Stropkov District: Cultural Monuments, Museums and Hiking Destinations

A tall church tower, a viewpoint overlooking the Ondavská vrchovina and traditional pilgrimages reveal the different sides of Stropkov District. In Stropkov, architecture and fair traditions take centre stage; hiking trails, museums and memorial sites offer further topics to explore on your trip.

Architecture and History in Stropkov

The Franciscan complex in Stropkov is a national cultural monument and is listed under number 245/1–2 in the Central Register of Monuments. Kaštieľ Stropkov is also a prominent part of the area’s architectural history: the building is the last surviving secular part of the vanished town castle. The so-called Knights’ Hall, with its preserved Renaissance features, is considered its most valuable section. The ground floor and attic are used for museum purposes; check local access arrangements before visiting.

The Renaissance tower of the Church of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ dates from the 16th century and was opened to the public after its restoration. The church tower has seven floors and is almost 55 metres high. Small museum exhibitions have been set up on some floors; their availability may change. Access to the tower is subject to local regulations.

Jubilárny Park combines green space with fair traditions. For several years, it has been a centre for craft markets during the Stropkov Fair. The park also includes a lime-tree avenue created as a recreational area and planted in memory of celebrations held there. If you plan to visit Stropkov during the fair, check the programme for the year in question.

Museums, Pilgrimages and Memorial Sites

In Driečna, a local part of the municipality of Vladiča, the village museum presents the history and traditions of Rusyn rural life. Its exhibitions have titles such as “From the Cradle to the Grave”, “Temple”, “Room of Socialism” and “Technology in a Spider’s Web”. The exhibition layout may change; check the current setup before visiting.

The Jewish cemetery in Tisinec has 1,002 gravestones, which have been numbered, cleaned and set upright again. A dirt road leads to the cemetery; information boards in Hebrew and Slovak stand in front of it. The municipality of Tokajík is also home to the exhibition “Fascist Repressions in Eastern Slovakia” by the Museum of the Slovak National Uprising.

Traditional pilgrimages take place every year at Buková hôrka at Pentecost, for the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord and for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. If you choose one of these occasions for your trip, check the programme for the current year.

Viewpoints and Trails

The observation tower on Ščob above Stropkov offers views of the Ondavská vrchovina. An easy, one-kilometre route leads from the settlement of Baňa near Šandal to the tower; the one-way walk is listed as taking about 25 minutes. Trail conditions and signage may change. Baňa Mountain is another hiking destination: it reaches 526 metres and can be reached via several well-maintained hiking trails. In suitable visibility, the view extends to the Vihorlat Mountains and Sninský kameň, the Slanské Mountains, the Low Beskids, the Čergov Mountains, and the Ondavská and Laborecká vrchovina.

The Vladičské Waterfalls lie on the Driečna stream in the cadastral area of the municipality of Vladiča. A blue-marked hiking trail runs nearby, connecting Driečna and Habura via the Klimov saddle. The waterfalls’ flow is seasonal and weather-dependent. The trail and waterfall offer different options for planning: the route connects two places, while the appearance of the falls can change with the season and weather.

Cyclists will also find a longer route option: the Driečna–Puławy cycle route starts in Stropkov District at Vladiča–Driečna and continues to Puławy in Poland. It is 203 kilometres long in total, of which 53 kilometres are in Slovakia. Check current conditions when planning a cross-border trip.

A Destination for Different Interests

Family Park Stropkov is an indoor playground with climbing equipment, a trampoline, a doughnut slide, a slide into a ball pit, a toboggan and other toys. The attractions may change; ask about the current offering before your visit.

When planning a hotel stay, it helps to decide on a clear focus: would you like to centre your trip on architecture and culture in Stropkov, hiking destinations, or museums and memorial sites in the municipalities mentioned?

Discover more destinations: Havaj, Bžany, Stropkov, Vranov nad Topľou District, Poprad District, Stará Ľubovňa, Levoča District, Humenné District.

Go to the broader travel overview: Prešov Region.