Church and monastery of St. Catherine of Alexandria

About

Katarínka (German: St. Katharein, Hungarian: Szent Katalin kolostor) are the ruins of a Franciscan monastery and church dating back to the early 17th century, located deep in the forests of the Little Carpathians (Malé Karpaty) in western Slovakia, 20 km north of Trnava over Dubovský creek, close to the villages of Dechtice, Naháč and Dobrá Voda. The church was dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria, and that is where the nickname of the place Katarínka comes from.

The project Katarínka (Little Catherine) was initiated to prevent the neglected monastery from further decay and destruction. It is intended for young volunteers and has a form of two-week summer camps held in medieval spirit. Volunteers are working on the reconstruction and conservation of ruins. The complex archeological, historical and geophysical research takes place in the monastery.

Monastery of Saint Catherine neighbors the exposition dedicated to narrow gauge forest railway of the Little Carpathians (1898-1960), whose line Smolenice – Dobrá Voda led nearby the monastery. Exposition includes also a short yard with ancient vehicles and ample informational panels. The yard will be gradually extended and will enable the view of the connection with its former line.

Ruins of Catherine's church and monastery are situated in the central part of the Little Carpathians in the Nature reserve of Katarínka about 3 kilometers west from the village Dechtice. Ruins are accessible by the trail from the village Naháč marked by blue signs about 2 km north. The trail continues up to the ruins of the castle Dobrá Voda.

From the border of the Protected Landscape Area of the Little Carpathians (CHKO Malé Karpaty) the access is possible only by walking or cycling.

- The trail from the village of Naháč to Katarínka is marked using blue signs with estimated hiking time 0:40.

- The trail from the village of Dechtice to Katarínka marked using yellow signs, estimated hiking time 1:20. It is possible to get to the border of the forest by car. The sign „No motor vehicles“ is placed there.

- The trail from the village of Dobrá Voda marked using blue signs, estimated hiking time 1:20.

From the border of the Protected Landscape Area of the Little Carpathians (CHKO Malé Karpaty) the access is possible only by walking or cycling.

- The trail from the village of Naháč to Katarínka is marked using blue signs with estimated hiking time 0:40.

- The trail from the village of Dechtice to Katarínka marked using yellow signs, estimated hiking time 1:20. It is possible to get to the border of the forest by car. The sign „No motor vehicles“ is placed there.

- The trail from the village of Dobrá Voda marked using blue signs, estimated hiking time 1:20.

- First third of 15th century – Gothic chapel made of stone on the site in the woods of Little Carpathian Mountains on a rocky hill above Dubovský creek

- Late 1500s – supposed apparitions of St. Catherine to a shepherd, who built here a small chapel into a cave

- 1617 – recorded apparition of St. Catherine to a ploughman Ján Manca, inhabitant of Dechtice. Noble young man Ján Apponyi, the son of a rich count from Jablonica, had come to live here as a hermit in the cave. When his noble family got angry and forced him to return home, he died of sorrow the next day. He is said to be hallowed.

- 1618 – 21 December – count Krištof Erdödy, the domain owner, issued the foundation document establishing a Franciscan monastery on this site

- 1619 – the new monastery had first twelve inhabitants

- 1645 – St. Catherine's monastery was plundered and set on fire during an armed rebellion of the Hungarian nobility ( Juraj Rákóczi I. )

- 1646 – reconstruction and rebuilding of the site led by the founder's son Gabriel Erdödi with his wife Judita Amade. The church was substantially rebuilt to incorporate the original small one from 1618 as the chancel of the new one.

- Around 1650 – Chordigers – members of layman Franciscan Order – started their caring for the sick and the poor here. Emperor Joseph II. abolished this fellowship in 1782.