Levoca Travel Guide

Levoca is a magnificent town with many interesting sites to see. It's beginnings date back to the 12th century. It was a royal town with many privileges from the Kings, thanks to these it grew rich in the medieval times. The business routes that used to pass through the city moved southwards of here in the 19th century.  Further development of the town was limited as the Town council refused the construction of railway lines through the region.  In the socialist era the majority of heavy freight was conducted by railway which saw expansions to the towns of Presov, Poprad and Spisska Nova Ves but not Levoca.  The city was forgotten but fortunately not altered by socialist brutalist architecture. This left Levoca in it's current state of a semi preserved medieval town, very unique and with rich history.

The beautiful, St. Jacobs church lies there as well as the Cage of Shame. The town hall is a beautiful huge renessance styled building. The most impressive sight here is the tallest gothic wooden gothic altar in the world. it was built in the 15th century by sculptor Master Paul from Levoca. Walls surrounding the town are mostly intact (approximately 80%) and there is four gates through which people entered the town.

Legend says that a beautiful woman lived in the city.  Her name was Julianna Korponay, now called just the White Lady of Levoca.  Popular myth is that she was money and power hungry and she sold the town to the enemy that was outside the walls by leading them into the city through the secret underground passages that were built to supply the city with water during periods of siege. Her betrayal was punished and she was built into one of the walls in the underground.

The accurate records confirm that she lived on the western side of the square and saw the enemy commander as he moved through the country to an anti-hasberg uprising.  On returning to Romania he formed an Army and laid seige to several towns. On approaching Levoca, Julianna approached the commander and offered access rights for trade and for the preservation of the city.  He agreed and on leaving Levoca was defeated in battle.

The royal family persued Julianna for her betrayal to the crown.  She was moved to Eger (Hungary) where she was sentenced to death and be-headed.

A painting of her is a part of the exposition of the medieval Levoca at the old town hall.

About 12 kilometers East from Levoca is an astounding castle ruin. This used to be a fantastic fortress called Spissky Hrad. Currently it is open to visitors and in the summer time offers weekend entertainment in the form of concerts and medieval weaponry and swordfighting festivals. This ruin dominates the area and dates back to the 11th century. It has the largest courtyard in Central Europe and fully intact walls protecting it. A number of films has been shot at this fantastic location.

North of the town (ca 1Km) is a vast, old military training area which is now accessible to the public as a forest reserve.  Levocsky Vrchy has forest covered hills rising to 1200M and bear, lynx, wolves and deer are frequently sighted. 

South of the town (approx 15Km)  is Slovenksy Raj (see seperate section).

North West (approx 25Km) are the Tatra Mountains.

Levoca has a population of about 14000.