Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Prešov, Slovakia

Located in the shadow of the High Tatra Mountains in eastern Slovakia is Prešov, the country’s third-largest city. Prešov boasts a rich history that dates back to medieval times, reaching its economic zenith in the 1600s, fueled by opal, salt mining, and a bobbin lace industry.

The historic center of Prešov is infused with the wealth from that era, featuring streets lined with stuccoed townhouses. The city’s compact layout, combined with restricted vehicular traffic in the center, provides an intimate small-town ambiance. Nearby, visitors can engage with Prešov’s opal mining history or explore the enchanting castles located just outside the city.

Let us explore the best attractions in Prešov:

1. Historic Centre

In Prešov, most sightseeing takes place along Hlavná Ulica (Main Street), a long thoroughfare that traverses the old town and divides into two parallel branches.

Between these two avenues, one can find monuments such as the Gothic cathedral, which dates back to the 1400s.

Hlavná Ulica is adorned with elegant townhouses and palaces, and this pedestrian-friendly area is often bustling with outdoor seating at restaurants and bars during the summer.

There are small passageways that invite exploration into side alleys revealing monasteries, churches, and historic monuments, each with intriguing stories.

Notable landmarks include the 18th-century Klobučníky Palace and the Black Eagle, a block of merchant houses from the 1500s located south of Hlavná Ulica.

2. Cathedral of St Nicholas

The grand cathedral serving the city’s Catholic community was initiated in the mid-1300s and completed in 1515. It features three identical height naves, soaring to 16 meters and culminating in elegant vaults.

Due to fires in 1711 and 1788, the church now reflects a blend of High Gothic and 18th-century Baroque architectural styles.

The interior is richly adorned; be sure to observe the altar of St Nicholas, which dates back to 1696 and harmoniously combines Gothic and Baroque elements.

The older sculptures of angels within the church are attributed to Master Paul of Levoča, a distinguished carver from the early 16th century.

3. Church of St. Alexander Nevsky

Prešov’s Orthodox cathedral signifies the eastern influence in Slovakia, primarily serving the local Orthodox community.

This modern church, dedicated to the Russian saint Alexander Nevsky, a 13th-century Grand Prince renowned for his victories over Swedish and German foes, was built following World War II in the style of Russian Orthodox architecture.

It features five onion-shaped domes, and within, one can admire a double-breasted iconostasis adorned with icons of Jesus and the Virgin Mary, encircled by the saints of the Orthodox tradition.

4. Orthodox Synagogue

The Orthodox Synagogue, situated on a serene street within the historic center, boasts a discreet Neoclassical design.

Constructed in 1898, it features subtle Moorish characteristics visible in the moldings above the first-floor windows.

The unassuming exterior belies the opulent hand-painted decorations that adorn the interior, where Moorish motifs persist.

A highlight is the ark that holds the Torah, crafted by a sculptor from Graz.

This synagogue has been remarkably well-preserved, making it one of Slovakia’s premier Jewish monuments. A guided tour is available, providing insights into Prešov’s Jewish community and access to the small museum located in the women’s gallery above.

5. Krajské Múzeum (County Museum)

Across Hlavná Ulica from the Cathedral of St Nicholas stands one of the historic center’s most remarkable residences, the Rákocziho Palace.

This palace was formed by merging two affluent townhouses and is named after its 17th-century proprietor, knight Žigmund Rákoci, who imparted the Renaissance design that features today.

Housing a museum dedicated to the Prešov Region, it boasts captivating exhibits that include historical weaponry, timepieces, furniture, Solivar lacework, natural specimens, and a comprehensive timeline detailing Prešov’s history from the 800s to the 1800s.

6. Cathedral of St John the Baptist

This Baroque cathedral serves Prešov’s Greek Catholic community.

Founded in the 1300s and taken over by the Minorite order in 1603, its current elaborate design was established in the mid-18th century, featuring a highly ornate portal, pilasters, and capitals.

Within the cathedral, one can find the graves of bishops Pavel Peter Gojdič and Basil Hopko, both of whom suffered martyrdom under the Communist regime.

These bishops were imprisoned in 1950; Gojdič died in custody in 1960, while Hopko was released to a nursing home in 1964. The cathedral also houses a faithful replica of the Turin shroud.

7. Immaculata

At the elevated end of Hlavná Ulica stands the city’s Immaculata, a Marian column recognized as a Slovak national treasure.

This memorial, erected by the Jesuits in 1751, commemorates the victims of plague epidemics that afflicted the city in 1679 and 1710. Crowned by a statue of the Virgin Mary and Child, it expresses gratitude for halting the outbreaks and preventing further calamities.

The sandstone column is intricately carved, with statues of eight saints adorning the corners, arranged over two tiers.

8. Kalvária

For a serene retreat into the countryside, a striking Baroque religious complex is located on a gentle rise to the west of the city.

This site is a product of Jesuit efforts for “recatholicisation” and comprises 15 chapels, a church, catacombs, and a cemetery, all accessible via a lengthy flight of stairs.

Funding originated from the city and noble family donations, whose crests remain visible above the portals of some chapels.

The centerpiece is the Church of the Holy Cross, constructed in 1753, featuring expertly painted interior walls that enhance the sense of grandeur.

Kalvária offers a tranquil location ideal for strolling, with picturesque views of the city.

9. Prešovská 49. Rovnobežka

A fascinating curiosity can be found mere meters from the Immaculata monument.

A small installation here marks the path of the 49th Parallel North, and you can trace its trajectory across the pavement and square along Hlavná Ulica.

Interestingly, this line delineates the Canada-USA border for approximately 3,500 kilometers.

Adjacent to the monument, a long row of café terraces provides a pleasant setting to reflect on this fact with a refreshing beverage.

10. Neptune Fountain

This distinguished fountain, featuring a statue of Neptune, lends an air of gravity to the small park along Hlavná Ulica.

As the oldest of Prešov’s ten fountains, dating back to 1789, it marks the location of the city’s original drinking fountain, gifted to Prešov by Jewish merchant Marek Holländer for the privilege of conducting business in the city.

This fountain bears significant historical value, particularly as Jewish residents were previously prohibited from residing or working in Prešov.

Neptune, armed with his trident, is perched on an island within the fountain, surrounded by stone animals, including a snake, toad, tortoise, and crocodile, all emitting water.

11. Caraffa Prison (Caraffova Vězica)

Located just off Hlavná Ulica, this building dates back to the 1400s and is linked to one of Prešov’s most harrowing episodes.

In 1687, General Caraffa, an Italian General Commissary in the Habsburg Kingdom, imprisoned several of Prešov’s noblemen, suspecting them of insurrection.

This led to a grim chapter in the city’s chronicles, as 24 noblemen were tortured, tried, and publicly executed, their heads displayed on spikes.

In 2012, the building underwent renovations and reopened as Prešov’s city gallery, featuring art exhibitions and a permanent collection of Solivar lace and opal.

12. Statue of St Rochus (Súsošie Svätého Róchusa)

Positioned beneath the shade of trees in front of Prešov’s Franciscan monastery, this sculptural monument is recognized as one of Slovakia’s national treasures.

Funded by the Franciscan order, it prominently features St Rochus on its main pedestal, with Francis, Florian, and Anthony depicted on platforms below.

These sculptures, all crafted from sandstone, have undergone several restoration efforts, the most recent being in 1993, when a replica of St Rochus replaced the weathered original.

13. Šariš Castle

Merely a glance at the ruins located a few kilometers outside Prešov reveals the remains of a formidable castle.

This castle, established in the 900s, overlooks the trade route along the Torysa River from a volcanic hill that has been inhabited since the Stone Age.

It saw significant enhancements in the 1200s and 1500s, fortified against the rising threats posed by the Ottomans.

However, in 1687, a catastrophic fire at the gunpowder magazine led to its destruction.

Today, this site is a National Nature Reserve, enticing Prešov’s residents for leisure walks amid the walls, towers, keep, bastion, and other ruins, which remain in respectable condition over 300 years later.

14. Spiš Castle

If the previous sites have sparked your interest, a visit to Spiš Castle is an absolute must, located west of Prešov.

Spiš Castle majestically perches on a hill more than 600 meters above sea level, framed by the jagged peaks of the High Tatra Mountains.

Considered one of the largest castles in Europe by area, it is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In medieval times, it served as a stronghold for the noble Zápolya family. Notably, John Zápolya, the last king of Hungary before the Habsburgs, was born here in 1491. After over 600 years of occupancy, the castle suffered a devastating fire in 1780, though much of its structure remains intact.

Restorations of the kitchens, dungeon, renaissance arcades, and significant portions of the keep have been undertaken, housing exhibitions that narrate the castle’s storied history.

15. Slovak Opal Mines

The largest and most valuable opal ever uncovered was found not far southeast of Prešov, discovered on the riverbed in Dubník.

This piece is referred to as the “Harlequin,” weighs over half a kilogram, and is displayed in Vienna’s Natural History Museum.

Such discoveries fueled intense mining activity throughout the 19th century, and one of the mines from this era is open to visitors today.

The Viennese jeweler Solomon Goldschmidt held the mining lease, and operations continued until 1880. While the mine extends over 22 kilometers, only 1.5 kilometers are accessible to the public.

It is advisable to visit during the summer, as in winter, the tunnels become a habitat for thousands of hibernating bats representing 16 different species.