Moldava nad Bodvou – Churches, Karst and Wine Tradition

Historic Centre and Karst Surroundings

If you would like to explore cultural history and a karst landscape side by side during your trip to Slovakia, Moldava nad Bodvou offers several clearly distinct points of interest. In the historic centre, there are churches and a memorial with a history of their own; the Moldavská jaskyňa and the Moldavská skalná brána lead into the karst landscape. In addition, there is a museum with an authentic smithy, a local wine tradition and a chapel whose opening is tied to an annual service.

The Roman Catholic church is located in the historic centre. It was built in the 15th century under King Matthias Corvinus in the Gothic style on the foundations of a masonry church that had already existed before 1290. It is also listed among the cultural monuments. The Reformed Church on the square in the historic centre provides a different historical accent: it dates from 1773 and was built in the Neoclassical style. Its furnishings include an ornately carved pulpit.

The Szojkova brána is a copy of a wooden gate that was unveiled in 1996. It commemorates the town fire of 1795 and thus complements the churches with a tangible testimony to the town’s history.

Museum, Smithy and Wine Tradition

The Národopisné múzeum s kováčskou vyhňou is located at Hlavná ulica 130, in a stone building constructed around 1850. An authentic smithy with an open hearth is situated in the front section. The access rule is important for your visit: the museum can only be visited by prior arrangement with the Municipal Cultural Centre.

The wine tradition is also tied to specific locations. The Wine Museum is located in one of the cellars beneath the Municipal Cultural Centre of Moldava nad Bodvou. A memorial plaque commemorates Máté Laczkó Szepsi (1576–1633), who is regarded as a preacher, teacher, historian and poet and is considered the first producer of Tokaj Samotok (“Aszú”). In Moldava nad Bodvou, two- and three-storey cellars were also built for storing wine and agricultural produce.

Cave, Rock Gate and Hiking Trail

The Moldavská jaskyňa lies in the karst of the Medzevská pahorkatina on the border between Slovenský kras and the Košická kotlina. With a length of more than 3 km, it is one of the thirty longest caves in Slovakia. Its natural significance is illustrated by its documented biodiversity: six bat species and 83 species of invertebrates have been recorded in the cave.

The Moldavská skalná brána differs from it in its location and its orientation towards hikers. It is situated in the Hazalutov locality, directly within the town limits of Moldava nad Bodvou. The Moldavský kras, where it is located, is part of Slovenský kras National Park, but is not an officially protected area. A green-marked hiking trail to the Moldavská skalná brána begins at the Moldava nad Bodvou railway station.

Rochus Chapel and Excursions in the Surrounding Area

The Chapel of Saint Roch stands on a hill outside the built-up area of the town, in the cadastral territory of Moldava nad Bodvou. It was built in 1833 in honour of the patron saint, Saint Roch, and in memory of the victims of the cholera epidemic that broke out in the town in 1831. Every August, a mass with indulgence is celebrated there in memory of the victims. The chapel is open only during these annual services.

With its infrastructure and services, Moldava nad Bodvou is a starting point for various local-history and nature excursions in the surrounding area. Moldava nad Bodvou also provides an opportunity for an excursion to the Zádielska dolina.

If you would like to compare other destination pages for your trip to Slovakia, you can find Štós, Vyšný Medzev, Medzev, Nižná Myšľa, Opátka, Kechnec, Bukovec and Zlatá Idka here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Košice-Okolie.