St Martin's Cathedral

The iconic sacral building of Bratislava is the St Martin's Cathedral. This largest, oldest and most important temple in Bratislava stands on Rudnay Square. St Martin's Cathedral is one of the most visited historical monuments together with the Bratislava Castle.

For many centuries, St Martin's Cathedral was the centerpiece of cultural, ecclesiastical and social events. The most famous period in the history of St Martin's Cathedral was the coronation of kings in the years 1563 - 1830. During this period, the St Martin's Cathedral was the coronation temple of the Kingdom of Hungary. There were 11 kings crowned here, including Maria Theresa and 8 royal wives.

Since its inception, St Martin's Cathedral has undergone several major and minor transformations, reconstructions, or additions until 1877, when the cathedral got its present appearance. There are several chapels inside, while the most valuable is the Chapel of St. John the Merciful. Under the chapel, there is a crypt where the remains of Archbishop Eszterházy are stored.

From the architectural point of view, the most prominent is tower of the cathedral with a height of 85 meters. At its peak, there is a copy of the St. Stephen's Crown, which symbolizes the importance of the coronation temple. In the past, it served as a bastion, as it was part of the city fortifications.

Equally interesting is the interior of the temple, which is decorated with impressive works by prominent artists. The most remarkable works certainly include the sculptural group of st. Martin on a horse that is cast in lead. Significant nobles, ecclesiastical dignitaries and artists are buried in the dome catacombs.

Visitors can view the cathedral throughout the year in addition to liturgical celebrations and concerts taking place in the cathedral. The current opening hours as well as the amount of the admission price list can be found on the website of Parish of St. Martin.