Nitra is one of the oldest cities in Slovakia and the administrative centre of the Nitra Region, with around 75,000 people. Located approximately 90 kilometres northeast of Bratislava, it has a history stretching back thousands of years and became the centre of the Principality of Nitra in the early 9th century. The city was first mentioned in written records in 828, the same year a Christian church was consecrated at the court of Prince Pribina. Its most prominent landmark is Nitra Castle, which dominates the historic Upper Town and contains St. Emmeram’s Cathedral. Other notable sights include the former synagogue, the Romanesque Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Dražovce and Zobor Hill, which offers panoramic views across the city and surrounding countryside. Nitra is also an important university town with a compact historic centre, pedestrian streets and numerous cafés and restaurants. The nearby village of Alekšince produced Gladiator, one of Slovakia’s early thrash and death metal bands, formed in 1988 before later achieving mainstream success as a rock group.

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