Sacral monuments and pilgrimage sites Vrbov

Chrám svätého Jakuba in Levoča is among the most important sacral buildings in Slovakia. In 2015, Pope Francis elevated it to a basilica minor. Come and see the unique main altar of St. James, which, with its height of 18.6 meters, is the highest altar of its kind in the world. It is made of linden wood and was created under the hands of the woodcarver Master Paul of Levoča.

The parish church is dedicated to St. James, apostle and protector of warriors, pilgrims, and workers. His feast day is celebrated on July 25. The church has been serving believers for daily services for over 700 years. The church and its interior furnishings have been a national cultural monument since 1965. In 2009, the Basilica of St. James was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The church was built in the first half of the 14th century as a three-aisled building. Porches were built onto it on the northern and southern sides, and around 1515, the so-called Henckel Library was built above the northern porch. In 1859, at the instigation of Emperor Franz Joseph I, the neo-Gothic tower was completed.

In addition to the main altar, the church contains another 13 side altars. Another gem in the church is the organ, which was created in the years 1624 – 1630 at the expense of the wealthy Levoča burgher Friedrich Pobst by the Krakow organ builder Hans Hummel. The Renaissance pulpit, created by the local joiner master Krištof Kollmitz, originally from Olomouc in the Czech Republic, is also ranked among the remarkable monuments.

The dominant features of the church interior are extensive wall paintings representing the cycle of the seven works of mercy and the seven deadly sins. In addition to the main altar, the works of Ján Szilassy are also declared a national cultural monument. These are monstrances, chalices, and other liturgical objects decorated with enamel and embossed work, which are inlaid with Czech garnets.

A remarkable legend about a forged cross is also associated with the Basilica of St. James. When the former senator Wildner went on a trip with his wife and daughter, their carriage was struck by lightning and their only daughter Zuzana died. Out of grief, they lined her coffin with valuables and arranged a magnificent funeral for her. The gravedigger who buried her decided that he would dig up the grave that very night and take the jewelry from the grave. When he dug up the coffin, he stood face to face with a living girl. Out of gratitude to God for sparing their only daughter, the Wildner family had a forged cross placed on the roof above the main altar, where it remains to this day.

After visiting the basilica, you can set off for Mariánska hora, which is one of the oldest pilgrimage sites in Slovakia. Another holy church stands at this place, the Basilica of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary. On hot summer days, refreshment in the Bio bathing area will come in handy. Another great experience will be full-body relaxation in the unique Forest Sauna in Spišský Hrhov. The Spiš region will surprise you with a multitude of exceptional attractions that are worth not only seeing, but also experiencing. Book your stay in Levoča today. You can find a great offer of accommodation near the Basilica of St. James on our website accommodation in Levoča.

If you are planning a day in nature where you will be able to enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, head towards the thousand-year-old chapel. The summer house or also Kaplnka Sans Souci is located in a small forest near Iliašovce.

The village of Iliašovce is a sought-after location in eastern Slovakia because it is situated near the Národný park Slovenský raj. You do not have to immediately set out on a hike through this park. A light walk along the marked trail to the millennium chapel will be quite enough for you. Directly from Iliašovce, this activity will take you approximately 20 minutes on foot, but you can also choose other surrounding villages as your starting point. From the villages of Smižany and Harichovce, the route is approximately 4 km long, and from Spišská Nová Ves, it is roughly 4.5 km.

Many tourists and cyclists, not only from surrounding villages, come to admire the reconstructed Kaplnka Sans Souci with their own eyes. Count Štefan Csáky had the chapel built in 1773. In addition to the chapel, an extensive complex was built here, which was appropriately complemented by buildings and a park. The place became famous mainly because grand balls and festivities were held here in the past. Unfortunately, an expensive lifestyle pushed the count into financial difficulties, and he gradually had to sell off and even demolish the sumptuously equipped complex.

The letohrádok Sans Souci is a popular tourist relaxation spot. Locals know this place under the name millenium chapel. Within the complex, which is maintained by a local civic association, you can experience other activities besides walking. Children will enjoy the swings, families head here for bonfires at the fire pit, and seniors appreciate the benches designed for resting. A marked cycle route can also lead cyclists here. You will learn more about this place from the information boards, which describe not only its history. You can leave your mark here by signing the guestbook. If you are more adventurous, feel free to embark on a night adventure with the manager's consent and pitch a tent here for the night.

Below the chapel, you also have the opportunity to enjoy the beneficial effects of a sauna. Nearby is the forrest sauna Iliašovce. As part of your trip, feel free to plan a visit to the Spišské múzeum – Výstavná sieň, where various concerts, conferences, or academic lectures are organized. You can learn about miners, their tools, and their work by looking into the exhibition História baníctva na Spiši. On the square in Levoča, there is also the beautiful Bazilika sv. Jakuba v Levoči, where you can listen to organ music echoing beautifully through the building, complementing its spaces along with the famous altar of Majster Pavol. If you enjoy water fun or want to do something good for your body, head to the pool at the krytá plaváreň Spišská Nová Ves.

It is necessary to make enough time for all the good things in life. Even if it may seem to you nowadays that you have little time, know that you will love visiting this region. For this reason as well, book accommodation near kaplnka Sans Souci here. In the offer of accommodation facilities, besides your preferred apartments in Iliašovciach, you can also book cottages and chalets, or even wooden cabins. It is entirely up to you what type of accommodation you choose for your stay.

On Radničné námestie in Spišská Nová Ves stands a charming historical building of the Evanjelický kostol. The main altar, featuring a beautiful painting of Jesus Christ praying on the Mount of Olives, serves as the church's centerpiece. Additionally, the church boasts the oldest preserved library in the Spiš region, located on the choir loft.

The Evanjelický kostol in Spišská Nová Ves was built under the Patent of Toleration from 1781 and, according to the rules of the time, had to be constructed without a tower. Historians have discovered plans for the addition of a tower, but its construction never took place due to a lack of funds. The church will captivate you with its exquisite exterior architecture. It is built in the Neoclassical style, and the floor plan itself takes the shape of a Greek cross. Its builder was master mason František Bartelom, who also drew up the plan for the building. Construction began on March 29, 1790, and the consecration of the church took place six years later, on October 9, 1796.

In addition to the stunning altar and painting of Christ, you will also see an alabaster relief depicting Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well. Another valuable treasure is the baptismal font, which originates from a wooden prayer house dating back to the times before the current church was built. The wooden pews are made of larch wood and were crafted by master carpenter Thomas Thern. The organ was built by the Viennese master Friedrich Deutschmann between 1882 and 1883. The church features excellent acoustics, thanks to which it is still used today to host concerts and festivals of organ and classical music.

Since 2013, you can also admire the restored original statues of the four Evangelists, St. John, St. Luke, St. Matthew, and St. Mark. The choir loft houses a rare library belonging to the former Evangelical Gymnasium. On October 15, 1963, the Evanjelický kostol in Spišská Nová Ves was listed in the Register of Cultural Monuments in Slovakia.

Discover other magical places in Spišská Nová Ves as well. Delight your children and take them to the zoo or to the large indoor children's center Alex Park. The impressive Kaštieľ v Markušovciach manor house is also well worth a visit, where you will see a unique exhibition of keyboard musical instruments and historical furniture. Spend your vacation in the Spiš region and book your stay today. You can find the full range of accommodation around the Evanjelický kostol in Spišská Nová Ves on our accommodation Spišská Nová Ves subpage. You can choose from a variety of cozy cottages, stylish guesthouses, and apartments.