Reľov: Mountain Scenery and Goral Tradition

Reľov lies at the foot of the Spišská Magura and combines a striking mountain backdrop with a distinctive local culture. If you are looking for a hotel in Reľov, you can choose the destination based on whether you are particularly interested in nature, traditional architecture, or the village’s cultural life. These themes offer different insights into Reľov without reducing the village to a single attraction.

Mountain Scenery, Forest, and Spring

Reľov is surrounded by high mountains on three sides. Most of the municipality is covered with coniferous forest, so the mountains and forest form the village’s landscape setting. For travelers who enjoy spending time outdoors, walks in the forests around Reľov are also among the nature experiences described here. Deer live there. Red deer, wild boar, bears, and wolves are present at times. During forest walks, you may also spot hares, foxes, martens, squirrels, badgers, and wildcats; with a little luck, you may even see a lynx.

A distinctive natural feature is the Teplica spring below Baniská, which does not freeze over in winter. Alongside the expansive mountain and forest scenery, this is a specific local feature that is particularly interesting in the colder months.

One of the tourist routes listed for Reľov is PI01 Hrebeňom Spišskej Magury - západná časť. The stated route runs via Strednica, Magurka, Bukovina, and Smrečiny to Magurské sedlo. The name refers to the western part of the Magura ridge, while the sequence of stops gives the route its own geographical setting. When planning your trip, you can consider this trail as a named route, separate from the forest walks described in general terms.

Village Character and Traditional Culture

Traditional architecture is part of Reľov’s character: three-room log houses and wooden farm buildings form enclosed farmsteads. The village’s character is revealed not just by individual buildings but also by how they fit together within the farmyard. Reľov has preserved its agricultural and pastoral character to this day, another aspect of the village’s identity.

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross also tells a story of different building phases. It was built after 1787, incorporating an older Renaissance chapel into its ground plan. The presbytery and sacristy are Renaissance. The distinction between the later church building and the older or Renaissance sections makes the building’s architectural history particularly tangible.

The village’s history goes back further: Reľov was founded in the 13th century by Magister Kokoš Berzeviczy and donated to the Carthusians at Skala útočišťa in 1314. The traditional Goral dialect, still spoken in Reľov today, is also part of its current cultural identity. Christmas shepherds’ plays have survived to this day in a slightly altered form.

Amateur theater is also part of the village’s history. Its tradition dates back to around 1925, and rehearsals resumed in 2009. The two dates reflect both its long history and the later resumption of rehearsals. Berries gathered in the forests are made into preserves, syrups, and jams—another connection between the surrounding landscape and local everyday life.

The community’s life also includes an annual Three Kings’ Day table tennis tournament with a long-standing tradition. Along with the dialect, shepherds’ plays, and amateur theater, it offers a different perspective on Reľov from its scenery and historic architecture. When choosing where to stay, you can take these different aspects of the village into account and decide which ones matter most to your trip.

Discover more destinations: Osturna, Slovenská Ves, Zakovce, Stara Lesna, Matiašovce, Mlynceky, Malý Slavkov, Busovce.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Kežmarok.