Moldava Nad Bodvou: Churches, Karst and History

Moldava nad Bodvou can be explored through its historic churches and memorial sites, as well as its craft and natural history. Buildings from different eras form part of the townscape; a marked hiking trail leads to the Moldavská skalná brána. Excursions in the surrounding area are also among the options around the town.

Churches and architectural history

The Roman Catholic Church is located in the historic centre. It was built in the 15th century under King Matthias Corvinus in the Gothic style, on the foundations of a masonry church that already existed before 1290. The church is listed as a cultural monument. The Reformed Church stands in the square in the historic centre. It dates from 1773 and was built in the Classicist style; inside, it has an intricately carved pulpit. The Gothic architectural form and Classicism, as well as the different periods in which the churches were built, offer two clearly distinct points of reference for the town's architectural history.

Museum and memorial sites

The Národopisné múzeum s kováčskou vyhňou is housed in a stone building on Hlavná ulica 130, built around 1850. The front section of the museum contains an authentic blacksmith's workshop with an open hearth. Access is available only by prior arrangement with the Municipal Cultural Centre. The building and the workshop offer two distinct historical points of interest: the construction of the house and the traditional craft of blacksmithing.

The Szojkova brána is a replica of a wooden gate. It was unveiled in 1996 and commemorates the town fire of 1795. It thus refers to a specific event in the town's history, while the churches primarily showcase periods of construction and architectural styles.

The Chapel of Saint Roch stands on a hill outside the built-up area, within the cadastral area of Moldava nad Bodvou. It was built in 1833 in honour of the patron saint, Saint Roch, and in memory of the victims of the cholera epidemic that broke out in the town in 1831. Every August, a votive Mass is celebrated there in memory of the victims. The chapel is open only during these annual services.

Hiking destination and karst landscape

The Moldavská skalná brána is located in the Hazalutov locality, within the town of Moldava nad Bodvou, and is accessible there. A green-marked hiking trail leading to it starts at Moldava nad Bodvou railway station. Check local access conditions before your visit. The rock formation lies in the Moldavský kras. This karst area is part of Slovenský kras National Park, but is not an officially protected area.

Moldavská jaskyňa lies in the karst of the Medzevská pahorkatina, on the boundary between Slovenský kras and Košická kotlina. It is over three kilometres long and is one of the thirty longest caves in Slovakia. Six bat species and 83 invertebrate species have been recorded there. Its geographical location and documented species diversity give the cave a different natural history profile from the hiking trail to the rock formation.

With its infrastructure and services, Moldava nad Bodvou is a starting point for a range of local history and nature excursions in the surrounding area. One possible destination is Zádielska dolina.

Wine and local history

The Wine Museum is located in one of the cellars beneath the Municipal Cultural Centre of Moldava nad Bodvou. A memorial plaque commemorates Máté Laczkó Szepsi (1576–1633), a preacher, teacher, historian and poet who is considered the first producer of Tokaj Samotok (“Aszú”). Two- and three-storey cellars were also built in Moldava nad Bodvou to store wine and agricultural produce. The Wine Museum, memorial plaque and cellars offer different perspectives on the town's wine history.

Discover more destinations: Bukovec, Nižná Myšľa, Zlatá Idka, Budimír, Turňa Nad Bodvou, Malá Ida, Medzev, Vyšný Medzev

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Košice-Okolie.