Trnava - Slovakia's 'Little Rome". (source: región Trnava)
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the name ‘Rome’? Perhaps the Pope and the Vatican; iconic landmarks like the Colosseum, Pantheon and St. Peter's Basilica; or the city’s reputation as a cradle of Western civilization.
Slovakia has its own ‘Little Rome’. This picturesque city in the west of the country, less than 50 kilometres northeast of the capital Bratislava, is home to numerous churches and has a special spiritual atmosphere that evokes the uniqueness of the Italian capital, albeit in a smaller-scale Slovak guise.
The best sunsets are in Trnava, aren't they? (source: Iryna Uias)
Just like Rome, Trnava is a place where every building tells its own story. However, behind the historical walls and church towers beats the modern heart of the city – academic, cultural and social. As one of the smallest regional capitals in Slovakia – it has a population of just 62,500 – Trnava is a student-friendly city. There are three universities in the ‘Little Rome’: the University of Trnava, the University of Ss Cyril and Methodius (UCM) in Trnava and, last but not least, the Slovak University of Technology in Trnava.
As a result, there is a significant student community in ‘Little Rome’. Most students’ main dilemma is where to go to eat or to hang out after a tough lecture. The city offers various possibilities, from cosy and artful cafés to bistros and restaurants with a range of price categories.
A student without a coffee is like a book without pages
First of all, students at the University of Ss Cyril and Methodius in Trnava can get reasonably priced meals at the nearby TOP RELAX student restaurant, which has locations on Jozef Herda Square and on V Jame, with discounts for holders of an ISIC International student ID card.
“The Synagóga Café! I absolutely love it there – probably the most beautiful and unique café I’ve ever been to. The service is great too,” says third-year student Samuel Ferjo, revealing one of his favourite spots. It is one of the best places to fully experience the charm and aesthetics of Trnava. The space, as its name suggests, is situated within a restored synagogue that blends history with contemporary uses.
However, as the saying goes, "different strokes for different folks". Another third-year student, Natalia Truppová, doesn’t find the café particularly special. "It seems to me that Synagóga is overrated; lots of people go there, but in terms of quality, it doesn't strike me as exceptional. However, they do have a lovely selection of cakes," she laughs.
Truppová shared her own favourite spot to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee: Leháro Café. It’s her top pick thanks to its style and atmosphere, which she describes as being as cosy as her grandma's home.
On the central Trojičné Námestie (Trinity Square), students are most drawn to the Thalmeiner or Pastis cafés, especially for brunch. Other great coffee spots near UCM’s campuses are PalEta, on V Jame, and Café Raspberry, which is located on Jozef Herda Square.
The bird's-eye view of Trnava city center / Trojičné Square. (source: Rebeka Kucháreková)
Trnava’s main street also boasts plenty of coffee shops, including Bezkydov, a favourite among coffee and matcha lovers, which also offers ISIC discounts. “This café thrives on art – it hosts various concerts, and you can come here to study or work. In my opinion, they serve the best coffee, and in the evening it’s a great spot to relax with a glass of wine or an excellent cocktail,” says Ukrainian student Sofiia Yurasova, who lives and studies in Trnava.
When it comes to meals, students often choose the food courts in the Arena and Max shopping malls, as they offer quick and budget-friendly options. Student Nikola Hindáková, from the UCM university magazine Atteliér, suggests dinner at the cosy and trendy restaurant Forhaus, although it will cost you a bit more. For pizza lovers, try Pizza Kitty on Zámočnícka 1 in the city centre.
Little Rome, big parties
Even though Trnava doesn’t have a reputation as a party town, and affects a more studious atmosphere, there’s plenty of fun to be had if you know where to look. And students certainly know where to find fun once their lectures are done, and at the weekend.
Ferjo and his friends like to go to darts bar Cerveza to have fun. "We go there to play table football with the lads, watch people attempt karaoke, and just hang out with our group." If their evening doesn’t end there, they'll head to APE Club. "In my opinion, it's probably the most famous club in Trnava. Well-known names usually go there, and I think that's why it's so popular. For instance, famous Czech rapper Nik Tendo was there recently."
Small city, big parties – that's Trnava! (source: FB APE )
The UCM Student Council organises various events and parties for students. At Halloween, for example, they hosted a themed party at the Relax club. They also arrange film nights for students and their friends; for instance, on October 28 the 2009 stop-motion animated horror film Coraline was screened at the OKO cinema on Jozef Herda Square.
Partying is fine, but what about active and cultural recreation?
In recent years, cultural events have thrived in Trnava, and Malý Berlín (Little Berlin) is direct proof of this. Malý Berlín is an independent cultural centre, located in the centre of Trnava on the first floor of a renovated bourgeois building at Štefánikova 4, part of the Nádvorie complex.
Its website explains why it goes by this particular name. ‘Little Berlin’ echoes ‘Little Rome’ and was chosen to symbolise Trnava's future in the context of cultural and creative industry development, inspired by Berlin's status as a hub for independent culture in Europe. Malý Berlín offers a diverse programme, where anyone can choose to attend a lecture, a discussion, a talk show, a theatre performance, projects or a concert.
Malý Berlín – a place where everyone can find something that suits their taste. (source: malyberlin.sk)
In March 2024, UCM launched a discussion format called ‘Evening University’ in Malý Berlín, aimed at presenting current social issues through engaging public discussions with interesting external guests and experts from the university's academic community. The latest discussion took place on November 26, where the topic of collective action against the climate crisis was raised.
For a more relaxing retreat, Trnava offers the Kamenný Mlyn area, which includes a café, an amphitheatre and an open-air swimming pool, which you can visit in the summer. It’s a great spot to have a barbecue and enjoy quality time with friends in a calm and pleasant atmosphere. Those who like to soak in the water can relax in the area’s water park. In addition to the pools, there is also a wellness centre and even a salt cave.
Active and, in some ways, even extreme recreation is offered by the Rope Centre (Lanáč). Visitors can choose from activities such as rope jumping, tightrope walking and rope climbing. Adjacent to the Rope Centre is the AŠK Slávia stadium, where the public can enjoy running or rollerblading.
The location of ‘Little Rome’ is excellent for trips in any direction outside the city. You can visit the town of Piešťany, just 37 kilometres from Trnava, which is famous for its spa resort located on the Váh River. Also worth a visit are the picturesque ruins of Beckov Castle, near the town of Nové Mesto nad Váhom, around 60 kilometres away.
The well-preserved Červený Kameň Castle, located on the slopes of the Little Carpathians, is just 25 kilometres from Trnava and is definitely worth a visit. Additionally, 32 kilometres northwest of Trnava lies the beautiful Jablonica Castle, built in 1663, which stands on the site of an earlier Renaissance building dating back to the 16th century.
Trnava is a quiet and peaceful city whose heart beats with life, a place that shares the distinctive tales of its residents and students – both local and international – and the tourists who come to admire the beauty of this ‘Little Rome‘.
