The Rotunda of St. George reveals Skalica’s history through several phases of construction. The Romanesque building probably dates from the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries and was later remodelled in the Gothic and Baroque styles. It also had different functions: the upper part was connected to the fortifications and served for defence, while the lower part was used as a chapel. The building thus brings together different periods and uses.
Churches and Architectural History
During the Late Gothic period, the Church of St. Michael the Archangel was transformed from a single-nave church into a three-nave basilica. The Franciscan Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, by contrast, is a Gothic building dating from the mid-15th century. The presbytery retains an elaborate Gothic net vault, while the sacristy has cross vaults; the interior decoration and furnishings are Late Baroque. Together, these buildings show different aspects of Skalica’s architectural history—from changes to the floor plan to the vaults and interior furnishings.
The Franciscan monastery complex includes the church building, the Paradise Courtyard and a large Franciscan garden. The permanent exhibition of the Záhorie Museum offers another way to explore the city’s history. It is housed in original rooms on the upper floor, which Dušan Jurkovič designed from 1905 as an imitation of a farmhouse for a museum. The Ľadovňa, meanwhile, is a rare technical monument that illustrates Skalica’s early modern urban economy. The restored Pilárik brothers’ mill is also open to the public.
Skalický Trdelník and Wine
Skalický trdelník is prepared in the traditional way in the Black Kitchen of the Franciscan monastery. Vinotéka u františkánov also makes and sells it, and offers guided tastings of regional wines. The city’s culinary discoveries therefore centre on both a traditional pastry and wine.
Skalický rubín is a protected red wine. It is made exclusively from the grape varieties Frankovka modrá, Svätovavrinecké and Modrý Portugal; Frankovka modrá must account for at least 70 percent. The origin of the grapes is also precisely defined: they must come from registered vineyards in the cadastral area of Skalica and in Mokrý Háj, Radošovce, Popudinské Močidlany, Prietržka and Vrádište. The vineyards concerned lie at the foot of Vintoperk and cover approximately 50 square kilometres. The wine’s origin and specified grape-variety composition are therefore two of its key characteristics.
Explore the City and Its Surroundings
The Skalica harbour on the Baťa Canal allows visitors to embark and disembark on the Slovak side. The Zlatnícka dolina recreation and tourism area is also near Skalica, at the foot of the White Carpathians. It offers opportunities for hiking, summer and winter sports, and several cycling routes; in the summer months, there is also a public natural swimming pool. Alongside the city’s architecture and culinary attractions, visitors can therefore enjoy more activities in the nearby countryside.
The Veterník Nature Reserve lies within the cadastral area of Skalica. The area is designated for the protection of habitats of European importance, including xerothermic scrub, drought-tolerant grassland and shrub communities, lowland and submontane hay meadows, and alluvial forests. The stag beetle, the gipsy moth and the large-flowered pasque flower are also to be protected there.
Visitor Information
A guided tour of Skalica usually lasts one hour and includes around three monuments of your choice. Tours can be conducted in Slovak, English or German. If you would like the tour in a particular language, please confirm this when booking.
Discover more destinations: Skalica, Kátov, Kopčany, Lopašov, Vrádište, Holíč, Okres Dunajská Streda, Veľká Mača.
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