Discover Smilno: Church, Pilgrimage Site and Nature

Smilno is home to the oldest building in the village, the Late Gothic Church of St Stephen the King. It dates from the end of the 13th century and was remodelled in the Baroque style after a fire. Surviving elements of the original church include a Gothic window from the 15th century on the eastern side of the chancel, historic furnishings such as a bell and an altar, and a bricked-up Gothic mascaron.

Culture

The Chapel of the Virgin Mary is also part of Smilno’s religious history. The Neoclassical, rustic building dating from 1885 stands in a secluded location behind the village. Mass is celebrated at the chapel once a year, on 29 June. This place is associated with a tradition that continues to this day: on the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul, the residents of Smilno come to the chapel, where church services are held. The village also has a symbolic cemetery for soldiers who fell in the First World War.

Local traditions have also survived throughout the year. Traditional Easter customs in Smilno included wax-decorated eggs dyed with natural colourings made from onion-skin and parsley infusions. Traditional Christmas dishes included beans, cabbage with potatoes, plum-filled pierogi and “fučky”, seasoned with water and honey.

Nature

The landscape around Smilno is characterised by arable land, permanent grassland and forest communities. In the direction of Zborov, the area around Smilno contains foxtail floodplain meadows as well as mesic pastures and grazed meadows that are considered habitats of national importance. The village also lies on a bird migration corridor running from Vranov nad Topľou through Smilno and Zborov to Poland.

Stolček Panny Márie in the forest on Smilniansky vrch is an important pilgrimage site for the residents of Smilno. From a particular point at Stolček Panny Márie, the Tatra Mountains may be visible in clear weather. Residents of Smilno have several options for walks through the surrounding meadows and forests. Seasonal foraging in the area includes mushrooms, forest berries, other fruit and herbs.

Paths and Activities

From the cemetery side, a field path first leads to the hill where Stolček Panny Márie is located, followed by a forest path. Smilno has two relatively large ponds suitable for fishing. Bicycle signs and information boards have been installed for cyclists.

The Bardejov Circuit offers a route option from Zborov in the direction of Smilno. The cycling route through Zverník Forest includes a gentle ascent described as not difficult.

A guesthouse in Smilno offers accommodation for approximately 20 people.

More destinations

If you would then like to compare more places: Bartošovce, Stebnícka Huta, Regetovka, Bartfeld, Zborov, Malcov, Fričkovce, Bardejovské Kúpele.

For the overarching travel overview: Bardejov.