It is situated on seven hills on both sides of the river Nitra. Because of its strategic geographic location. Nitra was first time mentioned in 871 - 873 AD in the document „Conversio Bagoariorum et Carantanorum“ and is known as the place where the first Christian church was built in the year 828 on the present-day Slovak territory.
Cyril and Methodius, the patron saints of Europe, preached here and in 880 the fi rst Slavic diocese was established here. During the Great Moravian Empire one of the largest settlements in Central Europe, it remained an important centre of commerce until the late Habsburg Empire.
The old town and the castle which was the largest one in Slovakia, introduce us to the local history; scores of sacred monuments refl ect the Christian history. Nitra is the seat of various institutions, universities, theatres and museums and a well-known location of fairs as well as a modern centre of industries. Every year a wide range of social, cultural and sports events attract a multitude of visitors.
