These articles were published in the Spectacular Slovakia travel guide, published annually by The Slovak Spectator since 1996. The latest editions can be obtained from our online shop.


Northeastern Slovakia Itinerary

WEEKEND TRIP - Gothic Route: Spiš Circuit-Pieniny National Park

Explore the northernmost part of the Gothic Route trail (the entire 276-kilometre route winds through towns and villages dominated by Gothic churches) leading through the north-west area of Prešov region. Visit towns located in the mountains of Levočské Vrchy and Spišská Magura.

FRIDAY evening - Kežmarok

Begin the route in the former business centre of Kežmarok. Have dinner at the U Troch Apoštolov (Three Apostles) restaurant. Hlavné Nám. 9. Tel: 052 452-5725.

SATURDAY - Kežmarok, Strážky

    Kežmarok Castle
 Kežmarok Castle
 Photo: Igor Ďurič

Explore the historical centre of Kežmarok. Visit the wooden church erected during the period of Protestant persecution. Open daily 9:00-12:00 and 14:00-17:00. Hviezdoslavova 16. Tel: 052 452-2242. Continue towards the Basilica of St. Cross on Kostolné Námestie. Then walk to Hradné Námestie and enter the Mestský Hrad (Town Castle). There, visit an exhibition of the town's guilds. Open daily 9:00-16:30, entrance every hour. Tel: 052 452-2242. Drive to Strážky and visit the gothic Church of St. Anna from the 15th century. Then get familiar with one of the leading Slovak painters, Ladislav Medoanský, in Kaštieľ Strážky (Strážky Manor House). Open daily 9:00-19:00. Tel: 052 458-1312.

SUNDAY - Červený Kláštor, Stará Ľubovňa

In Červený Kláštor town visit the Kláštor (monastery), founded in 1319 and home to the medieval herbalist friar Cyprián. Have a look at his house, which was a medieval pharmacy. Open daily 9:00-17:00. Tel: 052 482-2353.

Finish your journey in the town of Stará Ľubovňa and visit the St. Mikuláš Church from the 13th century. Hiking: The green trail leads to nearby Matysová village.

WEEK TRIP - Wooden churches of The northeast

Wooden churches, a unique form of traditional architecture, are common across the entire Carpathian basin. Usually hidden in a copse of tall trees, they occupy a dominant position in their villages. Over two thirds of the 36 wooden churches remaining in Slovakia still offer regular church ceremonies. Explore also the countryside in the Šariš and Horný Zemplín areas.

SUNDAY - Bardejov, Jedlinka

Walk around the historical centre of Bardejov, which is listed on the UNESCO world cultural heritage site. See the Basilica of St. Egídius (15th century), the original gothic fortification, and a collection of Jewish buildings - spas, synagogues, houses and a cemetrey at Mierová 6 and 7.

Visit the wooden Greek Catholic Church of Protection of the Virgin Mary from 1763 in Jedlinka. Contact: See the note on the door.

MONDAY - Bardejovské Kúpele, Zborov Castle

Get to know the traditional architecture of the Carpathian region at the Múzeum Ľudovej Architektúry (Folk Architecture Museum).

Open daily 8:30-17:00. Vila Rákoczi, Bardejovské Kúpele. Tel: 054 472-2072.

Hike to Zborov Castle ruins. From Bardejov centre take the 10-kilometre green trail leading up to the castle hill.

TUESDAY - Bardejov, Hervartov

See the largest collections of icons in Slovakia at the Šariš Múzeum.

Open daily 8:30-17:00. Radničné nám. 27, Bardejov. Tel: 054 472-2009.

Visit the Roman Catholic St. Francis of Assisi Church in Hervartov. Built around 1500, it is the oldest preserved wooden church in Slovakia. Contact: See the note on the door.

WEDNESDAY - Svidník, Korejovce

Visit the town of Svidník - the centre of Ukraine-Rusyn culture in Slovakia - and see the exhibition of traditional crafts at the local museum.

Open Tue-Fri 8:30-16:00, Sat-Sun 10:00-16:00. Centrálna 258. Tel: 054 752-2271. Visit the Virgin Mary Church in Korejovce from 1764. Contact: See the note on the door.

THURSDAY - Ladomirová, Medzilaborce

See the St. Michael the Archangel Church from 1742. Contact: Ms. Pastišinová in the house on the left of the church. Drive to Medzilaborce to see original paintings by American pop-artist Andy Warhol, whose Ruthene parents come from the area.

Open Tue-Sun 10:00-16:00. Múzeum Andyho Warhola, Ulica A. Warhola. Tel: 057 748-0070.

FRIDAY - Snina

Reserve the whole day for a trip to Sninské Rybníky (Snina Ponds). Take the green trail from Snina centre, passing the Zemplínske Hámre village to Tri Table. There, change to the blue trail and follow it to the Snina Ponds. A further three kilometres will take you back to Snina.

SATURDAY - Humenné

End the route in Humenné. Visit the monumental four-wing Renaissance manor house from the 17th century, housing the Vihorlatské Múzeum (Vihorlat Museum), and see the exhibition mapping the development of the surrounding countryside. A folk culture exhibition lies in the museum park.

Open Tue-Fri 9:00-17:30, Sat 9:00-13:00, Sun 13:00-17:00. Nám. slobody 1. Tel: 057 775-2240.

These articles and related information were published in Spectacular Slovakia 2003.

Make your comment to the article... (2 reactions already made)