Spišské Hanušovce: Churches, Chapels and Landscapes

Spišské Hanušovce is of interest to travelers looking to combine a stay with a tangible history of architecture and a connection to nature. St. Andrew’s Church, several chapels and a Neoclassical manor house form a cultural and historical focal point. The Rieka Valley, a marked hiking trail and a small ski area offer further points of interest.

Natural Surroundings and a Walk

The cadastral area of Spišské Hanušovce lies in the protected zone of Pieniny National Park, where the second level of nature protection applies. A river valley stretches along the Rieka, shaped by the erosion caused by the river. Geologically, the area consists mainly of flysch from the Central Carpathian Paleogene, predominantly sandstone and claystone. The river valley and the description of its rocks shed light on two aspects of the natural environment: the shape of the landscape and its geological structure.

Those who would also like to plan a walk can follow the marked Hanušovským chotárom hiking trail in this area. It offers a pleasant, easy walk in nature and adds a specific activity to the area’s natural attractions.

Churches and Chapels

St. Andrew’s Church was originally a Gothic church dating from the 14th century. Its late Baroque main altar dates from 1740, bringing together medieval origins and furnishings from a much later period. It is also the only church in the Zamagurie region that faces west. In addition to its architectural style and altar, its orientation is another distinctive feature of the building.

On the southern edge of the municipality, in the cemetery beside the main road, stands the Neoclassical Chapel of the Assumption of Mary, dating from the first half of the 19th century. The history of the Chapel of St. Barbara offers another point of interest: since 1803, it has stood on the site of an older wooden chapel. Its three altars are dedicated to St. Barbara, the Virgin Mary and St. Adalbert. The chapels thus offer different points of interest for exploring the area’s cultural history: architectural style and location in one case, an earlier building and altars in the other.

Manor House and Accommodation

The manor house of Spišské Hanušovce is a Neoclassical building from the first half of the 19th century. The main façade features a tympanum on the central avant-corps, the projecting central section of the façade. After renovations in 2008, the manor house was used as a hotel.

Ski Area and Community Days

A small ski area with two runs lies on the western edge of the municipality, below Bufarek Hill. The 160-meter-long slope is intended for beginners; there is also a 450-meter-long run with a vertical drop of 90 meters for less demanding skiers. As operations are seasonal, check whether the area is open during your travel dates before you go.

Spišské Hanušovce Community Days also take place annually during the summer months, with dates varying from year to year. If you would like to combine your trip with this event, check the dates for the relevant year.

Getting There and Getting Around

Road II/542 passes through Spišské Hanušovce and connects Spišská Stará Ves with Spišská Belá. Bus routes connect the municipality with Kežmarok, Spišská Stará Ves and Osturňa. For a specific bus journey, it is worth checking the timetables for your travel dates. These road and bus connections offer different points of reference to consider when choosing where to stay.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Lechnica, Zakovce, Reľov, Spišská Belá, Stara Lesna, Mlynceky, Malý Slavkov, Busovce.

Return to the regional travel overview: Kežmarok District.