History of the monastery of St. Katarina
first third of the 15th century – a stone Gothic chapel in the forests of the Lesser Carpathians on a rocky hill above Dubovský potok, documented by archaeological research
at the end of the 16th century - alleged apparitions of St. Kataríny to a certain shepherd, who created a small chapel - a cave - in the rock at this place
1617 – St. Katarína appeared to Ján Manc from Dechtice, who was plowing here.
Young Ján Apponyi, the son of a rich count from Jablonica, leads a hermit life in a cave in this sacred place. After being forcibly dragged home by his parents, he dies the next day. He is still revered today as a candidate for sainthood.
1618 – December 21 – the owner of the manor, Count Krištof Erdődy, issues the charter for the Franciscan monastery
Hypothetical drawing of the church and monastery (Author: Petra Gojdičová)
1619 – the first twelve monks already live in the monastery
1645 – the monastery and church looted and set on fire by the troops of Juraj Rákoci I. during the estate uprising
1646 – restoration and rebuilding of the buildings by the founder's son Gabriel Erdődy and his wife Judith Amade. The church expanded to a larger temple, which probably originally from In 1618 it served as a sanctuary
about half past 17th century – a lay Brotherhood of strippers (chordigers) founded near the monastery, whose members, in addition to religious activities, devoted themselves mainly to the sick and the poor. Due to the alleged abuse of indulgences and graces, Jozef II. abolished this community by decree from 1782.
1663 – the monastery was raided by the Turks, later after their expulsion it was looted by imperial soldiers who murdered the nobles hiding here
1683 – monastery damaged by Imrich Tőkoly's soldiers
1697 - during a large pilgrimage - an attempt by Liechtenstein soldiers to recruit young recruits by force - they are pushed by the people into the temple, where one of the soldiers was killed
1701 - January 9 - the church defiled by murder is consecrated again. Juraj and Kristof II.Erdődy confirm by deed that they will give the monastery 500 Rhenish ducats for maintenance
1710 – September 9 – Benignus Smrtník (b. 1650), author of the work "Kunšt dobre umríti", author of the work "Kunšt dobre umríti", dies of cholera in the St. Catherine's monastery, to which several Franciscans succumbed.
during the 18th century – numerous benefactors – mainly the rich nobility, but also simple people from the surrounding area – generously donate to the St. Catherine's monastery, and some families even allow themselves to be buried here (Erdődyovci, Apponyiovci, Labšanský)
1782 – complaints from Naháč parish priest Juraj Fándly that most of his believers prefer to visit St. Catherine's church near the monastery rather than their own parish church in Naháč. He also expressed his indignation in a well-known work from 1789: Dúwerná szmluva between a monk and a devil (the first work written in literary Bernolák Slovak)
1786 – July 22 – by decree of Emperor Jozef II. – monastery of St. Kataríny abolished, like many others that did not engage in charitable or pedagogical activities (738 monasteries in total)
1787 – January 22 – the monastery was taken over by the state administration, an inventory and assessment of the property was carried out, valuable objects and a rich inventory were gradually transferred to the surrounding parish churches, but many were stolen and lost forever...
1788 – 1792 – the abandoned monastery is inhabited by seven military invalids from Trnava
1793 – three thieves robbed family tombs under the church
1797 – count Jozef Erdődy bought the derelict buildings, out of respect for the remains of his ancestors, but did not prevent their gradual destruction and transformation into ruins
1811 – Calvary sculpture in front of the church transported by the Erdődys to Dechtice
1835 – the last mention of the function of "Guardian of St. Kataríny" (Jozef Kollár from Tar)
1869, 1891 – historians begin to take an interest in the Monastery of St. Kataríny (Odoricus Balázsovits: "Brevis Historia...", Pál Jedlicska "Malokarpatské monuments"...)
1905 – statues of four Franciscan saints – originally placed on the corners of the church tower – transferred to the Pálffy family tomb in Smolenice
1930s – scout camps on Katarínka, trips of Franciscan novices
2nd half 20th century - the monastery falls into oblivion outside the interest of the state, historians Hadrián Radváni and especially Jozef Šimončič are trying to resurrect its history
1995 - July 3 - the picturesque ruins come to life again thanks to young volunteers and their new "order of the Catherines" - the saviors of the monastery
Important personalities
Biography of Ján Apponyi, to whom Saint Catherine appeared at the site of the monastery
Sv. Catherine of Alexandria - she allegedly appeared to John Apponyus and the church and monastery are dedicated to her
Benignus Smrtník - Preacher and novelist Benignus Smrtník (
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