Sightseeing in Poprad - what to see. Complete travel guide

It’s a famous ski resort situated at the foot of the High Tatras. The first mention of the city is referred to the middle of the 13th century, but at that time Poprad wasn’t yet a large settlement. It was a group of small villages, which were combined and gradually achieved the status of the city. Nowadays the territory of the city is conventionally divided into three separate settlements: Spisska Sobota, Matejovce, and Wielka.

This city has become a favorite place for athletes as the region has excellent conditions for skiing. The routes run through picturesque woods and their level of difficulty varies depending on the initial training of sportsmen. No so long ago here have been opened several ski schools for children that are run by highly qualified coaches. A training camp for adults is located nearby. Professionals will definitely enjoy several so-called "black slopes" with high level of complexity; there are also areas for snowboarders. Elevators located near every major hotel deliver guests to the beginning of the ski routes.

In addition to skiing activities tourists have an opportunity to relax in one of the local restaurants or cafes, which are numerous in hotels and near ski bases. The city’s suburbs are truly remarkable and picturesque. There are many forests there which are considered protected areas. The northern part of city is the location of Tatra National Park. Move your feet to the southern part of the city and you will find another large park named Slovak Paradise. Rich greenery, picturesque cliffs and gorges - this is a truly pristine piece of nature. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

When it comes to describing the historical sites of Poprad, we recommend making a tour of the Kežmarok district. Here you will find an ancient palace and a lovely wooden church. Both buildings are made in best traditions of the Gothic style. In this city you can also visit numerous museums, galleries and cinemas, as well as make a walk to the shops and shopping centers.

Poprad is famous for its religious monuments, and the Co-Cathedral of Our Lady of Sorrows is one of the most beautiful and unusual of them. Its construction lasted three years and was fully completed in 1939. If you look at the cathedral today, you'd barely believe that it was built almost a hundred years ago. The building looks very modern, the cathedral is striking in its scale. Its length is 48 meters, and the width is 22 meters. The main decoration of the interior is a rich altar. Also, in the cathedral, you can see many magnificent sculptures.

No less interesting is the Church of St. Egidius, which is considered to be one of the oldest religious monuments in the city. The very first church on its site was built in 1245, and it was a spectacular Gothic-style monument. Throughout the centuries, the church has been rebuilt several times. Today its appearance retains some unique Baroque features. The last major reconstruction of the church was completed in 1998. Despite numerous renovations, unique 15th-century frescoes are carefully preserved inside.

A very interesting monument of the 12th century is the Church of St. George, originally a majestic temple in the late Romanesque style. Today, only small fragments are left of the very first church. Its southern portal and several external walls of the nave have remained unchanged. Next to the church is an ancient Renaissance-style bell tower built in the second half of the 16th century. Many years ago, fairs were often held near the church. An ancient measure, which was used for weighing grain, is a preserved reminder of the old times.

One of the luxurious historic buildings today houses the City Gallery. Once this building was a power plant, and now it houses valuable works of art, including many artifacts of world importance. For example, in the museum, you can see the world's oldest painting, which depicts the High Tatra Mountains. The gallery displays works of the most famous artists of Slovakia and often hosts exhibitions of works by contemporary artists. Nearby is an interesting historical museum, which acquaints visitors with the most significant historical events of the region.