Martin is a city in the northern Central Slovakia. It is the center of the Turiec region.

It is on the Turiec river, between the Little Fatra and Great Fatra mountains. The population numbers approximately 60,000, which makes it the eighth largest city in Slovakia.

Martin city center

Understand

The city was the foremost Slovak cultural center in the 19th century. Several cultural institutions (including Slovak Matica and Slovak National Museum) were founded there. Most political activities leading to the Slovak national emancipation in the 19th and early 20th centuries were organized in or from the city.

After Bratislava became the capital of Slovakia at the beginning of 20th century, Martin lost some of its importance, but the cultural institutions founded in the city are still maintained here.

Get in

• 1 Main bus and train station. (updated Nov 2016)

See

• 1 St. Martin of Tours church. This romanesque church is the oldest building (13th century) of the city. (updated Nov 2016)
• 2 Slovak National Museum. Ethnographic collection. (updated Nov 2016)
• 3 Museum of the Slovak Village. Open-air museum in the suburbs, exhibits the traditional rural architecture and folk traditions of the region of Turiec. (updated Nov 2016)
• 4 Slovak National Cemetery. The official Slovak hall of fame, inspired by the Panthéon in Paris. (updated Nov 2016)
• 5 Slovak Chamber Theatre. Established in 1944 as the second professional theatre company in Slovakia. The theatre building is a landmark of the city center. (updated Nov 2016)

Do

Skiing and hiking in the surrounding mountains (Little Fatra and Great Fatra) is a very good option.

• Martinské hole ski area is nearest to the city, however access is only possible by car with snow chains. There used to be a cablecar and there are plans to rebuild it.
• 1 Ferrata HSZ. An easy ferrata along a ravine/stream ending in the Martinské hole area. You must be resistent to some hights scare (mostly 2-5 m heights) and ferrata equipment is recommended for bigger part of the hike - at least good pair of gloves are really needed. (updated Nov 2016)

Go next

Cities Žilina, Ružomberok, Banská Bystrica are easily accessible by bus/train.