The Slavic history of Nitra started near the end of the 5th century. In 9th century Nitra was one of the most important centres of the state formation of the Great Moravian Empire - where may have been the residence of Prince Pribina under whose rule Nitra was an important political, military and economic centre. Pribina showed great wisdom as a statesman and had great insight into European politics when in about 828 A.D. he allowed the first Christian church in Nitra to be consecrated. With Nitra is associated the Byzantine Christian mission of two brothers Cyrillus (Constantine) and Methodius in 863. They contributed significantly to the advancement of Slavs by translating the first liturgical texts into Old Slavonic language and developing the first Slavic alphabet.

Nitra is the oldest Slovak city. It is beautifully located on the northern border of the Danubian lowlands in the western part of Slovakia. Nitra sits right below the majestic panorama of Zobor hill. The splendid scenery is multiplied by a meandering river of the same name, "Nitra".

In 1248 King Belo IV granted privileges to the town and Nitra became a free royal town. Until the beginning of the 14th century Nitra remained the residential town of the principality that bordered the newly formed Hungarian monarchy. Also, during the Middle Ages it was the site of important historical events, and it was often plundered by various armies. The Benedictines took up the organisation of ecclesiastical life, their monastery of St. Hyppolite on the slope of Zobor hill was the oldest in Slovakia. From the second half of the 18th century, Nitra managed to escape military hardships. This made possible the renovation of the town and modifications of the Castle and, especially, the Cathedral. Peaceful times made the construction of several buildings in the Upper Town possible. The further development of the town was strongly influenced by two World Wars.

Today Nitra is an economic centre of the vast region along the River Nitra. The town is an important educational centre of Slovakia. It is especially known as a major centre of agricultural education and scientific research and regular agricultural exhibition.