This calm Slovakian city along the Nitra River draws jazz fans each July for its annual festival. The Church of St. Nicholas and Regional Museum add cultural depth to the area.
Prievidza, a town of 51,000 residents in western Slovakia, lies in the Upper Nitra region. Walk through its central Square of Freedom to see the 1740 Holy Trinity Column, or visit the late-Romanesque Church of St. Mary's Ascension from 1260. The town serves as a gateway to Bojnice Castle, one of Slovakia's most visited landmarks, and the surrounding Strážov Mountains where you'll find ski slopes and hiking trails.
Getting to Prievidza
Two main airports connect to Prievidza: M.R. Štefánik Airport in Bratislava (77 miles away) and Vienna International Airport (105 miles away). FlixBus runs routes between Prievidza and 34 European cities, including Prague, Brno, and Bratislava, with tickets starting from €1.60. The central bus station handles both local and international connections.
Historical Buildings and Monuments
In the Square of Freedom, you'll see the stone Holy Trinity Column from 1740, with its distinctive sculpture of St. Rozália. The Church of St. Mary's Ascension, dating to 1260, incorporates sections of medieval defensive walls into its structure. Inside the 18th-century monastery complex, the Museum of Natural History of Upper Nitra displays geological specimens, local wildlife exhibits, and archaeological finds from the region.
Industrial Past
Coal mining shaped Prievidza during the 1950s-1990s period. Today, you can visit the Locomotive Depot, a national cultural monument that still contains its original equipment from the steam engine era. The depot maintains working examples of historic railway machinery and tools used throughout Slovakia's railway system.
Day Trips from Prievidza
Take a 10-minute drive to Bojnice to explore its medieval castle and walk through the zoo's 41-acre grounds. In summer, swim at the Nitrianske Rudno reservoir, or head to the nearby mountains in winter where three ski areas await: Remata (6 slopes), Poruba (4 slopes), and Lehota pod Vtáčnikom (3 slopes).
Traditional Slovak Cuisine
Try classic Slovak dishes in local restaurants, including halušky (potato dumplings with sheep cheese) and zemiakové placky (potato pancakes). The regional masliaková omáčka, a mushroom cream sauce, adds flavor to many local meals. Look for dishes containing brindza, a tangy sheep cheese that's central to Slovak cooking.
