In the Košice region, since the 1960s, war movies, numerous TV series, fairy tales, as well as international and Slovak dramas and thrillers have been filmed. (source: Košice Region Tourism Organisation)
One of the locations where Behind Enemy Lines, a 2001 war drama starring US actor Owen Wilson, was filmed is Zádiel, a tiny town in the Košice Region known for a stunning gorge.
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Films have been shot in the eastern Slovak region since 1958 when Smrť v sedle (Death in the Saddle), a 1958 Czech western, was made in the town of Stratená. But filmmakers have discovered other corners of the region suitable for films as well, be it Zádielska tiesňava (Zádielska Gorge), caves, or Slovenský raj (Slovak Paradise National Park).
To honour the tradition of film production in the region, the Košice Region Tourism Organisation opened the Path of Filming Locations at the end of June. It includes 80 different filming locations, which can also be found on a map available in Slovak and English.
"Many Slovaks, and even our residents, are unaware that Hollywood blockbusters were filmed in our area," said Košice Region Governor Rastislav Trnka.
A film clapper with a QR code. (source: Košice Region Tourism Organisation)
Film clappers will guide tourists
The 80 filming locations of the Košice Region, which have appeared in more than 50 films, will also be accessible to visitors for free via the Smart Guide application. It offers nine different film trails, awaiting discovery by film lovers. Most of the trails, except for the Košice Film Trail, are available only in Slovak. But English will gradually be added to the app, the tourism organisation said.
The Smart Guide app. (source: Košice Region Tourism Organisation)
Fifteen of the 80 filming locations are also marked with a film clapper, which serves as an information board. The clapper contains a QR code, taking people to the Smart guide app.
The sites marked with the film clappers are Košice, Rožňava, Tibava, Zálužice, Zemplínska šírava - Hôrka, Háj - the statue of an angel, Zádiel, Kojšov - Juraj Jakubisko Art Museum, Mlynky, Spišský hrad, Žehra, Betliar, Slavošovský tunel, Gemerská panica, and the Silická ľadnica.
"Exploring filming locations is very popular around the world, and I firmly believe it will also find enthusiasts in our region," said Lenka Vargová Jurková of the Košice Region Tourism Organisation.
The region also has its own film office, which opened in 2022.
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