Top Five UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Slovakia

If you have been following my blog, you know I’ve had the pleasure of living in Slovakia as an ESL (English as a second language) teacher since July 2012.  Over the last several months I’ve traveled to many of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in this amazing and beautiful country.  Here are my top sites to see and a list of those I have on my “bucket list” before I leave this jewel of Central Europe.

Spis Castle view from the bottom of the hill

1. Spis Castle Listed UNESCO site 1993
One of the most formidable and oldest castle's in Slovakia, Spis Castle (Spissky hrad) dates from the 11th century and was the largest fortress complex in Central Europe with about 2,000 occupants.  Much of the castle burned down in 1780 but it is gradually being restored.  It is by far the most impressive sight from a distance.

The entrance gate leads to the lower part of the castle courtyards and is nearly 985 ft (300 m) long and 380 ft (115 m) wide.  There are walkways through the courtyards to the palace museum and chapel.

Entrance Gate

I climbed the rock stairs that are quite narrow with chains as railing handles, to the highest most point of the Romanesque upper castle tower built in the 13th century.  I do have a bit of Vertigo so this was a challenge but all worthwhile.

Information: www.spisskemuzeum.com

The town of Spisske Podhradie from the castle

2. Levoca, Historic Town Listed UNESCO World Heritage site 2009
Levoca, a beautiful, quaint village located in Eastern Slovakia between the high Tatras and Slovenske Rudohorie Mountains and Spis Castle should be on any must see list.   The architecture and artistic detail of the structures are like listening to a majestic symphony. 

 Historic homes on the square that have been preserved

There are some 60 historic houses around the main square.  Most are very well preserved in Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance and Neo-Classical buildings.

The Church of St. James is quite impressive but one of the biggest attractions in the main square is the former Town Hall displaying the works of Master Pavol, a Slovak national artist. If you have the opportunity visit the Pavol museum and see the artists amazing life-size wood sculptures.   Last year I had the pleasure of attending Indian Summer in Levoca. A great classical concert series and hope to attend this year too.

  

Cage of Disgrace

One of my favorite little bits in town is the "Cage of Disgrace," in which women who had committed minor crimes would be placed on display.  This wrought-iron contraption by the south wall of the town hall dates from the 16th century.  Women were locked up and put on public display for crimes ranging from nagging your husband to prostitution. Information: www.levoca.sk

3. Banska Stiavnica, Mining Centre listed UNESCO World Heritage Site 1993
Banska Stiavnica is located in Central Slovakia, what was Europe’s main mining centre during the 13th and 18th centuries and grew into the third-largest town in the Hungarian Kingdom.  In the center of town is Holy Trinity Square (Namestie sv. Tropic), decorated with Gothic and Renaissance houses.  The Holy Trinity monument is sandstone Baroque as much of the architecture in Slovakia.  The 15th century Church of St. Catherine (sv. Katerina) is located on the south-side of the square.

Entrance to the main square

Wall mosaic

Weights in the church bell tower

When the town was threatened by the Turks, the Old Castle was turned from a church into a fortress and is currently being restored, prizing many amazing artifacts.  The New Castle on a hill south of the centre was also built to ward off the Turks.  The town boasts the magnificent Mining Museum with an open air area outside the centre.

Information: www.banskastiavnica.sk

View of the chapel from the church tower

4. Vlkolinec, Typical Timber Village listed UNESCO World Heritage Site 1993
Named by UNESCO as a World Heritage site in 1993, Vlkolinec is near the large industrial town of Ruzomberok, and is a unique example of well-preserved timber houses in a typical village in the Lipton region.  The 47 farmhouses are still inhabited and include interesting features such as an old well, which still supplies the village with water, and a 1770 belfry of the Baroque Church of the Virgin Mary. A unique feature of the settlement are parcels of land that surround the village retain the extended shape and characteristic of medieval land allotment over most of feudal Europe.

5. Caves of the Solvency Kras listed UNESCO World Heritage Site 1995
Running along the Slovak-Hungarian border in the Southeast part of Slovakia, the 4,450 limestone caves are one of the country’s karst phenomena.  Four caves; Domica, Gombasecka, Ochtinska aragonitova and Jasovska are partly open to the public.  A fifth cave, Dobsina ice cave, is in the Solvency raj (Slovak Paradise), another karst area about 25 miles (40 km) to the Northwest.  
Information, www.ssj.sk.

The best time to visit these sites is probably late spring or summer.  I've only been to the first three so the other two will have to wait.  Maybe this coming year I'll be able to get there.  There are over 20 UNESCO sites in Slovakia. If I was visiting or a couple of weeks I would rent a car as public transportation is a bit difficult to reach all the sites. Start in Central Slovakia at Banska Stiavnica, travel a short distance to Vlkolinec, then go east to Levoca, Spis Castle and finish with a tour of the Solvensky kras.  Slovakia truly is the gem of Central Europe!

Music...the International Language

Levoca Town Hall

Indian Summer in Levoca Festival

Many of you may have read my post Levoca, the Gem of Slovakia.  I mentioned meeting a wonderful couple, David and Nadia Conway and spoke about their Indian Summer in Levoca Festival.  

I wasn't sure if I was going to make it to the festival because of my teaching schedule in Trencin, but as it turned out I was able to attend two of the six day festival performances. I must say, I am truly disappointed I wasn't able to hear more of the incredible and truly International musical events.

Nadia, chairperson of the Levotske Babie Leto, and David Conway hosted several of the musicians in their lovely home and I was able to spend an hour with a few of them after one of the performance. We dined at a local restaurant and shared drink, food and interesting stories. I loved every minute of it.

The first performance I attended was at Pechy Castle, owned by Klara Szakall von Losoncz, and boasts three English style parks, hunting lodge and a currently under restoration castle. Klara has been restoring the castle and it's environs since it was returned to her family after the fall of communism. 

The concert, brilliantly performed by the Haydn Baryton Trio Budapest, was outside the castle with the sun shinning, birds singing and of course, the occasional dog barking.  It was really magical. Unfortunately I forgot my camera.  I'm hoping for some pics from Keith Page, a professional photographer and personal friend of the Conway's.  For now, you'll have to do with my poor expression of the setting.  The castle, overlooks the village of Hermanovce about 45K from Kosice, the second largest city in Slovakia. Standing on the high ground view of the village with the sun setting on the falling leaves among the forest was quite surreal.

Saturday evening the performances were back in town at the local theatre.  Patrons were treated to Stamic Quartet with a special guest performance by Internationally known cellist Jozef Luptak. Coming from a rocker like myself you might not think I would really find this type of music satisfying, but it blew me away.  Let's face it, any time you can hear Mozart played with vigor and zest, it is a good day.

In addition, the great musicians and performances over the festival playing through October 3, are part of the Daniel Pearl Music Days dedicating concerts to the shared belief that what ever our backgrounds, music can help us create a better world.  Concerts from all over the world will participate in his honor to use music as an expression of respect for all people, much as he did in his work and music when he was alive.

StreamRoller at the Blue Note

After my jam packed Saturday in Levoca, I headed back to Trencin for a Sunday evening performance by Doug Aldrich and his band SteamRoller at the Blue Note in Nove Mesto nad Vahom.  Doug Aldrich was a guitarist for Whitesnake and has formed a new band, SteamRoller.  Obviously a completely different sound and experience, but that is what I love about music.  No matter where you are or who you are listening to, music can touch your personally.  Doug and the band were great and I'm so excited I was able to see them in such a personal and intimate setting. 

Doug riffing with SteamRoller at the Blue Note

The settings were up-close-and-personal, something you really don't get in the U.S.A. Of all the experiences I've had in Slovakia I have to say music has been the real treat. Completely different venues and genres, but all talented musicians that love their craft and put their soul into every note and song.

  

Levoca, the Gem of Slovakia

Levoca, the Gem of Slovakia

With just a few days to spare prior to the start of the school year, I decided to travel to East Slovakia.  I'd heard Levoca, a beautiful, quaint village between the high Tatras and Slovenske Rudohorie Mountains should be on my must see list.  It didn't disappoint.  The architecture and artistic detail of the structures are like listening to a majestic symphony.  

Historic homes on the square that have been preserved

There are some 60 historic houses around the main square.  Most are very well preserved in Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance and Neo-Classical buildings.

Detailed building paintings 

Historic Town Hall in Levoca

The Church of St. James is quite impressive but one of the biggest attractions in the main square is the former Town Hall displaying the works of Master Pavol.  Levoca and neighboring Spis Castle (see below) are on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

The Cage of Disgrace

One of my favorite little bits in town is the "Cage of Disgrace," in which women who had committed minor crimes would be placed on display.  I have heard the crimes range from nagging your husband to prostitution.








As fate would have it, I was eating dinner in the hotel restaurant when I overheard a couple sitting at the next table speaking English.  I asked them a question and before I knew it I was sitting with David and Nadia Conway at their table having dinner and hearing all about life in Levoca.  David and Nadia purchased a historical home in town and renovated it over about 18 months. Many thanks to the Conway's for showing me there beautifully restored home.

Nadia is originally from Slovakia but moved to England as a young women.  She and David returned to Slovakia after the regime fall and fell in love with Levoca.  David, a classical musician and music enthusiast and Nadia started the Indian Summer in Levoca an international music festival five years ago. It runs September 28 - October 4. I'm really hoping I'll be able to travel to Levoca for the festival.  

Spis Castle

One of the most formidable and oldest castle's in Slovakia, Spis Castle (Spissky hrad) dates from the 11th century and was the largest fortress complex in Central Europe with about 2,000 occupants.  Much of the castle burned down in 1780 but it is gradually being restored.  It is by far the most impressive sight from a distance.  I don't think this photo really does it justice.

This is the entrance gate that leads to the lower part of the castle courtyards.  There are walkways through the courtyards to the palace museum and chapel.

Entrance Gate

I climbed up rock stairs that are quite narrow with chains as railing handles, to the highest most point of the upper castle tower.  I do have a bit of Vertigo so this was a challenge but all worthwhile.  This photo really doesn't do the magnitude of the town, Spisske Podhradie (which means below the castle) justice.

I will be posting my photo albums on my Facebook page.  Thanks for reading and please give me your feedback. Or if you have Skype, let's talk.  I need to practice my English!

Dovidenia