Levoca Things to Do

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In vicinity of Kosice Gate (on the left side) is ornate baroque Church of the Holy Spirit and the New Minorite Monastery built in 1750. Interior of the church is richly decorated and typicly baroque. facade is baroque also but more elegant.

From the 16th century to the end of 1922, Levoca was the seat of the Spis Province. Between 1806 - 1826, was built a new classicistic administration building, the Large Provincial House, as the seat of the town's administration. Today, it is reconstructed and it is a seat of the administration.

Levoca's most famous patron is of course the gothic sculptor, Master Pavol. In the actual house where Master Pavol worked, there is today a museum in his honor (this is a white and gray/blue house on my photo). The foundations of the building were laid in the 14th century. According to archive sources the first important owner of the house was Master Pavol of Levoca around 1510. In 1588 was built a renaissance part on to the courtyard wing and a walled rear wing. The last extensive adjustment to the house was made in the 1750’s.

The Spis Museum is located at the Namestie Majstra Pavla (main square) in an original burgess house from the 14th century that was rebuilt into a sumptuous palace with a renaissance stone portal. In the 17th century, the house was owned by Levoca chronicler, and later on, a protestant lyceum was established in the building.
The exhibition presents a profile of the Spis region art from the gothic through the renaissance and the baroque to the 19th and 20th century art.

The Thurzos, an aristocratic family coming from Austria settled in Levoca in the 14th century, and many descendants achieved high rank in the royal administration and in the church. Besides, Thurzo was one of the richest families in the medieval Hungarian Kingdom thanks mainly to possession of copper mines. There are many castles, manors and houses in Slovakia (and in other countries of Central Europe) that was property of this rich family. The town of Levoca was of special importance for them: they chose Levoca's parish church as the place of their last rest. They were buried in the most prominent position, in front of the main altar of the church. Because of reconstruction of the church's interior decorations, the Thurzo family graves were removed in 1753. One of the most valuable historic buldings in Levoca is the House Thurzo built in the second half of the 14th century which acquired its Neo-Renaissance graffiti facade in 1904.

The cage of Shame comes from the 16th century and it was used for punishing for minor delinquencies and,as i heard, "naughty women". Its original place was where the Protestant church is situated now. Later it was transfered in private park of Probstner family. The Cage was given to the town by the Probstner family in 1933 and since then, it has been situated in front of the Town Hall and Protestant church. Unfortunatelly, it's not in use anymore ;-)

In 17th century Levoca was a centre of the Protestant Reformation in Slovakia so there is also Protestant church on the main square. This is a Greek-cross shaped building with a huge dome. It was built in classicistic style between 1825 -1837. Exterior, as well as interior of this church is very simple and without much decoration. There is a baroque wooden cross and another, forged, cross. A painter from Levoca, Jozef Czauczik, made the large altar picture of Christ walking on the sea.

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The Town Hall is one very beautifull and interesting renaissance building. It was built in the gothic style in the 15th century, and it was rebuilt, after fire, in the renaissance style at the beginning of the 17th century. In 1615 the Town Hall was enlarged and the southern part, as well as the archways on the first and second floors, were added. In the corner of the southern facade, there is a remain of the original painting. More paintings were placed between the windows. The paintings represent symbols of civil virtues: moderation, carefulness, bravery, patience and justice. The building of the Town Hall is attached to a Renaissance tower, which was built between 1656 - 1661 as a bell tower. There are some expositions of the Spis Museum on the first floor of the Town Hall.