SMALL CARPATHIAN WINE ROUTE

About the region
The Small Carpathian wine route leads through the former royal towns - Bratislava, Svätý Jur, Pezinok, Modra, Trnava and the neighbouring Carpathian villages of regions of Bratislava, Pezinok and Trnava.
The tradition of viticulture and wine production, past history that is richly represented by ancient memories, the preserved folklore and boldness of viticulture houses, cooking specialties, interesting flora and fauna, connected with the possibility of relax, are attractive articles for wide variety of people as well as attractive way of making fun and learning.
The surroundings of the Small Carpathians are rich in cultural – historical memories. In old hearts of towns of Svätý Jur, Pezinok and Modra, but also in other towns and villages of this region, typical viticulture houses with large cellars can be found till today. In every town and village of this region there are wonderful churches, many of them dating back till the 13th–14th century (Rača, Doľany, Dolné Orešany, Modra, Svätý Jur, Šenkvice), chapels, cloisters (Pezinok, Svätý Jur), bellhouses (Smolenice, Svätý Jur, Viničné) and other historical buildings.

Attractive towns
In every village or royal town the tourists are welcomed by something else, something that is remarkable. The sensitive visitor of this region will be surely attracted by some attractions, for example by the tradition of folk culture in Vajnory. It is characterized by colourful garb, unique architecture with painting the walls of the houses and flats by folk motives, as well as original brass music. Vajnory, as the most distinctive part of Bratislava, attracts visitors by folklore as well as Memorial house with exposition of Vajnory farmer and vine-dresser.
In Svätý Jur, the State natural reservation Šúr is located with lacustrine sediments, flooded forests with unrepeatable flora and fauna. Svätý Jur also offers visit of Big-Moravian hill-fort from the 10th century, municipal fortification and the Renaissance Pálffy castle from the 17th century. Also the municipal memory reservation and the ruins of the castle Biely kameň (White Stone) from the 14th century are interesting places to be seen here. Slovenský Grob is famous for sessions at roast goose that is offered by the inhabitants directly in their houses. In autumn-time, nearly 60.000 visitors come to taste gastronomy specialties in Slovenský Grob, not only from Slovakia but also from abroad.
The Slovak and Croatian Grob have preserved their traditional needlework and lace art as well as ornamental painting of fire-places. The walls of the houses are decorated by painted ornaments and on the graveyard, ancient wooden crosses are preserved. Also the gastronomy offer that is typical for this region is special and it is intensified by the taste of wines produced here.
Among the attractions of the Small Carpathian wine route, the visit of Small Carpathian viticulture museum in Pezinok or the visit of Scholar property in Modra can be mentioned that is connected with tasting of quality wines produced in this region and tries to support creation of business contacts and exchange of knowledge of the vine-dressers.
In the spacious old Pezinok park stands the reconstructed Baroque castle, the premises of which are at presence used as representative catering premises. In Pezinok, the municipal fortification has been preserved and the castle with park from the 17th century. In the cellar, the National Wine Saloon was established, where a hundred of the most quality wines from various viticulture places of Slovakia have been centralized.
Modra is, except of viticulture, famous also as the place of work and last rest of the Slovak nationhood supporter - Ľudovít Štúr – the memorial room as well as museum of whom is a fetching attraction itself. From the handicrafts point of view, the products of Modra majolica are famous that are popular souvenirs of domestic as well as foreign tourists. The Secondary viticulture and fruit-growing school has its seat in Modra which prepares the students for making business in viticulture, fruit-growing and agro-tourism.
The town of Modra offers visit of the municipal fortification from the 17th century, the preserved Horná brána (Upper Gate) and bastion and the municipal memory zone.
In Modra – Harmónia, there is a modern regional information centre that provides tourists with information and that was built from the funds of the EU. Harmónia (Harmony), as the suburban recreational centre of Bratislava that was originally marked as climatic spa, offers healthy and clear surroundings for relax not only for domestic but also for foreign visitors. Above Smolenice, the Smolenický castle from the 19th century is located, today it is the House of scientific workers.
In the village of Budmerice there is a castle from the 19th century, today it is the House of Slovak writers. Above the village of Častá and Píla there is the large Červený kameň (Red Rock) castle, originally from the 13th century, where, during summer-time, fencing festival is held and the ASTUR hawker group is presenting itself here. In Limbach the exposition „The Hall of Fame of Small Carpathian Wines“ can be seen.

Important events
On the Small Carpathian wine route, alternately in Modra and in Pezinok, every year the „Small Carpathian vintage“ festival is held that is a celebration of the work of vine-dressers. The allegorical parade during the vintage is held on the third September Sunday and individual villages of the region, local habits, cultural traditions, handicrafts and other regional specialties are characterized by it. Every second year, in Modra, the festival of craftsmen and wine-producers is held with name „Burčiak v keramike (Burčiak in ceramics)“.
One of the successful events is tasting of „burčiak“ from the Saint Florián´s fountain in Modra, in the park, at noon, that is organized by the Small Carpathian tourist information office and VINCÚR. In Pezinok, Wine markets are held every year, in Modra, every year the regional exposition VITIS AUREA is held and expositions of wines are held also in other villages of the region.
Every year in November, the „Day of open cellars“ is held when the visitor has the chance to taste the wines from Bratislava up to Trnava. The festivals of wine-producers are held also in city part Bratislava – Rača and in Svätý Jur.

Welcome on the Small Carpathian wine route!