The Podduklian region is closely connected with the culture and history of Rusyns and Ukrainians in Slovakia. Its centre is Svidník (12 450 inhabitants), which with its surroundings offers visitors many possibilities for relaxation, sport, tourism and recreation.
Strong traces of war history have been left here, which you can literally touch in the region.
The area was affected by many horrors of war both in the First and Second World War. Wandering through the region has a strong atmosphere and recalls a wartime history that must not be repeated. At the same time, you will discover beautiful jewels, interesting architecture and magical nature, which are an excellent combination for exploring this corner of the Prešov region.
WHAT YOU NEED TO SEE IN THE REGION BELOW THE DUKLA:
1. Statue of Army General Ludvík Svoboda in the centre of Svidník, the only one in Central Europe.
2. Military History Museum in Svidník, which documents the course of heavy fighting that took place in the north-east of Slovakia in the First and Second World War. It is housed in a building whose shape resembles an anti-tank mine. In the museum you can see authentic photographs from the battles, personal relics, various types of weapons and finds from the battlefields of the Dukla Pass.
3. In the park near the museum there is an external exposition of heavy military equipment.
4. In the neighbourhood of the exposition stands since 1954 Soviet Army Memorialwhere more than 9 000 soldiers killed in the autumn of 1944 are buried.
5. Dukla: Czechoslovak Army Memorial at Dukla - national cultural monument. The area belongs to the the most visited places in the region. It is a reminder of the Carpatho-Dukla military operation that took place in the autumn of 1944. Over 60 thousand Soviet and Czechoslovak soldiers were killed during the fighting. The 28 m high memorial was erected in 1949. It is embedded in the military cemetery, which is crossed by a colonnade with bronze plaques. Surrounding the memorial and the cemetery is a large open-air military museum. The former battlefield can be seen from a perspective that provides visitors observation tower.
6. In the area of the natural museum as well as around the road to Svidník there are 55 pieces of various heavy combat equipment from World War II. The strongest points include Death Valley in the vicinity of Kapišová, where the heaviest battles with massive deployment of tanks took place.
7. In the surrounding forests you can still hide in the preserved bunkers. In the forest above the village Vyšný Komárnik don't miss a tour of the renovated bunkers (or zemľaniek), where the headquarters and headquarters of the 3rd Czechoslovak Brigade were located in 1944. In Hunkovce, tourists will not miss the war cemetery, where 3,100 German soldiers are buried.
8. In the town of Svidník there is also Slovak National Museum - Museum of Ukrainian Culture, a unique, specialized and the oldest ethnic museum in Slovakia. It includes open-air museum of folk architecture with a rare wooden temple and Dezider Milly Gallery in an 18th century Baroque manor house
9. Svidník and the surrounding villages are characterized by sacral, mainly wooden buildings. In the category of national cultural monuments in the district eleven wooden churches of the Eastern rite, i.e. mostly in eastern Slovakia. Wooden churches in Ladomirova and Bodružal are UNESCO monuments. Their architecture and magnificent interior will win visitors over. In Bodružali, for example, there are still traces of a grenade that went through the roof of the temple. There are also wooden churches in Vyšné and Nižné Komárnik, Hunkovce, [trip:1737;Dobroslav], Korejovce and many others.
10. Relax and have fun in the water in the water world Aquaruthenia with outdoor and indoor swimming pools and wellness facilities open all year round.
The surroundings of Svidník also provide opportunities to learn about folk customs and customs, and hiking on marked trails, camping and cycling. In the summer season, tourists are also attracted by attractive events such as the Celebration of the Culture of Rusyn-Ukrainians of Slovakia (the oldest folklore festival in Slovakia, mid-June) and the Rusyn Festival (May/June). More event tips in this region you can find at dukladestination.com
