Nitra

Nitra is one of the oldest cities in Slovakia, founded on seven hills. It can be said that it is a paradise for archaeologists. In addition to its rich history, Nitra is also known as a center of agriculture and a city of young people, as it is home to two universities, Constantine the Philosopher University and the Slovak University of Agriculture.

The Nitra region has been continuously inhabited for almost thirty thousand years. Prince Pribina resided in Nitra, where he had the first Christian church in Slovakia built and consecrated. King Rastislav invited the Thessalonian brothers Constantine and Methodius to this area to spread the Christian faith among our ancestors in their native language. We also owe Constantine the first Slavic script, Glagolitic.

The most dominant monument of the city is Nitra Castle, which was once a powerful fortress that withstood even Mongol attacks. The castle is accessed from the Upper Town. The Upper Town is the most impressive part of Nitra, adorned with rare historical buildings such as the Church of St. Peter and Paul, the Minor and Major Seminaries with the diocesan library, which houses hundreds of rare books, first editions, and manuscripts, Kluchov Palace, whose corner is supported by the stone giant Atlanta, affectionately known by the people of Nitra as Corgoň.

Nitra also has new neighborhoods and housing estates, streets and roads, parks and gardens, reliefs and statues, as well as new modern buildings, landscaped areas, businesses, and factories. Regular exhibitions are also held here at the Agrokomplex, the only exhibition center of its kind in Slovakia.

Every year, Nitra hosts cultural, sporting, and social events, including Nitra Cultural Summer, Nitra, Dear Nitra..., Theater Nitra, Nitra Music Autumn, Christmas Nitra, and many others.

Interesting facts:

Population: 81,959 (as of November 2, 2011)
Area of the city: 108 km2
Altitude: 167 m above sea level
Suburbs: Dolné Krškany, Horné Krškany, Staré Mesto, Čermáň, Klokočina, Diely, Párovské Háje, Kynek, Mlynárce, Zobor, Dražovce, Chrenová, Janíkovce
GPS: S48˚ 18´ 25´´, V 18˚ 5´ 11´´

Further information can be found on the Nitra website