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IN A FEW WORDS: SLOVAKIA >>
East
EASTERN SLOVAKIA
is an area with a cornucopia of small geographical and tourist attractive places. Though destitute, the region is notable for its magnificent surroundings. Wealth of enchanting historical towns, splendid landscape and folk architecture represented by peculiar wooden churches.
ranks among the most interesting regions in the East. The captivating sights and a variety of mineral springs make it a most beautiful and attractive region. In terms of nationality and religion, Spis comes across as highly diversified, nonetheless, with the Slovaks ever comprising a majority. The first German and Hungarian colonists emerged in the 12th century. The border area in the north is known for the local Gorals whose dialect is close the Polish language. The Ruthenians and the Ukrainians settled in the mountains in the course of the 14th century. It became a home to many Jews and the number of Gypsies has grown considerably since the 15th century.
Selected must-see places
- Spisky hrad (Spis Castle)
UNESCO listed World Cultural Heritage
- one of Central Europe´s largest medieval strongholds.
- originally derived from the German Zipser. A German settlement bellow the Spis Castle, later known as a lively industrial town.
- originally an independent village, it has become the spiritual centre of the region.
- initially an agricultural village, Zehra is an important archaeological site. Its church of the Holy Ghost is known for precious wall paintings from the Middle Ages, the oldest dating back to the 13th century, the youngest to the 15th century.
municipal cultural preservation
- it was an important centre of crafts, trade and culture in the Middle Ages.
- The High Tatras mountains
- the Slovak most sought-after mountains - are of an alpine character. They are situated up in the northern part, on the very Polish border. They are the highest, the most beautiful and the most visited part of Slovakia. The High Tatras surroundings provide excellent conditions for winter sports and summer tourism, and are the perfect place for spa treatments. The wide range of possibilities includes a number of all-year round outdoor activities for visitors of all age. The visitors are to be enchanted by the local beauties, esp. numerous peaks and mountain lakes. There was established the Tatra National Park (TANAP, the oldest national park in Slovakia) as for the many protected plants and animals to be found there.
- sought-after by gold seekers in the early 18th century.
Cervený Klastor (The Red Monastery village)
- the main attraction of this village is rafting down by the Dunajec river on special wooden rafts.
Bardejov / UNESCO's World Heritage Sites, awarded The European Prize - Gold Medal" for preservation and restoration/ - the most gothic town of Slovakia with numerous cultural monuments.
Sightseeings
Town monument reserve
- the city centre consists of a main square of unspoiled cobbles skirted by rows of affluent burgher houses in gothic and rennaisance style with typical gable facades and with pastel colouring. There are also numerous historical buildings on the square such as Town Hall - unique building is the first Renaissance edifice in Slovakia.It was the headquarters of the town council. Since 1905, the Saris Museum /Slovakia´s oldest museum/ has been inside in the hall, The St. Egidius Church - medieval church was built at the fortification walls in 15th century. Interior of this three naves basilica is the most luxurious in Central Europe
Museum of folk architecture
- Slovakia's oldest open-air museum situated on the upper part of the spa Bardejov, concentrates 28 folk buildings. The Museum includes two wooden churches, thatched-roofed wooden houses, a blacksmith workshop, a fruit-drying room, a drilling mechanism driven by water, a mill,...etc.
