Drevený kostolík v Miroli
When visiting northeastern Slovakia, you will certainly notice beautiful wooden Greek Catholic churches. For the most part, these are unique, centuries-old temples that belong to the cultural and historical heritage of our country. You will find one such church in the picturesque village of Miroľa. This mountain village is located in the northern part of Nízke Beskydy at an altitude of 380 meters above sea level in the district of Svidník. It has a population of just over 50 residents.
The wooden Greek Catholic church Ochrany Presvätej Bohorodičky (Church of the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God) has stood in the village since 1770. It was built on the site of an older 17th-century temple. During World War II in 1944, it was severely damaged, but local residents had it restored again. It features a characteristic log structure and a typical external and internal three-part division, symbolizing the Holy Trinity. The building rests on a shallow stone foundation wall. The tower, which has a column structure, emerges from the entrance narthex, behind which lies the nave. Liturgical objects discovered during the restoration of the cerkev (wooden church) are placed in the narthex. The third part of the church is the sanctuary. The tower, nave, and sanctuary each have an independent roof covering made of wooden shingles. Below their peaks, they terminate in double onion domes topped with iron three-armed crosses.
The iconostasis separating the nave from the sanctuary ranks among national cultural monuments. It is particularly interesting for its magnificent color scheme. Its architecture is four-tiered, with icons arranged across four levels. They date from approximately the same period as the church itself, estimated to have been created in the late 18th century. At the top of the iconostasis is a panel icon depicting the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Below the cross, the Holy Mother of God and Saint John the Evangelist are portrayed. In the 1970s, the entire iconostasis was professionally restored. In the nave of the temple, you can also notice an interesting painting of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God, the creation of which dates back to the 17th century. The temple can also pride itself on rare books written in the Church Slavonic language, which are used during church services.
The surroundings of the church are enclosed by a wooden fence with horizontally oriented logs. These are protected along the entire perimeter by a small canopy of wooden shingles. Entry into the grounds is through a small, open wooden structure. Near the church, you can relax in the shade created by the massive canopy of an old linden tree.
Exploring the beauty of this mountain village is certainly worthwhile. You can take a walk or a bike ride into the nature of Nízke Beskydy. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the news that the state nature reserve Miroľská slatina is located in the village, featuring halophytic vegetation and the presence of broad-leaved cottongrass. A slightly different atmosphere will be offered by a visit to Vojenský cintorín Hunkovce, which contains more than 3,200 graves of soldiers from World War II. Once snow falls and skiing conditions are ideal, you can head to the slopes of the ski resort Nižný Komárnik. A bit further from the village, you can enjoy year-round fun and relaxation at Vodný svet Aquaruthernia Svidník. Together with children, you can admire domestic as well as exotic animals at ZOO Park Stropkov.
If you feel that you cannot manage to try all the above-mentioned attractions in a single day, you are right. We recommend booking accommodation near Drevený kostolík v Miroli. As a family, you might choose a cottage in Miroľa as your temporary home. Couples mostly prefer accommodation with a balanced price-to-quality ratio. These criteria are met by Apartments Miroľa. Should you desire a slightly more opulent stay with options such as private wellness, take a look at guesthouses Miroľa. We will gladly help you select the best accommodation for you.


























