Visit this 16th-century tower for superb views of Trnava’s old town and to get an insight into the city’s history.
The City Tower (Mestská veža) is a dominating feature of Trnava’s skyline. Climb to the tower’s observation deck, gaze over the city’s rooftops and spot major city landmarks. The City Tower is a 187-feet (57-meter) tall monument that rises up from the northwestern edge of Trinity Square. First built in 1574 as an observation post, it was severely damaged and rebuilt after fires in the late 17th century and again refurbished in the 1900s.
Observe the architectural and artistic features of the tower’s exterior. These include ashlar masonry work, a stone coat of arms and a sundial. On all four sides of the upper floor is a mechanical clock that was added in 1729 and chimes every 15 minutes. Crowning the tower is a spire and a golden statue of the Immaculate Virgin Mary. The statue is designed with two faces so as to never show its back to visitors to the city.
Walk up the 143-step staircase to the lookout deck located at a height of 95 feet (29 meters). A platform wraps around the perimeter of the tower and thus affords views in all directions. Spot landmarks such as the twin towers of the Gothic-style St. Nicholas Basilica and the bell towers of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. Look west to see the rolling landscapes of the Little Carpathians mountain range.
On your way up to the lookout, stop to learn about local history via the interpretive boards. The first section provides evolutionary and factual information about the tower. Following this there are two sections with timelines of some of the most important events witnessed by the city.
Located on Trinity Square, the tower is a 26-minute walk from Trnava’s train station. In the center of the square is the Holy Trinity Column, a monument festooned with coats of arms and sculptures of saints. On the western side is the Jána Palárik Theater. A series of streets lined with burgher houses and churches lead from the square.
The City Tower is open daily and there’s an admission fee.
