Levoča is a town in thePrešov Region of easternSlovakia with a population of 14,700 (2016). The town has a historic centre with a well preserved town wall, a Renaissance church with the tallest wooden altar in the world, carved by Master Paul of Levoča, and many other Renaissance buildings. The town is known in German asLeutschau and in Hungarian asLöcse.

In 2009, Levoča was added by UNESCO to itsWorld Heritage List.

Levoča is in the historical region ofSpiš (formerly Szepes County), which was inhabited as early as the Stone Age. In the 11th century, this region was conquered and became part of the Kingdom ofHungary. It remained Hungarian until 1918. After the Mongol invasions of 1241/1242, the area was also settled by Germans. The town became the capital of the Association of Spiš Germans, with a form of self-rule within the Kingdom of Hungary. The oldest written reference to the city of Levoča dates back to 1249. In 1317, Levoča (at that time generally known by the German name of Leutschau) received the status of a royal town. In 1321 wide-ranging concessions were granted enticing merchants, craftsmen and mine-developers to settle in the town.

In the 15th century Levoča, on an intersection of trade routes between Poland and Hungary, became a rich centre of commerce. It exported iron, copper, furs, leather, corn, and wine. At the same time the town became an important cultural centre. The English humanist Leonard Cox taught around 1520 in a school in Levoča. The bookseller Brewer fromWittenberg transformed his bookstore in a prolific printing plant, that lasted for 150 years. Finally, one of the best-known medieval woodcarvers, Master Paul of Levoča, settled here. In this period of prosperity several churches were built and the town had a school, library, pharmacy, and physicians. Levoča was a center of theProtestant Reformation in Northern Hungary.

The town kept this cultural and economic status until the end of 16th century, in spite of two damaging fires: the first in 1550 and another in 1599. The town started to decline during the anti-Habsburg uprisings in the 17th century. In a lurid sequence of events in 1700, the mayor of the town was accidentally wounded by a local nobleman during a hunt, generating a series of revenge attacks, finally resulting in the murder of the mayor, Karol Kramler. The mayor's arm was then cut off, embalmed, and preserved in the town hall as a call to further revenge. This became the subject of a novel about the town,The Black City, by the writer Kálmán Mikszáth.

The economic importance of the town was further diminished in 1871 when theKošice–Bohumín Railway was built just 8 km to the south, bypassing Levoča and going through the nearby town of Igló, (today known by its Slovak name,Spišská Nová Ves). Later, in 1892, a spur line was built from Spišská Nová Ves railway station to Levoča. After the Treaty of Trianon and the dismantling of the Kingdom of Hungary, the city became part of the newly formed Czechoslovakia and its traditional Slovak name of Levoča was formally adopted. Later, during World War II, under the auspices of the First Slovak Republic, 981 local Jews were deported from the town to extermination camps.

On July 3, 1995 Levoča was visited by Pope John Paul II. He celebrated a mass for 650,000 celebrants at the traditional pilgrim site ofMariánska hora, a hill about 2 km north of Levoča with a spectacular view of the town.

Levoča remains a quiet, almost sleepy, town - unless there is a major event taking place, they roll the pavements up at about 20:30. The populations who created an intellectual centre over the past centuries - Hungarians, Germans and Jews - have largely vanished as a result of the political turmoil of the 20th century, and the town's inhabitants are now mostly Slovak, but with a substantial minority of Roma (gypsies). Despite Levoča's UNESCO World Heritage status, little has been done to capitalise on the town's enormous tourist potential, and whilst this is in one sense attractive to visitors, it doesn't much help the town's economy. Nevertheless, an interesting sign is the increasing number of foreigners who have bought and restored some of the historic buildings in the main square and its surrounding streets - these include Britons, Belgians, Israelis, Ukrainians and at least one New Zealander - so the town is gradually developing its reputation and a cosmopolitan population.

As a former 'royal city' Levoča is a member of the 'Pentapolitana' association which links it withKošice,Bardejov,Prešov, andSabinov in developing education, culture and tourism.

Levoča lies at an altitude of 570 m (1,870 ft) above sea level and covers an area of 64.042 km² (24.7 sq mi). It is in the northern part of the Hornád Basin at the foothills of the Levoča Hills, at the stream Levočský potok, a tributary of the Hornád river.Poprad is 25 km (16 mi) to the west,Prešov 50 km (31 mi) to the east,Košice 90 km (56 mi) to the southeast andBratislava 370 km (230 mi) to the southwest.

'"`UNIQ--maplink-00000002-QINU`"'

Map of Levoča

To get to Levoca centre from the49.018920.58682bus station, either walk straight through the apartment blocks and estates behind the station, and take the second or third left to bring you out onto the main road. Alternatively, take a right turn at the station, walk around the corner and you can cross the road, and walk up through the town. This is the easier option for those with lots of baggage.

Thehistorical centre, within the mediaeval fortifications, is quite small can be easily covered on foot.

• Renaissance old town and square.(updated Nov 2016)
• Fortifications and the two surviving gates:
  • 49.027320.593481Košice gate(at the main road entrance to the town).(updated Nov 2016)
  • Polish gate(behind the 'Black Church' (see below)).(updated Nov 2016)
• 49.026320.58912Sv. Jakob (St.James) Church.It contains the world's tallest wooden altar, a masterpiece of Master Paul of Levoca. The interior of Sv. Jakob is fascinating. Anyone who has an interest in architecture, art or even a passing interest in history will enjoy a visit, marvelling at the quality of the restored carvings of Master Pavel's school, the 14th century murals, the stained glass windows that sparkle in the sunlight and the centuries old pews, worn and moulded by the previous inhabitants of Levoca. Visitors from England should take note of the statue of St. George slaying the dragon. For tourist purposes, tickets for access must be bought in the shop located opposite the main door of the Church. Guided tours are provided, and books, postcards etc. are available inside. After this you should visit Master Paul's House.(updated Nov 2016)
• Master Paul's House.In the main square opposite the Church, where nowadays his museum is located. This museum is a 'must-see' as it contains superb replicas of the painted wooden sculptures in the Church which it thus enables you to see at close range. They are exquisite and profoundly moving.(updated Nov 2016)
• 49.0257920.588623Renaissance town hall.The building of the Town Hall is attached to a Renaissance tower, which was built between 1656 and 1661 as a bell-tower. There are some exhibits of the Spis Museum on the first floor of the Town Hall. Its Council Chamber is often used for presentations.(updated Nov 2016)
• Town theatre.The exquisite 18th-century theatre, the oldest building in Slovakia which has served continually as a theatre, is embedded in a larger modern structure, which also includes the town's Congress Hall. The theatre and hall offer a wide variety of performances, cultural events, and concerts, but also facilities for organizing congresses, seminars and various social events.(updated Nov 2016)
• Medieval cage of shame.This dates to the 16th century and it was used for punishing for minor delinquencies. Its original place was where the Protestant Church is now. Later, it belonged to the Probstner family and it was placed in their park, which was where the hospital is now. The Cage was given to the town by the Probstner family in 1933 and since then, it has been in front of the Town Hall.(updated Nov 2016)
• Neo-Classical Lutheran Church.The Lutheran church, in a cruciform layout and dating from the early 19th century, is somwewhat neglected, the congregation for the most part having been expelled in 1948 due to their ethnic German origin. These days, no more than 70 people frequent religious services. When the church is open for visits, a very friendly lady meets you at the main door, and leaflets describing the history of the church are available in Slovak, English, German, and Russian. Walking around the chapel, take note of the grand organ, a gift from the Lutheran community of Berlin from the early 1900s. There is also a memorial to the inhabitants of Levoca who fell in World War I. The upkeep of the building is a major strain on the community, so a donation, or the purchase of a few postcards on this otherwise free attraction are gratefully accepted.(updated Nov 2016)
• 49.026920.59314Baroque Church of the Holy Spirit(near the Košice gate).(updated Nov 2016)
• Gothic Cloister(in the Minorites Monastery, in Klaštorská street, behind the main square).Adjoining is the so-calledBlack Church.(updated Nov 2016)
• The Large Provincial House.Between 1806−1826, an architect from the city of Eger, Anton Povolny, built a grandiose administration building, the Large Provincial House, as the seat of the town's administration. He adjusted its Classicistic style to Levoca's Renaissance character by emphasizing the horizontal lines.(updated Nov 2016)
• The Spis Museum(in the main square).Dedicated to ethnology and history of the Spis region. Some sculptures of Master Paul are also on display.(updated Nov 2016)

Levoča Mariánska púť, 1st Sunday of June. Large pilgrimage/gathering on the hill around Marianska Hora - up to 250,000 people can turn up from across Eastern Europe. A good, friendly, carnival atmosphere.

Dni Majstra Pavla/Days of Master Paul. Occurs before the second weekend of August. Open air fairs (hand crafted souvenirs), folk dancing, open air cinema and a big town square laser show/disco to round off the weeks festivities.

Levočské babie leto/ Indian Summer in Levoča Classical musical festival taking place every year in October. Musicians from all over Europe take part in the extravaganza.

Buy local crafts, especially during the 'Days of Master Paul' fair in August (see below). Particularly recommended; woven table and decorative cloths; carvings; shepherd's wooden musical pipes (fujárs).

Also look in the gallery attached to the art school in the main square for paintings by local artists.

• Kupecká Bašta(Merchants' Tower),Kukučínová 2,☏+421 908 989 626,+421 907 998 044,info@kupeckabasta.sk.Popular restaurant on the historic town wall, close to the Košice Gate(updated Jun 2020)
• Planeta Levoča Cafe & Restaurant.Modern cafe (also a bar) with a more non-Slovak leaning menu. The food is fine, well priced, the beer is faultless, the staff are welcoming, and they provide a selection of breakfast and vegetarian options too. Located at the end of the square opposite the Lutheran church, beside an internet cafe, it's cheap and cheerful for a lunchtime snack, but does not serve food in the evenings, when it becomes solely a bar (see below).(updated Jun 2020)
• Reštaurácia U 3 Apoštolov(At the Three Apostles),Nám.Majstra Pavla 11,3apostol@vmnet.sk.An old style restaurant, opposite St, Jakob's Church. This place is very comfortable, the staff are accommodating, and the portions really hit the spot, especially if the day has been spent travelling. A mixture of Slovak, meat, fish dishes are served, and the vegetarian pancake is divine. They also have an excellent selection of wines - and try their extra strengthgazdovce slivovic as an aperitif!(updated Jun 2020)

Many of the town's hotels also have good value restaurants (see 'Sleep' below)

Other attractions of theSpiš region are nearby, including the national parkSlovenský Raj,Spiš Castle, theTatra mountains,Vysoke Tatry, and the towns ofKežmarok andPoprad.