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SK, Dechtice: Church and Monastery of St Catherin - VIDEO
Published: 14.7.2015
In our today’s journey across Slovakia we visit a remarkable ruin located in the region of Trnava only 3 kilometers from Dechtice. People call it Katarinka yet its official name is church and monastery of Saint Catherine of Alexandria.
We have heard a lot about Katarinka - it is beautiful, mysterious and abandoned. Therefore, on one day we came to conclusion that we have to visit it. There were several routes we put into our consideration. We could choose a walking route from Dobra Voda or from Nahace. In both cases we would have followed a blue tourist trail. Another option was to set off from the town of Dechtice. You can park your car at the edge of the forest there. Eventually we chose Dechtice. It was not as much as a lazy option but rather for practical reasons.
The ruin itself is to be found in the middle part of the Male Karpaty. Concretely it is in the area of the same name which is a nature reservation. The ruin is actually a complex of defunct buildings of a Franciscan church. There are some parts of preserved wall and a 17th century belfry. The monastery was founded in 1618. The legend has it an apparition of St. Catherine of Alexandria to Count Jan Apponyi inspired him to found this monastery. However, his parents didn’t like his spiritual life. They dragged him back home but the young count died on the following day. Krystof Erdödy, the owner of the dominion, learned about this story. He ordered to construct a chapel and also a monastery..
True or not, the ruin seemed to have truly something mysterious about it as we were approaching it. The whole complex, or rather it remains, was constructed in an early Baroque style. In the 17th century, it had been damaged by Turkish and royal troops. However, it would be always renovated. The reforms of Emperor Joseph in 1786 meant the end to the monastery. Its inventory was moved to other monasteries. The original monastery was left to its fare.
Information boards tell history of this place. They introduce the monastery and its history and significance. We were particularly interested in the fact that there used to be a Gothic stone chapel built in the times of Emperor Sigismund of Luxembourg. We had also learned that the building was took apart and used as construction material. All of this caused the monastery complex to gradually decay.
Fortunately, a group of volunteers has been founded pretty recently. It tries to reconstruct the complex. They conservate it, gradually reconstruct it and help researchers. Also, they hold there concerts, pilgrimages and events such as a day of open doors. On this day, a performed guidance in the ruin of the monastery. Volunteers also conduct workshops there.
Close to the ruin we saw a gamekeeper’s lodge, and an example of narrow-gauge railway which once connected Smolenice and Dobra Voda. We saw a short railway with contemporary carriages. We had learned that there is an initiative to reconstruct this object, but only time would tell if it succeeds..
It was great experience to see Katarinka. The trip is accessible also to children. Therefore, we recommend you this adventure.
The city of Trnava is located in the central part of Trnavian Highlands. From historical point of view, it is one of the most interesting cities in Slovakia. Lets join us in exploration of this city. Since ancient times, trade routes crossed it, rulers changed and breathtaking sacral buildings were erected.
The Trnava region is located in the western part of the Slovak Republic. The area is the second smallest, but it offers more than enough tourist attractions. Lovers of history can take a tour of Trnava, for those who like spa, we recommend a visit to Piešťany, Velký Meder or Galanta, for gourmets and lovers of specific architecture Skalice and for pilgrims is definitely a picturesque stop Šaštín-Stráže.
Slovakia is a country that is characterized not only by beautiful nature, but also by a number of sacred monuments. It is a pity that they are overlooked by the number of tourists who come here. Therefore, I decided that at least in this form I will acquaint visitors to the villages of Boleráz and Klčovany with these monuments, their significance and the reason for the settlement.
Each village has something special, interesting and pleasing to the eye in its territory. All you have to do is walk through the streets and you will be convinced that this is no different in Križovany nad Dudváhom, which is mainly represented by painted statues. So let's go for a walk through this beautiful village.
Approximately 15 km from the regional town of Trnava in the beautiful valley of the Blava stream lies the village of Radošovce. Its nearby neighbors are the spa town of Piešťany, Hlohovec Castle or the famous Leopoldov Prison. Today we set out to get to know this unusual village, which was administratively established not so long ago (January 1, 1991), by separating from Jaslovské Bohunice.
After walking through the village of Radošovce, when we returned home, we stopped in Jaslovské Bohunice, which is known to us thanks to the nearby presence of a nuclear power plant. Specifically, we visited the municipal part of Paderovce. It is interesting that three decades ago this part was an independent municipality, so it is no wonder that it still offers several beautiful sights to see.
Less than 8 such from Trnava, in the central part of the Trnava Uplands, lies the village of Bohdanovce nad Trnavou. This medium-sized village is immediately adjacent to the villages of Šelpice and nearby to the villages of Boleráz, Dolná Krupá or Špačince.
On the edge of the Danubian Uplands, at the mouth of the Chtelnička Valley in the northern part of the Little Carpathians, lies the truly beautiful village of Chtelnice. The area in which it is located is one of the oldest inhabited areas in Slovakia.
The ruin of Ostry Kamen castle stood once as a guardian of the so called Bohemian Road. The ruin is near Bukova, Trnava country. Its history isn’t as deep and as rich as in case of other castles nevertheless it is a popular place for tourists to see. And we went there as well.
At the end of winter we set off to see the Natural Reservation of Rostun, in the Small Carpathian Mountain. We entered through the town of Plavecke Podhradi. All what we have seen is on the lines below.
Many interesting places not frequented by holidaymakers are in the Small Carpathians. These are mostly hills with beautiful vistas to the surroundings that lure tourists to climb them. Vapenna Hill is one of the three highest peaks in the Small Carpathians and it offers beautiful vistas as well.
As every mountain range, even Small Carpathians has its dominant peaks. They are above the surrounding lands. Peaks of these several giants make characteristic panorama of the Small Carpathians. They create visible dominants, they are orientation spots and give beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. One of these impressive titans of the Small Carpathians is Vysoka.
Join us for a walk in one of the most important spa towns in Slovakia. There you can enjoy nature, culture, and amazing landmarks. Today we visit Piestany.
We left the former luxurious hotel Grand Hotel Royal and walked down Sad A Kmete street (Winter Street) which takes us through the historic center. Soon we get to the so called Berlin guest houses (Dr Cmunt).
Slovakia is a beautiful land. We became convinced of this on our one-day trip. We started in a small village of Haluzice near the district town of Nove Mesto nad Vahom.
Last week we made a tour from Dechtice to the church and monastery of St Catherine. This nice stroll inspired us to make another trip – this time to Dobra Voda town, couple of kilometers away. The town boasts with a beautiful ruin of a castle and Jan Holly.
Today, we travel to the region of Zahori. There we visit the town of Holic which holds a unique Baroque/classicist chateau, megaliths, and last but not least a windmill, our main destination for today.
Fabulously beautiful Smolenice castle now serves as the congress centre of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, and so many people think it is closed to the public. It is not like that.
If you live in the western Slovak or just going there for a few days to visit family or friends, we have another tip for you, where you can spend a pleasant spring day.
Since the time immemorial people were attracted to high places so they can have a view over surrounding landscape. Observation towers emerged quickly in central Europe, mostly in the second half of the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century. There are countless towers in Slovakia and it can be claimed some more will be constructed every year.
The Small Carpathian Mountains are not the highest mountain range in Slovakia. Nevertheless, they have a lot to offer. There are many interesting and picturesque nooks. From some peaks there are magnificent views of the landscape. However, the visitor will be enchanted by deep forests, caves, or many rock formations along the ridges.
Information and warnings on travelling abroad is to be found HERE.
