Trnava

Trnava is a city in western Slovakia and the administrative center of the Trnava Region. It has a population of about 65,000 people and sits roughly 50 kilometers northeast of Bratislava, serving as a major rail and road hub in the western part of the country.

Historically known as “Little Rome” for its numerous churches, Trnava preserves a compact historic center with medieval street patterns and Baroque architecture. The centerpiece is the Saint John the Baptist Cathedral (Dóm svätého Jána Krstiteľa), the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trnava, which reflects a long religious and urban development from the medieval to early modern periods. Other notable religious buildings, the Town Tower (Mestská veža), and remnants of medieval fortifications contribute to the city’s historic character.

Trnava has a long educational heritage. In the 17th century, Jesuits established Academia Trnaviensis, one of the early universities in the Kingdom of Hungary, which contributed to the region’s academic and cultural life. Although the original institution’s status changed over time, the city remains an important center for education with modern higher learning institutions.

Economically, Trnava has diversified from its traditional textile base toward manufacturing, services, and logistics, leveraging its strategic location and transport links. The cultural life of the city centers on its historic core, museums, galleries, and seasonal events that reflect its historical role as a religious and educational hub in western Slovakia.

Today, Trnava is recognized for its preserved urban heritage, active civic life, and role as a regional administrative and cultural center.