Reľov between Mountains, Forests and Goral Tradition

Reľov lies at the foot of the Spišská Magura and is surrounded by high mountains on three sides. Most of the municipal area is covered by coniferous forest. As a result, striking mountain landscapes and extensive woodland meet directly around the village. A special natural feature is the Teplica spring below Baniská, which does not freeze in winter.

Nature

Deer live in the forests around Reľov. Red deer, wild boar, bears and wolves also appear there from time to time. During walks in the forests, visitors may spot hares, foxes, martens, squirrels, badgers and wildcats; with a little luck, they may also see lynxes. Forest berries collected in Reľov are used to make preserves, syrups and jams.

Culture and History

The local culture includes the traditional Goral dialect, which is still spoken in Reľov today. The history of the village dates back to the 13th century, when Reľov was founded by Magister Kokoš Berzeviczy. In 1314, the village was donated to the Carthusians at Skala útočišťa.

The settlement's architectural structure also preserves older forms: traditional three-room log houses with wooden farm buildings form enclosed farmsteads in Reľov. At the same time, the village has retained its agricultural and pastoral character to this day. An important building is the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Reľov. It was built after 1787, incorporating an older Renaissance chapel into its ground plan. The presbytery and sacristy are Renaissance in style.

Traditions and Trails

Local customs are also reflected in the performances that have been preserved. Christmas shepherds' plays have survived in Reľov to this day in a somewhat modified form. The tradition of amateur theatre dates back to around 1925; in 2009, rehearsals for amateur plays began again in Reľov. In addition, an annual Three Kings' table tennis tournament with a long-standing tradition takes place.

One of the tourist trails in Reľov is PI01 Hrebeňom Spišskej Magury - západná časť. The route runs from Strednica via Magurka, Bukovina, Smrečiny and the Magurské sedlo.

To compare offers in Reľov, it is worth taking a close look at the respective accommodation page. There, visitors can check which type of accommodation is listed, how many people the occupancy applies to and the exact location provided. The services included in the price, individual price components, and the booking and cancellation conditions are also important. By comparing several offers, these fields can be read in the same way, making it easier to assess differences in scope and cost. The offers displayed in the ongoing comparison can then be viewed and compared directly.

More destinations

If you would like to compare more places, you can open Spišská Belá, Osturna, Malý Slavkov, Lechnica, Mlynceky, Matiašovce, Zakovce and Lendak from here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Kežmarok.