1. Žilina
This town in the Central Považie region came into existence on the crossroads of significant commercial routes and acquired town rights in 1312. The most dominant building is the Gothic Church of the Holy trinity, the so-called Parish church from the 15th century. The non-traditional square-shaped square bordered with arcades is an attraction for tourists. Burian's Tower from the 16th century, one of the oldest on our territory, townsmen's and craftsmen's houses, the Baroque Church of St. Paul and the Jesuit monastery are located right here. The Franciscan Church and Monastery were built nearby in the 18th century. In the 19th and the 20th centuries several architecturally interesting buildings, such as the Jewish synagogue, were built outside the center of town. The oldest preserved monument - the Roman Church of St. Stephen from the 13th century is in the nearby section called Závodie. Budatín Castle from the 14th century was preserved in the northern part of the town. Presently it serves as the seat of the Považie Regional Museum, which houses the exposition of the art of tinkers.
2.Bratislava
The capital of Slovakia is situated on the Danube River near the borders with Austria and Hungary. The dominating building of the city is Bratislava Castle. Presently it serves the needs of state representation and as an exposition of the Slovak National Museum. The tallest tower (85 meters) belongs to St. Martin's Cathedral, in which for 300 years the Hungarian kings and queens were crowned. The only preserved entrance gate of the city walls is Michael's Gate from the 14th century with the observation tower and the exposition of the Municipal Museum. In 1465 Matej Korvín established Academia Istropolitana - the first university on the territory of present-day Slovakia. The old town hall created by a complex of buildings of various styles was built in the15th century. Since 1868, the oldest municipal museum in Slovakia has been located here. The most beautiful example of Classicist architecture in town is the Primate's Palace with the Hall of Mirrors. In 1805, the treaty after Napoleon's victory was signed here. It also boasts of a unique collection of wall tapestries, the so called the Bratislava Tapestries. The garden Rococo Grassalkovich Palace is from 1760. Presently it is the seat of the President of the Slovak Republic. Several monasteries and churches also form the history of town. They include the monasteries of the Ursulines, Franciscans, Jesuits, Capuchins, St. Elizabeth, Mother of God, etc. The ruins of the medieval Devín Castle are located above the confluence of the Danube and Morava Rivers, approximately 10 kilometers from the city.
3. Košice
The first written reference dates back to 1143. In 1369, already a royal town, it was awarded the privilege of being the first town in Europe to use its own coat of arms. The oldest holy building is the Dominican Church and Monastery from 1290. In 1804 it became the residence of the Bishop and that is why the most prominent building on the square is St. Elizabeth's Cathedral situated in the center. The Gothic cathedral was finished in 1508 and its five-naval interior is 60 meters long and 45 meter wide. The altar from the 15th century is one of the largest in Europe. The Chapel of St. Michael from the 14th century is located to the south and the Gothic-Renaissance Urban's Tower with belfry is on the north. There are numerous buildings with rich history on the square with facades of townsmen's houses from the 14th and the 15th centuries. They include Levoča House, the Town Hall and the former Residency House, the Gothic Franciscan Church from the turn of the 15th century, the Jesuit Church, Forgách Palace, Csáky-Dessewffy Palace and Andrássy Palace. Don't miss Mikluš Prison (the Museum) and the Executioner's Bastion located in the side passage ways.
4. Banská Bystrica
The oldest reference to the town is from the 13th century and relates to the extraction of ore. In 1255 the town received municipal privileges. The dominant building of the town is the municipal castle with part of the fortification and barbican. Part of it is the originally Roman parish Church of the Virgin Mary from the 13th century, reconstructed in Gothic style, with the precious altar of St. Barbara from 1509, the work of Master Pavol of Levoča. The second Gothic Church of the Crucifixion from the 15th century is situated nearby. Numerous historically significant buildings, i.e. Thurzo's House with the ornate Green Hall (presently the Museum of the Central Slovakia), the House of the Benický family with its impressive arcade loggia, the House of Townsman Matej and the former bishop's palace can be found on the square. The popular and slightly leaning Clock Tower from 1552 and the Church of St. Francis Xavier from 1715, which is a precious duplicate of a church in Rome, are situated in the upper part of the square. The significant role of Banská Bystrica in the Slovak National Uprising during World War II is commemorated by the monument from 1969, in which the Museum of the Slovak National Uprising is located. Not far from Banská Bystrica one can find the articular wooden church in Hronsek
5. Banská Štiavnica
The first written reference to the ancient mining town lying in the middle of the Štiavnické Vrchy mountain range, from which silver as extracted in the past, dates back to 1217. The town, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, has two castles - the Old Castle, the oldest part of which is the Church of the Virgin Mary built in the 13th century and the New Castle from the 16th century built as an anti-Turkish fortification (presently the exposition of the Slovak Mining Museum is located in it). The dominant buildings of the town are the Church of St. Catharine from the 15th century; the town hall with its tower from the 16th century; the Renaissance-Baroque 'klopačka' ( a type of bell-tower used for calling miners to work) from the 16th century; a set of holy buildings of Calvary from the 17th century; the Holy Trinity Square with the Baroque sculpture of the Holy Trinity in the middle and Kammerhof - the former seat of the administrator of the estate; … From 1735 to 1919 Banská Štiavnica was the seat of the Academy of Mining and Forestry - the first university of its kind in Europe with extreme cultural and historical significance. The system of artificial mining water reservoirs - 'tajch's , highlights the activity of this region.
6. Bardejov
It is well justified that the most Gothic town in Slovakia from the 14th century is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. The center of this once important commercial town is created by a preserved complex of historical buildings surrounded by an almost continuous system of city walls. The monumental Church of St. Egidius from the end of the 15th century and the beginning of the 16th century is the most valuable monument. Eleven wing altars and the fact that it's inclusion among the national cultural monuments prove its uniqueness. The dominating building of the rectangular square is the 16th century Gothic-Renaissance town hall situated in the center. Tall shields, a saddle roof and a gorgeous stair oriel adorn it. A museum is located here at present. The set of buildings of the former Jewish spa and synagogues from the end of the 18th century are located near the square. The renowned Bardejov Spa and several preserved wooden churches are situated in its surroundings
7. Kežmarok
The royal town (since 1269) developed along a significant trade route from the Orient to the North. The New Square with the Gothic Town Hall from the 15th century was built between the oldest part - the Old Market and the castle. Craftsmen and tradesmen settled in the street in between them. From the 15th century to the 19th century 40 craft guilds operated here. The most visited monument is the Gothic Church of the Holy Crucifixion from the 14th century; the Renaissance Bell-Tower from the 16th century and the originally Gothic Municipal Castle from the 15th century, which can be presently seen in its Renaissance form. The town was fortified since the 14th century by town walls, but only sections were preserved. In 1717 a unique wooden articular church with an extremely valuable interior was built behind the town walls. The Evangelical Lycee from 1775 is another prominent building. Many significant personalities studied here. Presently the largest school historical library in Central Europe is located here.
8. Kremnica
This historical mining town, in which gold was extracted in the 11th century, is situated in the middle of the Kremnické Vrchy mountain range. The first written reference is from 1328, when the king Karl Robert awarded free royal town privileges to 'Cremnychbana' . In 1329 the first silver coins, later golden coins 'florens' started to be minted here. The ducats of Kremnica were among the most famous and sought after European means of payment of that time. It is the seat of the only mint in Slovakia, and you can find the Museum of Coins and Medals nearby. The most prominent building of the town is the Municipal Castle with double fortification and the oldest monument - the Roman rotunda from the 13th century. The central building - the Gothic Church of St. Catherine from the 15th century has an observation tower. The preserved city walls from the 14th century are formed by the Red and Black Bastions and the Down-Town Gate. The Trinity Column from the 18th century dominates the center of the square. The Renaissance and Gothic townsmen houses; the Gothic Town Hall from the 15th century and the Franciscan Church and Monastery from the 17th century are other interesting sites.
9. Levoča
The ancient town situated at the foot of the Levočské Vrchy mountain range is one of the most beautiful towns in Slovakia. It was the main center of the Spiš region and was a free royal town since 1323. The most dominant building is the Gothic Church of St. Jacob with the valuable late-Gothic altar of St. Jacob, which is the tallest altar in the world (18.6 meters). It was made in the workshop of Master Pavol of Levoča. The Town Hall from the 15th century is today the seat of the Spiš Regional Museum. The Thurza House on the central square will attract attention by its New-Renaissance façade. The Evangelical Church with an altar painting by Jozef Czauczik from the 19th century is situated near the square. The cross hallway with the Eden courtyard was preserved in the complex of the Gymnasium Church with the Monastery of Minorits as the only one in Slovakia. Its paintings were proclaimed national cultural monuments. The preserved town walls also attract attention. These walls were built with bricks until 1410. Another point of interest is the Polygonal Bastion (presently the Museum of Blind People) and the Košice Entrance Gate. The buildings of the Great District House, the Department Store, the Municipal Theater and the cage of shame (from the 16th century) are also noteworthy.
10. Nitra
The history of the oldest Slovak town dates back to the 9th century and the times of Great Moravia. From 1288 the town was the seat of the bishop. The most prominent building is the Nitra Castle built on the carst hill over the town. The castle complex is surrounded by a great bastion fortification. The most valuable building is the Cathedral consisting of three parts. The oldest part is the Rotunda of St. Emeran from the 12th century; the Gothic Upper and Baroque Bottom Churches were added to it in the course of time. The valuable Diocesan Library is also located here. The Regional House from the end of the 19th century and the Residence of Bishop Kluch with the sculpture of Atlant called 'Corgoň'are situated in the Upper Town. The downtown area is full of life. The Roman Church of St. Stephen from the 12th century, the Baroque Piarist Church and Monastery from the 18th century and the well-known Bagar Theater are situated here. The former seat of the Nitra District Authority from 1777 is presently the seat of the Gallery of Nitra. Modern architecture can be seen on the premises of the Slovak Agricultural University. Many archeological and architectural monuments from times before the Great Moravian period are located near Nitra, i.e. in Zobor and above the Dražovce municipality - the site of the ancient Roman settlement with the Church of Michael the Archangel from the beginning of the 12th century.
11. Prešov
The first written reference to the center of the Šariš region dates back to 1247. In 1347 the town was proclaimed a free royal town. The most prominent building of the town is the Gothic Church of St. Nicholas from the 14th century. The building of the former Evangelical college - the higher Evangelical school from 1666, is in the center of the square. It is not far from the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity from the beginning of the 17th century and the second Town Hall originally the 16th century townsman house (the first town hall was not preserved). The Greek-Catholic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the seat of the bishop and the Greek-Catholic Theological School are nearby. One of the bastions of the old town fortification was rebuilt in the 15th century into a water tower (the 'Kumšt ') and supplied the town with water for almost 500 years. The complex of buildings of the Jewish religious community with a school, rabbinate and orthodox synagogue in Moorish style from 1898, in which the Museum of Jewish Culture is now located, is another interesting site.
12. Trenčín
The pearl of the Považie region, as they used to call Trenčín, is one of the most beautiful towns in Slovakia. The first written reference is from 1111. In 1412 it obtained free royal town privileges. The most dominating building of the entire region is Trenčín Castle. In the 13th century the original stone castle was in the ownership of Matúš Čák. The castle well, which, due to the famous story, is called 'The Well of Love', is located here. In the historical center of the town you can find: the Piarist Church and Monastery, townsmen houses, the former regional House from the 17th century (presently the Museum of Trenčín), the Holy Trinity Black Plaque Column built as a memorial of the end of the Black Plague, the House of the Town Executioner from the 17th century, the Jewish synagogue from the beginning of the 20th century and the Evangelical church from 1794. The Roman inscription from 179 A.C. - the first written reference that proves the presence of Romans on the territory of the town is extremely valuable and exceptional.
13. Trnava
The ancient town known also as 'the Slovak Rome' became the first free royal town on the territory of Slovakia the 1238. The 13th century town fortification is one of Central Europe's unique construction works. The Gothic Church of St. Helen was preserved on its south side. The most prominent building is the Parish Church of St. Nicholas from 1380, which was built on Roman foundations. In 1543 the town became the seat of the Estergom archbishop. The first full university on the territory of Hungary -Trnava University was established here in 1653. The early-Baroque Church of St. John the Baptist is part of the complex of university buildings. Many religious cultural monuments are located in the center of the town: the Holy Trinity Church from 1729 and the sculpture of the Holy Trinity from 1695, the late-Baroque Church of St. Ann with the monastery and the Protestant Cathedral of St. Joseph are just a few of them. Visitors will also appreciate the Town Hall consisting of three parts - the town hall itself, the Baroque corner house and the chapel.
