Zborov brings together castle ruins above the village with churches, chapels, memorials and walking routes. Its stories range from medieval trade to architectural and natural history. When planning your visit, it helps to allow for the different amounts of time needed for the castle routes: alongside a steep climb of about 30 minutes, there is a five-hour loop. The religious buildings also tell stories from different centuries, while cemeteries and monuments add further historical dimensions.
Makovica Castle and Routes on the Castle Hill
Zborov Castle, also known as Makovica, is a castle ruin above Zborov. It was built in the 14th century to protect the trade route to Poland. The hill has been protected since 1926 and was designated a state nature reserve in 1950. The protected area includes, in particular, several centuries-old pedunculate oaks along the access route to the castle.
The quickest walking route to the castle starts in the village district of Zborov-podhradie, follows the yellow trail markers and takes about 30 minutes. It includes a steep climb. A longer alternative is the Bardejov Spa–Zborov Castle Hill nature trail: this five-hour loop passes through Zborov-podhradie and Zborov Castle and is 8 kilometres long. These time estimates refer to different plans—a short climb to the castle and a multi-hour loop. Check the route and conditions before setting out. For cyclists, the 52.5-kilometre Makovická cycle route passes through Zborov; check its current route and signage as well.
Churches, Chapels and Exhibition
St Sophia Church was built in 1640 in a pure Renaissance style, with two towers. Originally, this 17th-century religious building belonged to the extensive Rákoci Manor; it was destroyed during the First World War. After reconstruction work, it was ceremonially reopened in March 2022. For the 2026 summer tourist season, the church was open Thursdays and Sundays, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., from 1 May to 30 September. If you plan to visit at another time, please check the current opening hours.
St Margaret Church dates to the first half of the 14th century. According to an art-historical attribution, its design is associated with the influence of Strasbourg Gothic that spread through the area around 1330. Stucco ornaments from 1663 remain fully preserved in the south chapel; the church is considered one of the most valuable monuments in present-day Zborov. Next to the church is St Anne’s Chapel, an octagonal chapel from the early 18th century with a lantern dome. Inside is a rare Baroque altar with statues of John the Baptist and Paul the Hermit.
Other chapels provide their own points of reference in time and place. The Chapel of the Crucified Savior, at the upper end of the village, was built in 1757 on the road to what is now Chmeľová. On the north side of Zborov, the Chapel of the Holy Trinity was rebuilt in 1921 and consecrated on 24 May 1922. The chapel in the Roman Catholic cemetery is considered the oldest building in the built-up area; its origins are dated to the 13th to 15th centuries.
A permanent exhibition, “Dejiny Makovického panstva,” opened at Šerédyho Manor on 29 August 2024. Through exhibits and extensive visual and written material, it presents the history, ethnography and natural environment of the Makovica estate. If you plan to visit the exhibition, check access arrangements in advance.
Cemeteries and Memorial Sites
The Jewish cemetery in Zborov was established at the beginning of the 18th century and used until the mid-20th century. Ignác Ansel, the last rabbi of Zborov, is buried there. The German Military Cemetery is divided into four burial sections; a total of 1,137 German soldiers are buried there. The two sites represent different chapters of the village’s history.
The Czechoslovak Army Memorial was unveiled on 29 April 1928, on the tenth anniversary of the founding of the Czechoslovak Republic. It stands in a newly created triangular park beside the Alley of 100 Lime Trees. The Batek Family Chapel is on the west side of Zborov, also served the Malirsz family, and bears a donor inscription dated 1875.
A Seasonal Cultural Event
The Municipality of Zborov held the cultural music event “Zborovské hudobné leto” for the fifth time in 2026; it ran from mid-June to mid-September. If this event is important to your trip, check the dates for your chosen year. This lets you plan visits to historic sites separately from time-specific cultural events.
Discover more destinations: Fričkovce, Malcov, Regetovka, Bardejov, Bartošovce, Stebnícka Huta, Smilno, Bardejovské Kúpele
For the broader travel overview: Bardejov.
