St. Martin's Cathedral in Bratislava

The cathedral of Bratislava (Katedrála svätého Martina in Slovak) is **the largest and most important religious building in the so-called **"Beautiful on the Danube". For centuries, the church dedicated to the merciful Christian knight has been the center of social, spiritual, and cultural life in the city.

Its fame grew when it became the **site of the coronations of Hungarian monarchs. **For more than two and a half centuries (from 1563 to 1830), during the time when Bratislava was a coronation city, 11 monarchs of the country, including Maria Theresa of Austria, were crowned within its walls.

The charm and allure of the ceremony are relived every year in September during the historical reenactment celebrating glorious Bratislava.

To commemorate the royal past of the city, atop the neo-Gothic bell tower (87 m), whose profile dominates the Old Town, there is a copy of the Hungarian imperial crown covered in gold weighing 300 kg resting on a 2x2 m pillow.

Within the cathedral, notable figures, ecclesiastical dignitaries, and members of the most powerful families of the city are buried. On November 13, 1835, Beethoven conducted the premiere of the Missa solemnis op. 123.

The construction of the Bratislava cathedral began in 1221 along the fortified walls of the medieval city, following Romanesque models, later modified in Gothic style during the 1300s. Architects from the St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna also contributed to its design. It was consecrated by Bishop Gregory of Esztergom in 1452.

Despite the alterations it has undergone over time, the church preserves its original Gothic structure. The interior features three naves divided by pillars and pointed arches, with a vaulted length of 69.37 m, a width of 22.85 m, and a height of up to 18.5 m at the altar area.

Although much of the Gothic decoration has been lost (from that period, only tomb slabs, a baptismal font from 1403, and stained glass windows remain), **the cathedral is still one of the most fascinating buildings in Bratislava **where different styles blend in a captivating and interesting combination.

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday from 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM and from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM. Sunday from 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM and from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM. Ticket Prices: Entry to the cathedral is free, while visiting the Parish Sacristy, the Canon's Chapel, the Treasure on the first floor, and the left choir area is subject to a fee. Full ticket €4.20, reduced €2 for up to 26 years old, and free for children up to 15 years old. Getting There: The cathedral is located on Rudnayovo námestie in the historic center and can be reached on foot.