The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is one of the most important Baroque monuments in Trnava. Originally built as the church of the Jesuits and the historic University of Trnava, it is now the cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Trnava.
Behind its relatively restrained twin-tower façade lies a richly decorated interior dominated by one of the largest Early Baroque wooden altars in Central Europe. The church is closely connected with the Jesuits, the Esterházy family, the University of Trnava and Pope John Paul II.
1629 – 1637
Construction of the present church
20.3 m
Height of the main altar
1978
Cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Trnava
2003
Visit of Pope John Paul II
Why visit the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist reveals a completely different side of Trnava from its medieval churches. This monumental church was built in the 17th century in the new Baroque style and became the representative church of the University of Trnava.
The richly decorated interior attracts the most attention, with its monumental main altar, stucco decoration, wall paintings and side chapels. The church also continues to fulfil its original spiritual function and, as a cathedral, serves as the principal church of the Archdiocese of Trnava.
Photo gallery
The Early Baroque church of the University of Trnava
Construction of the present church began in 1629 on the site of an older Church of St. John the Baptist. The new church was built for the Jesuits, who had been active in Trnava since the beginning of the 17th century and were preparing the establishment of an important centre of education.
The construction was financed by Hungarian Palatine Mikuláš Esterházi and carried out by the Italian builders Antonio and Pietro Spazzi. The masonry work was completed in 1637, and on 30 August of the same year the church was solemnly consecrated.
The church became part of the University of Trnava complex, founded in 1635 by Cardinal Peter Pázmaň. It was not used only for religious services – academic ceremonies, disputations and graduations were also held here. This is the origin of its name, still used today: the University Church.
Architecturally, it is a monumental single-nave church with side chapels and a twin-tower façade. It is approximately 61 metres long, while the interior rises to a height of more than 20 metres.
The cathedral is still an active church
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is the active cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Trnava. Visitors may also attend public Masses and other liturgical celebrations. During services, please respect the sacred nature of the space and maintain appropriate silence.
One of the largest Early Baroque altars in Central Europe
The dominant feature of the interior is the monumental all-wooden main altar, created between 1637 and 1640. It is approximately 20.3 metres high and 14.8 metres wide, filling almost the entire rear wall of the presbytery.
The altar is richly polychromed and gilded. Its decoration includes 27 larger-than-life statues of saints from the Old and New Testaments, as well as numerous smaller sculptures.
The central painting depicts the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan, directly referring to the church’s patron, St. John the Baptist. Other paintings depict his birth and the Visitation of the Virgin Mary to St. Elizabeth.
The theme of St. John the Baptist continues on the church vault, where large paintings depict events from his life, including his imprisonment and death.
From university church to cathedral
After the suppression of the Jesuit order in 1773 and the relocation of the University of Trnava to Buda in 1777, the church lost its original university function. The complex came under military administration, and from 1783 retired soldiers lived here. For a time, the church was therefore also known as the Invalids’ Church.
Its administration later changed several times. Among others, the Salesians served here, and from 1948 to 1977 the church was administered by the Parish of St. Nicholas.
A major change came after the establishment of an independent Slovak ecclesiastical province. Pope Paul VI established the Archdiocese of Trnava on 30 December 1977, and in the following year the Church of St. John the Baptist became its cathedral church.
It thus assumed the function previously fulfilled in earlier periods of Trnava’s history by today’s Dom, or the Basilica of St. Nicholas.
In 2003, Pope John Paul II visited the cathedral during his visit to Slovakia. The event is also commemorated today by his bronze statue standing in front of the church.
Did you know?
1,100 lanterns illuminated the church during the funeral of Mikuláš Esterházi’s wife
The church also served as a burial place for the Esterházy family. When Mikuláš Esterházi’s wife, Kristína Ňáriová, was buried in 1641, the interior of the church was reportedly draped in black cloth and approximately 1,100 lanterns burned around the catafalque.
A few years later, Mikuláš Esterházi himself and other members of the prominent noble family were also buried in the crypt.
The Esterházy family and the crypt beneath the church
Mikuláš Esterházi was not merely the patron who financed the construction. In return for his support, the Jesuits promised him the right to bury members of his family in the new church, giving the building an important funerary role as well.
Several members of the Esterházy family rest in the underground crypt, including Mikuláš Esterházi and four members of the family who fell in battle against the Ottomans at Veľké Vozokany in 1652. Jesuits and, later, senior church officials were also buried here.
The Esterházy family’s connection with the church is also commemorated by their stone coat of arms above the main entrance and by wooden funerary shields – mortuary shields – preserved in the interior.
Note for visitors: the crypt is not part of the regular tourist visit.
Look out for
Esterházy coat of arms above the portal
Above the main entrance is the stone coat of arms of the Esterházy family. It commemorates Mikuláš Esterházi, who financed the construction of the church.
Paintings from the life of St. John the Baptist
Large paintings on the vault depict events from the life of the church’s patron, including his imprisonment and death.
Two-level choir loft
At the rear of the church is a two-level choir loft connected with the rich musical tradition of the former university church.
Esterházy mortuary shields
Wooden funerary shields have been preserved on the walls, commemorating members of the Esterházy family buried in the church crypt.
Practical information
Address:
Univerzitné námestie 602/3, 917 01 Trnava
Admission:
Free admission
Recommended visit duration:
30 – 45 minutes
Tourist opening hours
- Monday – Friday: 10:00 – 12:30 and 14:00 – 16:00
- Saturday: 11:00 – 16:00
- Sunday: no separate tourist opening hours are listed
Mass times
- Monday – Saturday: 7:30
- Sunday: 9:30, 11:30
Where to find the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is located in the historic centre of Trnava on Univerzitné námestie, immediately next to the buildings of the former University of Trnava. It is approximately a five-minute walk from Trojičné námestie. The main entrance to the church is from Univerzitné námestie.
Frequently asked questions
The cathedral is located in the historic centre of Trnava on Univerzitné námestie, approximately a five-minute walk from Trojičné námestie.
No. Regular tourist admission to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is free.
Tourist visiting hours are Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 16:00. On Saturdays, the cathedral is open to visitors from 11:00 to 16:00. Visitors may also attend public religious services.
The church was built for the Jesuits and the historic University of Trnava, founded in 1635. It hosted not only religious services but also university ceremonies, disputations and graduations.
The all-wooden Early Baroque altar, created between 1637 and 1640, is approximately 20.3 metres high and 14.8 metres wide. It is one of the largest Early Baroque wooden altars in Central Europe.
The present cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Trnava is the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. The Basilica of St. Nicholas served as the cathedral during earlier periods of the city’s history.
For a relaxed look around the interior, main altar, side chapels and other artistic details, we recommend approximately 30 to 45 minutes.