The historical train rides around Gothic UNESCO sites in the Spiš Region. (source: Courtesy of Detská železnica Košice)
Košice Región Turizmus, the institution promoting regional tourism, launched last year one-day trips on a “nostalgic train” to world UNESCO heritage sites. In 2018, several rides from northeastern Slovakia to Košice have been added, and the rides from Košice to regional sites will continue, head of Košice Región Turizmus, Lenka Vargová Jurková, told the SITA newswire.
“Already at the beginning of May, on May 1 (a state holiday, ed. note), passengers from Humenné, Michalovce and Trebišov can enjoy a ride to Košice,” she said, as quoted by TASR. “A rich programme has been organised in Košice: a tour around the historical city centre, a visit to the oldest inn combined with a tasting as well as celebrations of Košice City Day. Tourists can also go to the local zoo or to the Children’s railway, which both open their summer season on May 1.”
Spiš UNESCO gothic art from a train
At the end of the same week, on May 5, another nostalgic train will be dispatched from the Košice railway station. The destinations of this trip – called Following Master Pavol – are two historical royal towns of the Spiš area, Levoča and Spišská Nová Ves. Both pride themselves on several unique features.
“Both the ellipsoid main square in Spišská Nová Ves and the mediaeval oblong square in Levoča are the biggest of their kind in Europe,” Vargová Jurková told SITA on April 23. “The tallest wooden altar is situated in St James’ Cathedral in Levoča, created by the famous Gothic artist Master Pavol of Levoča. The Ascension of Virgin Mary Church tower in Spišská Nová Ves, with its height of 87 metres, is the tallest in Slovakia.”
In both cities, passengers of the With Train to UNESCO (Vlakom za UNESCO-m) trip will get guided tours with professionals.
More information can be found on the Unesconadosah.sk website.
