning of the 9th century. Then it became one of the biggest cities in the Great Moravian Empire and a centre of trade and culture during medieval times. The Slavic prince Pribina occupied Nitra castle during the first third of the 9th century, right about the time that the first known Christian church in central and eastern Europe was being built in Nitra, which dates from 828 AD.
The first known monastery in Slovakia was also in Nitra, and the linguistic pioneers Cyril and Methodius, the creators of Glagolitic writing which preceded Cyrillic lettering, came to the city in 863 AD. All this proud history no doubt contributed to the decision in December 1983 of the astronomer Milan Antal to name the 38th asteroid discovered in the Hungarian observatory Piszkéstető after the town.
“Its strength and beauty lasts through time,” offered Peter Poliak, the chief administrator of Nitra’s observatory, when asked for the reason the asteroid is so named.
The city is historically divided into many districts, the most interesting of which are the Old City and New City areas. Most of the city’s unique historical buildings are centred on the downtown, which remains Nitra’s heart. Central to the old town is castle hill, which is one of seven hills over whose peaks and valleys the city is now spread. (Although Trnava is refered to as the “Slovak Rome”, Nitra’s geography is more analogous. Rome too is built over seven hills.)
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This article was published in the latest edition of Spectacular Slovakia , which can be obtained from our online shop.
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The majesty of the medieval ages continues to breathe from the walls of the 11th century Nitra castle, which remains largely intact. History seeps from old pages of books and scrolls (around 66,000 pieces in total) conserved in the collection of the Diocesan Library from the 12th century, most of which are still accessible to the public.
Also in the castle complex, the cathedral of Saint Emmeram, with its astonishing interior, has stood in Nitra since the 13th century. There are also three notable statues in the castle square and gardens. The first depicts Prince Pribina, one of the town’s first noble inhabitants; another shows Corgoň, aka “The Mighty”, a character from local legend who reputedly single-handedly repelled the Ottoman invasion (and is now cast as Nitra’s Atlas); the third is of the Solun brothers, Cyril and Methodius.
Beneath the castle there is a huge city park with a swimming pool and ponds on the north side and a historical pedestrian zone on the south. The main street of the pedestrian zone is lined with historical buildings from the 14th-19th centuries and leads to the central Svätopluk Square, with one of the most modern theatres in Slovakia, Theatre of Andrej Bagar.
The hill named Zobor is, at 587 m, the highest in the city district. Its silent forests can easily be reached by bus from the town centre, and on the way to the top of the hill you recuperate at the mineral spring and peer into Gorazd’s Cave, where a hermit monk once stayed. The nature reserve of Ponitrie provides the perfect location for tours, with its numerous ruins in a 50 km radius around the hill top and many signposted paths of varying length and difficulty. It is possible to camp in many of the ruins of the Nitra Region, eg. Hrušov, Gýmeš, Oponice, Studený Hrad, Čierny Hrad, etc.
Nitra also has a Calvary, on the third highest hill of the city, at the bottom of which is the Church of the Assumption from the late 12th century, as well as the Lourdes cave.
The remaining four hills are difficult to see from ground level, but taking to the air can offer views of Čermáň, Borina, Vŕšok and Martinský vrch. There is a sport airport about 11 minutes away from the town centre, in the village of Janíkovce, which has hosted an international gliders and light aircrafts competition for the past few summers.
Visitors also frequently flock to Nitra’s Agrokomplex, in Exhibition Square, in the new part of the town, which hosts, among other events, the Autosalon Nitra car show, now in its 18th year, and a major international cultural and food fair, which has been going for close to 40 years.
Nitra’s downtown also hosts an annual carnival-cum-theatrical performance, named “Divadelná Nitra”, which always brings to the streets a strange and amusing atmosphere.
“It is the 20th anniversary this year,” said Marta Plichtová, PR manager, promising a major European theatrical production, the return of the biggest stars who have previously appeared at the festival, and a Best of Slovak Theatre production. “We will satisfy all unrealised dreams,” she said.
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This article was published in the latest edition of Spectacular Slovakia , which can be obtained from our online shop.
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Nitra
www.nitra.sk
Population: 82,661
+421 (0)37 741-0906; Štefánikova trieda 1, Nitra; www.nisys.sk
Getting to Nitra
Car
Nitra is connected by a freeway to Bratislava 89 km away. The Bratislava to Nitra leg takes about 45 minutes.
Bus
Coaches from Bratislava leave regularly from the main station at Mlynské Nivy. The trip takes 75 to 90 minutes. Yellow Express buses leave hourly from Mlynské Nivy and run straight to Nitra. The buses offer free Wi-Fi and take about an hour to get to Nitra. The bus station in Nitra is about a 15-minute walk south of the city centre.
Train
There is only one direct train between Bratislava and Nitra. For train information see www.cp.sk . You are better off taking the bus.
Cab
City Taxi Nitra
Mob: +421 (0)908 442-255
Boženy Nemcovej 6, Nitra
WFR Tax
www.wfrtaxi.sk
Mob: +421 (0)910 881-881
Mikovíniho 5, Nitra
Accommodation in Nitra
Hotel Zlatý Kľúčik****
(€ 87)
www.zlatyklucik.sk
Tel: +421 (0)37 655-0289
Svätourbanská 27, Nitra
Alexanders Hotel****
(€ 60)
www.alexanders.sk
Tel: +421 (0)37 792-0401
Mostná 68, Nitra
Hotel Centrum *** (€ 40)
www.hotelcentrum.sk
Tel: +421 (0)37 655-4397
Svätoplukovo námestie, Nitra
Hotel Atrium *** (€ 52)
www.hotelatriumnitra.sk
Tel: +421 (0)37 652-3790
Štefánikova 8, Nitra
Dining and drinking
Nitrawa Pub
www.nitrawapub.com
Mob: +421 (0)903 413-445
Farská 9, Nitra; Pub offers traditional Slovak meals in home-like interior
Hájovňa u Hoffera
www.penzion-hoffer.sk
Mob: +421 (0)914 272-555
Špitálska 8, Nitra; Restaurant is situated under Calvary hill, in quiet calm city quarter.
Disco and pubs in Nitra
Irish Times Pub
www.irishtimespub.sk
Tel: +421 (0)37 657-5106
Kupecká 12, Nitra; Open: Mon-Thu 8:00-24:00, Fri-Sat 8:00-3:00, Sun: 11:00-24:00; Traditional Irish Pub includes terrace and a wide spectre of beer
Keltská pivnica
www.keltskapivnica.sk
Mob: +421 (0)948 935-854
Štefánikova 4, Nitra; Open: Mon, Thu, Sun 11:00-24:00, Tue-Wed 11:00-3:00, Fri 11:00-4:00, Sat 16:00-4:00; Underground bar with an open terrace during summer and grill during whole year
Barracuda Disco Club
www.barracudanitra.sk
Mob: +421 (0)914 324-991
Mostná 38, Nitra; Open: Mon-Wed 21:00-3:00, Fri-Sun 21:00-4:00; One of the biggest disco bars at Mostná Street
Internet Cafés in Nitra
Internet Cafe Štefánik
Tel: +421 (0)37 651-7159
Štefánikova 51, Nitra
Galleries, museums and theatres in Nitra
Synagóga (Synagogue)
www.nitra.sk
Tel: +421 (0)37 652-5320
Pri Synagóge 3, Nitra; Open: Tue, Sat-Sun 13:00-18:00, Wed-Thu 9:00-18:00; Price: individual for each event, sightseeing free during opening hours
Nitrianska Galéria (Nitra Gallery)
www.nitrianskagaleria.sk
Tel: +421 (0)37 657-9641
Župné námestie 3, Nitra; Open: Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00; Price: € 1 (basic entry price for all exhibition)
Múzeum ľudovej architektúry a materiálnej kultúry (Folk architecture and material culture museum)
www.agrokomplex.sk
Tel: +421 (0)37 657-2553
Dlhá 92, Nitra; Open: Apr-Oct: Tue-Sat 9:00-16:00, Sun 10:00-16:00, Nov-Mar: Tue-Sat 10:00-15:00, Sun: 13:00-16:00, Price: € 2
Ponitrianske Múzeum (Nitra Museum)
www.muzeum.sk
Tel: +421 (0)37 651-0000
Štefánikova trieda 1, Nitra; Open: Thu-Fri 9:00-17:00, Sat-Sun 10:00-17:00; Price: € 2; The Nitra Museum (NM) offers collections of the areas of botany, zoology, archaeology, history, ethnography and numismatics.
Nitriansky Hrad
(Nitra Castle)
www.biskupstvo-nitra.sk
Tel: +421 (0)37 772-1724
Open: Mon 9:00-15:00, Tue-Fri 9:00-17:00, Sun 10:00-17:00; Price: The castle - free entry. It is recommended to reserve an exhibition with a guide (use extension 128 for reservation). Entry after 17.00; You can also see St Emmeram’s Cathedral, the castle precinct and walls, and a view from the walls
Divadlo Andreja Bagar
(Andrej Bagar Theatre)
www.dab.sk
Tel: +421 (0)37 772-1577
Svätoplukovo nám. 1, Nitra
Attractions
Cine-max Nitra
(Cinema Multiplex)
www.cine-max.sk
Tel: +421 (0)37 286-1125
Chrenovská ulica 1661/30, Nitra; Price: € 5
Nitriansky Express
(Nitra Express Train)
www.nitrianskyexpres.sk
Nitra Sightseeing Express - runs at hourly intervals from Svätoplukovo Square from 9:00 (10:00 on weekends) to 17:00. During the summer months trains run until 19:00. For groups of 10 or more it is possible
to make special arrangements for trips at other times. The ride takes about 45 minutes, including a 15-minute break at the castle; Price: € 1
Tourist flights
Janíkovce, Airport Nitra;
Driving south-east from Nitra: 6 km / 11 mins; Bus from Nitra: 14 mins
www.airportnitra.sk
Mob: +421 (0)908 134-726
Sport
Bowling Nitra
Tel: +421 (0)37 772-3015
Bellova 11, Nitra; Open: Mon-Sun 14:00-24:00; Price: from € 6.60 / hour
Relax Fantasy
www.relaxfantasy.sk
Tel: +421 (0)37 658-0801
Beniakova 2, Nitra; Open: Mon-Sun 14:00-22:00; Newly built sports and leisure centre (squash, ping-pong, badminton, water polo, wellness, bar & restaurant); Price: € 12.90 / Sauna and pool, € 19.80 / Water polo (6 players); € 11.80 / Rent of play slot
Plaváreň Nitra (Pool)
www.sarznitra.sk
Tel: +421 (0)37 651-7481
Kúpeľná 4, Nitra; Open: Tue 6:30-11:30, 15:00-20:30; Wed, Thu, Fri 6:30-20:30, Sat-Sun
Price: € 1.50/ hour; swimming, sauna, jacuzzi
Letné kúpalisko Sihoť
(Summer pool)
www.sarznitra.sk
Tel: +421 (0)37 741-9622
Sihoť, Nitra; Open: Jun 19- Sep 14: Mon 12:00-19:30, Tue-Sun 10:00-19:30; Price: € 2 per day
Shopping centres in Nitra
Galéria Mlyny
www.mlyny-nitra.sk
Tel: +421 (0)37 322-1100
Štefánikova trieda 61, Nitra; Open: daily 9:00-21:00
ZOC Max Nitra
www.ocmax.sk
Tel: +421 (0)37 690-0410
Chrenovská 166, Nitra; Open: daily 9:00-21:00
Centro Nitra
www.centronitra.sk
Tel: +421 (0)37 650-4764
Akademická 1, Nitra; Open: daily 9:00-21:00;
Events in Nitra
February: Nitrianske Fašiangy; Folk tradition festival; Svätoplukovo Square, Nitra; www.nitra.sk (Slovak only)
March - May: Nitrianska Hudobná jar; Classical music festival; www.nitra.sk (Slovak only)
May: Majáles Nitra; Pop-rock-alternative festival; Akademická Street, Nitra; www.livemusic.sk
June: Musica Sacra; Classical and Gregorian music festival; www.nitra.sk (Slovak only)
July: Days of Slavs; International festival of Slavs; Promotion of folk culture, art and traditions of Slavic nations; www.slavorum.com
August: Klokočinský jarmok Fair ; An event in the Klokočina housing estate which revives the old folk customs, creates the space for the presentation of the folklore ensembles, music and dance groups from the town and its vicinity; Mikovíniho Square, Nitra; www.nitra.sk (Slovak only)
August: Agrokomplex; International trade fair of agriculture and food industry; Location: Exhibition area Agrokomplex, Nitra; Open: daily 9:00-16:00; Price: € 4; www.agrokomplex.sk
September: Divadelná Nitra 2011 (Theatrical Nitra) ; International theatre festival; Presentation of European theatre, supplemented with other types of art, accompanying work and educational activities international theatre festival; www.nitrafest.sk
September - October: Agrofilm; International Agricultural and Environmental Film Festival; Festival takes place in Animal Production Research Centre in Lužianky; Driving from Nitra: 8 km / 10 mins; Public transport from Nitra (www.cp.sk) Train: 9 km / 12 mins, Bus: 14 mins; www.agrofilm.sk
October - November: Nitra Musical Autumn; Vocal and Instrumental concerts; www.konzervatoriumnitra.sk (Slovak only)
November: Cithara aediculae; International festival of classical guitar music; www.nitra.sk (Slovak only)
December - January: Christmas in the Town; Christmas market, various cultural events on the city square; www.nitra.sk (Slovak only)
Author: Michal Halama
