Nitra is the oldest and one of the most important cities in Slovakia. The Nitra Castle towers over the well-preserved historic buildings, and the surrounding hills are covered with vineyards.
At the turn of the 8th and 9th centuries, the Duchy of Nitra functioned in these areas, which is considered by many to be the progenitor of Slovak statehood. It was ruled by Prince Pribina and his successors and remained independent until the turn of the 10th and 11th centuries. A statue of Prince Pribina was built in Nitra to commemorate it.
Due to its long history, Nitra can boast of preserved monuments of Romanesque architecture. Within the Nitra Castle there is the Basilica of St. Emerama, among the city buildings you can see the Church of St. Stefan, and on one of the hills stands the picturesque church of St. Michael the Archangel. Apart from them, the most important monument of Nitra is the castle. In addition to the aforementioned basilica, it also includes the Kazamats, the Bishop's Palace and the city walls. The Monument of St. Cyril and Methodius, and the castle buildings house the Diocesan Museum. From the castle you can admire the beautiful panorama of Nitra and the surrounding hills.
Below the castle there is the Upper Town, which had its origins in the Middle Ages, but owes its present appearance to the reconstruction from the 16th and 17th centuries. Pontic Museum with an impressive historical and ethnographic collection, the Piarist Church of St. Ladislava, the Big Seminary or the Saltworks House.
There are also walking areas in Nitra. The most famous excursion destination is the Zobor mountain with the ruins of the Zobor Monastery. Nice views of the city can also be admired from Calvary in Nitra, and a pleasant walk in the botanical garden.
