The Spišský Castle

Castle

In the eastern horizon of Spišské Podhradie towers the Spiš Castle. As a National Cultural Monument, Spiš Castle with its area of more than four ha, and partially in ruins, is one of the largest castle compounds in Central Europe. Spiš Castle was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993.

Construction of the medieval castle on a travertine hill dates back to the beginning of the 12th century. The oldest written reference to the castle is from 1120. At the beginning it was a boundary fort placed at the northern frontier of an early feudal Old Hungarian state. Afterwards, it became the seat of the head of the Spiš region for many centuries.

In the second half of the 15th century the reconstruction of the castle fell upon its new owner Štefan Zápoľský whose intention was to remake it into a stately aristocratic residence. He had made a palace, a knight hall and chapel of St Elisabeth in the castle. His son Ján, later King of Hungary was born at the Castle.

The last building works at the Upper Castle were made under the orders of the Thurzos' and the Csákys'.

In 1780 the castle compound was destroyed by fire and the proud Spiš Castle gradually fell into ruins. The total decay of the castle was prevented only through the intervention of conservationists who in 1970 got down to the difficult job of preserving the walls and palaces threatened by the instability of its rocky base.

At present there are the collections of the Spišské múzeum placed in the castle documenting its history, along with medieval arms and feudal jurisdiction.

The landscape around the village of Spišské Podhradie can be seen comfortably by using the instructive footpath Sivá Brada – Dreveník, which has eight information boards along its route guiding the visitor through the travertine hills and natural phenomena in this part of the region.

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MaySeptember
Monday – Sunday09:0019:00

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Places Around

Sauna in forest

Sauna in forest

At the foot of the forest in Spišský Hrhov, in an old orchard with a view of Spiš Castle, there is a sauna original in its architecture and concept. It is accessible free of charge to anyone who reserves it for an undisturbed experience. Reservations are possible via the form. The sauna has an unconventional shape on the outside, but inside it is built according to traditional techniques. It is without electricity, heats with wood in the oven and cools with water from the stream. The only stimuli from the surroundings are the starry sky and the sounds of the forest.

Šikľavá skala

A place you should enroll in your winter travel program. You can find a sloping rock near Spišská Nová Ves, between the villages of Matejovce nad Hornádom and Chrasť nad Hornádom.

Tower of the Basilica of St. James

Tower of the Basilica of St. James

The tower forms a part of the Basilica minor. The building borders basilica minor from the west, it has a prismatic shape and a neo-gothic octagonal superstructure from 1852-1858. Offers to the visitors a unique view of Levoča from 70 m height. Beautiful scenery of the historical square and the city of levoča ,the High and the Low Tatras ,Slovak Paradise and Marianska hora,the most famous pilgrim site in Slovakia,can be admired from the tower. Free entry after booking.

Lačnov canyon

In the Branisko mountains, between the village of Lipovce and the settlement of Lačnov, there is a unique 2 km long canyon created by the Lačnov brook. This extremely attractive locality can be found on maps and in the literature under various names; it is most often referred to as the Lačnov Canyon, the Lačnovská Strait or the Lačnovský Stream Strait, but some also call it the Little Slovak Paradise.

Vodná nádrž Levoča

Vodná nádrž Levoča má rozlohu 3 000 metrov štvorcových a kapacitu až 3 500 návštevníkov. Do zariadenia je umožnený celoročný prístup autom a zabezpečené je parkovanie na rozsiahlom stráženom parkovisku.

Zlá diera cave

Zlá diera cave

The only accessible cave in the north-east of Slovakia is the cave Zlá Diera (Bad Hole) near the village Lipovce. Speleological (cave) guides are available for demanding visitors. The basic route takes about 40 minutes. It is not demanding and suitable for children. Solid shoes and warm clothes are recommended (the temperature in the cave moves around 7 degrees of Celsius).

Zoological garden in Spišská Nová Ves

Zoological garden in Spišská Nová Ves

The ZOO of Spišská Nová Ves in the Eastern Slovakia is the youngest and smallest ZOO in Slovakia. It is located close to the National park Slovak Paradise (Slovenský raj) which is one of the top national parks of Slovakia.

Alex Park

Alex Park

One of the largest children's indoor parks in Slovakia.

LaborARTorium

LaborARTorium - experiment galeria - zmenšíme Vás! Ku chameleónovi 15x » ku škrečkovi 17x » ku mravcovi 330x. V Spišskej Novej Vsi je novootvorená zážitková galéria pre deti a dospelých, ktorí sa radi zabavia. Chcete zažiť niečo nové? Príďte do LaborARTória a zmenšíme vás do akvária ku škrečkom, k mravcovi a chameleónovi, ktorý mení farby.

Myšia Hôrka

Myšia Hôrka

One of the most remarkable discoveries in Slovakia took place in the locality Myšia Hôrka in administrative territory of Spišský Štvrtok (district Poprad). Archaeologists dug out here the remains of a stone town from about 3,500 years ago.

The Spiš Shepherd’s Hut

We offer accommodation and traditional meals – we also organise events such as – Shrove Carnival Pig Slaughter, Goulash Festival Branisko, Spiš Folklore Festival, Master Piroh (pasty). Come and enjoy a weekend’s stay at The Shepherd’s Hut!

Restaurant & Pension Vyšná

Penzión leží uprostred obce Smižany, v blízkosti Slovenského raja, možnosti pešej turistiky.

Zlatý Orol Guest - House

Zlatý Orol Guest - House

Located in Helcmanovce, 31 km from Košice, Penzion Zlaty Orol features a children's playground and sun terrace. Guests can enjoy the on-site bar.

Ranč Čajka

AGROTURISTIKA - možnosť zapojiť sa do chodu gazdovsta a chaty, starostlivosť o zvieratá, ich kŕmenie, čistenie koní, osedlanie koní, pomoc pri ustajnení koní, napájaní, vyhnojovaní, kosiť čerstvú trávu, jazda na traktore. Túto možnosť oceňujú rodičia s deťmi, ktoré tak majú možnosť naučiť sa veľa o zvieratách a prírode, ale aj dospelí milovníci prírody, alebo pod neustálym tlakom pracujúci manažéri. JAZDA NA KONI je pre niektorých jedinečným zážitkom, atrakciou ale aj koníčkom, ktorému venujú celý svoj život. Pre tých čo sa chcú povoziť, naučiť sa jazdiť, starať sa o kone, objednať si celé stádo pre svoje podujatie, jazdiť na saniach, nočné jazdy, výlety po okolí a iné.

Hanka Guest - House

Hanka Guest - House

Penzión Hanka Krompachy is a private accommodation is located on the outskirts of the town, 450 m from the lifts of the Plejsy Ski Resort and offers you ski-to-door access and modern rooms and apartments with flat-screen TV and free WiFi.

Pension Villa Fam

Located in Levoča, Penzión Villa Fam has barbecue facilities and garden. Located around 17.7 km from Spis Castle, the guesthouse with free WiFi is also a 12-minute walk away from St. Jacobs Cathedral in Levoca. Townhall Levoca is 1 km away.

Restaurant & Pension Vyšná

Penzión leží uprostred obce Smižany, v blízkosti Slovenského raja, možnosti pešej turistiky.

Zlatý Orol Guest - House

Zlatý Orol Guest - House

Located in Helcmanovce, 31 km from Košice, Penzion Zlaty Orol features a children's playground and sun terrace. Guests can enjoy the on-site bar.

Paintball Dúbrava

Areály Paintball Dúbravka je nové paintballové ihrisko na Spiši, kde sa môžete vyblázniť a zažiť plno adrenalínu. Ihrisko má zatiaľ cca 140 prekážok, 5 bunkrov a 1 most, ale počet stále narastá a rozlohu cca 7500 m2. Ideálny počet hráčov je 8 – 12.

Sauna in forest

Sauna in forest

At the foot of the forest in Spišský Hrhov, in an old orchard with a view of Spiš Castle, there is a sauna original in its architecture and concept. It is accessible free of charge to anyone who reserves it for an undisturbed experience. Reservations are possible via the form. The sauna has an unconventional shape on the outside, but inside it is built according to traditional techniques. It is without electricity, heats with wood in the oven and cools with water from the stream. The only stimuli from the surroundings are the starry sky and the sounds of the forest.

COMPACT Skydive & Flying

COMPACT Skydive & Flying

POŽIČOVŇA OBLOHY | COMPACT Skydive zabezpečuje komplexné služby v oblasti športového a rekreačného parašutizmu. (Zdroj: www.compact.sk)

Thermal Pool Vrbov near Kežmarok

Thermal Pool Vrbov near Kežmarok

In the Thermal Pool Vrbov you will find the right geothermal water, which is considered one of the best mineral waters in Central Europe containing important mineral substances for the human body. Geothermal water, which the pools are filled by, springs from a depth of over 2000 m and contains minerals with beneficial effects on the musculoskeletal and respiratory system, nervous system, skin and cardiovascular system.

Žehra Hodkovce Manor House

Spiš – to je klenotnica mnohých kultúrnych, historických ale i prírodných pamätihodností Slovenska. Okrem známych pamiatok UNESCO akými sú Spišský hrad, Kostolík sv. Ducha v Žehre či Spišská Kapitula môže návštevník zavítať aj do Kaštieľa Hodkovce, Žehra.

St Martin’s Cathedral – Spišská Kapitula

St Martin’s Cathedral – Spišská Kapitula

The most important building of Spišská Kapitula, which was along with other monuments in environs of the Spiš Castle inscribed in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage, is the Late-Romanesque St Martins Cathedral.

Holy Spirit Church - Žehra

Holy Spirit Church - Žehra

The Spiš community of Žehra is known for its precious local Roman-Catholic Holy Spirit church (Kostol Ducha Svätého) that is, along with other monuments around the Spiš Castle, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Stone bridge in Spišský Hrhov

Stone bridge in Spišský Hrhov

Stone bridge in Spišský Hrhov, in eastern Slovakia, is one of interesting historical and technical monuments, which still serve their purposes. It is one of few conserved historic bridges in region of Spiš.

Master Pavol’s House - Spiš Museum SNM Levoča

The exhibition is located at the square in the burgess house no. 20 whose facade catches one’s eye with the motive of a seashell. Life and work of Master Pavol of Levoča, one of the greatest late-Gothic masters, is presented.

St Jacob church - Levoča

St Jacob church - Levoča

The Roman-Catholic St Jacob church is one of the most important sacral buildings in Slovakia. Its wooden main altar of St James is the tallest of its kind in the world.

Markušovce Manor House

Markušovce Manor House

One of the stateliest buildings of eastern Slovakia is situated in the southern part of region Spiš. It is the manor house Markušovce.

Spiš Theatre

Spiš Theatre

Spišské divadlo je divadlom s vyše 40-ročnou históriou, ktoré pod týmto názvom pôsobí od roku 1992 v budove Reduty, ktorú v roku 1902 pre spoločnosť Imre Halmaiho Straussa postavil staviteľ Kálman Gezster. Jediné na Slovensku pôsobí ako zájazdové divadlo s prioritnou orientáciou na deti a mládež.

Events Around

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MODROTLAČ

Odborná prednáška s praktickými ukážkami výroby.

Vianočná rozprávka ožije na Kežmarskom hrade

Pozývame všetkých malých škriatkov a víly na tvorivé dielne plné zábavy a tvorivosti. Spoločne budeme piecť voňavé oplátky, zdobiť medovníky, vyrábať krásne dekorácie a dozvieme sa zaujímavosti o Vianociach. Na záver si všetci spolu vychutnáme teplý detský punč.

DIALOG - TOUR CZECH REPUBLIC SLOVAKIA 2024

Don't miss the exclusive Czech-Slovak tour of the Armenian musical group dialog music project! "Dialog Music Project" is a contemporary dialogue between jazz, folk and hip-hop. Created by Armenian composer and trumpet player Tigran Suchyan, the motto of the project is "Dialogue in progress...".

Christmas concerts of PV Acoustic duo

Dear friends, the most beautiful holiday of the year - Christmas - is slowly knocking on our door again. Together with the violinist Victoria Linnen, we prepared a small gift for you this year.