The historic centre of Spišské Vlachy was declared a heritage zone in 1992. Those looking to combine culture and nature on a trip will find specific attractions for both: ornate churches, a protected forest area and trails with different connections.
Churches and architectural history
The Church of St John the Baptist has a richly decorated ensemble of late Baroque altarpiece retables with Rococo elements, which has been comprehensively restored. It was created in the early second half of the 18th century by Dionýz Riesmayer. The church also stands out for its size within the region: after the Basilica of St James in Levoča, it is the second-largest church in Spiš.
The Evangelical church is a typical example of a Toleration church in the Baroque Classicist style. Its younger tower dates from the Classicist period. The preserved Baroque Classicist furnishings include pews, an altar and an organ. Spišské Vlachy thus brings together different forms of church architecture and furnishings, without being limited to a single period.
Another historic building is the former town hall, also known as the Little Church. It preserves a late Gothic cabinet altar. The Little Church also has a painted wooden ceiling and a gallery in the choir. This adds a distinct architectural attraction to the itinerary alongside the two churches: a former town hall with a late Gothic altar and distinctive interior features.
Galmus, protected area and trails
The Galmuská tisina National Nature Reserve has been in existence since 1982 and covers 55.96 hectares of natural forest. If you are planning a visit, check the boundaries against the current official protected-area information. Natura 2000 sites are also located in and around Spišské Vlachy, along the floodplain of Svätojánsky potok, along Jánsky potok and in the Galmus area. Check local access rules before visiting. The Za huru recreational centre is at the foot of the Galmus plateau.
A local marked hiking trail connects Spišské Vlachy, Zahura and Biela Skala. Check the markings and trail conditions before setting out. For cycling, the Spišská cyklomagistrála No. 27 is another named option: it runs between Kežmarok and Spišské Vlachy and is 66 kilometres long. Check the signage and surface before your ride. The main difference between the routes is their description: a local hiking trail linking three places versus a cycle route with specified endpoints and a stated total distance.
Crafts, a summer event and railway history
Spišské Vlachy has a House of Crafts dedicated to promoting traditional folk crafts and intended for young people. This adds a cultural attraction to the churches and architectural history.
The traditional summer horse show “Rodeo na Spiši” includes Western riding competitions. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the event dates in advance.
The town’s railway history can also be clearly placed in time: the historic line between Spišské Vlachy and Spišské Podhradie was 9.5 kilometres long. The first train arrived in Spišské Podhradie on 14 October 1894. This refers to a former railway line and its history, not to a current transport service.
Two different interests stand out when choosing this destination: historic churches and architecture on the one hand, and the natural area and routes on the other. You can decide which matters more to you based on the specific attractions you want from your stay.
Discover more destinations: Smizany, Hnilcik, Spisske Tomasovce, Spisska Nova Ves, Slovinky, Betlanovce, Hnilec, Poráč
For the broader travel overview: Okres Spišská Nová Ves.
