Perhaps everyone has noticed the unmissable landmark rising on the hill of the Tríbeč Mountains above the Nitra district of Dražovce. Despite its simplicity and modesty, this tiny Romanesque church with a turret on the west facade looks magnificent. You can get an ideal view of it on the road from Nitra to Topoľčany. And many of us will surely remember that this majestic building was even depicted on the reverse side of the fifty-koruna banknote, and later its likeness also graced the first euro postage stamp.
On the way to the landmark of the Nitra region
The walk to this pleasant town, where one of the oldest Romanesque churches in Slovakia is located, takes about an hour, depending on how fast you choose. The distance from the hotel is approximately 5 kilometers, so you can reach the church by car in about 5 minutes instead of one hour. Public transport lines 2 and 4 or a classic line connection run from the city to the church. The best option is to get off at the Dražovce - pri Kríž stop, and from there it is a 20-minute walk to the church. It is not necessary to follow the sign carefully, as the path will intuitively lead you directly to the place, as it is very visible. After a pleasant hike, you will definitely need a rest in our luxurious SPA, where you can treat yourself to relaxation in various saunas, a whirlpool or a wonderful massage.
Centuries that have added beauty
The origin of the church dates back to the middle of the 11th century, but historians do not rule out that it may be even older. The original building was destroyed and only the foundations remained. Another church was built on them during the 12th century. The material used for its construction was mainly stone with an admixture of bricks. In the 13th century, a brick emporium was added to the back of the church. The interior was replaced at the end of the 18th century.
During the communist rule, the church was threatened with demolition, as the hill on which it stood began to be used for stone mining, but archaeological research saved it from this sad fate.
A monument steeped in legend
What kind of historical monument would it be if there was no legend attached to it that would further underline its exceptionality. A churchwarden who was cleaning the church one day noticed a blinding glow at the place where the altar was. When he took a closer look, he saw the Virgin Mary holding a small child in her arms. After that, such apparitions were repeated several times and the people in the village could not explain them. One day, a shepherd was tending his flock near the church when he heard mysterious music coming from the church. So he ran inside and there he saw the Virgin Mary looking sadly and pointing at the time-marked walls of the church. Only then did the villagers realize how much they had let the place fall into disrepair and from that day on they regularly take care of it and keep it in good condition.
Divine service only once a year
The current state of the church is in good condition and services are held here once a year on the occasion of the feast of St. Michal, on September 29. Occasionally, wedding guests also visit the church, but it is possible to get inside the church only after an agreement with the parish priest. If you would like to choose this beautiful church as the venue for your big day, you can also take a look at our varied one offer of premises for holding a wedding celebration.
The surroundings of the monument are also used for pleasant picnics in the grass with a wonderful view far and wide, or a pleasant rest, clearing the head and breathing in fresh air. In the evening hours, the church is illuminated by spotlights, which further underlines its picturesque beauty.
A monument from Nitra, which also "stumbled" into the film industry
Interior of the church of St. Michael the Archangel is rather simple. The thick walls keep the cold inside, and the light penetrates only through the narrow windows. Several filmmakers have also used the magical atmosphere of the place. Kostolik was immortalized in the films: Markéta Lazarová, Javor and Juliana, Adam Šangala or in the fairy tale a few years ago Láska na vlasku. Kostolik also appeared in the music videos of the band Gladiátor and Tublatanka. Even before you go to it, you can view it through virtual tour.
If you try to avoid crowded places while wandering around the city and are more drawn to monuments where you can be alone for a while, then you should definitely not miss Dražovský kostolik when visiting Nitra. You will leave with beautiful memories and a lot of artistic photos.