Matiašovce: Churches, Views and Landscape in the Protected Zone

Matiašovce lies in the Spišská Magura along the Rieka river. The terrain is hilly, transitioning into the rolling terrain of river terraces. The area’s natural character also includes its protected status: the cadastral area of the municipality of Matiašovce lies in the buffer zone of Pieninský národný park, where the second level of nature protection applies. This gives you a clear first impression when planning your trip: the river, hills and protected area form the landscape setting, while the churches and viewpoint provide their own points of interest. If you are looking for accommodation in Matiašovce, you can weigh up whether you are choosing the town for its architectural history, the views or the landscape.

Getting your bearings in town

For tourist orientation, there are two entrance signs and three covered map stations in glazed bus shelters. The stations serve as rest stops for tourists. Their maps show street names, districts and historical monuments, making it easier to find your way around Matiašovce. This gives visitors not only information about individual attractions but also a sense of the town through its streets and districts. The stations therefore combine a place to pause with information that helps you understand the layout of the area.

Churches and architectural history

The history of sacred architecture shapes a distinctive part of the townscape. Kostol Sv. Petra a Pavla in Matiašovce was built in the late 13th century in the early Gothic style. The church is surrounded by a wall with fourteen semicircular Stations of the Cross chapels; the current Stations of the Cross images date from 1835. When viewing the site, you can distinguish its different historical elements: the early Gothic church building, the series of chapels in the enclosing wall, and the later-dated images. For culturally minded travellers, the architectural style, the layout of the Stations of the Cross and the date of the images each offer a distinct way to explore the town’s history.

The Roman Catholic Church of Sedembolestnej Panny Márie was built between 1990 and 1992. Its construction period offers a chronological comparison with the early Gothic church: the two construction periods mentioned range from the late 13th century to the end of the 20th century. A bell tower beside a church originally dates from the Renaissance and was built in the late 16th century.

Views of the Tatras

Vyhliadka Matiašovce offers a different focus from the churches. The site includes a modern shelter and a viewing platform with views of Tri Koruny, the Belianske Tatras and the High Tatras. The starting point for Vyhliadka is the car park by the municipal office. Barbecuing is possible on site. When planning your visit, you can therefore consider two separate questions: which architectural history would you like to explore, and which view would you like to make the focus? The named mountain destinations give the viewpoint a clearly defined landscape theme, while the churches differ in their construction periods and design. This creates a clear contrast between views of nature and sacred history.

Discover more destinations: Červený Kláštor, Spišská Stará Ves, Osturna, Lechnica, Slovenská Ves, Lendak, Spišská Belá, Majere

For the wider travel overview: Okres Kežmarok.