Zborov: Castle Ruins and Cultural Heritage

Zborov combines the Makovica Castle ruins above the village with churches, chapels and memorials dating from different centuries. When planning your trip, you can choose different focuses: the castle hill and its paths, the architecture of the religious buildings, or the community’s places of remembrance.

Makovica Castle Ruins and Paths

Zborov Castle, also known as Makovica, is a castle ruin above Zborov. It was built in the 14th century to protect the trade route to Poland. The hill has been protected since 1926 and was designated a state nature reserve in 1950. Several centuries-old pedunculate oaks along the access path to the castle are specially protected. The castle hill thus brings together the history of the trade route and a landscape with ancient oak trees.

The quickest walking route to Zborov Castle starts in the Zborov-podhradie district, follows the yellow trail markers and takes about 30 minutes. The route includes a steep climb. Check the route duration and conditions again before setting out, so you can factor the approximate walking time and climb into your plans.

The Bardejov Spa–Zborov Castle Hill educational trail takes more time: the circular route passes through Zborov-podhradie and Zborov Castle, is five hours long and covers 8 km. There are six information panels along the route, only some of which are functional. The two route descriptions refer to different timeframes: about half an hour for the quickest walk to the castle, compared with five hours for the circular route.

There is also a specific cycling route associated with the village: the Makovická cycling route is 52.5 km long and passes through Zborov. Check the current signage before setting out. This allows you to plan the cycling route separately from the walking routes described above.

Churches, Chapels and Exhibition

The permanent exhibition “Dejiny Makovického panstva” (History of the Makovica Estate) opened at Šerédyho Manor on 29 August 2024. Through exhibits and extensive visual and textual materials, it explores the history, ethnography and natural environment of the Makovica estate. If you would like to visit the exhibition, check visiting arrangements in advance.

St Sophia Church was built in 1640 in a pure Renaissance style, with two towers. Originally, it was part of the extensive Rákoci Manor. It was destroyed during the First World War; following reconstruction work, its ceremonial reopening took place in March 2022. Its history of construction therefore includes its original connection to the manor, as well as destruction and reconstruction.

St Margaret Church is dated to the first half of the 14th century. Its design is associated with the influence of Strasbourg Gothic, which spread through the area around 1330. Stucco decorations dating from 1663 are fully preserved in its south chapel; the chapel is considered one of the most valuable monuments in present-day Zborov. The octagonal St Anne's Chapel, dating from the early 18th century, stands directly next to St Margaret Church. Its lantern dome and a rare Baroque altar with statues of John the Baptist and Paul the Hermit give it distinctive architectural and art-historical features.

Other chapels shed light on different periods in the village’s history. The Chapel of the Crucified Savior at the upper end of the village was built in 1757 on the road to what is now Chmeľová. On the north side of Zborov, the Chapel of the Holy Trinity was rebuilt in 1921 and consecrated on 24 May 1922. The chapel in the Roman Catholic cemetery is considered the oldest structure in the built-up area; its origins are dated to the 13th to 15th centuries.

On the west side of Zborov is the Batek Family Chapel, which also served the Malirsz family. Its founders’ inscription above the entrance bears the year 1875. Another place of remembrance is the Funeral Chapel, an important national cultural monument. Its roof was restored in 2024; further restoration steps were planned.

Cemeteries and Memorial Sites

The Jewish Cemetery was established at the beginning of the 18th century and used until the mid-20th century. Ignác Ansel, the last rabbi of Zborov, is buried there. The German Military Cemetery is divided into four burial fields; a total of 1,137 German soldiers are buried there. These sites commemorate different communities and periods in the village’s history.

The Czechoslovak Army Memorial was unveiled on 29 April 1928, the tenth anniversary of the founding of the Czechoslovak Republic. It stood in a newly laid-out triangular park next to the Alley of 100 Lime Trees. The anniversary of the republic’s founding and the location in the triangular park beside the Alley of 100 Lime Trees together form the historical and spatial context of the memorial.

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

For the broader travel overview: Bardejov.