Nitriansky hrad

Nitriansky hrad

Námestie Jána Pavla II. č. 7
Nitra

www.biskupstvo-nitra.sk

GPS: 48.318289, 18.086687

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The Nitra Castle is located on top of a hill where an old, Slavonic fortified settlement once stood. This was surrounded by a meander of the Nitra River. The first written reference to the settlement dates back to 871. In the note construction works ordered by Prince Pribina are mentioned, along with a specific reference to a consecration of the ruler’s church back in 828. In the Great Moravia era, Prince Svätopluk resided in the city. Nitra also played a role in the mission of Sts. Cyril and Methodius. In 880 the city became the center of the newly founded Nitra Bishopric.
After the collapse of Great Moravia at the beginning of the 10th century, the castle stopped fulfilling its functions for a time. The princely dynasty of the Arpáds, however, managed to incorporate it back into the district organization of the forming new state. Since the 970s, this castle became the seat of an appanage duchy. At this period, church architecture was being renovated. The castle became the center of a county.
- Since the 12th century, we once again find many references to the Nitra Bishopric, which preserved the Great Moravian tradition. In those times, the castle occupied an area of nearly 8.5 hectares, making it one of the largest in medieval Hungary. The complex did not perform solely secular (military) duties; it was, at the same time, a place of ecclesiastical importance. There was a chapter here, and, traditionally, the Bishop of Nitra also administered the county. In times of war, even people from more distant areas sought refuge in this castle. By far the grandest stone building was the Cathedral of St. Emmeram, St. Svorad – Andreas and st. Benedict. It is also mentioned in a legend written by Maurus in the years 1064 – 1070 as the site where the remains of St. Svorad – Andreas and St. Benedict were put to rest. It is believed that where the present-day episcopal palace lies today there stood a 12th c. Romanesque episcopal palace. Accordingly, the municipal leaders must have had a due residence. Of course, storage facilities were present, too. We may also expect that this period saw the onset of the building of wine cellars. Here the bishop’s and chapter wines, which were produced in Nitra and the surrounding regions, were stored.