St. Martin’s Cathedral

St. Martin's Cathedral in Bratislava.

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Slovakia is a tiny nation, hidden in the center of Europe, but with so many places of interest. One of the most important Slovak destinations is Bratislava, the historic capital of the nation. Here we find the St. Martin’s Cathedral, a beautiful monument that no tourist can miss.

Why was the St. Martin's Cathedral founded?

In the place where the St. Martin’s Cathedral stands today, there was an old church, which was originally one of the most visited religious temples in the city. Next to this legendary building, there was also a cemetery and some houses.

However, this church was destroyed, and in its place a new space was built. This would become the St. Martin’s Cathedral, built between the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. The cathedral soon became a symbol of Bratislava, as well as a meeting point for its inhabitants.

Later, the St. Martin’s Cathedral became the protagonist of its own history, since it went from being a parish temple to the coronation site of Hungarian royalty, due to the fact that the main cities of Hungary had fallen to the Ottoman Empire, which that prevented the entry of the Magyar monarchs to their churches or palaces.

Over the years, the St. Martin’s Cathedral had to be rebuilt on different occasions, and today it shows an extraordinary Gothic style.

What are the characteristics of the St. Martin's Cathedral?

If there is one feature that identifies this cathedral, it is its age. The building has seen centuries and centuries of history go by, so it has an incalculable cultural value.

It also stands out for its high ceilings and tall towers, which were once attached to the walls that surrounded Bratislava. Its interior is decorated with beautiful stained glass windows, frescoes and religious sculptures. In addition, this cathedral has one of the largest organs in Bratislava, and it occasionally hosts concerts.

Similarly, the St. Martin’s Cathedral has a few peculiarities, which make it different from many churches in the area. The first is that, although it is a Catholic temple, the upper point of the cathedral does not have a cross, but a crown.

This immense crown, which weighs more than 200 kilos and is completely golden, represents the mythical Crown of Saint Stephen, the first king of Hungary. This remains in the cathedral because it symbolizes its past as a place of coronation, being especially important for the Hungarian monarchs.

Another curiosity is its catacombs, which are part of the basement of the cathedral. This is because the cemetery on which it was built was never relocated and the graves remained in the same place.

How and when to visit the St. Martin's Cathedral?

Thanks to its incredible past and extraordinary architectural heritage, the St. Martin’s Cathedral in cannot be missing from your travel itinerary. Keep in mind that it is located right in the center of Bratislava, making it easy to get to from anywhere in the Slovak capital.

Finally, you should know that you do not have to buy any ticket to enter the Cathedral of San Martín. However, you must respect their schedules, avoiding sightseeing tours during the days of mass or when religious events are being held.