The Rubrorum, which is the former Main Seminary, is the neighbouring building to Adalbertinum. It is also known as the Red Clerics Seminary, since its name was derived from theology students’ red cassocks. It was established in 1649, for theology students of the University in Trnava, by the Archbishop Juraj Lippay, who had been inspired by a similar seminary in Rome.The Jesuit University, with its Catholic character, put emphasis on teaching the clergy. Yet clergy students represented only about 20 per cent of the student body. The rest of them were laic students of philosophy, and later, also of law and medicine, each studying for three years. In the 18th century, professors’ papers showed an inclination towards the works of F. Bacon, G. Galileo, Newton's physics, and Copernicus’s heliocentric theory (this last one was accepted as proven). Astronomical research and university printed textbooks on surgery, obstetrics, ophthalmology, and dermatology contributed to the development of science. Ten thousand laic specialists graduated during the 142 years of the university’s existence. This had a significant impact on later cultural developments and the national revival.The Army commandeered the Rubrorum, along with other buildings, after 1783. In 1914, the original two-floor building was radically rebuilt, bringing it to its present form. Fortunately the early Baroque portal with the Latin inscription and coat of arms of the founder was preserved. Between 1852 and 1918, the building functioned as an eight year diocese school.. Among its graduates were the national composer, M. Schneider Trnavský (who was born in Trnava), the world famous Hungarian composer, Zoltán Kodály, and the sculptor John Koniarek. After a takeover by public administration in 1919, the building was named after Ján Hollý (1785 -1849), a poet who belonged to Bernolák`s movement, who studied in Trnava in the years 1802-1808. A memorial plaque remains to celebrate this fact.

 

Contact