Martin – Home the Slovak National Revival

March 11, 2024 by admin

Although it would not appear to be so from its population count, the Slovak city of Martin is among the top ten largest in the country. This is even more remarkable due to its remote northern location. Yet it is this unique geographical situation that allowed the isolated city to become the heart of the Slovak National Revival, away from the prying eyes of Hungarian authorities.

Geography

Located in the mountainous reaches of northern Slovakia, the city is sandwiched between the Malá Fatra and Veľká Fatra chains while being built on the Turiec river.

A Brief History

Although it predates the 13th century, the town of Martin first appears in written records 1284 under the name of Vila Sancti Martini. It would be destroyed twice in the 15th century, one razed during a Hussite attack and the other demolished by an earthquake.

The town’s importance was cemented during the 19th century when it became a center of industry as well as a major hub for Slovak newspapers. The first printing works were established in 1869. This helped propel the towns development as a center for the Slovak National Revival, with the city serving as the center of the Slovak political activity. Several cultural institutions tied to the revival popped up in town including the Matica Slovenská (Slovak League), the premier cultural artistic and scientific organization in Slovakia, which would result in the creation of the Slovak National Museum.

At the conclusion of the First World War, Slovakia was freed from Hungary and incorporated into Czechoslovakia. Martin for its part lost its prestige when Pressburg (Bratislava) became the capital of Slovakia within the Czechoslovak state, in 1919.

The soviet years saw heavy industrialization and the destruction of much of the towns heritage. This prompted successive Slovak to invest in the towns cultural scene after independence, helping it recover. This was aided by the construction of a Volkswagen plant. Despite some recession related challenges, the city has turned itself around and has even won an anti-corruption award. It has been retained its place as the home of the Slovak National Library and Matica Slovenská. It was center of national culture of the Slovaks on August 24, 1994.

What to do in Martin

Martin has a relatively large pool of attractions for a city of its size.

Martin Centrum

Downtown martin is clustered around a small rectangular square with some of martins best buildings and public institutions within walking distance. It is however not the prettiest in Slovakia, yet still a pleasant place for a walk or to catch an evening concert! Among these pretty buildings are the Slovak Chamber Theater.

Turčianska Gallery (Turiec Gallery)

A contemporary art museum established in 1983, the Turiec Gallery in Martin is housed in a historic building that was once the District house of the city Martin. It includes an exhibit on Slovak Art Modernism as well as a collection from artists originating in Martin. I can’t comment on the museum as I am not typically a fan of this sort of art.

Church of St. Martin

Located in the city center, the Church of St. Martin of St. Martin is the religious oldest building in town with roots dating back from the 13th century.

Slovak National Museum (Museum of Andrej Kmeť)

Martin’s natural history museum bears the name of a famed Slovak archeologist, geographer and collector.

National Cemetery

Home to many of Slovakia’ s great writers and writers, poets, professors, politicians and activists, like all national cemeteries this park honors those many who have make contributions to the Slovak nation . Among those buried you will find founder of the Matica slovenská, the priest Karol Kuzmány; the courageous poet, philosopher and war leader Štefan Marko Daxner, the museumologist, archiologist and collector Andrej Kmeť (whom a museum in town is named after), and the politician Milan Hodža.

It should be noted that not all great figures are buried here. For example the greatest Slovak, the poet Ľudovít Štúr, and the controversial priest Andrej Hlinka are not buried in this cemetary.

Slovak National Museum (Ethnographic Museum)

Although it is housed in a rather ugly building, this ethnographic museum has played an essential role in the development of the Slovaks and their culture. Established after the creation of the Slovak Museology Society in (1893), it was Slovakia’s first institution of its kind.

Museum of the Slovak Peasant

This open air museum seeks to recreate and details the life of the Slovak peasantry. Here you can visit tradutinal houses that have been moved here for your enjoyment.