Spissky Jerusalem will be restored in Slovakia

A unique project of renovation church buildings, which was named " Spissky Jerusalem", will be realized in eastern Slovakia in 2013. The project is dedicated to the awarding of Kosice, the second largest city in Slovakia, with the status of the European Capital of Culture 2013.

Unique church ensemble, located close to the Spissky Chapter and the famous Spissky Castle, replicates the plan of Christian historical monuments in ancient Jerusalem.

The complex, which was named to Spissky Jerusalem, was built in the 17th century. For a long time it was run by the Jesuits and hosted Christian pilgrims during the reign of the Ottoman Empire in Southern Europe, when for many people reaching the holy land was a difficult task.

Each of the chapels belonging to the Spissky Jerusalem ensemble after reconstruction will be equipped with a special sign. The sign will tell which monument replicates this or that church building. So, one of the chapels will be similar to the Mount of Olives, the second – the Calvary, and the third – the Akeldamu.

After the reconstruction Spissky Jerusalem will become a new site on the famous tourist route in Slovakia, which was called the Gothic way. In addition, in the long term it is also planned to create a special bicycle route to the sights of Spissky Jerusalem as a part of the Gothic Road.

Gothic way is the first cultural route in Slovakia. It passes through the Spissky and Gemer regions. The total length of the route is 276 kilometers. The route passes through 9 cities and 24 villages. Spissky Jerusalem will be the eight historic architectural ensemble, which will be added to such exclusive Slovak historical monuments as Spisska Nova Ves, Spisske Pdhradie, Spisske Vlachy, Gelnica, Markusovce, Smolnik and Roznava.