Nitra Nitra is the oldest town in Slovakia, already established as such in early feudal Great Moravia. Written sources from the first third of the 9* century mention the consecration of a church to Pribin by the Bishop of Salcburk, Adalrám. One of the main political and economic centres of Great Moravia, Nitra is also an important archaeological area and has been seat of the Principality of Nitra, of Svätopluk, a bishopric and location of a chapter and the Benedictine monastery at Zobor where the oldest school in Slovakia was established. Belo IV granted Nitra the privileges of a free royal town in 1248. The castle dates back to the 11.th century and was converted to gothic style in the 15th century. Its oldest parts are Vazil tower and the romanesque Saint Emeram's rotunda from the 12th century. The gothic Upper Church or St. Emeram's Cathedral dates from the years 1333-35. The castle grounds and archaeological remains of an Old Slav settlement are a national cultural monument. Since 1984 Nitra has been a town heritage reservation. The FDC features archaeological relics - a bronze pendant from the 9th century (from the Nitra-Ľubka site) and a bunch of grapes from the seal of a wine-growing community. The cancellation features a stylised town emblem from the year 1904.