A 18.6-metre-high wooden altar takes you right into the history of art in Levoča. The Late Gothic main altar of St James was created between 1507 and 1517 in the workshop of Master Paul of Levoča. The church, a Roman Catholic parish church dating from the 14th century, is one of Slovakia's most significant religious buildings. The historic old town also tells the story of a community that grew over time: it is an urban heritage reserve, surrounded by relatively well-preserved town walls.
Master Paul and the history of Levoča
Looking beyond individual works of art to the city's history reveals more points of interest. The Renaissance town hall houses a permanent exhibition on the history of the city. Significant remnants of medieval wall paintings have also been preserved in the Church of St James. In the Cathedral of St Martin in Spišská Kapitula, a stone depiction of a recumbent lion dating from the 13th century has been preserved. The altar, wall paintings and lion point to different forms of artistic work and different periods.
An exhibition on Master Paul presents copies of sculptures made after original works by the woodcarver from Levoča. It is scheduled to run from 14 July 2026 to 14 July 2027. The copies offer another perspective on Master Paul's works and practice, complementing the encounter with the Late Gothic main altar.
Spišská Kapitula: architecture and preserved details
Spišská Kapitula is located in Spišské Podhradie, in the Prešov Region and Levoča District. Its Cathedral of St Martin is a Late Romanesque, three-aisled basilica with a two-tower façade; it was built between 1245 and 1275. Significant remnants of medieval wall paintings have been preserved inside. There is also the stone recumbent lion dating from the 13th century. Comparing the building's form with its preserved details offers two different perspectives: the façade shows the basilica's structure, while the wall paintings and depiction of the lion reveal individual features inside.
Manor houses and culture in Spišský Hrhov
Kaštieľ Spišský Hrhov manor house was built in the Neo-Baroque style with Classical elements. The Neo-Baroque Chapel of St Anne stands directly next to the manor house. The older Renaissance manor house in Spišský Hrhov tells another chapter of local history. According to one historical interpretation, it formed part of the warning system of Spiš Castle, which used light signals. The descriptions of the two manor houses offer different perspectives: one on Neo-Baroque architecture with Classical elements, the other on a possible role in historical signalling.
The MuzikMuzeum in Spišský Hrhov welcomes visitors on weekdays from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Admission must be reserved by phone or email; check the opening arrangements before your visit. The Museum of Special Education in Levoča also recommends reserving admission in advance.
Festivals with different focuses
The Dni Majstra Pavla cultural festival pays tribute to Master Paul and to the generations of Levoča residents who have contributed to the city's artistic and historical heritage. The programme includes woodcarving, painting and photography workshops, as well as demonstrations of craft skills by young artists and craftspeople. Tajomná Levoča marks the finale and highlight of this cultural festival. At events in previous years, it has included a light show in Levoča city centre.
Levočské babie leto has a different focus: it is an annual music festival in historic Levoča, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The workshops and craft demonstrations at Dni Majstra Pavla focus on making and showing how things are made; Levočské babie leto is devoted to music. The cultural programme thus brings together different art forms.
Landscape, views and seasonal bathing
Forests, pastures and meadows shape the landscape in Torysky, making it ideal for leisurely walks and nature experiences. The Torysky–Javorina route offers views of Kráľova hoľa and leads to the Javorina–Marčulina observation tower. The landscape and route offer different starting points for planning a trip: peaceful nature experiences in Torysky, and a named route with a viewpoint as its destination.
The Resort Levočská Dolina biobathing complex operates seasonally. It has three components: a pond, a bathing pool and an external biological filtration system. If you plan to visit, check the seasonal opening times in advance.
Practical information
At Košická Gate, two free overflow car parks are available for visitors at the entrance to the town. As municipal parking rules can change, it is worth checking them before travelling. For a visit to the MuzikMuzeum, note that weekday opening hours of 9:00 am to 2:00 pm do not replace the requirement to reserve admission by phone or email. The parking and museum information covers specific planning points; the cultural sites, festivals and landscapes also show how varied the discoveries in Levoča District can be.
Discover more destinations: Levoča, Korytné, Dravce, Granč-Petrovce, Spišské Podhradie, Bijacovce, Stará Ľubovňa, Bardejov.
For the broader travel overview: Prešov.
