Via Sancti Martin

More details about the route

We can start our journey from the Slovak capital, Bratislava, a pleasant, friendly city with good cycling infrastructure. Before we embark on the 41 km tour ahead of us, the starting point of the tour is the Saint Martin Cathedral. The city, which lies on both banks of the Danube, offers us several sights and historical memories. Wandering through the castle district of Bratislava, heading towards the city centre, we find an imposing cathedral not far from the banks of the Danube. The building in front of us is the most important and most decorated church in the Slovak capital.

Its real splendour was achieved during the 200 years of continuous construction (15th century) and reconstruction. It bears the signatures of many famous masters (such as Anton Pilgram, Peter Parler), and successive generations of excellence have turned up here, whose names are also associated with the construction of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna or St. Vitus' Cathedral in Prague.

Why is it called the Coronation Church?

Several members of the House of Habsburg were crowned here, the first such ceremony took place on 8th September 1563 (Maximilian II - Miksa II). After that, another 18 similar events took place, including the coronation of Maria Theresia (25th June 1741). Ferdinand V. was the last one to receive the Hungarian Royal Crown of Saint Stephen (28th September 1830) under the lead statue of Saint Martin. An incomplete list containing the names of 11 kings and 8 queens who were crowned in the Pozsony / Bratislava Cathedral can be found in the northern part of the church's interior.

The coronation of the kings took place according to the exact order of ceremonies approved by the King Electing Assembly, which determined the route along which the coronation procession went to the individual stations of the ceremony. The future ruler usually entered the city through the same gate and travelled along the same road as his predecessors. Nowadays, the coronation of the rulers is commemorated every year at the popular coronation celebrations in Bratislava when you can walk along the path of the kings.

Stopping in front of the equestrian statue of the saint in front of St. Martin's Cathedral, we can obtain the following spiritual provision:

Bratislava
Spiritual provision

"I am the Way," Jesus introduces himself. Dear Pilgrim, you are on your way! Start this journey in the name of Jesus, asking for His blessing! Ask for his blessing on your pilgrimage, on the path of your life, so that you can arrive at your destination through him... Look up to the top of the tower of the coronation dome aiming for the sky. On the golden Holy Crown is the cross, the sign of our Christianity, our belonging to Christ. Make a cross and offer all the small and big crosses of your journey for the intention you brought with you on the journey... Upon entering, bend your knees in the direction of the heart of St. Martin's Cathedral, that is, the sanctuary that guards the Holy of Holies. Tell the Lord who lives here what you are happy about, why you are grateful, what is concerning you at the moment or what you are expecting from this journey... The saints including St. Martin have also travelled a path. Everyone has to sanctify and become holy as they go along their personal life path. The example of those who have already reached the goal inspires us, suggests ideas, and encourages us, as does the example of St. Martin... Light shines through the coloured glass windows. In the sanctuary of the church through the figures of Saint Martin, Saint Stephen and Saint László, as well. Through the saints, the Light flows among us. Would you like to be this kind of person for your environment? Be open to the Light all along your journey… Spending time in front of the equestrian statue of St. Martin may remind you of the importance of doing good to others. On your way, don't just expect help from others, but also make your pilgrimage more valuable by taking advantage of the situations that offer good deeds... I used to be a coronation cathedral. Think about the past with respect. But also look towards the future; so that God can crown your earthly life with eternal happiness. Don't lose sight of the Goal, so proceed on the Path... Have a good trip!   Prayer Our loving Lord, Heavenly Mother - May the Virgin Mary, Saint Martin and all the saints of the people of the Holy Crown intercede for me with You, so that the pilgrimage I have begun serves the good of my immortal soul! Take care of me on the road, shape me as you like, make me open to the contemplation of your wonderful greatness: seeing your creative work in the beauty of nature, seeing your talents given to people through the beauty of architecture and art, seeing you in every human brother and sister I meet on the road... May you accept the request of my heart (...), which I have brought with me on this journey, fulfil my desire as you please! May you watch over those who are at home with your love, those whom I still think about now, and who accompany me on my journey with their loving attention in their spirits! Amen.

Saint Martin Cathedral

After visiting the church, we set off eastward following the course of the Danube on the bike path.

The road leads out of the city alongside the winding Danube, sometimes through wooded areas and meadows, here and picnic areas and buffets are waiting for us to stop by. Near Rusovce / Oroszvár, our road takes us past beautiful lakes, then we can pass through the last Slovak settlement (Cunovo / Dunacsúny) before crossing the border. Leaving Slovakia, we can also continue to enjoy the calm and quiet atmosphere of the flooded forest area in the Hungarian part. Winding along the asphalt road near Mosoni-Danube, arriving at the Hungarian border settlement of Rajka, we are greeted by a building of the former Roman border fortress that used to belong to the Limes.

The settlement is dedicated to Saint Martin, its first church dates back to the 13. century. Its tower was built on the walls of a Roman watchtower. During the last attempt of the Turkish Empire to get to Vienna in 1683, the village was destroyed. All that remains of the medieval building are the pointed arched windows of the tower, the mural on the southern wall and the 14th-century sacristy. The church acquired its present form during the Baroque era (in 1741). In one of the statue niches of the western facade, we can see a statue of the church's namesake saint, Saint Martin. The painting of its high altar depicts the glorification of Saint Martin.

Rajka
Spiritual provision

From a watchtower protecting the limes, to the border of the Roman Empire, it has become a chapel and then a church. From the instrument of war to the sanctuary of peace. Saint Martin wanted to leave the Roman army as soon as possible after his conversion at the age of 18, and share his cloak. However, this was not easy, the penalty for military deserters was death. Before the battle near Vangion (present-day Worms) (AD 356), Emperor Julian distributed money to the soldiers. It was then that Martin announced that he wanted to permanently stop serving in the military. The emperor replied that he must be afraid, which is why he wants to leave the army. Martin then said that the following day he would be happy to stand in the front line without any weapons, helmets or shields. And so it happened, the next morning Martin was standing in the front row unarmed. However, the enemy, contrary to all expectations, did not attack, but sent envoys, and asked for peace. The emperor saw the making of God in this and released Martin from the army. True power is not violence, but love, honesty, loyalty, the power of humanity preserved in all circumstances. Martin's life teaches us all these. The silence of the churches radiates this mysterious power. Do I know the inner, peaceful force that does not destroy but builds, does not tear apart but holds together? How can I grow in this? How could I be a peaceful watchtower that guards the values and treasures of the family, the national community, and the created world?

Saint Martin Church

Leaving Rajka, we head towards Bezenye, where a significant German, Croatian and Hungarian ethnic communities live. Our next destination that is our final destination, is Mosonmagyaróvár, which is also called the gate of Szigetköz. The city's history dates back to Roman times, it was part of the Limes, the border defence system along the Danube.

You can relax from the fatigue of the day in the healing water of the thermal spa, which is one of the five most effective healing waters in Europe, and you can take a pleasant walk along the river Lajta, which meanders across the settlement, discovering the city's treasures - the Habsburg House, the Cselley House, the St. Gotthard Church, the Castle as well as the St. John of Nepomuk Church.

We can store our bikes in safe storage or even carry out minor maintenance in the bike storage as well as on the posted bike rack provided by the local Tourinform office. The pilgrims are welcome in the Lunczer Guest House and the Kis-Duna Motel. Of course, there are also many other high-quality guesthouses and hotels in the settlement.