Hotels in Havaj – Nature, History and Cycling Route

Havaj is located in the Low Beskids, in the valley of the Poliansky potok, and belongs to the cadastral areas of the Laborecká vrchovina protected area. The village combines a history spanning several centuries with a distinctive Greek Catholic church and a selfie spot. It is also the destination of the “Bicyklom na Havaj” cycling route, which connects Malá Poľana with Havaj as its main destination. Here, landscape, local history, sacred architecture and a specific route through the surrounding area come together.

Nature

The Laborecká vrchovina protected area comprises deciduous forests as well as adjacent agricultural landscapes. Between them lies a mosaic of shrubland that helps shape the character of the described landscape. These different habitats provide favourable conditions for a diverse group of protected bird species. Among the key conservation targets are the lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina), the red kite (Milvus milvus), the black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius), the grey-headed woodpecker (Picus canus) and the common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis). The protected-area facts thus link the locality of Havaj, the forest areas, the agriculturally used areas and the shrubland within a clearly defined landscape context.

Havaj also has a selfie spot where visitors can take photos.

History

The settlement of Havaj was founded in the 14th century. Before 1430, Havaj was acquired by nobles from Perín. In the 17th century, the village was part of the Stropkov estate. These details mark different stages in the local history: its medieval origins, its acquisition by nobles from Perín and its later incorporation into the Stropkov estate.

Another historical event is recorded for May 1741. At that time, news spread throughout the Stropkov estate of a weeping icon in Havaj, in Zemplín County. The recorded account thus refers simultaneously to Havaj, the Stropkov estate and Zemplín County.

Culture

The Greek Catholic Church of Saint Nicholas in Havaj is a Baroque-Classical single-nave building with an incorporated tower. Its interior furnishings include an iconostasis, a high altar and a side altar. These furnishings date from around 1824. The building form, tower and interior constitute the church’s explicitly named sacred features in Havaj.

Cycling

The “Bicyklom na Havaj” cycling route is 25 kilometres long. It leads through the wooded landscape from Malá Poľana to Havaj, the main destination of the route. Thus, both Malá Poľana as the starting point of the described route and Havaj as its main destination are specified; the wooded landscape forms the setting through which the route runs.

When reviewing a hotel offer, you can first check the exact location and type of accommodation on the respective offer page. You can also review occupancy, included services and individual price components separately. Before making a decision, it is also worth checking the booking and cancellation conditions.

More destinations in the local overview: Stropkov, Bžany.

To the higher-level travel overview: Okres Stropkov.