On a cold evening in 1715, amid the latest uprising against the Habsburg crown, a resident of Levoča named Júlia Korponayová is alleged to have committed an act of treason. As rebel troops swarmed outside the town’s mighty fortifications, Korponayová is said to have stolen the keys to the town gates and welcomed in the enemy army. Levoča capitulated without a battle and Júlia was subsequently branded a traitor, imprisoned and put to death.

That, at least, is how legend remembers it-recent research suggests the truth might be different. But the so - called White Lady is still remembered as an iconic figure in Levoča, where her warm welcome should be accepted by all visitors to Slovakia, regardless of royalist inclinations.

Levoča truly is one of the country’s historic jewels - a charming city that is included in its entirety on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Archaeological findings in the region suggest human activity here dates from the 9th century. However the first official reference in documents comes from 1249. About 40 years later, king Charles Robert conferred the right of storage onto the town, which became a major turning point in Levoča’s fortunes. Under the king’s orders, every travelling merchant had to visit the town for 14 days and provide their goods at lower prices. Meanwhile local merchants earned tax breaks. This strengthened Levoča’s economic powers over the region and the town grew to be the wealthiest in Spiš.

The city has multiplied its size since the days of the White Lady, but even today the original fortified walls remain around the old-town centre. The historic downtown is also amazingly pristine, with a picture-book quality, particularly the central Square of Master Pavol. It is a wide rectangular area, fringed by renovated burgher houses (including the Thurzo Mansion and Mariássy’s Manor House), with plenty of other sights in the middle. The manors were built mostly during Levoča’s era of greatest prosperity, the 14th and 15th centuries.

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This article was published in the latest edition of Spectacular Slovakia , which can be obtained from our online shop.
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Although there are plentiful information boards located around the square, it is advisable to take an extensive tour of the town arranged by, and starting at, the tourist information centre. After a short orientation, the tour progresses to the Museum of Spiš Art, featuring an exhibition of fine art from local artists. Then it is on to Levoča´s main attraction: the Church of Saint James, which stands majestically beneath a huge tower in the centre of the square.

Visitors are expected to pay an entry fee to St James’, but it is immediately worth the cost. The centrepiece is a gothic altar made by the hometown hero, Master Pavol of Levoča, and is, at 18.6 m, the tallest of its kind in the world. Master Pavol is Levoča´s most famous celebrity, with an international reputation. He lived and worked in the town in the 15th and 16th centuries, and his former home currently houses a museum of his masterpieces on one side of the square that bears his name.

Next to the sacral jewel, St James’s, is a civic one: Levoča’s town hall, which was founded in the 15th century and enlarged in the first half of the 17th century. Throughout its history, it has been renovated and adapted in Gothic and Renaissance styles, and then in the 18th century its Baroque bell tower was attached. Despite the various influences, the town hall is a remarkably fluent building, far from the muddle you might fear.

Besides the town hall and St James’ Church, the third building in the centre of the square is comparably humble. This is the evangelical church, built in 1837, shaped like a Greek cross and built on the site of an older wooden church. Although it seems much smaller than its neighbours, it can still hold an impressive 1,500 people beneath its dome. It also holds a collection of more than 20,000 books, including many hand-written editions from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Levoča´s fortified walls guard almost all of its important sights, but there is one place worth visiting outside the inner core. When leaving via Košická Gate, take a left turn and make a 10-minute drive, or 40-minute hike, to the Calvary. Here the Stations of the Cross will remind you of Jesus´s sufferings and guide you up to the one of the oldest pilgrimage spot in Slovakia.

Annually, on the first Sunday after the national holiday of 5 July (Cyril and Methodius’ day) Mariánska hora (Marianska Hill) is the destination for more than 300,000 pilgrims. In 1995, this number swelled to 700,000 when the ceremony was taken by the recently beatified Pope John Paul II.
At all times of the year, the spot offers a wonderful panorama overlooking the town and wider countryside

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This article was published in the latest edition of Spectacular Slovakia , which can be obtained from our online shop.
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Levoča


www.levoca.sk
Population: 32,266;
Driving from Prešov: 54 km / 45 mins;
Public transport from Prešov (www.cp.sk) Bus: 1 h 20 mins
+421 (0)53 451-3763; Námestie Majstra Pavla 58, Levoča

Internet

Planéta Levoča (Café and restaurant)
www.planetalevoca.sk
Tel: +421 (0)53 4512-100
Námestie Majstra Pavla 38/A, Levoča
Wifi Hot Spot,
Námestie Majstra Pavla

Accommodation

Hotel Stela**** (€ 59)
www.hotelstela.sk
Tel: +421 (0)53 451-2943
Námestie Majstra Pavla 55, Levoča

Hotel U Leva (€ 68, € 49 off-season)
www.uleva.sk
Tel: +421 (0)53 450-2311
Námestie Majstra Pavla 25, Levoča

Hotel Barbakan*** (€ 35)
www.barbakan.sk
Tel:+421 (0)53 451-4310
Košická 15, Levoča

Hotel Arkáda (€ 52, € 40 off-season)
www.arkada.sk
Tel:+421 (0)53 451-2255
Námestie Majstra Pavla 26, Levoča

Dining and drinking

Reštaurácia u Leva (restaurant)
www.uleva.sk
Tel: +421 (0)53 450-2311
Námestie Majstra Pavla 25, Levoča

Pizzeria Mama Mia (restaurant)
www.mamamia.sk
Tel: +421 (0)915 661-284
Vetrová 4, Levoča

Galleries, museums and theatres

Múzeum Majstra Pavla z Levoče (Master Paul Museum)
www.snm.sk
Tel: +421(0)53 451-3496
Námestie Majstra Pavla 20, Levoča; Open: Tue-Sun 9:00-17:00

Múzeum výtvarnej kultúry na Spiši (Spiš Museum of Regional Art);
www.snm.sk
Tel: +421 (0)53 451-2786
Námestie Majstra Pavla 40, Levoča; Open: Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00

Chrám Sv. Jakuba (Church of St James)
Tel: +421 (0)53 451-2347
Námestie Majstra Pavla 53, Levoča; Open: Tue-Sat 11:00-17:00 May-Oct open also on Mon 11:30-16:00, Sun 13:00-16:00

Events in Levoča
March-May:
Levočská hudobná jar
(Levoča Musical Spring); Concerts of classical music
July: Dni Majstra Pavla (Master Paul Days); International festival of culture devoted to significant Levoča woodcutter Master Paul;
www.msks.levoca.sk
August: Karpatský remeselný trh (Carpathian craftsman market);
Unique market atmosphere where craftsmen present their crafts
August: Tajomná Levoča
(Mysterious Levoča); Night light show with many concerts in the town
October: Levočské Babie leto
(Levoča Indian Summer);
International festival of classical and present music;
www.msks.levoca.sk
December: Vianočné trhy
(Christmas market in Levoča);
Christmas traditional market and cultural programme in the streets of the town