In the center of Slovakia is one of the cities with the most life and places to visit. Zilina is a small town, which you can visit in one day. The historic center of the city stands out for its neoclassical style, and one of the things that I liked the most is the atmosphere and the mountainous nature that surrounds the city.
If you want to add to your route through Slovakia, a stop is Zilina, stay because in this post I talk about the 10 places to see in Zilina, I add some travel tips and options where to stay in the city.
10 PLACES TO SEE IN ZILINA, SLOVAKIA
1. Start by getting to know the Mariánske Námestie (Santa María Square)
Žilina's main square is an impressive space that has given life to the city since the 20th century. It is 100 meters wide and 100 meters long, and is bordered by houses with traditional gables and continuous lines of arcades on the ground floor. In the square you will find shops, restaurants and cafes.
In the square you will find the Inmaculada Barroca, a column crowned with a statue of the Virgin Mary as a symbol of the "re-Catholicization" of the city in 1738.
2. Visit the Church of the Holy Trinity
The Church of the Holy Trinity has a somewhat dramatic history behind it. It has been destroyed by fire three times throughout history, and although some parts of the church have been maintained and restored, the vast majority had to be rebuilt on all occasions. The most recent reconstruction dates back to 1942. It stands out for the Burian Tower and the altar painting that represents the Holy Trinity from 1697.
3. Visit the Church of the Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle
Another of the emblematic buildings to visit in Zilina is this church that dates back to 1754. It is striking for its two 32-meter towers that stand out from low houses on the west side of Mariánske Námestie.
On the façade you can see the stone image of Saint Paul. This image was not made in Žilina, but was bought in the city of Munich in 1888 and placed in the niche above the portal. The baroque altar dates back to the 18th century and is the main element to take into account when you visit the church inside. You also can't forget to take a look at the impressive frescoes and decoration.
4. The Neological Synagogue
This synagogue was built between 1928 and 1931 for the Neological Faction, which constituted the liberal Jewish community of Žilina. It is a very important building in the city, both architecturally and because it was the last new synagogue to be built before the war.
Notice the beautiful minimalist patterns around the Star of David on the synagogue's monumental dome.
5. The Church of Santa Barbara
Zilina is a small town and practically on every corner you will find churches. This beautiful baroque church and its small monastery building were built in the first decades of the 18th century by the Franciscan order, and is a must-see in Zilina. It is located in the center, a few steps from the historic center. Although formerly, everything that surrounded the church and the monastery were fields.
6. The Budatín Castle, an essential thing to see in Zilina
Budatín Castle dates from the 1200s and was built to reclaim tolls at the confluence of the Váh and Kysuca rivers.
Many alterations have been made over the years, mainly in the 16th century when it was converted into a Renaissance palace and then in the 19th century after damage in the revolutions of the Austrian Empire in 1848. The castle had been closed Under renovations for most of the last decade, but today you can climb the tower and visit the chapel, as well as the museum inside.
7. The old Town Hall of Zilina
The town hall was renovated in the 1990s. Although the building dates back to the beginning of the 16th century. Today, it still retains the original Gothic vaults in its cellars. The rest of the town hall was redesigned in the late 19th century when it was given its current romantic style and stone arcades. One of the additions in the 1990s was the fourteen-bell carillon.
8. Babusek's House
One of the most beautiful manor houses in Žilina is the Babušek House. It is named after the wealthy family that built it in the late 19th century. Although for a decade, at the beginning of the 20th century it was the home of Dušan Petrovič Makovický.
9. Strecno Castle
To get to this beautiful castle, you must take the car and go east towards the Malá Fatra mountains. Today the castle is in ruins and you can visit and walk within its walls and imagine the splendor in which it lived centuries ago. The Castle is a complex of 22 buildings and is listed as Slovak national heritage.
10. Lietava Castle
Another of the castles to see near the city of Zilina is the Lietava Castle. It is located high on a steep ridge in the mountains to the south.
The Renaissance castle or mansion dates back to the 16th century and unfortunately was abandoned a little over 300 years ago. It is in ruins and you will be able to appreciate an enormous extension and buildings. You can identify the Gothic ribs in the vaults, the walls, the rooms... From above the views of the forest and the valley are beautiful.
WHERE TO STAY IN ZILINA, SLOVAKIA
The city is relatively small and you can visit it in one day. If you decide to spend the night here you have several options of different categories and budgets.
Some great options where to stay in Zilina:
PLAN YOUR TRIP STEP BY STEP
I hope you enjoy your trip to Slovakia very much and that this article has been useful to you. You can continue reading many more related articles on the blog.
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A hug and see you soon!