This northeastern Slovak city has a medieval square lined with baroque buildings, a 16th-century Greek Catholic Cathedral, and an open-air museum of traditional wooden houses.
Prešov, Slovakia's third-largest city, sits at the confluence of the Torysa and Sekčov rivers in the eastern part of the country. Walk through streets lined with red-roofed Baroque townhouses from the 17th century, step into the Gothic Cathedral of St. Nicholas, or climb the Renaissance Rákocziho Palace. You can explore the ruins of Šariš Castle, descend into former opal mines, or watch salt-making demonstrations at Solivar's 16th-century Leopold shaft.
Walking Through Hlavná Ulica
The main street of Prešov splits into two parallel arms, creating an oval-shaped center with restricted traffic access. Medieval townhouses line both sides of the street, many dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. The Neptune Fountain, built in 1789, marks the center point of the street where you'll find a small park. Several narrow passages branch off from the main street, leading to quiet courtyards with stone wells and Renaissance-era doorways.
Religious Architecture
The Cathedral of St. Nicholas, built between the 14th and 16th centuries, dominates the city center with its three identical naves rising to 16 meters. The Greek Catholic Cathedral, which the Minorite order acquired in 1603, features golden altars and ceiling frescoes from the Baroque period. The Orthodox Synagogue from 1898 incorporates Neoclassical elements with detailed Moorish-style window frames and geometric patterns.
Exploring Šariš Castle
You'll find the Šariš Castle ruins 3 miles northwest of the city center, perched on a volcanic hill 570 meters above sea level. Built in the 9th century, the castle controlled the trade route along the Torysa River. Climb to the ruins for views extending across Prešov and the surrounding valleys and hills.
Solivar Salt Works
In the city's outskirts, the Solivar complex shows how workers extracted and processed salt from the 16th century until 1970. You can see the Leopold shaft, examine the wooden chain wheel mechanism used to lift salt water, and visit the salt cooking houses where workers boiled brine in large copper pans.
Cultural Venues and Museums
Watch opera, drama, and contemporary plays at the Jonáš Záborský Theatre in both its modern building and original 19th-century venue. The Prešov Region Museum occupies the Rákocziho Palace, displaying historic weapons, period furniture, and natural specimens. You can follow the city's development from the 9th to 19th centuries through artifacts and interactive exhibits.
