This medieval town in northern Slovakia has a well-preserved 15th-century castle, a Gothic basilica, and a historic wooden church listed as a UNESCO site.
Kežmarok (16,000 residents) lies at the foot of the High Tatras mountains in eastern Slovakia. You can explore its Renaissance castle, walk past 15th-century merchant houses, or visit the wooden church from 1717. The town's secondary school library holds 150,000 rare books, making it the largest collection of its kind in Central Europe.
The Wooden Articular Church
This UNESCO-listed church from 1717 took just three months to build. The craftsmen used yew and red spruce wood, connecting all parts without any metal. The white exterior walls mix wood with clay, while the interior has painted walls - uncommon in Protestant churches. Musicians often perform here due to the church's acoustic properties.
Inside Kežmarok Castle
The castle rises from the town center, housing twelve museum exhibits. You'll find displays about local guilds, historic coats of arms, and an ancient pharmacy. Local legend tells of the Black Lady, a former castle keeper who stole jewelry and now haunts the corridors. Throughout the year, the castle courtyard hosts cultural events.
The Historic Lyceum Library
Central Europe's largest secondary school library contains approximately 150,000 volumes. Its collection includes 55 first editions printed before 1500, Luther's Bible, and 3,000 books from the 16th century. Many Slovak literary figures studied here, including Pavol Orszagh Hviezdoslav, helping establish Kežmarok's reputation for literature.
EĽRO Festival and Traditional Crafts
Each July, craftsmen gather at Kežmarok's main square for the three-day European Folk Handicraft festival (EĽRO). This event continues the tradition of historical markets. You can watch artisans demonstrate their skills at small stands and buy handmade items directly from them.
Jewish Heritage in Kežmarok
Jewish families arrived in Kežmarok in the 1850s and eventually owned about 80% of the town's businesses. They built a 500-seat Moorish-style synagogue in the late 19th century, with a lecture hall above for winter prayers. On the hill, you'll find a Jewish cemetery with hundreds of graves, including those of rabbis and scholars from the region.
