Memorials Tatranská Polianka

Between the villages of Važec and Tatranská Štrba lies the largest German military cemetery in Slovakia. In total, we have six of them in the territory of our country, but this one is definitely the most beautiful and best-maintained. This is mainly thanks to the funding of German organizations, which make sure and take care of the dignified rest of the fallen soldiers.

The Važec War Cemetery began to be built in the autumn of 1997, and a year later in October, it was solemnly opened. It spans an area of 2.5 hectares at an altitude of 800 m above sea level. Currently, approximately 6,500 soldiers have found their final resting place here, with the cemetery having a capacity of 8,000 graves. The buried soldiers fought in the territory of central and eastern Slovakia.

When you find yourself at the cemetery in Važec, it will evoke mixed feelings in you. On one hand, you are influenced by the history of the place and humility toward the soldiers. On the other hand, a breathtaking view of the High Tatras panorama will soothe the heart. Neatly built simple granite crosses with a modern design and clean lines give the commemorative site an elegant appearance.

The crosses mostly feature four names with their birth and death years. As you walk between them, you will silently think of veterans as well as young boys, fighters of World War II. Artillerymen and pilots, combat engineers and Waffen-SS soldiers lie here, with and without names. There are also several mass graves to be found here.

In 1999, the cemetery earned the Dušan Jurkovič Award. It was awarded by the Slovak Architects Society, which thus recognized the cemetery's solution from an architectural point of view. Perhaps that is also one of the reasons why, in addition to relatives of victims and war veterans, tourists and locals from surrounding villages often head here. The peace that the place radiates is almost magical. Indeed, silence heals both the soul and the heart.

Come visit this German military cemetery in Važec as well. Pay tribute to the soldiers, grant your soul and thoughts freedom, and enjoy beautiful views. To be as close as possible, visit the accommodation Važec page. While on your stay, be sure to visit other interesting places in the area. Among the most popular are Važecká jaskyňa cave, Birutova dolinka valley, or the nearby village of Východná, which houses an amphitheater hosting the regularly organized folklore festival in Východná.

Have you ever been to Kežmarok? If not, accept our invitation and discover a piece of its rich history with us. We present to you Kežmarská radnica, which ranks among the most significant historical monuments of the town. Since the 15th century, it has been located right in the middle of Hlavné námestie. But did you know that the original town hall stood on one of the oldest streets in Kežmarok, at a place called Starý trh?

After the Hussite invasion in 1433, when the town partially burned down, the center moved to another part where a new square was created. Juraj of Spišská Sobota decided to build a new town hall in 1461. Following a major fire in the first half of the 16th century, it was considerably damaged and needed to be reconstructed. Master Kuntz of Kežmarok rebuilt it from the Gothic style into a Renaissance appearance between 1541 and 1555, while preserving its original character. Later, a tower was added to the town hall building. The town hall acquired its current appearance and a second floor only after a fire that was (allegedly) intentionally set by two town residents in 1922.

An interesting fact is that beneath the building lies an old cellar from which water springs used to gush in the past. Legend has it that an underground escape tunnel leads from the town hall starting here. The town hall building is part of the town monument reserve in Kežmarok. On December 4, 1981, it was entered into the List of Cultural Monuments of Slovakia. Currently, the town hall serves as the seat of the town office.

Get to know other attractions and historical monuments in Kežmarok as well. Visit Kežmarský hrad, where you will certainly be charmed by interesting castle exhibitions of weapons, a medieval pharmacy, or historical vehicles. Accommodation near Kežmarská radnica can be found on our accommodation Kežmarok page. Delight your children and take a trip to Aquafun Park Veľká Lomnica. Treat yourself to well-deserved rest and relaxation in the outdoor pools. Your kids will have a blast on the gigantic slide and other inflatable attractions. We wish you a pleasant and undisturbed holiday.