Krompachy combines marked trails with a rich local history. A one-hour hike to Plejsy offers a clear outdoor option alongside churches, memorials, and industrial heritage. When planning your trip, you can therefore decide whether to focus mainly on hiking, cultural history, or both.
Churches and the City’s History
The Roman Catholic Church of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist was built in 1774 on the site of an older church. In 2004, a memorial room dedicated to Mikuláš Šprinc and other notable people born in Krompachy opened in the church building. The Evangelical church was built between 1789 and 1791 on what is now Mikuláša Šprinca Street; a mining emblem is displayed above its entrance. These different traces stand side by side: the history of an earlier church site, a memorial room, and a building with a visible connection to mining.
The Baroque curia is also part of Krompachy’s architectural history. It was built in the second third of the 18th century and remodeled by the Gundelfinger family in 1797. The Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk was built to commemorate the establishment of the Diocese of Rožňava; the saint is its patron. Krompachy is also part of the signposted Gothic Route.
A monument to the victims of the Krompachy Uprising commemorates the event; it was unveiled in 1971 on its 50th anniversary. Every year, Krompachy remembers the uprising and its six victims at the town cemetery and on Družstevná Street. The street was the site of the bloody events. Another monument to the victims of the Holocaust stands where the Jewish synagogue once stood.
Festivals and Regional Cuisine
The dance festival in Krompachy has a long tradition; the city program scheduled its 18th edition for 2026. Pankuškové fašiangy is a traditional carnival event organized by the city. Dates and programs may vary. In 2024, the event included contests to eat Pankušky and sausages quickly. For the 2026 edition, a tasting of traditional dishes from the Spiš region was announced. These included Pankušky, Grajzupa, bean soup, peasant soup, cabbage soup, tripe soup, Liwanzen, apples in dressing gowns, sausages, and lángos. These examples give a concrete impression of the regional foods announced for that edition.
Hiking, Cycling, and Winter
From Krompachy railway station, a one-hour hike follows blue- and yellow-marked trails to Plejsy. Another route, marked blue, goes via Galmus to Poráč and is listed as taking three hours. The stated times make the difference between the two hikes clear without requiring an assumed distance. Krompachy’s hiking trail network is signposted with trail markers, directions, and estimated walking times. Since the municipal route listings are older and local conditions may change, check the markings and trail conditions on site.
A green-marked cycling route also passes through Krompachy. Check the current signage and surface conditions before setting out. For winter sports, the SKI Plejsy ski area has nine runs of varying difficulty. Operating status and seasonal conditions can change; confirm them before planning your visit. Beyond individual activities, hills, valleys, forests, and meadows shape the landscape around Krompachy. Alongside its historical sites, the area therefore offers a range of outdoor activities to choose from.
Industrial Heritage
The Stará Maša ironworks included a reconstructed original blast furnace, a new machine hall, and a forge with a cupola furnace. Around 1,900 tonnes of pig iron were produced there each year. The first hydroelectric power plant in eastern Slovakia was built in 1889 on a canal of the Hornád River. Together, these industrial landmarks reveal another side of the city’s history, distinct from its churches and memorials.
Discover more destinations: Jamnik, Arnutovce, Odorín, Markušovce, Hnilcik, Spisska Nova Ves, Smizany, Poráč.
For the broader travel overview: Okres Spišská Nová Ves.
