Sunava offers cultural history, folklore and nature-related themes that appeal to different interests. In Vyšná Šuňava, the classicist Church of St. Nicholas, the Šumiháj folklore group and a monument to the Central European watershed are among the defining features. For outdoor activities, there is also a footpath that can be used in both summer and winter, as well as Route D7. The routes differ considerably in length, making it easy to plan a stay around culture, traditions or a specific distance to cover.
The Church of St. Nicholas and its furnishings
The Church of St. Nicholas in Vyšná Šuňava was built in 1832 in the classicist style. Its interior has a single nave and a flat-ended chancel. The sacristy is attached to the north side, while the projecting tower stands on the west side. The architectural description thus covers both the interior and the arrangement of the church building’s features.
The furnishings also bring together details from different periods. The main altar is late Baroque and dates from the end of the 18th century. It includes a statue of St. Nicholas from the 19th century. The altar was restored in 1887 and embellished with acanthus ornamentation. These leaf motifs are a distinct detail of the furnishings alongside the statue of the saint. The building, altar, statue and restoration represent different historical layers and do not all date from the same period.
Folklore and local customs
The Šumiháj folklore group preserves local customs and regularly performs at the Zamagurské folklórne slávnosti, as well as at various celebrations and events in the municipality and its surrounding area. The group was officially founded in Vyšná Šuňava at the initiative of ethnographer PhDr. Ján Olejník, CSc. Its stage repertoire includes “Regrútska odobierka”, “Svadba”, “Za chlebom”, “Fašiangy sa krátia”, “Ide jar”, “Na Ondreja” and “Nôty, moje nôty”. If you would like to include a performance in your plans, check the dates of individual events: regular performances do not determine a specific date.
Park dvoch morí and the watershed
Park dvoch morí in Vyšná Šuňava is a local monument associated with the Central European watershed, which divides the flow of water between the Black Sea and the Baltic Sea. Beside the Church of St. Nicholas, in a small park, stands the obelisk monument “Strecha dvoch morí”; the park is called Park dvoch morí. Erected in 2007, the monument depicts a symbolic roof divided into two parts. The springs and rivers shown illustrate the course of the water. The hydrological divide and its symbolic representation are thus presented as two distinct aspects of the site.
Footpath and Route D7
The “Náučný chodník 2” nature trail is a footpath through easy terrain and can be used in both summer and winter. The route is listed as 9.00 km long, taking about three hours and passing six stops. The approximate duration and number of stops supplement the distance when planning a hike.
Route D7 runs for 2.4 km between Štrba and Vyšná Šuňava and is designated “CESTNÁ REKREA”. In terms of length, it is shorter than the nature trail. Comparing the routes by their stated distances therefore reveals two clearly different options: a longer footpath with an approximate duration and six stops, and the shorter D7 between the two named places.
Another historical period
The Chapel of the Most Holy Trinity is considered Šuňava’s oldest building. According to the mayor, it was built by Jesuits in the 16th or 17th century on the boundary between the former municipal lands of Nižná Šuňava and Vyšná Šuňava. This dating is explicitly attributed to the mayor.
Discover more destinations: Batizovce, Velký Slavkov, Hôrka, Strba, Spišské Bystré, Stola, Vernár, Gánovce.
For the broader travel overview: Okres Poprad.
