Veľká Franková: Trails, History and Craftsmanship in the Spišská Magura

Veľká Franková in the Spišská Magura

Veľká Franková is located in the Spišská Magura and in the valley of the Frankovský potok stream. The wider course of the water is also relevant for geographical orientation: below Veľká Franková, the Frankovský potok joins the Osturniansky potok to form the Kacwinianka, which flows into the Dunajec in Poland. This gives a trip to Veľká Franková two clearly identifiable focal points: cross-border trails towards Poland and a village setting in which history, sacred architecture and traditional technology come together.

Hiking and cycling across the border

A red-marked hiking trail passes through Veľká Franková. Via the Malá Franková tourist border crossing, it connects the village with the neighbouring Polish municipality of Kacwin. From the border, the trail leads through Malá Franková and onward to the ridge of the Spišská Magura. There, at Magurka Mountain, it reaches an elevation of 1,193 m and then continues to Ždiar. The village location can therefore be described not only as the starting point of a single trail, but also as part of a cross-border connection over the ridge of the Spišská Magura.

For cycling, there is a separate paved connection across the border crossing to the Polish municipality of Kacwin. On this cross-border cycle route, two small waterfalls can be seen on the Ostrunianka: one is on the Slovak side and the other on the Polish side. The hiking trail and cycle route therefore offer different ways to experience the border and the landscapes of both countries, without their respective routes needing to be treated as identical.

History and sights in the village

The history of Veľká Franková goes back a long way. The first genuine original document confirming the existence of Franková dates from 1314. Veľká Franková was probably founded as early as the end of the 13th century by members of the Berzevici noble family from Veľká Lomnica, under German or šoltýs law. The residents' main historical occupations included agriculture, livestock farming and woodwork.

A central point of cultural and historical interest is the Church of Saint Nicholas. It was built in 1784 in the Classical style and has a late Baroque high altar with Rococo ornamentation. The church is in good condition and serves its religious purpose. A wooden bell tower dates from 1921 and has four bells, cast in 1921 and 1924 by a bell foundry from Chomutov.

Local technological history is also tangible in Veľká Franková. The water mill and sawmill preserve an original saw frame that is still operational today. Both facilities can be visited by prior arrangement. Those who want to discover the village not only through nature trails but also through historical work and craftsmanship will therefore find a distinct, clearly defined sightseeing focus here.

Compare more destinations

If you would like to compare more destinations for your trip to Slovakia, you can also find pages about Lechnica, Osturna, Tvarožná, Mlynceky, Reľov, Busovce, Lendak and Vrbov.

For the overarching travel overview: Kežmarok District.

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Vrbov.