Discover Bartfeld

In the Bardejov Town Conservation Reserve, the preserved town plan features a regular street layout around a spacious market square. Townhouses dating from the first half of the 15th century line three sides of the square. A fortification system surrounds the historic town centre; when it was built, it was among the most advanced in Central Europe. The square, street layout and fortifications offer different perspectives on the town: the arrangement of public space, residential architecture and the protection of the historic centre. If you are interested in urban history, you can consider these aspects separately as you explore the historic town.

Town Hall and Town History

The historic Town Hall stands in the middle of Town Hall Square and is considered Slovakia’s first secular Renaissance building. The Town Hall houses the Šariš Museum exhibition “Bardejov – Free Royal Town”. The building’s history and the exhibition’s subject offer two distinct points of interest: while the building represents Renaissance architecture, the exhibition focuses on the town’s history as a free royal town.

Basilica of St. Egidius and Views

The Basilica of St. Egidius in Bardejov is a three-nave Gothic basilica and contains a valuable collection of eleven late Gothic altars. The term “three-nave” describes its layout, with a central nave and two side aisles; it refers not only to the architectural style but also to the basic structure of the church interior. The 72-metre-high tower serves as a viewing point for tourists. If you plan to visit the tower, check access conditions before your visit.

The Jewish Suburbium

The Jewish Suburbium of Bardejov is a unique 19th-century urban complex. It includes a synagogue, ritual baths (mikvah), an assembly building (beit midrash) and a service area. The synagogue features rich ornamental paintings with plant motifs dating from the late 19th century. This specific detail of the decoration adds to the appreciation of the urban complex as a whole.

Guided Tours, Exhibitions and Surroundings

The Bardejov Tourist Information Centre provides information about sights, hiking opportunities, restaurants, transport, and sports and cultural activities. It also offers guided tours in Slovak, English, German, Polish and French. If you would like to plan a guided tour, ask about an option in your preferred language.

A specialist exhibition in Bardejov presents icons of the Eastern Rite and is considered the only exhibition of its kind in Slovakia. Its subject adds a distinct focus on religious art to the town’s architecture.

If you would like to spend some time outdoors as well as explore the town’s history, there is a network of marked hiking trails around Bardejov. Hundreds of kilometres of rural roads with light traffic offer good conditions for cycling. This regional focus on hiking or cycling can be combined with the cultural and historical attractions in Bartfeld.

Discover more destinations: Bartošovce, Malcov, Stebnícka Huta, Smilno, Bardejovské Kúpele, Fričkovce, Zborov, Regetovka.

Return to the main travel overview: Bardejov.