The city of Poprad (Slovakia) is located in the northern part of the country, on the banks of the river of the same name, directly at the foot of the High Tatras. This resort town receives a large number of tourists year-round. The fact is that Poprad in Slovakia (photo can be seen below) is considered the “gateway to the Tatras”.
After all, it is on the way to the highest ranges of the Carpathian Mountains. Through this settlement, tourists follow to the final destination of their route.
On the way to the ski resorts ...
The city cannot boast of many attractions. Nevertheless, it is always full of tourists heading to nearby ski resorts. Travelers stop at this place before the last leg of their route to a vacation spot. Poprad residents have long been accustomed to the fact that tourists stay in their hotels for only one or two nights. Nevertheless, in the town they try to do everything so that the guests will remember the time spent in it for a long time. There are many inexpensive restaurants and cafes, apartments and hotels, as well as a good selection of entertainment.
But judging by the reviews of tourists, Poprad in Slovakia is not at all an ordinary stopping point. On its territory there are many attractive and mysterious objects. These are ancient castles and ice caves, hot mineral springs and much more.
City features
The city of Poprad in Slovakia is the administrative unit of the district of the same name. This settlement is located in a small area of 63 square kilometers. Moreover, it is quite convenient in its organization of transport links and infrastructure.
Sights Poprad (Slovakia) is not rich. And this despite its long and rich history. That is why tourists consider its main advantage a rather convenient geographical location. Very close to the city there are two national parks - the High Tatras and the Slovak Territory. Having visited them, travelers can admire the beauty of the local nature. In addition, not far from Poprad (Slovakia) there are such well-known ski resorts of the country as Tatranska Lomnica and Strbske Pleso, as well as other tourist centers.
Travelers with pleasure walk along the narrow streets of the city, on which there are low neat houses, and visit the shops, invitingly gleaming with their shop windows.
The hotel industry Poprada (Slovakia) offers tourists accommodation for every taste, from expensive hotels to budget hostels.
A large part of the city’s population, and just over 55 thousand people live here, is represented by Europeans. Among them are not only Slovaks, but also immigrants from Russia and Ukraine, Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany. Residents of Poprad in Slovakia mainly adhere to Catholicism.
The main language of communication in the city is Slovak. Although you can hear gypsy speech here.
Summer time in this village lags behind Moscow by two hours, and in winter - by three.
Climate
According to experienced tourists, in the city of Poprad (Slovakia) there is always a comfortable temperature. The fact is that this area is located in the temperate zone, where warm summers and mild winters predominate. From December to February, the average air temperature is within 0 degrees. However, large frosts are also possible. Snow falls regularly in the area in winter.
In the summer, tourists enjoy relatively warm days. The thermometer at this time is in the range from +18 to +23 degrees. Most of the precipitation falls in Poprad from June to September.
Tourists prefer to visit these places year-round. After all, the High Tatras are good for relaxation, both in winter and in summer.
History and Modernity
The first mention of Poprad is found in the chronicles of 1256. In those days, it was a group of small villages. They gradually grew and eventually united, reaching the status of a city. At this time, almost all the inhabitants of this place spoke German.
In the 14th century this and other Spissky settlements were transferred to Poland for debts. As part of this state, the city was for four centuries.
In 1871, a significant event took place in Poprad. Railways were laid here. This gave the village an accelerated growth rate.
After Poprad became part of Slovakia, it reached the peak of its heyday. Today, it is rightfully considered the most prosperous locality in the Preškovsk Territory.
The city continues to grow steadily. This is indicated by the expansion of the construction of apartment buildings. In addition, the quality of tourism business services and various services is constantly improving here. Particular attention is paid to the institutions and colleges of Poprad. Slovakia, like all other European states, is proud of its education. In this city, higher schools are represented by their departments. In addition, employment opportunities are constantly expanding here, and the conditions for recreation for its residents are improving.
We will get acquainted with the sights of Poprad in Slovakia, which, judging by the reviews, tourists like to visit.
St. Aegidius Square
This place must be visited by all travelers who have arrived in the city of Poprad. After all, St. Aegidius Square is the heart of this place. It contains the most significant sights of the "Gateway to the Tatras". This is the Lutheran Church, the Church of St. Aegidius, as well as the Podtatran Museum.
The square is the brightest place in the city. Here the roads are paved with tiles, and a palette of all kinds of shades and colors was used in the coloring of the houses. In addition, a variety of shops are located on the square. In them tourists will find an abundance of clothing produced by well-known brands, as well as souvenirs, home crafts and various goodies.
Interestingly, according to historical information, St. Aegis is an ancient Greek saint and hermit. He lived in the 7th century AD.
Church of St. Aegis
The date of construction of this building dates back to the 13th century. The church was originally conceived in the Gothic style. However, it underwent multiple destruction and was subsequently restored and transformed. As a result, today its external appearance corresponds to the Baroque style.
The Church of St. Aegidius in Poprad, Slovakia (photo can be seen below) is the main cultural monument of this village. The building is located on its main square.
Every year, this holy place is visited by more than one thousand tourists. Constantly come to the church and the townspeople. Visitors can go to the observation deck of the building, which offers magnificent views of the surrounding area.
Church of St. George
This building was built in the middle of the 12th century. Its location was one of the suburbs of Poprad - Spisska Sloboda. Initially, the Church of St. George was conceived in the Romanesque style. However, it was later converted to Gothic. To date, only the small details that remind of the former beauty of the building have remained from the architect’s previous plan.
It is interesting that at one time this church was visited by Elizabeth II - the Queen of England. This is the most famous person who visited the Church of St. George in the entire history of his existence. Moreover, the Queen of England, while in Poprad, visited only this church.
Cathedral of Our Lady of Sorrows
The Temple of the Virgin Mary, which is also one of the attractions of the city of Poprad, was erected for three years. The construction was carried out under the constant supervision of G. Schreiber, who was the chief engineer-architect. After the work was completed, the church was lit by the local bishop Jan Wojtášak.
According to tourists, the interior of the temple is very beautiful. Within its walls you can admire the images of St. John the Apostle, Our Lady of Lourdes, as well as statues of Mary Magdalene and the Sacred Heart
High Tatras National Park
As part of the possession of Poprad is a unique natural area. This is the oldest national park in Slovakia - Tatra. Its history began back in 1949, when vast territories were allocated to protect flora and fauna in the highest mountain range in Europe, which is located north of the Alps. Today, many mountain and alpine plants grow here, including Alpine edelweiss. Images of this flower can be found on many postcards sold in the Tatras.
Among the rare representatives of the fauna, a brown bear, golden eagle and some other species live here. The most valuable of them is chamois. She is a symbol of the Tatras.
On the territory of this national park is the highest point in Slovakia. It is located on the Gerlachowski-Shtit mountain, whose height is 1655 m.
The park has more than a hundred lakes, as well as several waterfalls. There are many caves here. However, for safety reasons, only one of them is available for tourists - Belyanskaya.
Kezmarok Village
Judging by the reviews of tourists, many of them are happy to visit this small center, where you can get acquainted with Slovak art. In the village of Kezmarok near the beautiful old palaces erected in the Gothic style, there are small wooden churches. Moreover, all the buildings, despite their differences, make up a magnificent architectural ensemble.
Having visited this place, tourists seem to move in the Middle Ages. Moreover, numerous exhibitions in art galleries, as well as museums with their beautiful collections, help them recreate the full picture of that era.
"Slovak region"
This national park is located south of the city of Poprad. When visiting it, the gaze of travelers reveals a beautiful landscape, in which there are canyons and valleys, ice caves, noisy rivers and stormy waterfalls. The park spreads over an area of 197 square kilometers and gives its guests the opportunity to experience the grandeur and beauty of the wild.
For tourists, many exciting routes have been developed here. One of them is climbing as a part of a group to the rock of Gavraniya. In addition, the reservoir is located on the territory of the park, which is called Paltsmanska Masha. In summer, various activities are available here, including fishing. In winter, visitors and residents of Slovakia come here to go cross-country or mountain skiing.
Podtatransky Museum
He invites history buffs. The year of foundation of the museum is considered to be 1876. Its building is located in Spisskaya Sloboda.
Podtatransky Museum presents to its guests unique objects. Among them: the skull of a woman of the pre-Neanderthal period, stuffed animals, various sculptures and household items.
The museum has a library. Her collection contains rare ancient books, including educational ones. This, for example, grammar in Arabic, Persian, German and Turkish, the publication of laws, etc.
Aqua City
This entertainment center deserves numerous positive reviews from travelers. AquaCity in Poprad (Slovakia) is a huge territory with shopping pavilions and hotels, bars, cafes and restaurants, thermal springs and water parks, pools and playgrounds, SPA centers and much more.
In this entertainment center, each of the guests will find everything that is necessary for youth and family recreation.
Tatra Gallery
This institution invites lovers of beauty. Interestingly, earlier in this beautiful historical building was a power station.
Today it is given to the city gallery, which will delight its guests with a collection of paintings by Slovak as well as foreign artists. Among its exhibits there are also objects of modern art.
City Hotels
Judging by the reviews of tourists, having arrived at the ski resorts of Slovakia located in the High Tatras, some of them prefer to stay in Poprad. And this has its explanation. The fact is that hotels in Poprad (Slovakia) offer rooms, the cost of which is much lower than in high-altitude resorts. At the same time, getting from them to the place of residence is not a problem. After all, the Tetransky train constantly walks here.
You can stay in the center of Poprad. There are several large hotels. But still, some travelers are advised to opt for quiet pensions, which also include two meals a day. At the same time, experienced tourists recommend not taking the cheapest rooms, since they are too small.