Poráč: Mining History, Churches and Nature

Poráč combines mining history and church art with hiking and cycling routes, a nature reserve and seasonal winter activities. If you are looking for a hotel in Poráč, you can plan your stay around whether you are most interested in the historic sites, the landscape or the various trails.

Mining History and Visitor Experiences

The Poráč mine and its grounds are designated a national cultural monument comprising nine structures. Visitor experiences include organized tours of the mine structures and the use of the mining draisine oval. The mine structures may only be entered as part of a guided tour, which is arranged by the owner, the Municipality of Poráč. Advance arrangements are required for visits; visits to the draisine oval must be arranged in advance with the Poráč Municipal Office. Plan this part of your stay with the necessary arrangements in mind.

The Poráč Mining Educational Trail also explores the area’s mining heritage. It consists of three loop trails. The first starts and ends at a recreation centre, passes the mining museum of the Tovarišstvo Poráčskeho baníctva near Štôlňa Pavol, and then continues towards Poráč. This lets you experience the trail and the history of mining as distinct but thematically connected parts of your stay.

Churches and Architectural History

The Church of Saint Demetrius is a single-nave building in the Classicist style. The year 1775 is inscribed on its entrance portal; it was declared a national cultural monument on 14 May 1998. The church houses a four-tier wooden iconostasis dating from 1905, made by the Budapest workshop Rétay és Benedek. Its architecture and furnishings offer a glimpse into different periods of the town’s history.

Another landmark in the area’s architectural history is the “Zosnutie presvätej Bohorodičky” Chapel in the parish garden. Originally built in the Baroque style in the second half of the 18th century, it was remodelled and adapted in the Historicist Neo-Gothic style in 1905–1906. Together with the Church of Saint Demetrius, it offers a look at the different styles and periods of construction in Poráč.

Valley, Cave and Protected Landscape

Poráčská dolina is a nine-kilometre-long limestone gorge formed by the erosion of the Poráčsky jarok stream. It is home to the Červené skaly National Nature Reserve. Covering 390 hectares, it protects rare animal species and calciphilous flora. Access within the reserve is largely restricted to marked hiking trails, cycling routes and cross-country ski trails; check the protected area’s rules before your trip.

Šarkanova diera is a 177-metre-long river cave formed along fissures in light-coloured Triassic limestone. The entrance passage in the cadastral area of Poráč was declared freely accessible to the public in 2008. This declaration applies to the entrance passage, not to unrestricted access to all parts of the cave. The “Šarkanova diera” educational trail starts in Poráč. The Galmus limestone-dolomite area between Poráč and Slovinky is also nearby. The Galmuská tisina Nature Reserve was established there in 1982 to protect the European yew.

Cycling Routes, Hikes and Winter Activities

There are two cycling loops to choose from, with different distances. The Galmus cycling loop is 20 kilometres long, starts and ends in Poráč, and includes a more challenging climb. The 54-kilometre loop via Závadka, Oľše and Galmus also starts and ends in Poráč; along the way, it passes through the Spiš landscape, with mountain meadows, open terrain and valleys. The main difference is the route length, while the more challenging climb is specifically noted for the shorter loop.

The SR32 “Na Galmus” hiking route starts at the SAD bus stop and car park in Poráč. Together with the mining educational trail and the “Šarkanova diera” educational trail, it offers a different way to explore the themes mentioned above than the two cycling loops. Check local conditions before setting out.

The Poráč Park ski complex has 3.3 kilometres of downhill runs, two drag lifts, a children’s lift and a ski school. The ski area also has 25 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, including five kilometres of groomed trails. As these are seasonal winter activities, check whether they are operating before your trip.

Folklore and Local Traditions

The “Šachtare volajú” folklore festival has been held annually in Poráč since 1993. Sheep farming is also one of the town’s long-standing traditions: sheep’s milk is made into cheese and bryndza there. In this way, folklore and the production of cheese and bryndza from sheep’s milk complement Poráč’s mining and architectural history.

Discover more destinations: Markušovce, Spisske Tomasovce, Teplička, Krompachy, Spišské Vlachy, Arnutovce, Letanovce, Spisska Nova Ves.

View the broader travel guide: Okres Spišská Nová Ves.