A place where spirituality meets volunteering: discover the Katarínka Monastery

One of the most significant pilgrimage sites of the Archdiocese of Esztergom has survived two centuries of decay and is now experiencing an era of gradual and systematic restoration. Enjoy a pleasant trip to a place that will enchant you with its magical atmosphere.

Location of Katarínka

The Katarínka Monastery, officially known as the Monastery of St. Catherine, is located in the Small Carpathians, near the village of Dechtice. If you travel by car, enter “Katarínka-parkovisko” in Google Maps. You can reach this point by car, then continue on foot. Without a car, you have several options. You can hike to Katarínka: ● From Naháč via the blue hiking trail (approx. 40 min.) ● From Dechtice via the yellow hiking trail (1 hr. 20 min.) ● From Dobrá Voda via the blue hiking trail (1 hr. 20 min.) The most practical access is from Naháč and Dechtice.

History of Katarínka: from mystical vision to decline

The Katarínka Monastery has an interesting history dating back to the 17th century. Its origin is linked to a young man named Ján Apponyi, who had a vision of St. Catherine of Alexandria in 1617. In this vision, the saint called on him to build a monastery at this site. Ján decided to fulfill his dream and, with the support of local residents and nobility, began the construction of a Franciscan monastery, which lasted until 1644.

The golden age of the monastery was the 17th and 18th centuries when monks from the surrounding area gathered here to devote themselves to prayer, study, and work. During this period, Katarínka was a center of spiritual life and cultural heritage, with its library containing rare manuscripts and books.

However, the fate of Katarínka changed completely in the second half of the 18th century when the monastery was abandoned due to the reform of Emperor Joseph II. A total of 738 monasteries were dissolved at that time. In the following centuries, the monastery fell victim to the forces of nature and the ravages of time.

Rescue of Katarínka: when volunteers take action

Fortunately, the story of Katarínka does not end there. In the 1990s, a group of enthusiasts decided to save the monastery and founded the civic association “Katarínka”. Today, you can see volunteers from all over Slovakia regularly meeting for summer work camps as part of the Katarínka project to help preserve and restore the monastery.

Thanks to them, you can see well-reconstructed church ruins with a tower and remnants of one wing of the monastery building. In the surrounding area, you can also roast sausages at prepared fire pits and view (or even ride) the Katarínka forest railway. Today, Katarínka is a vibrant place where spirituality intersects with volunteering and tourism. Will you visit it too?