Sacral monuments and pilgrimage sites Ivanka pri Dunaji

Bratislavská Kalvária was one of the first significant calvaries not only in Slovakia, but also in the Kingdom of Hungary at the time. You can find it in the district of Staré Mesto, on Kalvársky vrch in Bratislava. It was built in memory of the battle against the Turks near Vienna in 1683. According to most lexicons that refer to the Bible, a calvary is understood as a place or hill where Jesus Christ was crucified in Jerusalem. It is also associated with the depiction of the Way of the Cross with 14 stations.

The establishment of the Kalvária dates back to 1694. Its construction was initiated by the Jesuits, members of the Society of Jesus. It was completed in the 1920s and thus became a dominant landmark of Prešporek at the time. A sad fact is that with the onset of the communist regime in the 1950s, it underwent targeted destruction and devastation. Instead of stations with crosses, you will only find pictures with liturgical texts nailed to trees. The Kalvária has been operating in a provisional mode for many years, but it is gradually being restored. In 2020, the reconstruction of the only preserved chapel began, and the restoration plan also mentions the reconstruction of the stairs.

The first station was located at the site of today's SAV public transport stop, near the church of Cyril and Methodius. Did you know that the Kalvária became a refuge in 1713 for the people of Bratislava who survived a plague wave there? A part of the original path has been preserved to this day and is gradually being revitalized, also thanks to the OZ Bratislavská Kalvária. Kalvársky vrch continues to serve as a place of prayer and occasional Stations of the Cross. Not far from Bratislavská Kalvária stands the Kostol Panny Márie Snežnej and a Lourdes cave with a marble statue of the Virgin Mary.

After a romantic walk along the Kalvária, head to the center of Bratislava and experience plenty of fun discovering great attractions with which our capital is practically packed. Take a stroll through Staré Mesto and take a nice photo with the statue of Čumil and Schöne Náci. Walk through Michalská brána and take a look at Dóm sv. Martina, which belongs to the oldest Gothic sacred buildings in Slovakia. A visit to the Zoologická záhrada Bratislava and the botanical garden will also be a pleasant experience. Do not spend a lot of money on expensive accommodation; in our accommodation offer in Staré Mesto Bratislava, you will also find affordable options. Act quickly and book accommodation around Bratislavská Kalvária today. Our capital will surely win you over, and you will return home rested and full of unforgettable experiences.

The pilgrimage site Lurdská jaskyňa Marianka is located in the eponymous village of Marianka, near the town of Stupava, just 10 kilometers from Bratislava. This peaceful place in Záhorie is part of the pilgrimages in Marianske údolie. Christians from all over the world bring their gratitude and prayer here to the Virgin Mary.

Lourdes caves are built by Christians in honor of the apparition of the Virgin Mary. In 1858, the Virgin Mary appeared to a young girl, Bernadette, in the French town of Lourdes. Since then, smaller and larger caves have been built with a statue of the Virgin Mary and a small girl kneeling at her feet. This imitation of the apparition also enjoys popularity in Slovakia, where there are several dozen Lourdes caves.

Lurdská jaskyňa in Marianka is among the favorite places where Christians can express their respect and humility. Originally, this cave was built at the entrance to the church of Bazilika Marianka in 1906. Later, in 1914, it was relocated to the forested part below the slope of the valley. The parishioner Adolf Slovák played the main role in its construction.

Lurdská jaskyňa serves as a place of worship, which is why the parish of Narodenie Panny Márie in Marianka considered rebuilding this space for a longer time so that it would also be suitable for celebrating holy masses. The idea came from architect Ivan Jarina, who proposed the reconstruction. Access stairs to the cave were constructed. A concrete wall was built here, where all the votive/thanksgiving plaques were placed, and a section was prepared for additional ones to come.

Benches were placed around the cave so that people could rest and pray. They also installed a new statue of the Virgin Mary, because the previous one was destroyed by vandals. The site was consecrated at the Feast of the Holy Trinity by the archbishop in 2018.

Marianka as a pilgrimage location offers other interesting places you can visit in addition to Lurdská jaskyňa. One of them is Křížová cesta (the Stations of the Cross). Life-size statues built in 14 chapels remind us of the Passion of Jesus Christ. Kaplnky siedmich radostí Panny Márie or Kaplnka Svätej Studne are also popular.

Marianka is undoubtedly one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in Slovakia. Set out for prayer at this place yourself, or go see other sights in southern Slovakia. We offer you accommodation near Lurdská jaskyňa Marianka or accommodation in Záhorie on our website. Whether you are looking for a peaceful guesthouse or a comfortable apartment, you will surely find your choice with us.

If you were to follow in the footsteps of the Jews of Šamorín, your steps would surely lead you to the local synagogue. This synagogue is located i wnestern Slovakia in the town of Šamorín. Currently, it is the only preserved synagogue in Žitný ostrov.

Discover the beauties of Slovakia, for instance by visiting the town of Šamorín, located in the Dunajská Streda district in the Trnava region. Visiting an interesting monument of this town, Židovská synagóga, is worthwhile in any season of the year. At the time of settlement, Jews were not allowed to inhabit the town of Šamorín. Therefore, they established their homes in what is now the local district of Mliečno.

The origin of Šamorínska synagóga dates back to 1912. During its construction, elements of the Romantic style as well as Middle Eastern motifs were used. Daylight penetrates inside through stained-glass windows. The interior is a combination of several architectural styles typical of this community of people. The division of the building into two parts is formed by a balcony that served exclusively for women. You might also be intrigued by the paired window with the Star of David motif.

The synagogue has avoided complete destruction twice already. The first time, the German army used it as an ammunition depot and planned to blow it up after the fighting ended. The second time, the Kiss couple purchased it before demolition. They built a center for cultural and artistic life in it under the name Art home gallery. You can visit the premises of this synagogue from Wednesday to Sunday during opening hours. You can arrange a tour individually or for an entire group. The admission fee is voluntary. The premises of the synagogue are currently used for organizing various musical, literary, and fine arts events.

During the tour of this beautiful building, do not miss the adjacent Jewish cemetery, which is protected almost from all sides by a high wall. After the synagogue tour, you can continue with a visit to Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum, where an exhibition of modern visual art awaits you. Nearby, you can also find Vodné dielo Gabčíkovo, which is also used for recreational purposes. If you feel like treating yourself to a dose of adrenaline, reserve time for rafting on Malý Dunaj in the Divoká voda complex.

A visit to the Jewish synagogue will leave you with indescribable feelings. So that you do not have to rush back home and can process all the newly acquired information, we recommend booking accommodation near the synagogue in Šamorín. Suitable accommodation for business travelers might be private accommodation in Šamorín. Or will you choose a cozy room in guesthouse in Šamorín for your short-term stay? Or perhaps you are coming for a summer holiday to Šamorín? It all depends solely on your criteria and the purpose of your visit to this town. We will gladly help you choose the right accommodation.