St. John the Baptist Cathedral (Trnava)

The St. John the Baptist Cathedral, located in Trnava, Slovakia, is a significant example of early Baroque architecture in the country. It served as the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Esztergom between 1541 and 1820, when the archdiocese was based in Trnava due to the Ottoman occupation of Esztergom.

The cathedral was commissioned by Archbishop Peter Pázmány and constructed between 1629 and 1637 by Italian architects Antonio and Giovanni Bartolomeo Cometa. It is known for its richly decorated interior, particularly its main altar, which features a colossal altarpiece depicting the baptism of Jesus. The altar is a prominent example of Baroque dynamism and theatricality.

The architecture exhibits a blend of Italian and local influences. The exterior is relatively austere, contrasting with the opulent and elaborate interior. The single-nave design contributes to the feeling of height and grandeur within the cathedral.

The St. John the Baptist Cathedral is a protected national cultural monument of Slovakia and remains an important religious site and tourist attraction. It exemplifies the influence of the Catholic Counter-Reformation in the region.