Morské oko tells the story of a landscape that has changed: its current form dates from the 1980s. At that time, a dam was built and the water level was raised by about five metres. The body of water lies within the cadastral areas of Remetské Hámre and Vyšná Rybnica, covers 13.80 hectares, and is an average of 25 metres deep. Its development and its dimensions go together: Morské oko is not just a body of water, but also a concrete example of how structural changes shape the present-day form of a landscape.
Water Landscape and Nature Conservation
The nature reserve of Machnatý vrch is defined by a different scale. It was designated in 1985, covers 3.18 hectares, and lies within the cadastral area of Vyšná Rybnica. The rare and endangered plant species Chimaphila umbellata occurs here. Unlike at Morské oko, the focus is not on the extent of a body of water, but on the presence of a rare species. Here, you can encounter two different aspects of nature: the development of a water landscape and the presence of an endangered plant.
Educational Trail and Former Forest Railway
A forest educational trail runs through the primeval forest around Morské oko; in some sections, it follows the trackbed of the former forest railway. In these sections, the trail also tells the story of an earlier use of the trackbed. Trail conditions may vary; check the route conditions before your visit. A paved road leads to the car park below Morské oko. Also check local conditions along the access road before driving.
Technical and Religious Cultural Heritage
The water mill in Vyšná Rybnica offers a perspective on the history of water-related technology. It is a national cultural monument and was reconstructed in 2007 to be as true to the original as possible. Francis turbines power a mechanism that extends over more than three storeys. The reconstruction places the mill within its more recent history, while its multi-storey machinery gives a concrete sense of the facility’s technical scale. Unlike the lake, the focus here is not on a changed water surface, but on the mill’s technology and its reconstruction.
The Greek Catholic Church of Vyšná Rybnica also tells the story of the village. It is dedicated to the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God. On 18 August, the restored exterior and interior, as well as the reconstructed iconostasis, were consecrated in a liturgy held to mark the 600th anniversary of the first written mention of Vyšná Rybnica. Together with the water mill, the church showcases another aspect of local cultural heritage: religious dedication and remembrance alongside the preservation of a technical monument.
Event and Practical Information
The Memoriál Františka Oravca is also part of the history of events at the Vyšná Rybnica reservoir: another edition took place there on 11 May 2025. In 2025, only the basic fishing rod was used at the memorial event. This dated edition adds a glimpse of a specific local event to the landscape and cultural heritage themes.
There are also useful practical points to help you plan. The Vyšná Rybnica, čakáreň stop is assigned to fare zone 422 of IDS Východ. If you are planning to use public transport, check connections and timetables for your travel date. Motorest “Rybnička” is one option for refreshments in Vyšná Rybnica; check its current operating status before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Vyšná Rybnica, Gelnica District, Rožňava, Košice, Trebišov District, Michalovce District, Sobrance District, Košice-okolie District
Return to the overview of the wider area: Košice.
