The name of the city is derived from the name of the creek Trnava. It comes from the Old Slavic/Slovak wordtŕň ("thornbush")[4] which characterized the river banks in the region. Many towns in Central and Eastern Europe have a similar etymology includingTrnovo in Slovakia as well asTarnów (Poland),Tarnow (Germany),Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgaria),Târnăveni (Romania),Trnava andTrnavac (Serbia); andTyrnavos (Greece) among others. InHungarian, the original name had gradually evolved intoTyrna[a] which influenced also later German and Latin forms.[5]
When it developed into an important market town, it received the Hungarian name ofNagyszombat (Sumbot 1211),[4] literally "Great Saturday", referring to the weekly market fairs held on Saturdays (Hungarian:szombat). However, this name was only used by the royal chamber, as is indicated by the adoption of the Slovak name rather than the Hungarian name by German newcomers after theMongol invasion.[4]
The varieties of the name in different languages includeGerman:Tyrnau;Hungarian:Nagyszombat (from the 14th century onward)[4] andLatin:Tyrnavia.
During theMiddle Ages, an important market settlement arose here at the junction of two important roads – fromBohemia toHungary and from theMediterranean to Poland.
The first written reference to Trnava dates from 1211.[6][7] In 1238,[8] Trnava was the first town in (present-day) Slovakia to be granted a town charter (civic privileges) by the king.[9] The former agricultural center gradually became a center of manufacture, trade, and crafts. By the early 13th century, theking of Hungary had invited numerousGermans to settle in Trnava; this settlement increased after theTatar invasion in 1242. At the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries, a part of Trnava was enclosed by very long city walls. The originalHungarian andSlovak market settlement and the Germans stayed behind this wall.
Trnava was also the place of many important negotiations:Charles I, the king of Hungary, signed here a currency agreement with the Czech KingJohn of Luxemburg in 1327, and KingLouis I (who often stayed in the town and died there in 1382) signed a friendship agreement with EmperorCharles IV there in 1360.
The temporary German majority in Trnava's population yielded in favour of the Slovaks during the campaigns undertaken by the CzechHussites in the 15th century. In April 1430, the Hussites penetrated close to the town and defeated the Hungarian army in theBattle of Trnava. However, they suffered heavy losses and withdrew toMoravia. On 24 Jun 1432, a small group of Hussites masked as tradesmen entered the town, overcame the guards in the night, and captured the town without a fight.[10] Then, they made Trnava the center of their campaigns in northwesternKingdom of Hungary from 1432 to 1435.
The town, along with the rest of the territory of present-daySlovakia, gained importance after the conquest of most of what is todayHungary by theOttoman Empire in 1541, when Trnava became the see (1541–1820) of theArchbishopric of Esztergom (before 1541 and after 1820 the see was the town of Esztergom, which was conquered by the Ottoman Turks in 1543). The cathedrals of the archbishopric were theSaint John the Baptist Cathedral and theSaint Nicholas Cathedral in the town. Many ethnic Hungarians fleeing from the Turks moved to the town after 1541, also from present-day Hungary, which mainly remainedunder Ottoman rule until being gradually reconquered and the last Ottoman troops on present-day Hungarian territory were defeated in 1699.
In the 16th and especially the 17th century, Trnava was an important center of theCounter-Reformation in theKingdom of Hungary (at the time largely identical with the territory of present-day Slovakia and a strip of western Hungary). The ArchbishopNicolaus Olahus invited theJesuits to Trnava in 1561 to develop the municipal school system. Subsequently, he had a seminary opened in 1566, and in 1577, Trnava's priestNicolas Telegdi founded a book-printing house in the town. The first Catholic Bible translation into Hungarian (based on the LatinVulgate) was also completed in the town by the JesuitGyörgy Káldi, who was born there in 1573. The 17th century was also characterized by many anti-Habsburg uprisings in the country – these revolts ofStephen Bocskay,Gabriel Bethlen,George I Rákóczi, andImre Thököly negatively affected Trnava's life. On 26 December 1704,Francis II Rákóczi's army suffered a decisive defeat against the Imperial Army, led bySigbert Heister, near Trnava.
It was after the establishment of the archbishopric and canonry that Trnava acquired the nickname of "A Little Rome". As the city of Rome was a center of the universal Catholic Church, the town of Trnava had been seen in popular view as the center of Catholicism in the Kingdom of Hungary.[11] As contemporary scholarMatthias Bel had overstated:"You could say it is a town which is appearing as Rome on a small scale, and this, as to temples and also sacred institutions which were infused within it. Truly, that's why the people call it a Little Rome, knowing that small things are compared with big ones".[11][12]
The JesuitTrnava University (1635–1777), the only university of the Kingdom of Hungary at that time, was founded by ArchbishopPéter Pázmány.[13]
Founded to support the Counter-Reformation, Trnava University soon became a center of Slovak education and literature, since some of the teachers, half of the students were Slovaks.[14]
Pázmány himself was instrumental in promoting the usage of Slovak instead of Czech and had his work "Isteni igazságra vezető kalauz" (Guide to the Truth of God) and several of his sermons translated into Slovak.[citation needed]
From the late 18th century Trnava became a center of the literary and artisticSlovak National Revival.[6][13] The first standard codification ofSlovak (by thepriestAnton Bernolák in 1787) was based on the Slovak dialect used in the region of Trnava.
In 1820, the seat of the Hungarian archbishopric was transferred back to Esztergom, and Trnava ceased to be the religious center of the historicKingdom of Hungary.[11]
In 1838Pozsony-Nagyszombati Első Magyar Vasúttársaság (First Hungarian Bratislava-Trnava Railway Company) was founded in order to connect royal towns with railway system.[15][16]In 1840 horse-drawn railway started to operate on the route Bratislava-Svätý Jur, as the first railway line in the Kingdom of Hungary.[17] With connection to Trnava, the planned route was solemnly opened in June 1846 to be later prolonged to Sered in December 1846.[15][18][19]
In 1867Austro-Hungarian compromise had come into force, becoming a milestone in the politics and administration of the empire. For this period had been determined as a self-governed urban district (rendezett tanácsú város/Stadt mit geordnete Magistrat) withinPozsony County, also being the seat of the Trnava rural district.[22][23]
Slovak national foundations, likeMatica slovenská were suppressed or banned inKingdom of Hungary as a result of theMagyarization policy. In that time of national and linguistic oppression of Slovaks, theSt. Adalbert Association [sk] (Spolok sv. Vojtecha) was founded in Trnava in 1870. Initially being tasked with publishing of catholic literature, the association with its headquarters in Trnava had been working as the foremost Slovak language institution untilDissolution of Austria-Hungary in 1918.[24][25]
In the 19th but mainly in the early 20th century, the town grew behind its city walls, and a part of the wall was demolished in the 19th century, but most of it is still well-preserved[citation needed].
In 1873 a reconstructed railway route from Bratislava to Trnava, trafficking with steam engines, instead of previous horse-drawn, had been handed over to use.[26] First steam train reached at Trnava railway station on May 1, 1873.[27]
The renewed connection launched a modernization of the town, which started with the erection of a big sugar factory, a malt-house, and the Coburgh's factory (later referred to asTrnavské automobilové závody, i.e., "Trnava Car Factory").
After the creation ofCzechoslovakia in 1918, Trnava was one of the most industrialized towns of the country. DuringWorld War II, Trnava was occupied on 1 April 1945 by troops of theSoviet2nd Ukrainian Front.
In 1977, by a decision ofPope Paul VI, Trnava became the see of a separateSlovak archbishopric (although the seat moved to Bratislava in 2008, the city still remains a seat of itsown archbishopric). With the establishment of this archbishopric, Slovakia became independent of Hungary also in terms of church administration for the first time in centuries.[citation needed]
After the establishment of Slovakia (1993), Trnava became the capital of the newly createdTrnava Region in 1996.
Trnava lies at an altitude of 146 metres (479 ft)above sea level and covers an area of 71.535 square kilometres (27.6 sq mi).[28] It is located in theDanubian Lowland on the Trnávka river, around 45 kilometres (28 mi) north-east ofBratislava, 50 kilometres (31 mi) west ofNitra and around 70 kilometres (43 mi) from theCzech border. The closest mountain ranges are theLittle Carpathians to the west and thePovažský Inovec to the north-east of the city.
Trnava lies in thenorth temperate zone and has acontinental climate with four distinct seasons. It is characterized by a significant variation between warm summers and cold winters.
The rise of Trnava is closely related to the "Latin Guests", newcomers speaking aRomance language, probably arriving from present-dayBelgium (Walloons).[31] In 1238, the expansion of the town was supported by the decree about a free movement to Trnava. In the Middle Ages, "German Guests" played a major role in the social composition of the town, and they also dominated in trade and town administration.[31] The decline of the German population and a permanent change of the ethnic composition dates back to the occupation of the town by theHussite army (1432-1435).[31] Nevertheless, the Slovaks have intensively tried to achieve representation in the town council. Repeated conflicts between Germans and Slovaks were resolved in 1486 by the kingMatthias Corvinus. The medieval Hungarian population increased after theBattle of Mohács of 1526 and the subsequent dissolution of the Hungarian kingdom, which was split into three parts.[31] The ethnic new tensions had to be resolved again by the king. The Hungarians were made equal to the Slovaks and the Germans byFerdinand I, who also ordered parity representation of all three nationalities in the administration (4 April 1551). The estimated size of the population in the 16th century was 2,000-3,000 citizens. At the end of the Middle Ages, the town was inhabited by approximately 5,000 people, including those living in the suburbs behind the city walls.[31] A presence of theJewish community is well documented from the 14th century.[31]
Jews arrived into the area in the 11th century.[32] A presence in Trnava is documented from the 14th century.[31] In 1494, 14 Jews were brought todeath by burning following ablood libel.[33] A 1503 account of the 1494ritual murder trial introduces for the first time in history the notion that Jews as a collectivity were of feminine gender and had monthly bleedings, alibel which would become part of the repertoire of Christianantisemitism from then on.[34] After another blood libel, the Jews were expelled from the city in 1539 and were not allowed to even transit through the city until 1717. By the second half of the nineteenth century, the community had been reestablished, and by 1930, the city had a Jewish population of 2,728.[35] During theHolocaust, 82% of the Jews were sent toextermination camps in 1942.[citation needed]
According to the census from 2001, Trnava had 70,286 inhabitants, while according to the estimate from 2006, Trnava had 68,466 inhabitants with an average age of 37.3 years. In 2018, it had 65,207 inhabitants.
The current municipal government structure has been in place since 1990, and is composed of amayor (primátor) and of acity council (Mestské zastupiteľstvo), which in turn leads a city board (Mestská rada) and city commissions (Komisie mestského zastupiteľstva). The mayor is the city's top executive officer, elected for a four-year term; the current mayor is Peter Brocka, who is serving his first term and was inaugurated to function on 12 December 2014.[44] The city council is the highest legislative body of the city, represented by 31 councillors, elected to a concurrent term with the mayor's. Since 2002, Trnava has been divided into six urban districts, with area and further sub-units in parentheses:
Trnava-centre (2.15 km2;Staré mesto [Old Town],Špiglsál)
Trnava-west (20.60 km2;Prednádražie)
Trnava-south (8.03 km2;Tulipán,Linčianska)
Trnava-east (10.66 km2;Hlboká,Vozovka)
Trnava-north (22.33 km2;Kopánka,Zátvor,Vodáreň)
Modranka (7.76 km2)
However, compared to the present-day total area of 71.53 km2, the city used to have a larger area. Its height was in the 1970s, when it annexed villages of Modranka,Biely Kostol andHrnčiarovce nad Parnou, reaching an area of almost 90 km2. The latter two separated in 1993 and 1994, respectively.[45]
Town HallUniversity of TrnavaAnton Malatinský StadiumPedestrian zonePark of Belo IVGothic church of St.Nicolas
As early as in theMiddle Ages, Trnava was an important centre of Gothic religious and lay architecture – St. Nicolas's Church, St. Helen's Church, and several church monastery complexes (Clarist,Franciscan andDominican) were built in this period.
TheRenaissance (16th century) added a town tower to Trnava's silhouette. Nicolas Oláh ordered the erection of the Seminary and the Archbishop's Palace.Péter Bornemisza andHuszár Gál [hu], the leading personalities of theReformation in the Kingdom of Hungary, were active in Trnava for a short time. The town ramparts were rebuilt to a Renaissance fortification as a reaction to the approaching Turkish danger from the south.
The 17th century was characterized by the construction of the Paulinian Church that bears badges ofSilesian Renaissance. Trnava was gradually redesigned toBaroque. The erection of theSt. John the Baptist Church and the university campus launched a building rush that continued with the reconstruction of the Franciscan and Clarist complexes. Builders and artists called to build the university also participated in improvements of the burgher architecture. TheHoly Trinity Statue and the group of statues ofSaint Joseph, theUrsulinian and Trinitarian Church and Monastery are of recent construction.
The District Hospital was built in 1824. The building of the theatre started in May 1831, and the first performance was played at Christmas. Both of the Trnavasynagogues, historical structures with oriental motifs, date back to the 19th century. TheSynagogue Status Quo Ante currently houses the Jána Koniareka art gallery.
Renovated in 2010, the 19th-century Orthodox Synagogue, which was falling into disrepair, was turned into a chic, modern cafe named Synagoga Cafe in 2016.
Critics view the business as an example of exploitative cultural appropriation in the wake of the Holocaust, where the former occupants were sent to concentration camps. Whereas, advocates argue that it reflects respect and nostalgia for Jews in addition to providing a vehicle for at least some preservation of the heritage site.[46]
Humanist scholarJános Zsámboky dedicated to his birthplace Latin language poemTirnaviae patriae meae arma, published in his 1564'sEmblemata.[47][48]
In his 1938's adventurous novelTrnava, ruža krvavá (Trnava The Bloody Rose) Slovak historical fiction authorJožo Nižnánsky depicted the atmosphere of Trnava in time ofRákóczi's War of Independence.[49]
Juraj Červenák set his historical mystery novelLovec čertov (The Devil Hunter) in Trnava and its surroundings.[50]
In cinema
Posledná bosorka (The Last Witch), a 1957 Slovak film's plot is set in Trnava of the 18th century.[51][52][53]
Západoslovenské Múzeum (West Slovak Museum/ Museum of western Slovakia)[58][59] is regional museum purposed on ethnography and history with national specialization oncampanology, brickworking andinvertebrates,[60] with its headquarters in formerClarist monastery.[61]
Kultúrne centrum Malý Berlín[62] is an independent cultural center with gastronomic establishments, coworking and public space for events as theater and dance performances, concerts, film screenings, literary parties, conferences, discussions and educational events.[63]
Trnava is the seat of two universities:University of Trnava (present) with 7,159 students, including 446 doctoral students.[64] and of theUniversity of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, with 6,833 students.[65] The city's system of primary education consists of nine public schools and one religious primary school with a total of 5,422 pupils enrolled in 2006.[66] Secondary education is represented by four gymnasia with 2,099 students,[67] 7 specialized high schools with 3,212 students,[68] and 6 vocational schools with 3,697 students.[69][70]
Materiálovotechnologická fakulta Slovenskej technickej univerzity v Bratislave so sídlom v Trnave [sk] (Faculty of Materials Science and Technology in Trnava)[71] is a school of materials engineering. Established in 1986 as an autonomous body within the Slovak University of Technology, has nowadays institutes of materials, production technologies, industrial engineering and management, integrated safety, applied informatics, automation,mechatronics, and advanced technologies research. School possesses Centre of Excellence of 5-axis Machining and Centre of Excellence of Diagnostic Methods.[72]
Having a long industrial tradition back to the early beginnings of the 20th century,[73] Trnava has been known country-wide for mechanical engineering ever since. Although the former socialist-era manufacturerTrnavské automobilové závody (Trnava automobile works) collapsed afterVelvet Revolution, since 2003 Trnava has been noted for car-making again due newly builtStellantis Trnava Plant.
Stellantis Trnava Plant[74] is a core industrial site in region and country as well, being third largest mechanical engineering company in Slovakia.[75]
Important mechanical engineering plant at Trnava suburbs is subsidiary ofZF Friedrichshafen[76] supplying systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and industrial technology.[77]
Formerly a division of ZF,Boge Rubber & Plastics Group [de] plant in Trnava is a producer of vibration control technology and lightweight components for the automotive industry.[78]
Železničné opravovne a strojárne (ŽOS) Trnava (Railway repair shop and mechanic works) is industrial facility[79] that performs repairs and inspections of freight cars, coaches and their subassemblies. It also manufactures new freight wagons, carries out repairs, modernisation and upgrading of rolling stock[80]
Trnava is also home forglass fiber producing plant. Being founded in 1966, it is nowadays subsidiary ofJohns Manville.[81] As of 2021 Trnava glass-fibres plant was largest company of Slovakia's glass industry.[82]
The city lies at the crossroads of two roads of international importance: from the Czech Republic to southern Slovakia and from Bratislava to northern Slovakia. TheD1 motorway connects the city to Bratislava,Trenčín andŽilina and theR1 expressway connects it toNitra. A part of a planned bypass is currently under construction.
The city operates a public transport service with regular bus circulation, currently on 8 lines.[83] As of 2024,Arriva is the main transport contractor.[84]
Trnava has arguably the best network of cycling paths among towns in the country.[88]As of 2022, in the town itself 22 km cycling routes were in use and 25 km in projected. Planned cycling infrastructure shall be around 120 km.[89]
The city also has clubs in various other sports: RC Spartak Trnava (rugby), Trnava Bulldogs (American football),[91] BK Angels Trnava (baseball),[92] and NK Slávia Trnava (futnet).[93]
Zoltán Kodály (1882–1967), Hungarian composer, ethnomusicologist, music pedagogue, from 1892 to 1900 studied at the archbishopric gymnasium (grammar school) in Trnava
Louis I of Hungary (1326–1382), King of Hungary, Croatia, and Poland, died in Trnava
Anton Malatinský (1920–1992), Slovak/Czechoslovak football player and coach
Péter Pázmány (1570–1637), Hungarian cardinal and statesman, 1616-1637 resident archbishop in Trnava, founder ofUniversitas Tyrnaviensis, historical precursor of nowadaysUniversity of Trnava
János Sajnovics (1733–1785), Hungarian astronomer and linguist
^Branislav, Varsik (1994). "Vznik Trnavy a rozvoj mesta v stredoveku".Kontnuita medzi veľkomoravskými Slovienmi a stredovekými severouhorskými Slovanmi (Slovákmi) (in Slovak). Veda. p. 65.ISBN80-224-0175-7.
^Segeš, Vladimír; Šeďová, Božena, eds. (2013).Pramene k vojenským dejinám slovenska I/3 1387 – 1526 [The Sources for the Military History of Slovakia](PDF) (in Slovak). Bratislava: Vojenský historický ústav. p. 17. Retrieved2 July 2017.
^Czechoslovakia. Ministerstvo s plnou mocou pre správu Slovenska (1920).Soznam miest na slovensku dl'a popisu l'udu z roku 1919. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. V Bratislave : Nákladom vlastným, (V Bratislave : Tlačou Slovenskiej Knihtlačiarne).
^Bahna, Vladimír (1957-07-21),Posledná bosorka (Drama, History), Olga Zöllnerová, Mikulás Huba, Frantisek Dibarbora, Slovenská filmová tvorba Koliba (SFT), retrieved2024-01-15
