The Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas is located directly on the slope of the castle hill. The church is quite inconspicuous, perhaps because it stands somewhat in the shadow of the nearby St. Martin’s Cathedral, yet it still ranks among the most interesting churches in Bratislava.
The church dates back to the second half of the 17th century. It was built on the site of an earlier Gothic church from the 14th century and an even older rotunda from the 11th century, on the order of Františka Khuen (the widow of Pavol Pálffy).
The earlier structure had been destroyed during the period of Ottoman incursions. This church is an early Baroque building. If you enjoy history, it is well worth taking a walk through the castle district and stopping by this sacred monument.
The best way to reach the Church of St. Nicholas from the historic city center is on foot. It is easiest to take a tram or bus to the area under the SNP Bridge and from there head toward the castle along Mikulášska Street, which leads directly to the church. In the castle district, you can plan a pleasant walk offering several views of the city and the Danube River, with a visit to this church as part of the route.
Today, the Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas is used by the Orthodox Church, and regular services are held there. Unfortunately, its history is marked by years of neglect, reflecting the gradual decline of the settlements in the castle district, which were eventually completely demolished.
The church was originally Roman Catholic and had a cemetery next to it. Later, it was administered by the Greek Catholic Church, until it burned down in 1945 during the war period. After the local religious community was dissolved in the 1950s, the Orthodox Church took over the administration of the building.
At present, the Church of St. Nicholas is shrouded in an air of abandonment. The surrounding winding streets are also filled with a certain sense of mystery, which adds to the interest of visiting the church.
There were periods when it was genuinely dangerous to come here, as the church’s structural integrity was compromised and it was essentially falling apart. In 1966, it was even struck by lightning and did not escape attempts at break-ins. Today, the situation should be better, although it may still be inaccessible outside of services. It is therefore worth seeing at least from the outside.
Architecturally, it is a relatively simple Gothic single-nave building with clean lines and a sandy color, topped with a classic steep gabled slate roof. A small turret serving as a belfry is located at one end of the roof. Among the notable features is a relief of the coats of arms of the Pálffy spouses above the entrance portal.
The interior is characterized by the main altar with a painting of St. Nicholas dating back to the original church. In addition, there is an 18th-century pulpit by Peter Brandenthal and several other altars.
Near the Church of St. Nicholas, you will find many opportunities for interesting walking destinations. You can head up to Bratislava Castle, stroll beneath the castle walls, which offer fine views of the historic center, the Danube, and the surrounding area.
Within the castle grounds, the Baroque Garden is also worth visiting. You will also enjoy views from the area around the building of the National Council of the Slovak Republic.