Plan your free days during autumn in Slovakia. We present you some tips for autumn trips in Spiš. Let yourself be carried away to the Middle Ages, admire the UNESCO monuments. Quiet squares and crooked houses and historic streets, monumental temples and museums with their exhibitions await you.
The offer full of historical treasures is complemented by picturesque nature, which invites you to pleasant autumn walks.
Autumn season attracts to visit the historic towns of Levoča, Spišské Podhradie, Kežmarok, or Spišská Bela and get to know more about the World Heritage Sites UNESCO.
Since tourists are less, the tours are much quieter, complemented by the possibility of enjoy the charm of the cities with a cup of hot drink. We recommend checking the opening hours before visiting. The sights are usually open Monday to Friday, but other entry times can be arranged for groups.
Levoca
Ancient Levoca lies at the foot of the Levoča Hills, surrounded by an almost completely preserved fortification system. In 2009 Levoča was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the ensemble Levoča, Spiš Castle and the surrounding monuments. Behind the mighty walls of the city's monument reserve there are more than 300 immovable national cultural monuments! Among the most famous are St. James Church with a remarkable altar, which with its height of 18.62 m is the highest Gothic altar in the world.
Historical town hall, evangelical church, cage of shame a more than 60 townhouses dating mostly from the 14th - 15th centuries form Master Paul Square in Levoca - Europe's largest medieval rectangular square.
The expositions of the Spiš Museum (Read more) and unusual interactive Museum of Special Education in Levoca.
Kezmarok
Square of picturesque towns Kežmarok under the High Tatras has retained a touch of Medieval Times. Already in 1950 the historic core of Kežmarok was declared urban conservation area. Directly in the town is located city castle from 1463, whose expositions document the development of the town from its foundation to the 1930s. Here you will hear the story of the sad fate of the Beata Laska - the first woman hiker in the Tatras. You will strike a coin, see also a unique historical firefighter's syringe or the first model X-ray machine. The story of his journey from America to Kežmarok will surely surprise you.
Near the castle and the square (everything is close here) there are other national cultural monuments:
Lyceum with one of the largest historical school libraries in Central Europe hides 150 000 volumes of all possible disciplines and world languages. Kežmarok Lyceum with an elite teaching staff and a high degree of tolerance attracted students of different nationalities and religious beliefs. That is why the most eminent writers, historians, philosophers, doctors, engineers and mathematicians studied here. Perhaps the most famous student was Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav. Among the physicians MUDr. Vojtech Alexander - a prominent Hungarian radiologist, or the founder of the theory of steam and gas turbines Aurel Stodola.
On the place where P.O. Hviezdoslav lived during his studies there is Boutique Hotel Hviezdoslav. Visitors appreciate not only the sensitively preserved architecture with a touch of the Middle Ages, the historicizing interior, but also the quality service and modern gastronomy combined with a number of experiential events, including literary evenings.
Wooden Evangelical Articular Church from the 18th century (UNESCO) is known for its unusual decoration in the style of folk baroque and painting, which reminds us of the Sistine Chapel. As it has excellent acoustics, it hosts great concerts of various genres.
Late Gothic the Roman Catholic Basilica of the Holy Cross is one of the largest in Spiš. The bell tower in front of the basilica from 1591 is considered to be the oldest Renaissance bell tower in Slovakia.
Spišská Belá
Not far from Kežmarok is the town of Spišská Bela. Local Museum J. M. Petzval will attract especially fans of photography. Native son Jozef Maximilián Petzval made a significant contribution to the development of optics and the discovery of other inventions.
And in the nearby The manor house is located in Strážki with a picture gallery and an English park. KThe school is also open on Saturdays and Sundays.
TIP for a trip in the countryside:
A walk through the Hanušov chotár
In Spišské Hanušovce there is a green and yellow sign marked easy Hanušovské chotárom path. The route leads to the valley Giblík, where the statue of the Virgin Mary is located. A quiet resting place will be appreciated especially by the elderly. Families with children will certainly like to go further to the lookout point, which is marked with a green sign and a yellow colour. It leads diagonally across the meadow to the ridge above the village of Spišské Hanušovce to a board with a photo and descriptions of the peaks. Along the trail you will enjoy beautiful views of the Three Crowns in the Pieniny Mountains, the High and Belianske Tatras.
Educational trail through the history and traditions of Zdiar
An easy walk along the nature trail in Ždiar starts at the crossroads to the Monk's Valley. It leads through the forest parallel to the main road in the direction of Tatranská Javorina. It is marked with a green sign and several signs with QR codes that provide interesting information.
A trip in Zdiar is worth starting or ending in Bachledova dolinawhere you can stay, eat, enjoy wellness and walk through the views of the Walkway in the treetops.
Bathing in thermal hot water
After hiking and sightseeing, relaxing in the water is a good idea. Thermal swimming pool in Vrbov attracts for fun and relaxation throughout the year. It is located only 7 km from Kežmarok. Thermal water with a temperature of 26°C to 38°C has a beneficial effect especially on muscles and joints.
More tips can be found at: www.tatryspispieniny.sk
Source: Gabriela Bodnárová; OOCR Tatry Spiš Pieniny
