Jozef Imrich, name worthy of Kafka, has his finger on the pulse of any irony of interest and shares his findings to keep you in-the-know with the savviest trend setters and infomaniacs.
''I want to stay as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all kinds of things you can't see from the center.''
-Kurt Vonnegut
According to UNESCO, Slovakia’s superpower is its castles. The country hosts more than 100 castles and double that number of manor houses, all built in different, historically significant eras. Let’s start with the Spiš Castle, dating back to the 12th century, and towering above the eastern horizon of Spišské Podhradie. A museum documents its history, and the scenic landscape around the village can be traversed on foot.
The town consists of St. Martin's Cathedral (dedicated to St. Martin of Tours), a former monastery, and a single street, all of mediaeval construction and enclosed by a wall. The lower gate gives an extensive view of Spiš Castle, located on an opposite hill. Spišská Kapitula became the main seat of the church administration in the region in the 12th century. In 1776 it became the seat of the Diocese of Spiš (Szepes).
During Covid2019 friends of Andrej Imrich added a wonderful garden to all the other attractions
Podľa primátora mesta Spišské Podhradie Michala Kapustu (KDH) je možné zrekonštruovanú národnú kultúrnu pamiatku prirovnať k záhrade na Bratislavskom hrade alebo vo francúzskom Versailles.
Mesto ju obnovilo v rámci projektu Kultúrno-duchovný turizmus miest Spišské Podhradie a Glogów Malopolski podporeného z Programu cezhraničnej spolupráce Interreg V-A Poľsko-Slovensko 2014-2020.
Hey, (Let’s) Go! – “Escape the heat by “travelling” the world with the virtual tour company, HeyGo. You can cruise the Seine River in Paris, wander through a medieval market town in the Cotswolds, UK, or take a hummingbird and orchid tour in the Ecuadorian highlands, all hosted by local guides. It’s free to sign up and take part in the tours, and if you enjoy your time, there’s an opportunity at the end to leave a tip for your guide. HeyGo will be promoting botanical gardens in the month of July, so let your favorite garden know about this exciting opportunity to share their garden with the world by offering virtual tours—and make a little money along the way!
Tour a monumental castle, admire religious architecture and explore the gorgeous countryside around this beautiful old town in northeastern Slovakia.
Wander through the streets of Spišské Podhradie and you will rarely lose sight of the impressive castle that looms large over the area. The town also boasts enough ecclesiastical architecture to have earned it the nickname the Slovak Vatican.
Spišské Podhradie is a UNESCO World Heritage site and was built to serve the castle it takes its name from. The massive fortification dates back to the early 12th century and is one of the biggest castles in central Europe. It sits on a large rock, approximately 2,080 feet (634 meters) above sea level.
Walk up the steep hill to get to Spišský Castle and then examine its rooms and ruins. See the old gates, stone columns and a 15th-century Gothic tower. Visit the castle kitchen and the Chapel of Elizabeth Thuringia. Among the other features are the Renaissance and Gothic houses that once belonged to the castle’s owners. Learn about the fort’s history in its museum. View suits of armor, weapons and instruments of torture.
Come back down the hill to explore the town itself, beginning in the main square. Look up at the Baroque-style Marian Column which is topped by a statue of the Virgin Mary. Make your way over to the 16th-century Town Hall.
Check out the religious sites that are spread across the town, such as the Spis Chapter House. This fortified complex is dominated by St. Martin’s Cathedral, a Romanesque church with high, sloping roofs. Other places include the Evangelical Church, the Gothic Roman Catholic Church, the Jewish Synagogue and the Cloister of the Merciful Brothers, which was a hospital established by the Augustinian religious order.
Spend a day walking in the countryside at nearby nature reserves in Drevenik, Sharp Hill and Rajtopiky. Rock climbing is also possible in the surrounding area.
Reach Spišské Podhradie by flying into the airport at Košice, approximately 54 miles (87 kilometers) away. If you arrange your trip for June, you’ll experience the Spis Folklore Festival, which captures the character and color of the region as well as its history.
