Due to its rich history and unique monuments, the former metropolis of ancient Spiš is one of the most visited cities in Slovakia. The historic part of the town, together with the Master Paul's work, was entered in the UNESCO World Heritage List on 27 June 2009. More than 300 national cultural landmarks are located in the urban conservation area behind the massive walls.

The first written record on the town of Levoča, then called Leucha, dates back to 1249. The settlement conveniently located on the Via Magna trade route became the main center of German colonization of Spiš and in 1271 was promoted to the capital of the Spiš Saxony. Levoča was declared a free royal town in 1323.

Levoča. Zdroj foto: OOCR Tat...

A picturesque square with a cage of shame

The square is lined with more than 50 original burgher and patrician houses - Thurzo's House with Renaissance attic, Krupek's House with Renaissance facade paintings or Master Paul's House with museum. The most attractive part of the ancient square is the so-called cage of shame from the 16th century that was used in the past for public humiliation

Klietka hanby v Levoči. Zdro...

World-renowned altar from Slovak linden

The dominant of the rectangular square is the Basilica of St. James from the 14th century. The interior of the church was decorated with 11 Gothic and Renaissance temple altars. The main altar of St. James is the highest altar of its kind in the world (18.62 m). It took Master Paul of Levoča 10 years (1507 to 1517) to carve the altar. The altar is made of linden.

Oltár Majstra Pavla v Kostol...

Pilgrimage on the hill Mariánska hora

Every year at the beginning of July Levoča becomes the place of the biggest pilgrimage meeting in Slovakia. Believers in long crowds ascend to the hill Mariánska hora to give thanks to the Virgin Mary at the mass in the neo-Gothic Basilica of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary from the beginning of the 20th century.

Mariánska hora. Zdroj foto:...

Titulná foto: Informačná kancelária mesta Levoča

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