Arnutovce brings together a clearly defined cultural and historical theme with a section of cycling route described in terms of its climb, field track and panoramic views. The local history is centred on the Roman Catholic Church of St Helen. Its Late Gothic origins, the later development of the tower and altars from different periods offer several points of interest in architectural and art history. Cyclists will find a different focus: the terrain and changing surface conditions are noted for the section beyond Arnutovce. Depending on your travel interests, you can focus either on the history of the church or on the conditions along the route.

The Church of St Helen and its architectural history

The Roman Catholic Church of St Helen has been listed as a national cultural monument since 15 October 1963. Originally Late Gothic, it was built at the beginning of the 15th century. The tower was added in the second half of the 16th century and was remodelled and enlarged in the 18th century. The church’s Late Gothic origins and the later changes to the tower can therefore be understood as distinct phases of construction.

The furnishings also bring together two periods. The Gothic winged altar of the Virgin Mary dates from around 1485 and is attributed to Master Martin of Levoča. The Rococo altar of St Sebastian dates from around 1770 to 1780. The time gap offers a concrete basis for comparing Late Gothic and later Rococo art. If you are interested in sacred art, the two altars provide a point of interest in their own right, alongside the church’s architectural history.

Local history and personal stories

The history of ownership adds another perspective to the architecture. In 1366, Arnutovce was transferred to the Carthusians of Skala Útočišťa. After the Reformation and the dissolution of the monastery in 1543, Arnutovce returned to royal ownership. This sequence sheds light on a different historical context from the development of the church and tower: here the focus is on changes in ownership, while there it is on construction phases and furnishings. Those interested in placing the village in its cultural and historical context can consider these two timelines separately.

A tangible connection to local memory is the double grave No. 47 in the Arnutovce cemetery. It is the burial place of Štefan Hadri and his daughter Helena. Alongside the church’s architecture and the history of ownership, it offers a personal perspective on local history. Another cultural point of interest is Ľudovít Hadri – Ľuboslav, who was a teacher, organist, poet and writer. His work spanned education and music as well as literature, complementing the architectural and church-history themes with a biographical perspective.

Thermal spring: historical description and current use

The timeline matters when it comes to the Arnutovce thermal spring. A chemical analysis dated 11 September 1990 described the water as slightly mineralised, sulphurous and lukewarm, and deemed it suitable for a leisure pool. However, the spring is not currently used to generate heat, and the water flows freely into a receiving stream. The historical description of the water’s properties should therefore not be taken to mean that bathing is currently available. The spring is not currently an operating public thermal bath.

Cycling the section beyond Arnutovce

For cyclists, the section of the cycling route beyond Arnutovce is described by three distinct features: a moderate climb, a field track with changing surface conditions, and a ridge with panoramic views. This lets you factor terrain, surface and views into your plans separately. The climb and the field track relate to different aspects of the section; surface conditions may vary by season. If you are planning to ride this section, it is therefore worth checking the field track conditions before setting out. The three features help you assess the route not only by its destination, but also by its gradient, surface and views.

Discover more destinations: Matejovce Nad Hornádom, Krompachy, Hnilec, Harichovce, Hrabusice, Spisska Nova Ves, Hnilcik, Jamnik

For the overview of the wider travel area: Okres Spišská Nová Ves.