Levoča District – Culture, Landscapes and Historic Sites

Levoča District combines impressive ecclesiastical buildings, historic townscapes and cultural sites with landscapes suited to peaceful nature experiences. If, for your trip to Slovakia, you are looking for more than just a single sight and want to explore different areas of interest, you will find a spectrum here ranging from medieval art to paths through forests, pastures and meadows.

Levoča and the Art of Master Paul

Levoča is a cultural focal point. The historic old town is an urban monument reserve surrounded by relatively well-preserved town walls. Within this historic setting stands the Church of St. James, a Roman Catholic parish church from the 14th century that is considered one of Slovakia’s most significant ecclesiastical buildings. Its late Gothic wooden main altar of St. James is 18.6 metres high. It was created between 1507 and 1517 in the workshop of Master Paul of Levoča.

This artistic heritage can also be encountered outside the church. An exhibition dedicated to Master Paul displays copies of sculptures made after original works by the Levoča woodcarver. Levoča’s Renaissance town hall also houses a permanent exhibition on the history of the town. This makes it possible to view the town’s history, sacred art and Master Paul’s workshop tradition in various forms.

Spišská Kapitula and Spišský Hrhov

Spišská Kapitula is located in Spišské Podhradie, in the Prešov Region and Levoča District. The Cathedral of St. Martin is a late Romanesque three-nave basilica with a two-towered façade, built between 1245 and 1275. Significant remains of medieval wall paintings have been preserved inside; a stone depiction of a reclining lion from the 13th century can also be viewed there.

Spišský Hrhov is home to further diverse examples of architectural and local history. Kaštieľ Spišský Hrhov manor house was built in the Neo-Baroque style with Classicist elements. The Neo-Baroque Chapel of St. Anne adjoins the manor house. The older Renaissance manor house in Spišský Hrhov formed part of the warning system of Spišský hrad Castle, in which light signals were used.

Cultural Events and Special Sightseeing Opportunities

The Dni Majstra Pavla cultural festival is a tribute to Master Paul and to the generations of Levoča residents who have contributed to the town’s artistic and historical heritage. The festival includes carving, painting and photography workshops, as well as presentations of handicraft skills by young artists and craftspeople. Tajomná Levoča is the closing event and highlight of this cultural festival. At Tajomná Levoča events in previous years, there was a light show in Levoča’s town centre; this reference expressly concerns earlier years.

Levočské babie leto is an annual music festival held in historic Levoča, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a museum visit, you should reserve admission by telephone or email at the MuzikMuzeum in Spišský Hrhov. The museum welcomes visitors on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Museum of Special Education in Levoča also recommends reserving admission in advance.

Landscapes and Peaceful Activities

Torysky is set in a picturesque landscape of forests, pastures and meadows, suitable for peaceful hiking and nature experiences. The Torysky–Javorina route offers views of Kráľova hoľa and leads to the Javorina–Marčulina observation tower. Alongside the historic sites, this provides a landscape experience in which the route itself and the viewpoint each create a different focus.

Another special attraction is the Resort Levočská Dolina biobathing complex. It consists of three pools: a pond, a bathing pool and an external biological filtration system. If you arrive by car, two free overflow car parks for visitors are available at Košická brána at the town entrance.

Other Places

Other places: Levoča, Korytné, Dravce, Granč-Petrovce, Spišské Podhradie, Bijacovce.

To the higher-level travel overview: Prešov.

Further Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Snina District, Kežmarok District.