The town KEŽMAROK in region Spiš has been always the centre of education in the region and the starting point for trips in the High Tatras.

HISTORY

The medieval Kežmarok originated by merging of the main communities in one municipality. In 1269 it obtained proper municipal self-administration and up to 1348 it was protected by municipal walls.

The further growth of Kežmarok and the favourable economic development of the town by the end of the 17th century are documented by the existence of 21 guilds. The first factory in Kežmarok, mechanical flax weaving manufacture, founded in 1860, only followed the long tradition of wool and linen making in Kežmarok, goods which were famous and sold as far as Greece and Albania. In 1884 another factory was built for flax processing, and in 1901 also cloth-production plant.

MONUMENTS

The buildings in the historic centre are the parts of the Town Monument Reserve.
The walk around the town can start at the building of the town hall, which dominates the square Hlavné námestie (The Main Square). Hradná ulica street leads eventually to the Kežmarský hrad Castle. The castle gained its contemporary Renaissance form after extensive rebuilding, proceeding in various stages in the years 1572-1624.

The Basilica of the Holy Cross was built in the 14th century on the site of an older Romanesque chapel. The basilica neighbours with the Renaissance belfry of 1568, which is the oldest and certainly one of the most beautiful in the Spiš region.

The pride of Kežmarok is the Protestant wooden articled church. This Protestant church was built in 1717 next to an older sacral stone building from 1593, which today is a sacristy. This unique wooden building made of yew and red spruce wood was built without using a single metal component. The Baroque interior of the church is also made of wood. Of immense artistic value is also the church organ with wooden pipes.

RECOMMENDED TRIP

A visit to Kežmarok can be concluded by a climb up the Jeruzalemský vrch Mt. at the eastern end of the town. It offers an excellent view of Kežmarok skirted by the charming frame of the Tatras' silhouette.

Source: Vydavateľstvo Dajama