Leutschau – UNESCO World Heritage, Pilgrimage and Hotels

Leutschau leads you to a historic old town that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The historic old town of Levoča was founded within a fortification in the 13th and 14th centuries. Churches, museums, medieval buildings and an important pilgrimage site shape the town’s diverse character.

Culture

The Basilica of St. James, dating from the 14th century, contains 11 Gothic and Renaissance altars. It also houses the world’s tallest late Gothic winged altar, measuring 18.62 metres, from the workshop of Majster Pavol z Levoče. The House of Majster Pavol z Levoče retains its appearance from the 15th to the 16th century and houses an exhibition of the Spiš Museum about his life and work. During the reconstruction of the house, his exhibits are temporarily displayed in the historic Minorite monastery, in the cloister and in the chapter house.

The Historic Town Hall houses a permanent exhibition on the history of Levoča. The fortification system of Levoča is 2.5 km long and is considered the best-preserved in Slovakia; two-thirds of its original length have survived. The Minorite monastery has an arcaded passageway considered the only one of its kind in Slovakia. The Old Minorite Church was built together with the adjacent monastery in the first half of the 14th century. The Baroque Church of the Holy Spirit and the Minorite monastery were built between 1748 and 1755.

The burgher houses also preserve distinctive historic forms. The oldest core of the burgher house with the Breuer printing works consists of two hall houses from the 14th century. The Máriássy House has a Renaissance courtyard with arcades that is typical of Levoča. The Levoča City Gallery is located in the Máriássy House on Námestie Majstra Pavla in Levoča.

The Levoča Town Theatre dates back to the 13th century and is considered the second-oldest theatre in Slovakia. The medieval pillory, the so-called cage of shame, was donated to the city of Levoča by a family in 1933. The Museum of Special Education in Levoča is an experience-oriented and interactive museum with a nationwide focus.

Pilgrimage

Mariánska hora above Levoča is one of the oldest and most important pilgrimage sites in Slovakia. Visitors can enjoy an expansive view of the historic old town of Levoča, the High and Low Tatras, Slovak Paradise and Mariánska hora from the tower of the Basilica of St. James. The ascent involves climbing 216 steps.

For the 2026 pilgrimage season, regional bus connections were planned to serve the Levoča bus station, the Levoča, Košická brána stop and Mariánska hora. Two free visitor car parks are available within the fortifications of Levoča. The Levoča tourist information office offers guided city tours with qualified guides and, on request, arranges tours with external guides, including for ordinary visitors.

Cycling

A 21.7 km cycling route leads from Levoča via Zbojnícka lúka, Brezová, Hradisko, Tvarožná and Ľubica to Kežmarok.

Further destinations

Other places in the same higher-level area: Korytné, Granč-Petrovce, Spišské Podhradie, Bijacovce, Dravce.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Okres Levoča.