Sacral monuments and pilgrimage sites Radvaň nad Laborcom

In the capital of Rusyns, in Medzilaborce, besides the world-famous Múzeum moderného umenia Andyho Warhola, you will also find Renaissance art in the form of the sacred building of the Chrám svätého Ducha. The Orthodox church was built in 1949 in memory of fallen soldiers in both World Wars. Inside, you will find captivating interior decoration and as many as 350 beautiful colorful icons.

The church stands on the site of an original wooden chapel that was destroyed during World War II. The beginnings of its construction were not easy due to the difficult post-war situation, lack of financial funds, and building material. However, the realization finally took place thanks to the support of the then Minister of Defense of the Czechoslovak Republic and later president Ludvík Svoboda. In gratitude for his help, believers call this house of God the Pamätník padlých hrdinov – Slovanov.

The management of the entire construction was undertaken by the spiritual father, Archimandrite Andrej Kolomacký, who had rich experience with the construction of churches in Bohemia, Moravia, and the Transcarpathian region. A helping hand was lent to him by Ing. arch. Luka Antič, and thanks to this, the project was approved on October 7, 1947. Even the residents of Medzilaborce themselves helped with the construction work. The interior painting was credited to nun Mária Klain. The church is built in the Old Russian Renaissance style and, with its unique architecture, belongs among the landmarks of this town.

During the extensive reconstruction that took place in the 1990s, the interior restoration was participated in, apart from the local master, by the world-famous Greek iconographer living in the USA, Dimitrios Leussis. He worked on the brightly colored secular paintings for four years. The Orthodox cerkvi (church) still serves for liturgical purposes to this day. In 1963, it was ranked among national cultural monuments.

The surroundings of Medzilaborce offer a wealth of opportunities for hiking and cycling tours. Take a trip with your family and treat yourself to beautiful views from the Vyhliadková vežička Kýčera. Also worth a look is the sandstone rock Čertov Kameň, which you can find in the Laborecká vrchovina in the Kamjana mountain massif.

On your wanderings, also drop by the Mini skanzen, where you can view an exhibition of folk architecture dedicated to the life and culture of Rusyns. If you like this idea of an active holiday, book accommodation near the Chrám svätého Ducha in Medzilaborce. A rich selection of cozy cottages and romantic apartments can be found on the page accommodation in Medzilaborce. We wish you a pleasant and undisturbed stay.

Near the village of Hostovice, in the district of Snina, intense battles took place during World War I. A historical landmark and a quiet memory of this painful period is the military cemetery, where 112 soldiers, mostly from the Austro-Hungarian army, found their eternal rest. Follow in the footsteps of the not-so-distant past and pay tribute to the men who fought for your freedom as well.

The frontline cemetery was likely created in 1917 and consists of 47 graves. The graves are arranged in four rows. Twenty-five of them belong to individuals, four are mass graves, and eighteen are collective graves. Buried here are 104 Austro-Hungarian soldiers whose names are known. Among those buried are also 8 unknown soldiers, one of whom was of Russian nationality. A funeral ceremony was held here for the last time on April 13, 1923.

In 2011, the grave sites underwent an extensive reconstruction carried out by members of the Klub vojenskej histórie Beskydy. Crosses were erected and a central monument was built, a memorial on a stone pedestal with a wooden cross. Volunteers from Slovakia, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary worked a total of over 1,100 hours here.

Another reminder of the horrors of war in this village is the wooden 6-meter-high Zvonica na vrchu Skory bell tower dedicated to the fallen Slovak soldiers who fought in the surroundings of Hostovice. Fierce battles claimed thousands of dead and hundreds of wounded. An educational trail 13 km long will lead you to the bell tower. The route starts near the municipal office, and 13 info panels will accompany you along the forest road.

Hostovice is an excellent starting point for trips into the surrounding area. If you like hiking, head to Hostovický kopec (Tlusté). From the nearby Starinská vyhliadka lookout, you will be treated to a magical view of our largest drinking water reservoir – Vodná nádrž Starina.

You can find accommodation near the WWI military cemetery in Hostovice on our portal. Accommodation Hostovice means clean and cozy rooms in family guesthouses, as well as fairytale cottages and chalets. We wish you a wonderful stay full of great experiences.