The Evangelical Articular Wooden Church in Kežmarok has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2008. Kežmarok Castle is the only fully preserved castle in the Spiš region. The Evangelical Lyceum houses a historic school library, the largest collection of its kind in Central Europe.
Cultural history in Kežmarok and Spišská Belá
At Kaštieľ Strážky, a portrait exhibition showcases works from the 17th to the 19th century in the Spiš region. A cycle path connecting Spišská Belá and Kežmarok passes through the English park at the manor house. Check the route conditions before setting off.
In Spišská Belá, the J. M. Petzval Museum, housed in the birthplace of J. M. Petzval, presents the development of photographic and cinematographic technology. It contains more than 600 exhibits on the history of photographic optics. There is also a collection of camera shutters and an area devoted to the origins of cinematography.
Goral traditions in Osturňa
Original Goral buildings have been preserved in Osturňa, arranged in homesteads with log houses, barns and stables. A total of 157 structures are designated as part of a historic monument reserve. Traditional costume is also part of the cultural heritage: Osturňa residents still wear the typical clothing of the Goral ethnic group.
Spišská Magura and the Dunajec Gorge
The ridge of Spišská Magura is over 30 kilometres long; its highest peak, Repisko, reaches 1,259 metres above sea level. Jezerské jazero is a protected natural feature southeast of Jezersko, below the steep slope of Spišská Magura.
The Dunajec Gorge lies partly in Kežmarok District and includes the cadastral areas of Červený Kláštor, Lechnica and Lesnica. A nature trail with ten stops runs through the gorge. Visitors can also travel along the Dunajec here on traditional wooden rafts.
Another named route is the Pieninska cesta. It connects Červený Kláštor with Szczawnica and now serves as both a nature trail and a cycle route. In Malá Franková, there are two nature trails: Furmancova droga Dolným koncom and Furmancova droga Horným koncom. One of the trails ends at a stream and a chapel, where visitors can observe the local wildlife.
Thermal park and annual festival
Vrbov Thermal Park has nine pools, including three children's pools. As the facilities may change, it is advisable to check them before your visit. The Európske ľudové remeslo festival takes place annually in the historic centre of Kežmarok. If you want to plan your trip around it, check the dates and programme for the year.
Discover more destinations: Majere, Mlynceky, Stara Lesna, Zakovce, Veľká Lomnica, Kežmarok, Spišská Belá, Osturna, Busovce, Červený Kláštor, Malý Slavkov, Vrbov, Jezersko, Tvarožná, Veľká Franková, Lendak, Reľov, Slovenská Ves, Spišská Stará Ves, Lechnica, Matiašovce, Spišské Hanušovce.
For the broader travel overview: Prešov.
