Lipany: Culture, Views and Thermal Park in Slovakia

Lipany between Čergov, Torysa and Šarišská vrchovina

Lipany lies on the upper reaches of the Torysa between the Šarišská vrchovina uplands and the Čergov Mountains. The town therefore combines several travel experiences within a compact geographical area: historic religious buildings, an observation tower in the Hromovec Mountains, an Archaeopark on the EuroVelo cycle route, nature experiences and a thermal park. When choosing accommodation in Lipany, you can therefore weigh up the focus of your trip between urban history, landscape, activities and relaxation.

Churches and history in the town

A prominent historical landmark is the Church of St. Martin of Tours. It was built around the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries in the Late Romanesque style. Its tower served as an observation post for Kamenický Castle, reflecting the former strategic importance of the place. A Chapel of the Holy Cross in the Baroque-Rococo style was added to the north wall. It served as the crypt of the Dežöfiovci or Dessewffyovci family.

The Chapel of the Transfiguration of the Lord stands in the old cemetery in the centre of Lipany. Its construction was commissioned in 1837 by the local resident Andrej Leško. The tradition of celebrating the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord there on 6 August continues to this day. The combination of a historic cemetery, chapel and living festival tradition gives this place a different character from the older parish church in the town. The Lipany Municipal Library also forms part of the public infrastructure of the town and its surroundings. It provides access to information, the internet, as well as library and educational events.

Balažka: views and a clearly described hiking route

For a landscape experience, a green hiking trail leads from the old cemetery to the Balažka observation tower. The route is specified as 3.4 kilometres and approximately one hour. This allows you to combine a historic place in the centre with a destination in the Hromovec Mountains without requiring different starting points. Balažka also features a geological microfold.

The observation tower stands at an elevation of 598 metres, is 13.69 metres high, is made of spruce wood and was opened to the public in 2019. From there, views extend over the Čergov Mountains and the Levočské vrchy; in good visibility, the view also reaches the Slanské vrchy. The precise route information and the views distinguish this destination from a purely urban walk. If you are looking for shorter cultural walks or a landscape route, you can experience Lipany in different ways accordingly.

Archaeopark, animals and cycle route

The Hradisko Archaeopark is located about five minutes from the centre of Lipany, in the immediate vicinity of three large ponds and directly on the EuroVelo cycle route. The grounds include a Slavic hillfort, a historical archery range, an animal enclosure and a small amphitheatre. This combination makes the Archaeopark a destination in its own right, rather than merely an isolated historical remnant.

At Zverinec Lipany, visitors can feed animals and take part in guided tours of the animal enclosure. The site is accessible by car, bicycle or on foot. From the car park at Hradisko, it is about a two-minute walk along a paved path. In the Motýlia záhrada, butterflies, bees and other important pollinators find a retreat; at the same time, it is considered a place of relaxation and discovery for visitors.

Thermal water and travel options

Another facet of Lipany is the thermal park. The thermal water comes from a depth of more than 3,400 metres. The park offers 13 slides and a 1.4-hectare green area. This provides a type of destination with a distinctly different character alongside the historical and landscape attractions.

For a regional comparison, you can also view Drienica and Sabinov.

For the higher-level travel overview: Sabinov District.