SK, Žilina Region – Region of Natural Beauties III

This Liptov village boasts a unique and rare wooden building - an articular evangelical church. It is one of the largest in Central Europe and is also the most important artistic expression of Slovak wooden church architecture.

To this day, only five such articular churches have been preserved, which have their original appearance and have witnessed the times of the Reformation in Slovakia. The dominant feature of the church is a 19 meter high wooden bell tower. The floor plan is in the form of a cross. The length of the church and the tower reaches 43 meters, the built-up area is 658 square meters. The capacity is up to an incredible 6,000 visitors. The church is open to the general public with guides all year round, but due to the current pandemic, it is closed until further notice. Admission is in the form of a voluntary contribution.

Another tip is our Slovak astronomical clock in the beautiful Kysuce village of Stará Bystrica. The relatively modern attraction surrounded by a nicely renovated square is definitely worth a visit.

It is located on the facade of the House of Culture. The heart of the whole astronomical clock is a dial with astronomical data, the so-called astrolabe, without which the astronomical clock would not be an astronomical clock. These astronomical data were designed especially for Stará Bystrica based on its geographical location. It is the only one in the world to show true solar time.

We will move from the villages to the capital of Slovak culture. Surely you already know that it will be about the city of Martin. Its rich history is inextricably linked to the sights. Matice slovenská is based here, the association of Slovak women Živena was founded here, personalities such as S. Hurban-Vajanský, A. Kmeť, J. Škultéta, J. Francisci and others met here, one of the first grammar schools in Slovakia was founded here and here is also the Memorandum of the Slovak Nation. And these are just a few historic stops.

In Martin you will find the Slovak Chamber Theater, the Slovak National Library and the National Cemetery. For nature lovers there are two national parks - Malá and Velká Fatra, for enthusiasts of folk architecture the Museum of the Slovak Village.

Finally, we invite you to play sports. As winter has not yet left us, accept the invitation to cross the Beskydy-Javornice cross-country ski trail, which leads through the ridge connection on the border with the Czech Republic - Makov Bumbálka and continues in the Vysoké Javorníky mountains to the Čadca – Husárik locality. The length of this route reaches a respectable 54 km. Enjoy the tranquility of this magical nature.

GPS:49°03'54.0"N 18°55'18.6"E  (the city of Martin)

Text: Infoglobe

Photos: Oskár Mažgút, Olga Maňáková, Dajama publishing