Mníšek Nad Popradom

Mníšek nad Popradom combines a distinctive border landscape with two documented hiking trails and a noteworthy religious building. The village lies in the valley of the Hraničná stream; at the same time, the Poprad River forms the border between Mníšek nad Popradom and Poland. Nature, transport links and regional history therefore come together here within a small geographic area.

Hiking on two marked trails

Two clearly described trails are available when planning a hike. Marked hiking trail 2805 runs from Mníšek nad Popradom at the state border to the Sulínka mineral spring and is 10.9 kilometres long. The route thus connects the village and its border location with a specifically named mineral spring.

A second option is marked hiking trail 5881. It runs from Osly via Mníšek nad Popradom to Kače and is 11.2 kilometres long. The two routes differ in their stated starting and ending points: while trail 2805 begins at the state border and leads to Sulínka, trail 5881 passes through Mníšek on the route between Osly and Kače. The information on length and route provides an objective basis for choosing a hiking trail that suits your own travel plans.

Valley, river and border crossing

The village’s geographical distinctiveness is also reflected in its elevation. The lowest point of Mníšek nad Popradom is 382 metres above sea level below the church, at the place where the Poprad leaves the territory of Slovakia. It is also the lowest point in the district. The road border crossing connects the municipality with a recreational and spa area in Poland. In addition, the planned EuroVelo 11 route is intended to connect the Mníšek nad Popradom border crossing with the town of Stará Ľubovňa through the Poprad valley. The planning status is explicitly retained.

Church and local tradition

An important part of the village’s cultural heritage is the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Built around 1900, it is a pseudo-Romanesque three-nave pseudo-basilica with Classical elements. Inside is a Baroque-Classical Calvary sculpture group dating from the late 18th century. The side altars contain a painting of Our Lady of the Rosary by Jozef Hanula and a painting of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross by F. Staudinger, a Viennese painter, from 1869.

The history of the village can be traced in surviving written sources back to 1323. This mention refers to hermits living at this site and uses the expression “locus heremitoris”. Religious customs also remain part of the village’s traditional history: the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is celebrated in Mníšek nad Popradom on 14 September as a Christian festival called “odpust”.

Other destinations nearby

Other destinations: Vysne Ruzbachy, Plavnica, Nová Ľubovňa, Šambron, Lesnica, Hajtovka, Maly Lipnik, Altlublau.

To the overarching travel overview: Stará Ľubovňa.