The wooden articular church, The new evangelical church

The church dates back to the times of religios opression of protestants, who were only allowed to build their own churches in 1681 following the 26.-th article of the Sopron assembly. Protestant churches were allowed to be built on an exactly marked place always outside town fortification. The costs of the construction were carried by the parish, that was the reason why wood was used as the only construction material, also nails were wooden. The first building stood in 1687, in 1717 the church was reconstructed. It is placed on four rounded columns and circuit walls. Together approximately 1500 people can sit the ground and six choirs. In 1985 the church was declared the National cultural memorial.

The new evangelical church

Its history reaches the end of the 19.-th century (1894), when in the old wooden church arose statical problems. Kezmarok protestants decided to build a new, more representative church. Plans were donated by Theofil Hansen - the main architect of Austrian - Hungarian monarchy. In the interior rules strict symetry (very non-typically are impressing two pulpits). In the church there is the tomb of Imrich Thököly, the leader of anticaesarian uprising. It was built in 1909.

Visiting hours:
During the main touristical season Mo - Su 9 - 12 14- 17.00
Out of season Tu, Fr 10 - 12 14- 16.00
Tel. +421/52/4522242

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The Holy Cross basilica, The Paulinius church

The Holy Cross basilika has its beginnings in a Slavic settlement, which is witnessed by its name - Windischgrund /slavic area/ used for centuries. The oldest stone parts are from the 13.-th century. Today's shape has the basilika received in an imposing gothic reconstruction in 1444-1498. The town Kezmarok and also castle owner Zapolsky also helped by the reconstruction - both maecenas immortalized their coats-of-arms in the small portal of the church. The vault has three patterns - net, star and cross pattern which is also a sign of reconstructions. Another sign is the sanctuary, which is placed higher than the main ship. The interior is mostly gothic - side altars, baptistery, benches. From 1518 is a reniassance bench under the big choir, where the town council and mayor used to sit. One of the most valuable part is the statue of Christ from the main altar, which is thought to be carved in the master Vit Stwosz's workshop. Next to the church there is a renaissance belfry from 1591.

The Paulinius church

The Paulinius church was built on the place of three citizen houses donated by (at that time) protestant town to the catholics. That was an act of gratitude because the prominents of catholics helped them by conflict with the Thököly family - owners of Kezmarok castle. The church was built in 1654. In 1741 it was burned down and 6 years later began its late-baroque reconstruction paid by the Paulinius church. The interior is also gothic.



Visiting hours:
The Holy Cross church is open only during the main season (june - september) Mo - Fr 9 - 17.00
The Paulinius church can be looked into only through the main portal.
Tel. +421/52/4522220

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Town hall

The building of today's town hall was originally built in gothic style in 1461. In 1541 - 1555 it was rebuilt in renaissance style, in 1641 the tower was erected. After a fire in 1779 another - this time classicist reconstruction took place. It got the today's shape after the last fire in 1922 - the second floor was added. On the south side there is a part of a late - gothic triple - window and an original renaissance portal with the coat-of-arms fo Kezmarok. On the east side parts of gothic and renaissance windows can be seen. Nowadays the town hall serves as a seat of town office.
Visiting hours:
The town hall is freely accesible on the Main Square during the opening hours of town office - there is no museum in it.

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Redoute

A guard tower stood originally on the place of today's redoute, later rebuilt to a renaissance house. In 1705 - 1707 there was printing office of Matej Glaser - Vitriari in the building , in which books in Slovak, German, Hungarian and Latin languages were printed. In 1818 the house was rebuilt into today's shape and since that time it has been serving as a centre of cultural life in Kezmarok. On the facade there is the coat-of-arms of Kezmarok painted and an inscription, which says that the house serves for guards, guests and entertainment. Today there is the town library and a cinema in the building.

Visiting hours:
The same as in the case of town hall.

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The Old Market street

The Old Market street is thought to be the oldest street in Kezmarok - the foundations of most houses are from the 13,-th century. On both upper and lower parts of the street there are typical regional craftsman houses - behind the houses there is torso of town fortification concluded in the direction to the castle with the former Lower gate. The most interesting are the houses No. 33 and 47 - both are thought to be the buildings of the first Kezmarok town hall and later hospital.

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Michael's hill, railway station

Michael's hill is a valuable archeological locality. In 1987 the foundations of the St.Michael's church from the 12-th century were disclosed. The church belonged to one of the oldest settlements on the area of future Kezmarok. The church was built in 12-th century, in the 13-th century tower was erected. A large burying ground was disclosed by the church. After the incrusion of Hussits it was pulled down in 1434. Its foundations, which were mostly underground, were partly destroyed during the construction of railroad in 1889 and railway station in 1914 - 1916.

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