The pair of Saints Cyril and Methodius is certainly better known throughout Slovakia. Today we will look at the place where two other saints left their hearts and legacy almost a thousand years ago - Andrej-Svorad and Beňadik.

Both hermits dedicated their lives to God and became popular teachers. People came to them at Skalka near Trenčín from a wide area. This place enchanted many future generations and Skalka thus became the oldest pilgrimage site in Slovakia and in the entire former Hungary. People come here individually during the year, not just believers.

Skalka is also popular with ordinary tourists, who return here to soak up the unique atmosphere or irresistible views. Cyclists can also get to Skalka most recently. The modern cycle route connects Trenčín and Nemšová and continues to Brumov in the Czech Republic. There is also a "rest area" built under Skalka, so that you can enjoy the environment to the fullest and gain strength for the next trip.

The unmistakable spirit of Skalka also appeals to artists. Slovak and foreign ones meet here to gain inspiration for their new works, which they also create here. The symposium is called Ora et Ars - praying and creation - inspired by the Benedictine "Ora et labora". According to Jozef Vydrnák, co-organizer of the symposium, the strength of the ancient pilgrimage site will amaze everyone, even those who have not been here and do not know the history of Skalka. The created works - paintings, poems, sculptures and installations are then presented to the general public. Of course, this happens at Skalka, during two openings and at later traveling exhibitions.

Believers come here especially on July 17, which has been celebrated in Slovakia for more than 900 years as the feast of St. Andreja-Svorad and Beňadik. Processions and pilgrimages meet here not only from Považie, but also from Moravia and Silesia. More people than usual are here even before Easter, when the Stations of the Cross take place on Calvary. By the way, the Calvary with fourteen stops was erected opposite the church by the Jesuits in 1676. Eleven years before, there was supposedly a drought all over Považie. They threatened hunger and misery, and so the Jesuits of Trenčín organized a great pilgrimage of believers with pleas for God's help. Then, when the rich rain sprinkled the whole Považie, they thanked God again for this gift on Skalka. After many such events, legends arose among the people and St. Benedict was taken as the protector of Považie.

Another legend is associated with Skalka and the church that stands there. It takes place a hundred years earlier. It is said that the Thurz family was walking in a carriage around Skalka, when suddenly the horses got scared and ran directly to the steep rock above Váh. The passengers began to pray and pray to St. Andrew-Svorad and Benadik. At that moment, the horses stopped above the steep abyss above Váh and the family was saved. And Juraj Thurzo had a chapel built in 1520 as a token of gratitude.

The Benedictines also returned to Skalka in modern history. More precisely, one Benedictine. This happened after the change of regime, when the devastated Skalka was tried to be restored by Brother Martin, the only Benedictine living in Slovakia. He wanted the monastery to come to life and to become the seat of the Benedictines in Slovakia again. He lived here literally in Spartan conditions, trying to guard the monastery and also save what was left. The ruin of the monastery is today a national cultural monument.

"I am an unbeliever, but I like to go to Skalka very much. One finds peace here, does not even notice the cars humming on the road, relaxes and recharges. He leaves here and does not bother him, what is in politics, what problems are at home. I often go here by bike. I run upstairs, sit down, soak up the atmosphere. I think that even monks, when they were looking for a suitable place, had to choose it according to something, where they will feel not only safe but also good. And this place is so clearly, "says one of Skalka's visitors, 64-year-old Štefan Majtán from Trenčín.

photo: Stanislav Hladký