Sacral monuments and pilgrimage sites Severné Slovensko

This specific Calvary, Kalvária v Terchovej, ranks among the non-traditional calvaries in Slovakia. It is located in a typical scattered settlement village in northern Slovakia, in the Žilinský kraj. The village of Terchová is one of the important tourist centers of Malá Fatra, but it is also sought after as a pilgrimage site. Take a day off work or plan a sun-drenched weekend spiritually at every single architecturally designed station of the Way of the Cross up to Oravcové hill.

The famous legend of Jánošík is tied to the village as such. However, it is also sought after for other popular attractions in Terchová. This interesting calvary is unique precisely for its stylized crosses. Instead of traditional chapels, you will find stone crosses with glass details laid on the ground, along with statues.

You can start your journey above Ďurkovský laz near the local agricultural cooperative. Following the yellow hiking trail, you can easily reach Oravcové hill. A walk to the top takes about 35 minutes, where a massive stone altar is located. You will also be captivated by unique views of the surrounding pristine nature.

The author of the Terchovská kalvária site is local academic sculptor and native Milan Opalka. This man was the first to contribute to the founding of Cyrilo-metodské dni, which have been held here for over a decade. Based on this need, a project was realized by the village, and in 2006, the calvary received a blessing from a spiritual father.

Should this easy hike combined with spiritual enrichment not be enough for you, we recommend one of the three sections of Jánošíkove diery. You will make full use of your hiking boots, and after such an active day, a rest in one of the accommodations will come in handy. It is best to choose accommodation near Kalvária v Terchovej. Nearby, there are mostly cottages and chalets preferred by families with children or larger groups. If you arrive as a couple and also have wellness at Relaxačné centrum Terchovec on your trip itinerary, stay in a room at a guesthouse Terchová.

The cultural and historical wealth of Orava is not just the dominant Oravský hrad castle and the popular Múzeum oravskej dediny. This magical paradise for tourists also hides lesser-known, yet all the more unique architectural gems. One of them is undoubtedly the Drevený artikulárny kostol (Wooden Articular Church) from the 17th century. It is situated in the small village of Leštiny, located 7 km from the district town of Dolný Kubín. The beautiful structure, built using spruce wood from the surrounding forests, attracts visitors with its exterior alone. However, the real treasures that delight the eye and pleasantly warm the soul can be found inside.

The wooden church was built between 1688 and 1689 by order of Jób Zmeškal, the first vice-ispán in Dolný Kubín and captain of the castle guard at Oravský hrad. The church complex also includes a rectory located in its immediate vicinity. The dominant hipped roof of the building is covered with wooden shingles. The interior of the small church stands out with its rich decoration featuring diverse motifs, shapes, and colors. A true gem is the Baroque altar with wood carvings from the late 17th century and the richly decorated pulpit.

The small church is built on a steep slope. The incline of the terrain was leveled during its construction with a stone foundation. Thanks to this, the beautiful wooden structure acts as a dominant feature of the entire village and invites visitors and passers-by from afar. Many of them have no idea that they are standing on the spot where one of the greatest Slovak poets, Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav, was baptized. Evangelical church services are still held in the church every Sunday to this day.

If you find yourself near the village of Leštiny during your holiday in Orava, be sure not to miss a visit to the picturesque wooden church. And when you are touched by the place where the great Slovak man of letters was baptized, visit his nearby birthplace, Vyšný Kubín. In the building of Arpádovský kaštieľ, a permanent exhibition dedicated to Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav is open to visitors. And if this walk through time excites you, also visit the local archeopark Praveká osada Mokrý Kút. Orava is a true paradise of unique places tailor-made for original holiday experiences. If you decide to spend your next holiday in this region, book accommodation near Drevený artikulárny kostol Leštiny right now. Accommodation in Orava offers a wide range of private cottages and chalets, as well as comfortable guesthouses and apartments.

In Oščadnica, below the massif of Veľká Rača, lies one of those magical corners of our country. Kaplnka u Haladeji reigns here over small wooden cottages that look as if they were taken straight out of a Slovak folk fairytale. The charming sacral building surrounded by greenery invites you for a pleasant walk in the fresh air. It is situated in the Kysuce region, in the village of Oščadnica, above the Laliky part.

Kaplnka na Haladeji stands on the site of an original chapel built in 1961. The bell, which was hanging here at that time only on a wooden structure, bore the inscription "Saint Cyril and Methodius pray for us". It is probably also for this reason that the current sacral building was dedicated precisely to St. Cyril and Methodius. It was built in 2015, when the original chapel was demolished due to structural issues. The current chapel is tiny, which, however, does not diminish its appeal. The beautiful stone and wood structure is decorated with wooden frescoes and paintings. The interior naturally features an altar.

A path leads up a gentle slope to the chapel, tailor-made for a pleasant walk. It is lined on both sides by beautiful wooden cottages whose architecture literally breathes history. Upon arriving at the chapel, visitors are greeted by wooden benches. Here you can sit down, rest, dedicate time to quiet prayer, or take a deep breath and let your soul find peace. An evening walk to this wonderful place is undoubtedly a unique experience. In the dark, the chapel is beautifully illuminated, creating a magical atmosphere for a pleasant evening.

Whether you come to Oščadnica for excellent skiing or mountain hiking, be sure to make time for a walk to the tiny chapel on the hill. And if the nature of Kysuce charms you, you can take a trip to Rozhľadňa Dedovka, which will reward you with a gorgeous view of the entire surroundings. Or are you in the mood for a pleasant dose of adrenaline? Take your mountain bike with you and visit Bike Park Veľká Rača, where tracks of various difficulty levels are prepared for visitors. The bike park is part of the Snow Paradise Veľká Rača – Oščadnica resort, which you have certainly heard of. It ranks among our most famous ski resorts and enjoys great popularity among winter sports enthusiasts.

Whether you decide to visit Oščadnica in summer or prefer a winter holiday in this region, book accommodation near Kaplnka u Haladeji through our portal. Accommodation in Veľká Rača represents a truly varied offer of cottages and chalets providing comfort and privacy surrounded by nature.

The wooden Kostol Všetkých svätých church in Tvrdošín is the oldest surviving architectural monument in the town. This church is the only one in Slovakia to boast the EUROPA NOSTRA award from 1995 and, at the same time, an inscription on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List from 2008.

The history of the church dates back to the 15th century. Later, in the 17th century, specifically between 1650 and 1653–1654, it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style. Rare is the Baroque altar, which originates from the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries and replaced a smaller Gothic altar. Some of its fragments are housed in the Oravská galéria in Dolný Kubín, as well as in the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest. Behind the Baroque altar is a painted church curtain that symbolically divides the depiction of the sky.

Other gems in the interior of the church include a Late Renaissance pulpit featuring figures of the Evangelists (1654), a painted stallum (1654), a painting of St. George, and paintings of the Apostles. The incredible and at the same time mysterious atmosphere is sensitively enhanced by vaulted paintings depicting a starry sky and angels. Visitors will be captivated by the coffered ceiling consisting of 49 ornamental rosettes. The entire noble design of the church is underlined by heavy entrance doors with forged iron handles. These were originally painted with ornaments as well, just like the door to the sacristy. The church underwent extensive reconstruction and restoration work in 1993.

The church is located in a pleasant, quiet spot slightly above the town of Tvrdošín, near the cemetery. Even just sitting for a moment and immersing yourself in your own thoughts acts almost like a balm for the soul. It is advisable to arrange a tour in advance.

Find quality accommodation near the wooden Kostol Všetkých svätých church and combine your visit with other attractions in the area. Take a multi-day trip to the attractions in Tvrdošín and you will experience a truly wonderful holiday. Beautiful nature, rich history, and above all, a breathtaking wooden church that has no equal. These are the main draws of the area that you will experience when you book a stay on the accommodation Tvrdošín page.

Drevený artikulárny evanjelický kostol in Svätý Kríž belongs among the largest wooden structures in Central Europe. It is located in Liptov, on the border of the cadastral areas of the villages of Svätý Kríž and Lazisko, in the district of Liptovský Mikuláš. Thanks to its capacity of almost 6,000 visitors, it ranks among frequently visited monuments. Divine services are held here regularly.

The church has an interesting 43 m long cross-shaped floor plan. It was originally built in 1693 in Paludza, but between 1974 and 1982 it was relocated to Svätý Kríž, where a ceremonial consecration subsequently took place in August 1982. The church in Svätý Kríž is the final artistic expression of Slovak wooden architecture, and it is no exaggeration to write that it is likely also the most significant. In the interior, you will be immediately captivated by the wooden Baroque altar dating from 1693, featuring a painting of the Transfiguration of Christ. The pulpit is also considered unique, standing on a log base right next to a Baroque angel that appears to support it. Both of these gems, the altar and the pulpit, are the work of the Kežmarok woodcarver J. Lerch.

The extraordinary atmosphere of the place is complemented by the ceiling. Two-story choir galleries decorated with biblical paintings, along with a Venetian glass chandelier, create perfect harmony and fit flawlessly into the church's interior. The organ and a stone baptismal font are additional indispensable parts of the interior. In the exterior, an inseparable pair with the church is formed by the belfry, consisting of a freestanding wooden tower. It was added only later, in 1781. New bells were installed in the tower between 1921 and 1922.

You do not have to be a believer to have something to be thankful for. Believe us, giving thanks for your family, health, food, a roof over your head, work, or anything else that comes to mind assumes a completely different dimension when spoken in this church. And if the rays of the setting sun caress the beautiful Baroque furnishings inside at that moment, you will believe in miracles. The swell of emotion meeting at such a moment feels like magic.

You simply have to experience that feeling for yourself. Book accommodation near Drevený artikulárny kostol Svätý Kríž, for instance on the accommodation in Svätý Kríž or accommodation in Liptovský Mikuláš page, and come discover Liptov from a different angle. This picturesque region offers numerous sacral monuments and hiking opportunities; their advantage is also that they are available almost year-round and in most cases completely free of charge. A holiday in Slovakia does not have to be expensive at all, and yet you might experience the adventure of your life right here.