 HISTORY
The history of Kezmarok is very rich and interesting, it introduces a
symbiosis  of cultures of 3 nationalities - Slovak,
German and Hungarian nationality.
These 3 nationalities had been living peacefully side by
side for many centuries.
The town Kezmarok
was established by combining several
settlements of Slavic inhabitants with a settlement of
German colonists. In the year 1269 the
three settlements received the Urban right and became a
town. Free royal town Kezmarok got also many privileges:
the right to use its own coat-of-arms, the right of
sword, the right of two annual markets, the right of free
fishing and using wood, problematical right of sword and
many others.
Kezmarok was situated on an important tradeway which
con nected the Orient with north Europe. That's why it has
been developing very fast. From 15th until the 19th
century there have worked 38 crafts (guilds)
in Kezmarok. With this number it was on the 4th place in
the whole Slovakia.
The development of the town has been interrupted several
times by wars. There were together 13 wars in
the Kezmarok area. Two of them were interesting. The
first was the war with nearby town Levoca. These two
towns fought with each other because of the right of
store. Second war was the fight with the castle which is
situated inside the town. For almost 250 years the
owners of the castle have been trying to posses the free
royal town Kezmarok not respecting its privileges. The
war has been concluded in the year 1702.
Our town has more than 700 years and
that's why there are many architectonical styles here.
Kezmarok belongs to 17 urban historical memorial
reservations. There are also two national
cultural memorials - the wooden articular church
and the lyceum.
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