River Turiec - Slovakia
spring (source):
The river sources below south part of Velká Fatra Mountains.
flow length:
25 km
Article
SR: Martin – Walks in the City II
Published: 26.2.2015
Last week we saw some of the less known sites in Martin, we return to its historic center today.
The visit of the amphitheatre was for us truly a great experience. Yet we didn’t know there would be other breathtaking landmarks. Going straightforward from the amphitheater we reached the building of the shopping mall. On its right side, we saw the church of St Martin in an early-Gothic style whch was built in around the 13th century. During the reformation in the 16th century, the church fell unders the administration of evangelic church. It burned down several times during its existence, and it was rebuilt several times afterwards. Inside, medieval frescoes declared national cultural sight are to be seen. Also, we can see the statue of Pieta by Franek Stefunek, or the altar painting of the Virgin Mary of of incessant Help by Martin Benek. We couldn’t have missed the visit of the church.
Upon our tour in the church, another building caught our attention. It is set left t o the shopping mall – it is Turcianska Gallery . Since 1983, the gallery has specialized on the beginnings of Slovak modern art, thus succeeding on the Martin’s national center’s tradition. There are works by celebrities such as Galanda, Fulla, Bazovsky, Alexy, Hloznik, or Benka. We had to skip a tour there for it was getting too late.
We walked to the other part of the pedestrian zone. There, the National House, the building of the theatre with its modern addition Milenia, dominates the whole space. Inside Milenia, there is the office for tourist information, café, and public toilettes.
We stopped at the Slovak Chamber Theatre that is set in beautiful building of the National House . Unique, professional theatre was founded in 1944. First play was performed on January 22 of the year. The first play was sold out as it criticized totalitarian regime. It caused the theatre’s existence to be in danger. However, the situation calmed down and the legend of acting Jozef Kroner could join the theatre. Also, another Slovakian actors performed there. The building was polyfunctional. Except for the theatre it hosted a museum, hotel, restaurant, and even a casino. Only recently, the complete reconstruction was done on the building which is very popular among the public. Another interesting fact is that plays are usually sold out month in advance. As we didn’t have booked itckets, we went on.
The last stop during our day-long walk was the Museum of Andrej Kmet that is very close to the theatre. The museum holds a vast collection of Andrej Kmet’s works. He was the founder of the museum management in Slovakia as well as the museum itself which holds 175 000 items related to natural history as well as humanities. The building was constructed as soon as 1906. It is the oldest building of the Slovak National Museum. It was designed by architect M. M. Harminec and holds the status of national cultural landmark today. Unfortunately, we couldn’t see the museum’s interior for ourselves as it was under reconstruction.
We could go on to see other city’s landmark. Yet we were getting tired. We chose to relax rather, and were firmly decided to visit the capital of Turce in the future.
Text and photo: Oskár Mažgút
Related Articles
Published: 12.9.2017
Should you travel to the town of Bojnice which is very popular, it is likely you will get to Prievidza, a town nearby. Many just ride through it without stopping. It is shame because there is a lot to see in this town central to its region.
Published: 5.4.2020
Today we will take you to the picturesque region of Turiec, more precisely to the village of Blatnica, which boasts not only important archaeological finds (eg Blatnice sword), castle and chateau, but also famous personalities and beautiful surrounding nature.
Published: 13.10.2019
Today we visit Lower Turiec, more precisely the city of Turany, which lies less than 11 kilometers from the capital of Slovak culture - Martin.
Published: 4.5.2023
Turciany village, as a part of the region of Turca is being called, hides many natural beauties, folk traditions, and sights. Today we visit one of the largest villages in Turciany – Mosovce. They offer all three beauties at one place..
Published: 31.10.2021
Only couple of days ago, we celebrated All Souls’ Day. We symbolically lightened candles at cemeteries, silently remembered people we loved. Today, we visit a cemetery. But today we will take you to the cemetery, but not any, but to National cemetery which is located in the town of Martin.
Published: 1.6.2023
Once again, we visited Turcianska Garden on our journeys in Slovakia. This time we chose to see Slovakia’s most beautiful valley – Gaderska Valley.
Published: 19.2.2015
Today we make a tour in the north-Slovakian city of Martin. In the first part, we introduce you to the places of public life, in the second part, we visit a historic center where we look at fascinating buildings and say something about history of institutes that reside there.
Published: 15.12.2015
Today we once again visit Turcianska Garden surrounded by monumental Mala and Velka Fatra. We also visit Strane, a neighborhood in Martin city. At the terminus of a public transport line there is a beautiful protected climbing road.
Published: 18.5.2023
In today's journey, we will visit the Slovak town lying in the Turčianské Teplice, which is, in addition to the function of the district capital, an important spa, cultural, and historical center of the region. Come along with us to Turčianské Teplice.
Published: 9.7.2023
The Mala Fatra mountains, north Slovakia, is a popular destination for holidaymakers. The Mala Fatra is mostly covered by dense forests, the highest mountains of this range are bare. Mincol is a well-known mountain of the Mala Fatra. The mountain is inseparable from the Lucanska part of the range.
Published: 15.1.2015
The town of Vrutky is located on the meeting point of the Turiec and Vah rivers. Vrutky is not a large town but there is lot to do for tourists and it has also rich history. Lets join us to explore the town at the edge of Turcianska basin.
Published: 5.2.2015
A place great for relax and sports is at the edge of the city of Martin. Its Jedlovina Urban Forest, longtime place for relax, business meetings, tourism, or just hike in nature. We decided to visit it as well.
Published: 4.12.2014
Martin is the capital of the Turiec region. It is here where the institution, a pillar of culture in Slovakia and Slovak national consciousness resides, Matica Slovenska.
Published: 25.3.2010
Martin is cultural as well as economical seat of Turiec, North Slovak Region. In 1994, the town was declared as Slovak Centre of National Culture. So, Martin became a very attractive target, not only for local tradition and its monuments.
Published: 27.11.2014
Today we go to see the ruins of the second highest standing castle in Slovakia. We will tell you about its history and walk around it.
Published: 26.7.2012
One of the most beautiful parts of Slovakia, is situated between the mountains Velká and Malá Fatra. From the north it bordered by a national cultural city of Slovaks – Martin and from the south by Turčianské Teplice, spa town. The area or region is called Turčianská kotlina (basin), in older sources known as Turčianská zahrádka (garden).