SMALL CARPATHIAN WINE ROUTE

The idea of creating the wine route even in Slovakia emerged only recently as a result of the need to highlight the Small Carpathian Region and introduce it to domestic and foreign visitors. The wine-growing and wine-making tradition, long-lasting history rich in ancient monuments, preserved folclore and typical wine-growers' houses, special culinary delights, interesting fauna and flora, outdoor recreation opportunities - these are all atractive features that appeal to a wide range of people, and promise both enjoyment and awareness. The Small Carpathian Wine Route runs through the former royal towns of Bratislava, Svätý Jur, Pezinok and Modra, as well as through neighbouring villages nestling under the Small Carpathians and belonging to the Bratislava, Pezinok and Trnava districts.
There is always something different, remarkable that one can find in each of the villages and royal towns. Vajnory, as the most distinctive part of Bratislava, attracts attention of tourists by its folclore and the Memorial House with the exposition of Vajnoran farmers and wine-growers.
The Šúr, a nature reserve, is rich in sediments of the lake and is covered with lowland forests with unique fauna and flora.
Among the numerous attractions of the Small Carpathian Wine Route rank the Small Carpathian Wine Museum in Pezinok or the School Property in Modra where you can sample local quality wines. The rebuilt baroque castle situated in situated in an old park in Pezinok is now used as a representative catering facility where one can savour delicious wines of Pezinok. Modra is not only known for its wine-growing tradition, but also for being the last resting place of a Slovak nationalist Ľudovít Štúr whose memorial room and museum are particularly attractive especially to home visitors.
The art of traditional embroidery and lace-making, as well as ornamental painting have been preserved until now in Slovenský Grob and Chorvátsky Grob. The walls of houses are decorated with painted ornaments and the ancient wooden crosses are still well-preserved in the local cemetery. A typical local cuisine intensified by the taste of local wines is yet another pecularity of this area.
The Small Carpathian region abounds with cultural and historical monuments. Even today, the typical wine-growers' houses with spacious cellar premises can be found in old town cores of Svätý Jur, Pezinok and Modra, as well as in other towns and villages of the region.
A manor house from the 19th century serving today as the Home of Slovak Writers in can be found in the village of Budmerice. The red rock, a massive castle originating from the 13th century, rises over the villages of Častá and Píla. There are the town's fortifications from the 17th century, preserved Upper Gate, a bastion and the urban conservation area that the town of Modra has to offer. Town walls and a castle with park dating back to the 17th century can be found in Pezinok. The Smolenický Castle from the 19th century dominates over the village of Smolenice.
A sightseeing tour can be made to the excavated Great Moravian castle site dating back to the 10th century, the town's fortifications and the renaissance Palffy's mansion originating from the 17th century, the White Stone castle ruins dating back to the 14th century and the urban conservation area in Svätý Jur.
In all of the towns and villages of the region, beautiful churches coming mainly from the 13th century (Rača, Doľany, Dolné Orešany, Modra, Svätý Jur, Šenkvice), chapel, cloisters (Pezinok, Svätý Jur), belfries (Smolenice, Svätý Jur, Viničné) and other historic buildings can be found.
Visitors of the region will sure be captivated by the undoubtedly attractive tradition of folk culture in Vajnory characterised by pretty folk costumes, architecture, house walls' paintings with folk motifs and the distinctive folk music. Slovenský Grob is renowned for its roasted goose-meat that dominates their cuisine and is offered by the local inhabitants in their own houses.
As far as the crafts are concerned, the ceramics of Modra is a favourite souvenir for both home and foreign visitors.