Sacral monuments and pilgrimage sites Zemplín

The tiny village of Hrabová Roztoka in the Snina district can boast a national cultural monument. Within its small area, it hides a wooden Greek Catholic church dedicated to one of the most significant Eastern saints. Chrám sv. Bazila Veľkého was built in 1750 and ranks among the best-preserved wooden sacral buildings in Slovakia. Come and see the magnificent iconostasis with icons depicting important church figures for yourself as well.

The church was built as a three-space, two-tower structure with two crosses. Its construction is log-framed and covered with shingles arranged vertically in horizontal bands. Turrets with three-armed crosses sit on both ends. Three bells are placed in the tower on the facade. The interior of the cerkev (wooden church) is mostly Baroque and dates from the mid-18th century. Its dominant feature is the aforementioned iconostasis consisting of four tiers. The first, main tier is formed by icons of St. Nicholas, the Mother of God Hodegetria, Christ the Teacher, and St. Basil the Great. The second tier of feast days is divided by an icon depicting the Last Supper. The third, apostolic tier features the icon of Christ the High Priest in its center. The final tier of prophets consists of six medallions with pairs of figures. The top of the iconostasis is formed by an inclined cross.

An interesting feature of this church is that it has been preserved in its original form up to the present day. In 2000, its exterior underwent extensive repairs, during which the entire roof was replaced, floors were cleaned, and the paint on the outer wooden cladding of the church was restored. The entrance doors, the altar table (prestol), two processional crosses, and a chest were repaired as well.

Since services are no longer held in the church, please announce your visit in advance by phone. You can combine the trip with hiking in the surrounding Vihorlatské vrchy mountains. If you feel like exploring further, set off to the village of Podhoroď and uncover the secrets of the easternmost castle ruin in Slovakia, Hrad Tibava.

If you are an adventurous type, head to the village of Ladomírov and gaze into the infinite universe through the largest astronomical telescope in Slovakia. Such an amazing experience will be brought to you by a visit to Astronomické observatórium na Kolonickom sedle.

Since we have already mentioned two "TOP" attractions of the Snina district, it is time to consider suitable accommodation. You can find a varied offer of accommodation near Drevený gréckokatolícky kostol sv. Bazila Veľkého v Hrabovej Roztoke on our page accommodation in Hrabová Roztoka. We wish you a wonderful stay full of interesting experiences.

The Roman Catholic Bazilika Narodenia Panny Márie is the most valuable and oldest historical monument in the town of Vranov nad Topľou. Since 2008, the church has carried the designation "minor," making it one of thirteen basilicas in Slovakia with this significant honorary title, which comes directly from the Pope. This modestly looking historical monument came to the awareness of Christians worldwide thanks to a miraculous event that occurred in the region. A rare historical icon of the Virgin Mary by an unknown author shed bloody tears before the eyes of local people. This happened in 1708.

The miraculous painting of the Virgin Mary executed on canvas with oil colors was subsequently transferred to the church. On September 8, 1708, the church was dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, and ever since, it has been drawing Marian pilgrims from all over Zemplín every year on September 8. Another miracle is the event from 1718 when a fire broke out in the church, but the painting remained undamaged. The church thus became an even more significant pilgrimage site, as evidenced by the Decree on the Establishment of the Pilgrimage Site dated June 29, 1999.

The church was originally built in 1441 by the Franciscans as a monastery church. After their departure from the town, the evangelicals took over the administration of the church from the Franciscans and managed it from 1540 to 1672. Subsequently, in 1672, the spiritual administration of the church was taken over by the monastic order of the Order of Saint Paul the First Hermit, the so-called Paulines, with whom the basilica is associated to this day. The cult of the Mother of God is characteristic of the Paulines, as they managed many Marian shrines. In the territory of Slovakia, their administration also included, for example, the pilgrimage sites in Šaštín and Marianka near Bratislava. After almost a century of activity in Vranov, the Paulines had to leave the monastery by order of Joseph II, and their order moved from Slovakia to Poland. The monks returned back to Vranov only after more than 200 years.

From an architectural standpoint, the Bazilika Narodenia Panny Márie ranks among late Gothic monumental sacral structures. Although you wouldn't say so at a glance from the outside, the church interior is a magnificent Baroque work from the first half of the 18th century and appeals to every visitor. The miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary of Vranov depicting the Mother of God holding the child on her right forearm is located in the center of the altar superstructure. The main altar is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. There are also other, smaller altars in the basilica. The side ones are dedicated to St. Paul the Hermit, after whom the Pauline Order is named, and St. Pope Clement I. The fourth altar, located on the northern side of the church, is dedicated to St. John Nepomuk, the martyr of the seal of confession. The great reverence of the Vranov Paulines for this saint is confirmed by the reliquary with his remains in the interior and the sculptural group in the exterior of the church, included in the state list of cultural monuments.

Also preserved in the Vranov basilica is a very valuable Baroque-Rococo collection of liturgical objects consisting of a monstrance, chalice, ciborium, and pectoral cross. This unique liturgical set is the work of the most famous personality of Baroque goldsmithing in Slovakia, Ján Silaši, and rightfully belongs on the list of national cultural monuments. A precious testimony to the existence of Baroque sculpture in Eastern Slovakia are the perfect woodcarving creations from the workshop of Jozef Hartman, which adorn the altars and the pulpit. The atmosphere of the distant past is complemented by wall paintings by the prominent Czech Baroque painter J. L. Kracker.

If the Bazilika Narodenia Panny Márie has caught your interest and you would like to find out more, a guided tour can be requested from the Rímskokatolícky farský úrad Sever, which is seated in the parish building of the former Pauline monastery. Although the monastery building is of a later date, originating from the 17th century, it is likewise a historical monument worth visiting. Right from a distance, you will be charmed by the entrance portal, which can boast the attribute of an architectural landmark of artistic significance.

Book your accommodation near the Bazilika Narodenia Panny Márie and come enjoy Vranov nad Topľou and its surroundings. After visiting the historical monuments in the town, whose name is derived from a crow (vrana), head out into nature and discover the Slanské vrchy. Set out on foot, by bike, or in winter comfortably on cross-country skis. You will be thrilled not only by the experiences the region offers, but also by the exceptional accommodation options in the Prešov Region.

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.

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.