SK, Modra: A Town of Ceramics and Wine – VIDEO

The presence of the national revivalist and the father of literary Slovak in Modra is represented by a whole series of cultural monuments, from the museum, through the memorial room to the monument at the Modra cemetery, where he is buried. The statue is also an interesting landmark, symbolizing Štúr's leading position in the Slovak national movement in the 19th century, representing his closest relatives J.M. Hurban, M.M. Hodža and J. Francisci Rimavský.

Of course, Štúr is not the only important personality of Modra, so we should also mention Dr. Samuel Zoch - the evangelical bishop and author of the important Martin Declaration, the creator of Modra ceramics Heřman Lansfeld, the national artist Ignác Bizmayer, the poet Ján Kalinčiak, Ján Smrek and we could go on for quite a long time.

The town of Modra is famous not only for its personalities, but mainly for its unique Modra pottery, which you will often encounter on your wanderings through its streets, and for the wine making on the surrounding slopes. Once a year there is a celebration of the harvest of this fruit of kings, called the Modra Wine Festival. During this feast, you can taste gastronomic specialties, see exhibitions of folk crafts and experience a rich cultural programme, culminating in an allegorical vineyard parade. 

Once the wine is safely stored in the barrels, local winemakers will invite you to the Modra Cellar Day, when they will open their vaults to the public and share the best of the previous year's harvest in an authentic setting. In addition, this period is also associated with the slaughter, and the town will be ablaze with delicious aromas.

The local recreational areas of Harmonie, Písky or Zochova chata are certainly worth a visit as well, although they offer a bit of nostalgia and relaxation surrounded by nature. If you want to go back in time and get to know what it was like in the past, we recommend you plan your visit at the time of the Modran picnic, when you will meet the local residents in original period costumes and experience the relaxed atmosphere of the "roasts".

We will continue to present the history of the town through events. The art of master potters and folk pottery will arouse your admiration at the Clay Festival. During this event, skilled craftsmen and artists offer their products at the pottery fair, while visitors can also test their own skills in the creative ceramics workshop. An exceptional experience is the allegorical pottery parade and the merry potters' ball. Folk musicians provide a cheerful mood, good food, quality wine and markets full of traditional products or home-made specialities.

Modra is also a place of many monuments. We start at the Upper Gate. It is the only preserved original city gate built between 1610 and 1618, which is a kind of symbol of the city, because in the past it was part of the city's protective fortifications and allowed entry from the northern suburbs. The arched passage on the ground floor was protected by a moat, drawbridge and loopholes. On the front wall there is a small relief coat of arms of Modre and a Latin inscription.

The next stop is the original manor mill from the end of the 16th century converted into a summer hunting pseudo-Renaissance chateau with a large ornamental garden, which is currently used by the Small Carpathian Education Centre.

Among the sacral monuments, the town is dominated by the Church of St. Stephen the King, which stands on the site of the original Gothic Church of St. Barbara from the 14th century and is decorated with the town tower, which was added to the church over time.

Another remarkable grouping are the two Evangelical churches standing side by side - the German and Slovak churches, which will catch your attention by their appearance. In their close proximity you will also come across the Baroque rotunda chapel of Our Lady of the Snows from 1760, where the Lower Gate was once located. 

In the local ancient cemetery you will find the early Gothic Church of St. John the Baptist, which is one of the oldest sacral monuments in Modra, as its origins date back to the end of the 13th century. The local cemetery is the resting place of many important personalities. 

In addition to monumental buildings, Modra is also made up of a number of burgher and vineyard houses that were built on narrow medieval plots, oriented with a narrower side and gable facing the street. In the adjacent courtyard there were outbuildings (and cellars) related to the production and storage of wine and possible additional craft activities.

The town fortifications and the circular red tower serving as the Gallery of the national artist Ignaz Bizmayer are also well preserved. Dušan Samuel Jurkovič also left his handwriting in several buildings or works. For all of them we can mention for example the Official Houses on today's Zochova Street. You will also find a synagogue building built in 1902 on Súkennícká Street, Calvary from 1814, Siročinec or an interesting monument near the Evangelical cemetery (part of Kráľová) called the Green Forest - Grünwald.

Modra is a renowned part of the ancient Small Carpathian wine-growing region, where four-fifths of Slovakia's vineyards are located. The tradition of viticulture combines with the architecture and overall atmosphere of this town, which you should definitely visit. 

GPS: 48°20'11.6"N 17°18'39.5"E

Text, photos, and video: Pavol Jemala, Slovensko zdola

Music: Pixabay.com; Inspiring  -16033