Set on the banks of the Turiec River, Martin is a culturally rich city in the mountains of northern Slovakia. It was ruled by the Kingdom of Hungary from the 10th century until 1918, when it became part of Czechoslovakia. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Martin was a centre for the Slovak independence movement.
Things to do in Martin
Due to its role as a hub for Slovak culture, Martin is home to the National Cemetery where many of the country’s most famous residents are laid to rest. You can pay your respects to the Modernist painter Martin Benka and the writer Jozef Ciger-Hronsky, whose grave is next to that of the Slovak poet Štefan Krčmery.
Be sure to admire the impressive ethnographic collection of the Slovak National Museum, which was founded at the end of the 19th century and now occupies a Neo-Renaissance building designed by Milan Michal Harminc. On the southeastern edge of Marin is the Museum of the Slovak Village, an open-air complex that offers insight into traditional architecture and Slovak folk traditions in times gone by.
In the winter months, you can hit the ski slopes of Martinske Hole, which has runs that will appeal to all skill levels. It lies between 1,150 and 1,450 metres and offers magnificent views across the Mala Fatra and Vel’ka Fatra mountains. In the warmer months, you can explore the rugged landscapes along one of the area’s hiking trails.
Getting around Martin
Martin is around 40 minutes’ drive from Žilina and two hours from Leoš Janáček Airport Ostrava, which has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Regular trains connect to the Martin railway station while buses travel throughout the city. The centre of Martin is compact enough to explore on foot.