Liptovský Mikuláš and the surroundings
A guide to attractions
June – November 2014
· MUSEUMS · GALLERIES · SIGHTS · FOLK ARCHITECTURE · CAVES · WATER PARKS · WATER SPORTS · CABLEWAYS · HIKING · CYCLOTOURISM · NON-TRADITIONAL SPORTS
Vlkolínec
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HISTORY, SIGHTS, MUSEUMS, GALLERIES
Summer in the region of Liptov is as pretty as picture. Magical with its colours and fragrances, rich with its offer: hiking along various marked tourist trails in the Low and Western Tatras as well as the Chočské vrchy Mts., more than 700 km of cycle routes, great fun and relaxation at 4 water parks, water sports and cruises on the dam of Liptovská Mara, a wide range of non-traditional sports, 4 caves, unique monuments of folk architecture, a museum of archaeology... 2
And there is a new product prepared for all those who will be discovering top attractions and travel destinations in the region of Liptov – an amusing game called “Discover 7 treasures of Liptov“, created mainly for families and children. Some of the treasures are located in the very heart of the region – in Liptovský Mikuláš. The most attractive location for tourists is its historic centre with narrow streets, which are just perfect for pleasant walks. You can combine them with visiting museums, galleries or various culture events. This year, their number is really record-breaking. After all, the year of 2014 is the year of arts in Liptovský Mikuláš. The following pages are meant to introduce various tourist attractions that the town of Liptovský Mikuláš and its surroundings have to offer. They should help you enjoy your holiday here to the fullest so that you can go back home full of positive energy and nice memories. Thank you for choosing the region of Liptov. We will be happy to welcome you here anytime.
Church of St. Nicolas
Centre of Koloman Sokol
If you visit this gallery, you can admire the biggest collection of works made by a brilliant graphic designer and painter, Koloman Sokol, who was respected even by Pablo Picasso. Sokol gifted 49 of his excellent paintings to Liptovský Mikuláš – the town where he had been born 112 years ago. Personal items and photographs, which depict the artist and were made by Tibor Huszár, Námestie osloboditeľov 27 [D5] add a touch of special atmosphere Phone no.: +421/44/552 21 42 to the exposition. The gallery inwww.faralm.sk troduces works of other artists as available after the Holy Mass: well. There has been an exposition Mon-Fri: 6:15, 18:15*, Sat: 7:00, of Miloš Alexander Bazovský until 18:15*, Sun: 6:15, 8:00, 9:15, 10:45, 6th September 2014, and it will be 18:15 replaced by works of young Slovak * after summer time changes to artists, Ľubica Poncik and Hana H. winter time, the evening holy Kašičková. mass starts at 17:00
The oldest architectural monument of the town is the biggest Early Gothic building in the region of Liptov. It has beautiful stained-glass windows, three Gothic altars and a stone font from 1490. The triumphal arch and vaults were painted by academic painters Hanula and Škorvánek.
Námestie osloboditeľov 28 [C4] Phone no.: +421/44/562 00 35 www.galerialm.sk admission: adults 2 €, children 1 €, LRC, open all year Tue-Sat: 10:00-17:00
The House Museum of Torture Liptov of Janko Kráľ Chamber of Gallery of Mikuláš P. M. Bohúň Photography
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The gallery named after an exceptional painter, Peter Michal Bohúň, keeps a record of more than 5,000 works in its collections. Six permanent expositions introduce impressive works of Slovak visual artists - L. Medňanský, D. Skutecký, M. Benka, J. Hála, Z. Palugyay, Ľ. Fulla, E.M. Šimerová, M. Ksandr, M. Kern, M. Martinček and many others. Inside the gallery, there is the biggest exposition hall in Slovakia. Its spaces are hosting the exhibition of Marián Čižmárik until mid September 2014 and will be introducing works of Janko Alexy from late September 2014. There is an exhibition of Ladislav Čemický inside the small hall until mid September 2014 and works of Mária Horváthová Bodorová will be exhibited there from late September 2014. Tranovského ulica 3 [D5] Phone no.: +421/44/552 27 58 www.galerialm.sk admission: adults 3.50 €, children 1.75 €, LRC, open year round: Tue-Sat: 10:00-17:00
The first specialised Slovak institution of photography resides inside the Liptov Gallery of P.M. Bohúň. It organises photography exhibitions and workshops.
Tranovského ulica 3 [D5] Phone no.: +421/905 288 717 www.domfoto.sk admission: adults 1 €, children 0.50 €, open year round: Tue-Sat: 10:00-17:00
The permanent exposition called “Chapters of the town history” introduces the more than 700-year-old history of Liptovský Mikuláš. One after another, you will open fourteen chapters in total and learn about the oldest history of the town, the aristocratic Pongrác dynasty, famous tanning industry of Mikuláš, you will have a look inside the room of Janko Kráľ – a famous Romantic poet, or inside a dining room of townsmen. You will meet prominent families of Mikuláš and their personalities, or witness beginnings of sport and hiking in the town and its surroundings. There will be several exhibitions inside the exhibition hall: “History of the mountain rescue” until 24th August 2014, ”Liptovský Mikuláš in the Slovak National Uprising” from 28th August to 2nd October 2014 and “Samo Hrianka, a financier” from 8th October to 27th November 2014.
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The exposition hidden in the cellar of the Museum of Janko Kráľ reminds us of the trial with the most famous Slovak bandit - Juraj Jánošík, which was held in 1713. The gloomy atmosphere is emphasised by exhibited instruments of torture – a flogging bench, a rack, pliers for pulling out one´s tongue, and various drawings depicting torture procedures. Námestie osloboditeľov 30 [C4] Phone no.: +421/44/552 25 54 www.mjk.sk, admission: Chapters of the town history, Torture chamber of Liptovský Mikuláš adults 2 €, children 1 €, LRC 1.7.-31.8.: Mon: closed, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun: 10:00-17:00, Wed: 10:00-18:00, 1.9.-30.6.: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 9:00-16:00, Wed: 9:00-18:00, Sat: closed, Sun: 10:00-17:00
Liptov Synagogue Museum NKP Čierny Orol
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With an area of 880 square metres, it is one of the biggest synagogues in Slovakia, and also one of the most beautiful ones due to its Art Nouveau interior with rich decoration. Its cupola with colourful round stained glass reaches as high as 17 metres. In the entrance area, there are gravestones from the former Jewish cemetery, Jewish books and a board with photographs of Jewish inhabitants that formed a significant community in Liptovský Mikuláš. In July and August, the synagogue will host an exhibition on the occasion of the 60th birthday of the artist Jaroslav Uhel called “Graphic art in books”.
Hollého ulica [C4] Phone no.: +421/44/552 25 54 www.mjk.sk, admission: adults 1 €, children 0.50 € July-August: Tue-Sun: 10:0017:00
The permanent exposition called “History of hunting and fishing in the region of Liptov” is very popular with families and children due to a rich collection of mounted animals. You can see here a bear, a badger, a fox or an owl from a very close distance. Besides interesting information about the fauna of the region, you will learn about various game and fish species, have a look into an old hunter´s – fisher´s kitchen and salon. There will be interesting exhibitions held until the end of 2014: “Wandering through Fairytales” until 28th July, “Works of the Club of Liptov Wild Nature Photographers” from 1st August to 1st September, “The Elementary School” from 5th September to 2nd November and “A Liptov wedding” from 7th November. Ulica 1. mája 28/196 [E6] Phone no.: +421/44/551 47 85 www.liptovskemuzeum.sk, admission: adults 1 €, children 0.35 €, LRC May-June: Mon-Fri: 8:00-16:00, Sat-Sun: 14:00-17:00, July-August: Mon-Fri: 9:00-17:00, Sat-Sun: 13:00-17:00 September: Mon-Fri: 8:00-16:00, Sat-Sun: 13:00-17:00 October-December: Mon-Fri: 8:00-16:00, Sat-Sun: arranged groups only
Rumanský Art Centre The Rumanskí brothers, academic painters, were born in a town part of Liptovský Mikuláš called Demänová. Ivan Rumanský was an excellent draughtsman, Igor Rumanský a great graphic artist and illustrator. You can admire their works in their private gallery, which is located close to the historical town centre. As Ivan Rumanský would be 70 years old this year, there will be a series of exhibitions to celebrate his life and work called “A Life with Art”. Until 15th August 2014, you can visit the exhibition “Ivan Rumanský – Tempera” and another one - “Ivan Rumanský – Drawings” will be available from 28th August to 20th October 2014.
Church of St. Peter of Alcantara
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with the Museum of L. Mattyaszovsky
In the town part of Okoličné, on the bank of the Váh river, there is a majestic medieval church, which creates perfect harmony with a Franciscan monastery. Inside the church, there are eight altars with a rich decoration, benches from 1721 with decorative carvings and oil paintings on the walls. The Museum of Ladislav Mattyasovszky, a bishop who supported the church renovation and construction of the monastery in the early 18th century, is located inside the church as well. The museum exposition contains a wing fragment of the original Gothic altar from the church of Okoličné, sacral chalices, precious books and also sculptures made by Master Paul of Levoča.
Ulica Ester M. Šimerovej 4506/4 (at the Hypernova supermarket) [C3] Phone no.: +421/903 510 072, admission: adults 1.50 €, children 1 € open year round: Tue-Fri: 13:00-17:00 (arrangements over Kláštorná 123 [F11] the phone out of office hours Phone no.: +421/949 217 797 possible) www.farnostokolicne.sk www.sakralnacesta.sk Church of St. Peter of Alcantara: accessible all year round during Holly Masses Mon-Sat: 18:00, Sun: 9:00, 11:00, 18:30 Museum of Ladislav Mattyaszovsky: 1.7.-30.8.: Tue-Sun: tourist Rumanský Art Centre service 10:00-18:00, accessible also after the Holly Mass or other arrangements over the phone are possible, admission: voluntary
Church of St. Peter of Alcantara
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OTHER ARCHITECTO- Liptovský Mikuláš NIC MONUMENTS OF THE TOWN • former County House (present District House), Námestie osloboditeľov 1 [C5] • Secondary School of M.M. Hodža, Hodžova 860/9 [A3]
• Evangelical Church with sculptures of preachers Juraj Tranovský and Michal Miloslav Hodža, Tranovského 6 [C6] • Old Evangelical Rectory (present museum exposition Tatrín and Requests of the Slovak nation), Tranovského 8 [D6] • urban area Vrbica: Evangelical Church [F6], Birth house of the Rázus siblings (present museum exposition) [G7], Vrbica Cemetery (fi nal resting place of several eminent personalities) • urban area Okoličné [F11]: Franciscan Monastery, Okoličány´s Manor House • urban area Palúdzka [B1]: Vranovo Mansion with a sculpture of Jánošík (the place where Jánošík was arrested), Bocian Mansion, Evangelical Church, Church of St. John the Apostle
City of Arts 2014 The town history is closely connected with art, culture and names of various significant personalities that went down in history of world literature, music, graphic art or theatre. That´s why the town atmosphere and many events will be related to art this year. And the art won´t stay hidden behind walls of culture institutions only. It will come out to streets along with amateur and professional artists. The most attractive events include Artist´s promenade – light art made by young artists of the Liptov region, who will create an unforgettable light show in the town centre, Street music art – nights of music, dance and art, Jazz festival of Mikuláš, The fi rst Slovak tango - concert, Gesharim bridges, or Time of gratitude with a labyrinth dance. During the whole summer, there will be regular Wednesday music performances at the Metamorphosis Fountain followed by screening of cult fi lms in the open air, or discovering artists of Mikuláš and their lives with a tourist guide on Fridays. For current events and offers, please visit the website www.mikulas.travel, the Information Centre of the Town on Facebook or pick up leaflets and promotion materials personally at the Information Centre.
DISCOVER THE TOWN WITH A TOURIST GUIDE
Regular town tours with a tourist guide are traditionally offered during the summer in Liptovský Mikuláš. To make them even more interesting this year, we have prepared a new sightseeing route called “Artists of Liptovský Mikuláš“, which is available free of charge every Friday in July and August, in front of the Information Centre at 4:00 p.m.
Artists of Liptovský Mikuláš Liptovský Mikuláš is a town where many personalities of art were born and active. They dedicated their lives to art and were developing their talents there. Their works were appreciated and admired even beyond the borders of Slovakia. There were e.g.: painters P. M. Bohúň, K. Sokol, J. Alexy, E. M. Šimerová, the Rumanskí brothers, sculptors A. Groma and M. Ksandr, photographer M. Martinček, writers J. Kráľ, the Rázus siblings, I. Stodola, I. Laučík, composers J. L. Bella and D. Pálka, musician Jožko Piťo, or the founder of the Slovak Amateur Theatre G.F. Belopotocký. Your tourist guide will tell you about their lives and work, will take you to places where these artists are still remembered. One of such places is the Liptov Gallery of P.M. Bohúň, where you can see paintings of the brilliant portraitist, whom the gallery is named after.
A separate information brochure for this sightseeing town tour is available at the Information Centre. But if you wish to see more of the past and present of Liptovský Mikuláš with a tourist guide, choose from other 5 sightseeing routes that are full of interesting information which you won´t fi nd in any guide book. Each of them takes about one hour to complete. Let us briefly introduce them:
Tour of Six Stops in Jánošík the Heart of Liptovský Mikuláš
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An ideal sightseeing route to make the fi rst contact with Liptovský Mikuláš. The tour guide will give you basic information about the turning points of the town history, its personalities and current issues. He will show you the most important tourist attractions and so you will learn more about the synagogue, the Church of St. Nicolas, the Centre of Koloman Sokol residing in Pongrác curia, about the fi rst regional house – present Museum of Janko Kráľ, the Liptov Gallery of P. Michal Bohúň or the Metamorphosis Fountain. The Metamorphosis Fountain pays a tribute to eminent natives of Liptovský Mikuláš - scientists, inventors, artists, writers, priests, doctors... Seventy names are inscribed in black granite, including the most significant one – Aurel Stodola, the inventor of steam turbines, who was born in Liptovský Mikuláš in 1859. Albert Einstein was his student.
It was in 1713, when the legendary bandit´s captain Juraj Jánošík was tried and executed in Liptovský Mikuláš. Listen to a gripping story of facts and myths, desire for freedom and justice, but also cruelty and fear. Go back to times when even a minor offence was punished hard and torturing was a regular procedure of interrogation. Visit the Torture chamber of Liptovský Mikuláš and learn how Jánošík must have suffered before the fi nal verdict was delivered. Jánošík´s bravery and resistance went down well among ordinary people and they were remembered through children´s games, legends, songs, literature, theatre, visual art and fi lms. The tour ends in a symbolic way – at a scaffold next to the Jánošík Hotel, in the street called Jánošíkovo nábrežie (Jánošík´s waterfront). A minor role in the famous fi lm “Jánošík” was played by the actor Adam Matejka, who used to live in Bottova Street. Today, there is a plaque on the house he used to live in to remember him. A commemorative coin – Jánošík´s ducat was minted in 2013 at the 300th anniversary of Jánošík´s trial and execution. You can buy it at the Information Centre.
Jews of Liptovský Mikuláš
Milestones of the Town History
The fi rst Jewish families came to Liptovský Mikuláš around 1720. And 100 years later, they formed about 50% of the town population. They were skilful traders, progressive entrepreneurs, excellent teachers, doctors and advocates. Your tourist guide will tell you about the best known ones, including the life story of great-granddaughter of English Queen Victoria – Valeria Maria, who spent a simple childhood in a house located in the present historic centre. Although the Jews went down in the town history and became an unforgettable part of it, today they are remembered only thanks to the abandoned synagogue. And that is the last stop of this guided tour. Vladimír Kuna (1904 Liptovský Mikuláš – 1996 Ružomberok) The Evangelical clergyman and director of the orphanage in Liptovský Mikuláš in 1942 – 1944 hid 26 Jewish children and saved thus their lives. The sister of the famous Slovak actress Soňa Valentová was among them. The State of Israel awarded him for his noble act with the title “The Righteous among the Nations”.
Around 1100, there was only the Church of St. Nicolas standing in the middle of the area, and a settlement called Svätý Mikuláš (Saint Nicolas) with about 10 inhabitants was located next to it. As it was growing, a knight named Seraphin and his sons started to be interested in it. King Ladislav IV. gave them the settlement as a reward for their military merits in 1286. The respective deed of gift is the first written historical source of the town. It was the founders of the Pongrác aristocratic dynasty who used to own the town for more than 500 years. Learn who was the most feared of them, what duties local ordinary people had, what they did for living, how the town management worked and how the design of the town was changing throughout centuries. Enter the historic Church of St. Nicolas and discover the jewels hidden inside. A small stone wall around the church symbolises the fortification which was built around Pongrác curia and the Church of St. Nicolas in 1443. The sculpture of one of the Pongrác aristocrats, who was given the right to hold a market in the settlement every Tuesday. Th is happened in 1350 and the settlement of Svätý Mikuláš was developing as a small town ever since.
Vladimír Kuna
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Secrets hidden behind walls in the historic town centre
only, but also after the flowers. Richer houses had large flower gardens, usually with a summer house. Traditional meals of local people included gnocchi with bryndza (sheep cheese product) or sauerkraut, pasta with nuts, potato-dough pallets with poppy seeds or potato pancakes. You can taste some of these specialities in local restaurants.
Any of the sightseeing routes can be booked at the InformatiThe historic town centre lives a pe- on Centre of the town Liptovský aceful live. It´s a popular location Mikuláš: for relaxation and walks, shopping or spending time at restaurants or Námestie mieru 1 [B4], Liptovský cafés. However, until mid 20th cen- Mikuláš tury, it was rather lively and busy. Phone no.: +421/44/16 186, Your tourist guide will give you a 552 24 18 vivid picture of the former bustling www.mikulas.travel atmosphere in shops, workshops of 1.7.-14.9.: Mon-Fri: 9:00-18:00, various craftsmen or services. He Sat-Sun: 9:00-17:00 will show you where doctor´s offi- 15.9.-30.6.: Mon-Fri: 9:00-17:00, ces, pharmacies, banks, notary and Sat: 9:00-13:00, Sun: closed advocate offices, pubs and hotels Guide service: 2 €/ person (min. used to stand, or delicatessen with 32 € / group), LRC delicacies from all over the world. People would run their business there, but were also living in the area and taking care of their gardens and homesteads. Almost every house here used to have a garden. Local people didn´t look after the fields and fruit trees
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SPORT Many town inhabitants like doing sports. Most of them because they want to be healthy and happy, but there are some who were really successful and represent Slovakia in European and world competitions in water slalom (Michal Martikán, Elena Kaliská), ice hockey (Ján Laco, Milan Jurčina, Jerguš Bača), skiing (Petra Vlhová, Natália Šlepecká), bodybuilding (Ľuboš Maliňák), fitness (Dominika Multáňová), or kick box (Martin Navrátil). If you like sport as well, you can enjoy it in Liptovský Mikuláš to the fullest – swimming, squash, tennis, bowling, skateboarding, cyclotourism, rafting, go-carts...
makes it a popular location for relaxation and walking around. And while doing so, you can watch kayakers train and when you are lucky, you might even see our Olympic champions. Enjoy a real sports competition where even hundredths of seconds matter, enjoy water slalom races, the Slovak Junior Cup on 9th -10th August 2014 and Final slaloms on 27th September 2014. And if you feel like trying the water slalom on your own, use the services of a sports agency called Rafting adventure, which is located in the water slalom area. They also offer paintball and airsoft, archery, paragliding, or Adventure golf and Football golf.
RAFTING ADVENTURE, Areál vodného slalomu Ondreja Cibáka [G6] Phone no.: +421/948 906 506 www.raftingadventure.sk www.familygolf.sk, LRC April-June: when arranged in advance, July-August: daily 11:00-19:00, September-October: when The area located on the south-easarranged in advance tern edge of the town was fi nished in 1978. There are two tracks which were named after Slovak rivers: Váh – the longer and easier track and Orava – the shorter but more difficult one. The area has a natural design, there are many grassed parts, benches and roads, which
Water slalom area of Ondrej Cibák
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OTHER SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN THE TOWN • Bowling: Guest house Bowling, Starohorského 3 [D3], Phone no.: +421/44/562 06 25 www.penzionbowling.sk • Indoor swimming pool Vajanského ulica 20 [D3] Tel.: +421/44/552 03 06 www.vpslm.sk • Kart halls: Kart Centre Liptov, Palugyayho 1 [B1] Phone no.: +421/903 999 222 www.kartcentrum.sk, LRC Monaco Grand Prix Priemyselná zóna 545 [F11] Phone no.: +421/903 217 264 www.monacograndprix.sk, LRC • Multipurpose sports hall Liptov Aréna, Brezovec 1053/1 [A1] Phone no.: +421/915 297 271, www.liptovarena.sk 29.6.-9.9.2014 closed for sports
activities due to the exhibition “Giants of the Ice Age” • Non-traditional sports: Mutton Phone no.: +421/918 417 487 www.mutton.sk Xsport, Vitálišovce [F11] Phone no.: +421/911 443 194 www.xsport.sk, LRC FUNsport, sports-entertaining events for companies Phone no.: +421/905 521 323 www.funsport.sk LASERS LIPTOV - ARENA Revolučná 573/1 [A1] Phone no.: +421/948 108 755, www.liptovlasers.com, LRC • Bike rental: Bicykle-servis, 1. mája 12 [D5] www.dobrybicykel.sk Phone no.: +421/944 196 849 Electro-bike rental Demänová 497 [E1] Phone no.: +421/918 101 076 www.cyklo-liptov.sk, LRC
• Skateboard club St. Nicolaus Nábrežie Janka Kráľa [E3] e-mail: lmbstar2014@gmail.com • Squash Liptov Starohorského 4083/1 [D3] Phone no.: +421/948 071 006, www.squash-liptov.sk, LRC • Tennis: Relax tenis club, Nábrežie Janka Kráľa 4359 [E3] Phone no.: +421/918 718 829 www.r-t-c.sk
Observation spot from the Háj-Nicovô knoll
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A knoll called Háj-Nicovô is towering over the town [A11]. Its altitude can´t compete with peaks in the area but the view from there is just perfect – of the town Liptovský Mikuláš, the water dam Liptovská Mara, mountains of the Low and Western Tatras, the Chočské vrchy Mts. and even the last peak of the Liptov region – Mt. Kriváň. The biggest military cemetery in the territory of former Czechoslovakia is located here, with a dominating memorial to fallen soldiers. You can get to the top of the knoll Háj on foot (about 4 km from the town centre) or you can get there in all comfort, by car.
XY] – coordinates on the town map of Liptovský Mikuláš
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AQUAPARKS
Tatralandia Liptovský Mikuláš
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Only 4 km from the town centre of Liptovský Mikuláš, there is the largest water park in Central Europe open all year round. It offers a lot of fun and flawless relaxation in 14 pools with salt, clear and thermal water. There are various water attractions in the pools – water jets, massage benches, water spouts, bubble machines. Children will love a pirate pool or a snorkelling pool, where they can watch the underwater world with real fish and corals. 26 toboggans and water slides guarantee endless fun, you can test the longest rafting toboggan in Central Europe, or a feeling of zero gravity on the steepest Slovak toboggan. The Tropical Paradise is the biggest attraction of the complex. It´s a special indoor hall with a tropical climate, pools, salt and clear water, original tropical flora and a replica of a wrecked ship. As for other services that Tatralandia has to offer, there is the so called Celtic sauna world, a Wellness centre and a Fun park.
Ráztocká 21 [A1] Phone no.: +421/915 834 644 www.tatralandia.sk tickets (12.6.-15.9.2014): after 4:00 p.m.: children under 140 cm 13 €, students, seniors, physically disabled with cards 18 € adults 20 €, family tickets 45 €, 1-day tickets: children under 140 cm 15 €, students, seniors, physically disabled with cards 20 €, adults 23 €, family tickets 52 €, children under 90 cm free of charge, children under 140 cm 1 € when staying in the region (the special offer available for LRC and GOPASS holders only), group discounts, discounts with the GOPASS CARD and LRC 12.6.-15.9.: daily 9:00-21:00, 16.9.23.12.: daily 10:00-21:00 (9 pools, 5 toboggans, no summer attractions).
Gino 2 Paradise Bešeňová [17 km] Enjoy refreshing relaxation and fun in 20 pools – 8 with geothermal water and 12 with clear water. There are various water attractions and the water temperature is between 24°C and 39°C. You can frolic on 15 toboggans and water slides – two of them are the longest toboggans in Slovakia. New in the summer of 2014 is an adrenaline pool with water attractions for all age groups, a 220 metres-long wild river with a current, animation programmes, special weekends called “Bešeňová in motion” – full of culture and sports, or Saturday evening swimming with live jazz music. The water paradise offers also services of a Wellness&Spa, beach volleyball and aqua zorbing. Bešeňová, Phone no.: +421/44/430 77 00, 08 www.ginoparadise.sk tickets: adults from 11 €/3 hrs., children under 18 years from 8 €/3 hrs., children under 6 years free of charge, group discounts, LRC 14.6.-16.9.: daily 9:00-21:00, 17.9.-23.12: daily 10:00-21:00 Gino Paradise Bešeňová
Aqua-Vital 3 Park Lúčky [22 km]
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Swimming in the embrace of the Chočské vrchy Mts. can be really refreshing. You can use the outdoor recreation pool with various water attractions, the outdoor pool with healing mineral water, the inner pool with mineral water, the sauna world, the wellness centre with a salt cave and various healing treatments. Lúčky Phone no.: +421/44/437 55 66 tickets: adults 11 €/3 hrs., children 3 – 14 years 8 €/3 hrs., children under 3 years free of charge, family tickets, discounts, free car parks, LRC May-September: daily 9:00-21:00, October-April: daily 12:00-21:00
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Termal raj Liptovský Ján [10 km]
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At the mouth of Jánska dolina (valley), there is an area with outdoor thermal pools – a 50-metre swimming pool, 2 relaxation pools and a children´s pool. They are all fi lled with water of the Rudolf spring, which has beneficial effects on the locomotive system, the respiratory system and skin problems.
MONUMENTS AND MUSEUMS
Articular Church in Svätý Kríž [11 km]
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There are many facts that will persuade you to come: the biggest articular church in Central Europe with a capacity of 6,000 people was built by Master Lang, who could neither read nor write. It is one of five preserved articular churches in Slovakia and used to be located in the village of Paludza originally. But the village was flooded by the dam of Liptovská Mara. In order to prevent it from being destroyed along with the village, this precious wooden church was dismantled and built again in the village of Svätý Kríž. It has a unique Baroque interior, precious wall paintings and a chandelier of Venetian glass.
Liptovský Ján Phone no.: +421/44/520 81 00 tickets: adults 4-8 €, children 3.20-6.40 €, for current prices visit www.sorea.sk/maj, LRC June-September: daily 9:0019:00 (last entry at 17:30), Mon: Svätý Kríž, Phone no.: +421/44/559 26 22 cleaning day in the big pool www.drevenykostol.sk admission: voluntary 1.6.-30.9.: daily 9:00-17:00, 1.10.-31.5.: daily 9:00-15:00 (church service every Sunday 9:00-10:00)
Museum of Liptov Village in Pribylina [22 km]
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When the dam of Liptovská Mara was built, the water flooded 13 villages. Most precious architectonic monuments were moved to a picturesque area under the Western Tatras. A village was born there, with everything a traditional Liptov village of the past had to have – houses of ordinary farmers and craftsmen, farm buildings, a school, a mill house, a fi re station, a bell tower, a pillory, a church and a manor house. Th is one comes from the village of Parížovce and is one of the oldest preserved aristocratic houses in the region of Liptov. The Church of Virgin Mary from the village of Liptovská Mara served as the seat of the religious administration in the region of Liptov since the high Middle Ages. In the 14th century, the most famous forger of royal decrees - Ján Literát from Madočany was burnt at the stake here in the neighbourhood. Inside Pribylina, Phone no.: +421/44/529 31 63, +421/918 680 297 www.liptovskemuzeum.sk admission: adults 3 €, children 1.50 €, LRC 1.5.-30.6.: daily 9:00-17:30, 1.7.-31.8.: daily 9:00-18:30, 1.9.-30.9.: daily 9:00-18:00, 1.10.-31.10.: daily 9:00-17:00, 1.11.-31.12.: daily 9:00-16:00 (last entry one hour before the end of operation at the latest)
the church, there are precious wall paintings, the oldest ones date back to the period around 1320. Various events are held at the museum in the summer and introduce Liptov traditions and customs to the wide public.
Vlkolínec (UNESCO) [33 km]
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At the foot of the hill Sidorovo, there is a magical village with colourful wooden houses, a church of bricks, a wooden bell tower, a well, a burbling brook and fragrant meadows. There are people still living there but you can have a look at Farmer´s house with an exposition, a Gallery of folk art with various works of art and hunting trophies exhibited or a newly opened Gallery inside the reconstructed building of a former granary. Phone no.: +421/918 596 432, www.vlkolinec.sk admission: adults 2 €, children 1 €, LRC expositions: 16.6.-15.9.: daily 9:00-17:00, 16.9.-15.10. and 16.4.-15.6.: Tue-Fri: 9:00-15:00, Sat-Sun: 9:00-16:00, 16.10.-15.4.: Tue-Fri: 10:0015:00, Sat-Sun: 10:00-16:00 Museum of Liptov Village
Archaeological 8 Oblazy UNDERGROUND Museum TREASURES OF THE – watermills 9 LIPTOV REGION Havránok at Kvačianska [18 km] Demänovská Dolina Demänovská Cave of [17 km Liptovský 11 Ice Cave 10 Mikuláš – mouth of Liberty
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in Slovakia. You can choose a traditional 1-hour tour, with 1,150 metres to complete and 913 stairs to surmount, or an exclusive 100-minute tour with 2,150 metres and 1,118 stairs.
Kvačianska dolina]
In a picturesque environment under crags of Kvačianska dolina (valley), you will find old wooden mills. The lower mill with a saw has been restored also thanks to volunteers and looks like in old times: water still propels a wheel and a sophisticated system that you can watch running. The mills are available via tourist trails from the villages of Kvačany and Veľké Borové, the access from the village of Huty is closed until further notice. If you set out for Kvačany, the road will take you to a new outlook spot on a hill called Malý Roháč, where you will have magnificient views of the beautiful valley.
Kvačianska dolina www.oblazy.sk daily 8:30-18:30, voluntary contributions for operation and renovation expected
Above the glittering surface of the Liptovská Mara dam, there is a hill called Úložisko. More than 2,000 years ago, mysterious Celts settled down there and brought new skills and knowledge to the region of Liptov – how to process the ore, use tools and gadgets of iron or a potter´s wheel. They were even minting their own silver and copper coins there. You will learn more about their lives from reconstructed dwellings, a sanctuary with a sacrificial ground and sacrificial pits. And there is also a wooden fortalice in the area of Havránok that reminds us of the Middle Ages. Phone no.: +421/905 790 218 www.liptovskemuzeum.sk admission: adults 2 €, children 1 €, LRC 1.6.-31.8.: daily 8:30-18:30, 1.9.-31.10.: daily 9:00-17:00
(Demänovská jaskyňa slobody)
[11 km]
When flowing under the ground, the river of Demänovka helped form lovely cave spaces. The flawless beauty with magnificent sinter decoration and colourful karst lakes made it the most visited cave Demänovská dolina, Phone no.: +421/44/559 16 73 www.ssj.sk, admission: traditional/exclusive tour adults 8 €/15 €, children 4 €/7.50 € (exclusive tour - min. 10 people) 1.6.-30.6.: Tue-Sun: tours 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00 (exclusive tour at 13:15) 1.7.-31.8.: daily: tours 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00 (exclusive tour at 13:15) 1.9.-15.11.: Tue-Sun: tours 9:30, 11:00, 12:30, 14:00 (exclusive tour at 13:00), 16.11.-26.12.: closed
(Demänovská ľadová jaskyňa)
[9 km]
It used to be called Dragon´s cave in the past as people would believe that bones of a cave bear they had found inside the cave were of a dragon. The tour will take you to spaces with a sinter decoration as first and then to a beautiful ice decoration. Don´t forget to dress properly, the temperature inside the cave stays under 6°C even in summer. Demänovská dolina Phone no.: +421/44/554 81 70 www.ssj.sk, admission: adults 7 €, children 3.50 € 1.6.-30.6.: Tue-Sun: tours 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00 1.7.-31.8.: daily: tours 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00 1.9.-30.9.: Tue-Sun: tours 9:30, 11:00, 12:30, 14:00, 1.10.-14.5.: closed
Under the 13 Stanišovská Ground and 12 Cave Towers (Stanišovská jaskyňa) [9 km] [13 km]
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You can explore this cave as a real speleologist and walk through underground spaces accompanied by a flickering light of a head lamp and a professional guide. Don´t be afraid to take your children. They are welcome here and consider the tour a big adventure. Adults are usually fascinated by a magical lake. Do you want to know why? Once your lover drinks from it, he or she will love you forever.
Jánska dolina 185 Phone no.: +421/908 640 061 www.stanisovska.sk admission: adults 6 €, children 3.50 €, LRC daily: tours 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00
What must be done to change a piece of ore to a coin? This exposition will tell you. Gold and ore used to be mined for centuries in the nearby valley of Jánska dolina. The ore was crushed, then washed in special containers, forged in smithies and finally minted to coins. You can try all these procedures on your own and use original tools and equipment. Liptovský Ján 150 Phone no.: +421/908 640 061, www.podvezami.sk admission: adults 4 €, children 2.50 €, LRC daily: tours 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00
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Bear´s adit (Medvedia štôlňa)
[13 km]
ACTIVITIES 14
It took the miners decades to dig the tunnels of the mine. Following the vision of gold, they would work with enormous effort and expose themselves to danger. You will see how difficult and hard their work was. That´s why they asked mysterious mine dwarfs for help. Look around carefully, you might see them around.
Žiarska dolina Phone no.: +421/908 640 061 www.stolna.sk, admission: adults 5 €, children 3 €, LRC Access to all parts of the valley of Žiarska dolina is limited due to a recent wind calamity and related cleaning works. Please call or visit the respective website to check the opening times of the mine, which were originally planned for 2014 as follows: 1.4.-31.10.: daily 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:30, 16:00 1.11.-31.3.: Sat-Sun, bank holidays, school holidays: 10:0016:00
Hiking Liptovský Mikuláš is surrounded by the mountain ranges of the Low and Western Tatras as well as the Chočské vrchy Mts. with hundreds of kilometres of marked tourist trails. And so the beauties of the Liptov nature and picturesque views are available for everybody. One can choose easy walks though valleys, longer trips across a mountainous terrain or all-day alpine hiking trips up to the altitude of 2,495 m. As for hiking, special insurance for the mountains is required. It covers the costs of the Mountain Rescue Service in case of a rescue or searching operation in the mountains. You can take it out at the Information Centre of the town too. For current conditions in the mountains, please see the website of the Mountain Rescue Service: www.hzs.sk.
Cyclotourism
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Cableways 15 on Mt. Chopok [15 km] The valley of Demänovská dolina with the resort of Jasná is the most popular and sought after area in the Low Tatras, which are literally interwoven with tourist trails. The second highest peak of this mountain range – Mt. Chopok (2,024 m) is accessible from the north and south via modern cableways. Your journey begins in the north, at the departure station Biela Púť, where you take a 4-seater chairlift, then a Twinliner funicular and finally a 24-person cable car called Funitel, which takes you to the top of Mt. Chopok. And there, you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and have some refreshment in the Rotunda restaurant. There is a new product you can use in this summer season – travelling to the other side of Mt.
Chopok and back for the price of a single ticket. Which means there are five cableways you can use in total and discover the southern side of Mt. Chopok as well. Families with children can look forward to adventurous cableway journeys in the footsteps of Damian the Dragon and various dragon attractions. Children will solve amusing riddles and learn something about the nature of the Low Tatras. But the resort of Jasná has much more to offer: a modern bike park with tracks of all difficulty levels - Rocky Mountain Bike World JASNÁ, a track for mountain carts with the total length of 4,350 m and vertical drop of 662 m from Mt. Chopok to Priehyba, a bungee trampoline or boating on a lake.
Demänovská dolina Phone No.: +421/907 886 644 www.jasna.sk tickets: adults 18 €, juniors 15 € children 13 €, LRC 31.5.-30.6. and 1.9.-5.10.: Biela Púť – Priehyba – Chopok – Kosodrevina – Srdiečko: daily 8:30-16:30 1.7.-31.8.: Biela Púť – Priehyba – Chopok – Kosodrevina – Srdiečko: daily 8:30-17:30 28.6.-31.8.: Záhradky – Priehyba – Chopok: 8:30 - 17:30
The total length of marked cycle routes in the region of Liptov is about 700 km and many of them begin in the town of Liptovský Mikuláš. Both bike parks in the region are worth visiting – in Jasná and Malinô Brdo. Apart from cycle maps, there is a new product for cyclists from summer 2014 - a new web and mobile phone application. It offers various interactive maps and provides a lot of tourist information.
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Bobsleigh track in Pavčina Lehota [9 km]
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Try the steepest bobsleigh track in Slovakia. It´s 1,000 metres long and you will surmount a vertical drop of 120 metres, with 16 curves and 6 jumps. You can have a 20% discount when buying the tickets at the Information Centre of the town Liptovský Mikuláš. Pavčina Lehota Phone no.: +421/903 567 680 www.ziarce.sk 1 ride: adults 3.50 €, children 3 €, LRC 1.4.-30.6.: daily 9:30-17:00, 1.7.-31.8.: daily 9:00-20:00, 1.9.-31.10.: daily 9:30-17:30
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Scooters
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[13 km Liptovský Mikuláš - mouth of Žiarska dolina] Žiarska dolina is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Western Tatras. But it was affected by a wind calamity in May 2014. As the area is still being cleaned nowadays, access to all parts of the valley is limited. Please respect all instructions on the information board placed before the entrance to the valley. Žiarska chalet is accessible at specific times only. The walk takes about 1.5 hours from the mouth of the valley. Žiarska chalet is a popular starting point for alpine hiking trips, you can have some refreshment here and rest for a while. On your way back, you can use scooters that are available at a rental next to the chalet and return them after a 6-kilometre-long descent at the car park next to the mouth of the valley.
Žiarska dolina Phone no.: +421/904 744 452, +421/903 102 994 www.kolobezky.eu price: 5 € / scooter (discounts possible), LRC As the valley is still being cleaned after a wind calamity, please call or see the respective website to check the opening times. The operation depends also on weather. Originally, it was planned for the year 2014 as follows: 17.6.-30.6.: Sat-Sun, bank holidays: 11:00-18:00, 1.7.-30.9.: daily 11:00-18:00, 1.10.-31.10.: Sat-Sun, bank holidays: 11:00-17:00
Liptovská Mara – boat 18 cruises [7 km] The biggest water dam in Slovakia as for the volume - Liptovská Mara – is a popular summer destination. There is the so called Mara camping site located on the northern bank, a beach, a boat and pedal boat rental, a children´s playground and a sports area. Boat cruises can be really refreshing on hot summer days. There are three types of them and they all begin at the port next to the car camping site. For current times, please check the website.
27 MÁRIA (55-person boat), Phone no.: +421/915 855 444, www.lodmaria.sk price: adults 9 €, children 6 €, children under 3 years free of charge, LRC FATIMA (20-person boat), Phone no.: +421/907 341 840 www.maralod.sk price: adults 10 €, children 5 €, children under 8 years free of charge 15.6.-20.9.: daily: 8:00-19:00 every hour MARA (12- person boat) Phone no.: +421/917 261 274, www.lodmara.sk, price: adults 9 €, children 6 €, the whole boat to rent from 65 € LRC May, June, September, October: regular cruises at weekends, other days upon arrangement, July-August: regular cruises every day (including the port of Dechtáre)
Distances mentioned with descriptions of individual journeys or tracks are distances between Liptovský Mikuláš and the respective tourist destination/location.
INFORMATION CENTRE of the town Liptovský Mikuláš Námestie mieru 1, 031 01 Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia Phone no.: +421/44/16 186, 552 24 18 Fax: +421/44/551 44 48 www.mikulas.travel www.mikulas.sk e-mail: info@mikulas.sk facebook: Informačné centrum mesta GPS: N 49°05´8.70´´ E 19°36´42.47´´ 1.7.–14.9.: Mon–Fri: 9:00–18:00, Sat: 9:00–17:00, Sun: 9:00–17:00 15.9.–30.6.: Mon–Fri: 9:00–17:00, Sat: 9:00–13:00, Sun: closed INFORMATION ABOUT THE TOWN AND REGION: - tourist information - accommodation packages - culture and sports events GUIDE SERVICES: - free guided town tours in July and August every Friday at 4:00 p.m. - guide services must be booked in advance except July and August, LRC OTHER SERVICES: - accommodation arrangement - exchange services - insurance for the mountains - sale of state fishing licences - advertising and fax services - internet access TICKET SALE: - events held in Liptovský Mikuláš - via TICKETPORTAL, TICKETART and PREDPREDAJ.SK
SALE OF: - tourist maps, atlases, guide books, books - souvenirs LIPTOV REGION CARD ...more attractions for less money A key to the biggest outdoor arena and natural playground in Slovakia that guarantees discounts from 5 % to 100 % on the biggest attractions and most popular travel destinations in the region of Liptov all year round. Available at the Information Centre of the town for 5 € only. www.liptovcard.sk LRC – discounts with the Liptov Region Card wheelchair accessible PRICES AND OPENING TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE Important telephone numbers: • Emergency telephone number 112 • Mountain Rescue Service Low Tatras +421/44/559 16 78, +421/18 300 • Mountain Rescue Service Western Tatras +421/44/558 62 18, +421/18 300 • roadside assistance +421/903 804 856 Published by: Information Centre of the town Liptovský Mikuláš, Town of Liptovský Mikuláš, OOCR REGION LIPTOV (regional tourism organisation), 2014 Graphic layout: Eva Dudzíková Photos: archive of the Information Centre of the town, Museum of Janko Kráľ and OOCR REGION LIPTOV, Ján Svidran, Ing. Michal Rengevič The project is fi nancially supported by the Ministry of Transport, Construction and Regional Development of the Slovak Republic.