St. Martin’s Cathedral

This is the largest and most important church in Bratislava, it's the seat of the city’s archbishop. Built in the Gothic style during the 14th century, it replaced an older Romanesque church that once stood on the same site. After the castle, it's the second most visited landmark in the city. The cathedral features three naves and a striking 85-meter tower topped with a replica of the Crown of Saint Stephen. Inside, you'll find beautifully preserved Gothic chapels, a Baroque chapel, and a remarkable sculpture of Saint Martin on horseback, created by Georg Rafael Donner and placed here in 1744. Although construction began in the 15th century, the cathedral only took on its current appearance in the 19th century, when the tower was rebuilt several times after being damaged by lightning and fire. Beyond its architecture, this cathedral holds a special place in Slovak history, it was the coronation church for the Kingdom of Hungary, of which Slovakia was once a part. From 1563 to 1830, no fewer than 11 monarchs were crowned here, including the legendary Maria Theresa of Austria, often known as “the Great.” Be sure to step inside, this beautiful cathedral is well worth a visit!