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Nitra (in German: Neutra, in Hungarian: Nyitra [in the past frequently Nyitria]) is a city in
western Slovakia (and fourth largest urban settlement in Slovakia) situated at the
foot of Zobor Mountain in Nitra river valley
(see below). Seat of a region (kraj) or
Higher Territorial Unit (VÚC) and of a district (okres).
Alongside Bratislava, the oldest city in Slovakia (origins of the old
town date to early 9th century).
A city of extraordinary importance in terms of its history: Inhabited since time immemorial, it was an important center of the
Celts (last centuries B.C.), seat of the first known rulers of what is today Slovak
territory (Quadi 396?, Nitrian
Principality around 800, Great Moravia 824?, Frontier Duchy of Nitra
[within the Principality of Poland 1000-1030 and the Kingdom of Hungary 970/1048 – 1077/1108] ) and seat of the first bishopric in Slovakia
(since 880). Site of the first known Christian church in central and eastern Europe (built in
828 at the time of the Nitrian Principality). Notably, both Methodius and St. Cyril, creators of the Glagolitic alphabet, an early precursor of the modern Cyrillic alphabet, participated actively in the formation of the church
and the bishopric.
The old town (Staré Mesto) is dominated by a castle (Hrad), which is one of the most interesting ancient complexes of
buildings in Slovakia. The castle currently serves as the seat of one of eight dioceses in Slovakia.
See also: Great Moravia, Slovakia, History of Slovakia
Nitra is also the name of a river (197 km) in Slovakia passing through the town of Nitra. Its source is in the Malá
Fatra (Lesser Fatra) Mountains and it flows into the Váh river close to the confluence of the Váh and the Danube rivers.
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