Where to go on a trip Podlesok (page 2 of 2)

The Spiš region is an unusually rich treasury of artistic, historical, and cultural monuments. It is not just the impressive Spišský hrad castle or the ancient town of Levoča, but a whole spectrum of more or less known cultural and natural treasures. A unique place making one of the gems of the cultural wealth of Spiš accessible is Múzeum meštianskej bytovej kultúry. This unique exhibition has found its place in a burgher house on Hlavné námestie in Kežmarok. It presents visitors with artistic and craft exhibits set in a period interior from the 19th century.

What was the life of wealthier burghers and nobles in Spiš like in past years? What kind of kitchen did they cook in? How did they dine? Where did they rest, relax, and what did their bedroom look like? You will find answers to these and many other questions at Múzeum meštianskej bytovej kultúry. Collection items documenting the period interiors of burghers from the 17th to the 19th century are on display in the burgher house. At the same time, the exhibition presents a rich and valuable collection of Spiš arts, crafts, and fine art.

Allow yourself to be invited for a visit to the apartment of the last countess of Kežmarok. Most of the museum's exhibits originate from the estate of Baroness Hedviga Mária von Szirmay. Among the most valuable pieces of the exhibition are undoubtedly wedding chests from the mid-17th century. The enthusiasm of visitors is also sparked by a Neoclassical chest decorated with a unique painting of exotic flora.

A true gem of artistic craftsmanship is undoubtedly the collection of clocks by Spiš and Viennese masters. It also includes particularly valuable table clocks by the Levoča clockmaker Michael Topscher from the 18th century. Ladies who are fascinated by fashion and fashion accessories will certainly be captivated by examples of period clothing and clothing accessories of burghers. A unique exhibit in this collection is a piece of jewelry made of human hair. After all, they say that hair is the crown of beauty.

If you usually like to enrich your holiday with a walk through time, allow yourself to be invited to Múzeum meštianskej bytovej kultúry in Kežmarok at the next opportunity. During your visit, definitely do not pass by Kežmarská radnica town hall, one of the most important historical monuments of the town. It is situated right in the middle of Hlavné námestie. You can also vary your trip to the center of the historical Spiš region with a tour of the particularly well-preserved Kežmarský hrad castle, where exhibitions of weapons or a medieval pharmacy will surely appeal to you. Enchanted by the cultural and historical wealth and pleasantly tired, you will certainly rest in one of the guesthouses or apartments offering accommodation near Múzeum meštianskej bytovej kultúry. The selection of accommodation in Kežmarok and the immediate surroundings is truly diverse.

Just by reading the name of the attraction, you will figure out how to find your way around this interesting sight. Slnečné hodiny Nová Lesná (Sundial Nová Lesná) is located directly in the sub-Tatra village of Nová Lesná. This scientific device designed for measuring time will catch your attention as an attraction under the Tatras mainly for children, but adults will marvel at it as well.

Sundials as such work on the principle of incident light. Therefore, if you want to experience firsthand how this ancient device works, plan a trip to see it during beautiful sunny days. The space of the structure as such consists of three elements: the sundial, the panoramic orientation object, and meditation stools. If it were not for the idea of creating the sundial by Mr. Nosek and Ms. Šimoníková, this project would not have been successfully realized.

Time is a relative quantity. Here, you can spend a long time reflecting on yourself or watching the movement of the Sun in the sky by the sundial. The uniqueness of this work lies in the fact that the clock as such is multiple. What does that mean? You can look at the southern clock, western clock, or noon clock. Simply put, you can say that the western clock shows time only in the afternoon, the noon clock shows true local time in the settlement of Malý Smokovec, and the southern one shows daylight saving time (in Arabic numerals) as well as the time for the rest of the year (in Roman numerals).

At the panoramic orientation object, observing the surroundings is particularly interesting. On the installed spatial structure, you will learn information regarding the panorama of the Vysoké Tatry. How wonderful it is to admire individual peaks in the distance, their altitude, and imagine conquering them. Excellent for every tourist.

The meditation stools are part of the area in front of the southern dial of the sundial. There are precisely 12 wooden stools intended for sitting, observing the surroundings, and meditating. They symbolically correspond to the number of hours in a day as well as the number of months in a year.

If you decide to visit this picturesque village, definitely do not miss its attraction. On a sunny day, you will recharge your energy here and learn the exact time. From the sundial, you can also plan a trip to nearby attractions in the area. It will be best to wake up in the morning in accommodation near Slnečné hodiny Nová Lesná, or in accommodation in Nová Lesná, but do not snub accommodation in the Tatra settlements either. From an apartment in Starý Smokovec, you can take a look into Tricklandia, and from private accommodation in Dolný Smokovec, winter sports at the Pod lesom ski resort will come in handy. It is up to you how you decide to spend your time.

Relatively few preserved castles have survived in our country today. If you do not enjoy wandering among unstable ruined walls and imagining what the castle once looked like, visit the town of Kežmarok. The town castle, or chateau, has stood here for centuries in an almost unchanged form. You have the opportunity to peek into the lives of nobles and lords of the castle, the wealthiest people of that time.

Today, the castle gives the impression of a romantic chateau. This was not always the case. The castle was originally Gothic and was built sometime at the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries. It did not spring up on a greenfield site. In its place stood Kostol sv. Alžbety church from 1251. A residential wing was later added to the church, turning it into a monastery.

The first written mention of the castle dates back to 1447. A later owner, Imrich Zápoľský, ordered the demolition of both the church and the monastery. This took place in 1486. The construction material from the monastery was used in building the western wing of the castle. Many Slovak castles were struck by fire. Fires rendered many of them uninhabitable, and due to a lack of funds, they began to fall into ruin. A similar disaster did not spare Kežmarský hrad either. And it happened several times. However, it was luckier. One of the fires engulfed it as early as 1575. The reconstruction was in the Renaissance style, and shortly thereafter, the castle fell into the hands of one of the most influential families, the Thökölys.

Thanks to various renovations, Kežmarský hrad began to transform from a cold castle into a pleasant and romantic chateau. The conversion into a chateau reached its final version in 1657, when artists from Italy decorated its entire interior. Even the castle stables had mangers made of marble. A year later, a chapel located in a former defensive bastion was built, or rather rebuilt.

The glorious period of the castle ended in 1720, when it was purchased by the town of Kežmarok. It was used for economic purposes and consequently began to fall into disrepair. Part of the castle fortification was destroyed as well. In 1931, the town established a small town museum in the tower. Kežmarský zámok gained sad notoriety during World War II, when Germans were stationed there and executed several partisans. Extensive reconstruction and preparations for opening it to the public began in 1960.

The castle exhibitions are remarkably varied. Kežmarok was always a town of craftsmen, housing up to 36 medieval guilds. You can find their coats of arms and traditional tools right inside the castle. Exhibitions familiar from other castles include a wide range of weapons or a tour of the castle chapel. Highlights include the dungeon, an exhibition of a medieval pharmacy, or historical vehicles. Everyone will enjoy the castle tour.

As one of the most important towns in Spiš, Kežmarok offers many accommodation options. In addition to hotels and hostels, it offers numerous guest houses. Staying in a burgher house right on the town square. That awaits you as well. If you are looking for more affordable accommodation, choose one of the many private accommodations. Discover Spiš directly from its center, right beneath the ramparts of Kežmarský hrad.

Múzeum v Kežmarku, in the beautiful town below the High Tatras, opens its doors to you in as many as three different locations. Why is that? It groups under itself three separate entities: Kežmarský hrad castle, Výstavná sieň exhibition hall, and Múzeum bytovej kultúry museum of housing culture. Kežmarok, which is among the oldest Slovak towns, is located in the Prešov Region, in the popular traditional region of Spiš. It is precisely the location and its typical elements that you will feel and perceive at every step in the individual exhibitions of the museum.

You will view elements of period housing of wealthier burgher or noble classes from the period from the mid-17th century to the end of the 19th century in Múzeum bytovej kultúry Spiša. It is located in an old reconstructed burgher house on Hlavné námestie No. 55. This is a truly exceptional exhibition that is very unique in the territory of our country. It presents a cross-section of all areas of housing. It will show you not only the kitchen or dining section, but also the bedroom or salons. The most valuable elements of the exhibition have been preserved after the "last countess of Kežmarok." Among them are very rare wedding chests of Spiš provenance from the mid-17th century. Another period, specifically the 18th century, is represented by furniture in the Rococo, Neoclassical, and Louis XVI styles. You will not miss secretaries, chests of drawers, or card tables. The period of the 19th century has the richest representation among the exhibits, being a cross-section of Empire, Biedermeier, Second Rococo, Neo-Renaissance, Neo-Baroque, Eclecticism, and also early Art Nouveau. The exhibition is complemented by a very valuable collection of clocks by Spiš and Viennese masters, as well as examples of clothing, photographs, and paintings.

You can tour Kežmarský hrad as the only fully preserved castle in Spiš. It has a rich past that is shrouded in many legends and emphasized by permanent exhibitions. Here you will find exhibitions of guilds and crafts, a town hall room, a pharmacy, a dungeon, an observation tower, a lapidarium, a castle chapel, a gallery, and an exhibition of weapons and historical vehicles. The tour will introduce you to the life and work of Dr. Vojtech Alexander, the political development of the revolutionary years, as well as the history and development of the town from an economic, cultural, social, and educational perspective. Likewise, given the proximity of our high mountains, one exhibition is dedicated to the locals' relationship to the Tatras. It maps the beginnings of alpine tourism in Spiš, as well as the settlement history of the region. However, the whole tour will also leave you with a deep artistic experience thanks to the paintings and unique architecture.

If you also want to visit Výstavná sieň, you must move to MUDr. Alexandra Street No. 11. This unique burgher house will show you the oldest preserved architectural elements of times long past. The entrance portal is decorated with unique preserved Renaissance painted decoration. In addition, original and very valuable details of Gothic and Renaissance architecture are preserved in the building. Thanks to the tour, you will soak up the unique atmosphere of Kežmarok burghers and get closer to their life at that time.

Although Kežmarok is a historical town, which the individual exhibitions of the museum suggest, you will also find many other great activities in the surrounding area. Therefore, plan your trip for several days and take advantage of accommodation near Múzeum v Kežmarku. The location of the town is an ideal starting point for all tourists, a few minutes by car separate you from visiting Tatranský národný park, Národný park Slovenský raj, and Pieninský národný park. If you are not a fan of hikes, do not despair. In the immediate vicinity, you will also find parks full of water fun in regular and thermal water or skiing options in winter. However, comfortable accommodation in Kežmarok, for example in apartments or guesthouses, also brings opportunities for perfect relaxation and sweet idling. Do not let yourself be persuaded for long and start planning your trip to the attractions in Kežmarok.

The Vysoké Tatry are famous for high-quality services, groomed slopes, and ski resorts for even the most demanding skiers. If you are looking for first-class skiing, you will certainly find exactly what you long for beneath the peaks of our highest mountains. But if you are attracted even a little bit by skiing in a quiet resort where the slope will belong almost exclusively to you, we have one place you must visit.

Starý Smokovec is one of the most famous Tatra settlements. The famous funicular railway to Hrebienok, a popular destination for tourists in both summer and winter, also leads from here. Just a few kilometers south lies its brother, Dolný Smokovec. It became famous mainly for treating respiratory diseases in the local children's sanatorium. Beautiful surroundings and fresh air are the main prerequisites not only for treatment, but also for perfect skiing.

A small and inconspicuous ski resort is situated in the part of Dolný Smokovec with the poetic name Pod lesom. Its name is Greguskaski. It lies above the village of Nová Lesná, where you will find plenty of affordable accommodation options in private rentals.

The resort offers only one slope, but given its focus on complete beginners, even that is sufficient. It is of blue difficulty, the lowest category. Its length is 400 meters and it offers an elevation gain of exactly 50 meters. The entire resort sits at an altitude of 874 – 924 meters above sea level. Two ski lifts will take care of your comfort, helping you forget about long queues.

Despite the resort being really small, it offers an artificial snowmaking system. You won't have to worry about a lack of snow. There is also a ski school here. The slope is particularly suitable for those of you stepping onto skis for the very first time. An undeniable asset of this ski resort is the price of ski passes. If you are a beginner skier, it would be wasteful to pay dozens of euros for a skipass in a larger resort when you would spend the whole day learning on a single slope anyway.

In the area, you will find cross-country trails for enthusiasts of the white track. The environment of the Vysoké Tatry is generally extremely attractive and offers dozens, if not hundreds, of leisure opportunities. Whether it is a trip to the aforementioned Hrebienok, evening sledding, or a cable car ride to the peak of Lomnický štít. Alternatively, if you still haven't had enough of skiing, visit Starý Smokovec, Tatranská Lomnica, or Štrbské Pleso.

Finding accommodation near the slope in Dolný Smokovec is not a problem. Just a few dozen meters away are various private accommodations, whether in the Pod lesom area itself or in nearby Nová Lesná. The latter offers attractively priced accommodation in guesthouses, apartments, private rentals, and chalets. Beginner skiers can boldly head to the Vysoké Tatry as well. You just need to know where to go.