Wooden churches in Slovakia is something you must see while on your trip to Slovakia. And if not all then pay a visit to at least those that are inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List.
You can find them particularly in north-eastern Slovakia in the villages of Bodružal, Ladomirová, Hervartov, Ruská Bystrá, Sobrance, Kežmarok but also in Orava region and the village of Leštiny, but also in the village of Hronsek located in the middle of Slovakia.
Wooden Church of Vyšný Komárnik, Svidník, Slovakia
However other wooden churches in the country are not worse or less significant. Overall, you will find up to 50 well preserved wooden churches in Slovakia, which is not a lot if you consider the fact that there were about 300 such religious buildings in the past.
Wooden Church of Nižný Komárnik, Svidník, Slovakia
They were built exclusively of wood without using nails in the 16th to 18th centuries. Some of them were gradually dismantled and moved to various open-air museums and built again according to the strict documentation.
Wooden Church of Bodružal, Svidník, Slovakia
Such moved churches can be found for example in the Museum of the Slovak Village in Martin, Museum of Orava Village in Zuberec, Museum of Ukrainian-Ruthenian Culture in Svidník, Open Air museum of Bardejov Spa resort, open-air museum in Humenné, open-air museum in Stará Ľubovňa or in the area of the The East Slovak Museum in Košice.
Wooden Church from within, Vyšný Komárnik, Svidník, Slovakia
Churches still serve to the people but you can also get inside as a tourist. Churches are equipped with a board where you can find a telephone number or address of the church administrator so you can call him and ask to open a church for you.
Wooden Church of Miroľa, Svidník, Slovakia
It is recommended to plan your visit out the winter season, because some of the churches are located in hard to reach areas. The road can remain snow-covered even for several days (although some people are still living there).
Wooden Church of Korejovce, Svidník, Slovakia
Most churches also have a bell tower, which is located right next to the church and are also available for a visit.
Wooden Church of Hunkovce, Svidník, Slovakia
If you enter the church, you will notice images that are on the wall in front of the altar. It is iconostasis, which means a wall of icons and religious paintings that separates the altar from the rest of the church. The icons ordering has strict rules and they are a combination of artistic architecture, paintings and woodcuts.
Wooden Church of Ladomirová, Svidník, Slovakia
The most of these churches are Greek Catholic (especially those in eastern Slovakia), also known as Ruthenian or Orthodox, but they are also Roman Catholic or Protestant.
Wooden Church of Krajné Čierno, Svidník, Slovakia
If you decide to visit the wooden churches in Slovakia, you will never regret. They are not interesting only for their architecture, and your religious orientation is not important here as well…
Wooden Church of Šemetkovce, Svidník, Slovakia
…but they are located in the beautiful Slovak mountains and provide magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. Either directly from the hills on which they are built, or from the roads leading to them.
Wooden Church of Dobroslava, Svidník, Slovakia
The Greek Catholic wooden church from Matysová was built in 1833, and since 1979 can be found in open-air museum of folk architecture in Stará Ľubovňa and since then it is one of its greatest values.
The Greek Catholic wooden church from Matysová
After visiting the open-air museum of folk architecture and castle above it in Stará Ľubovňa pay a visit to a nearby village Hraničné, where you can find another wooden church.
Unlike the other wooden churches this one is Roman Catholic wooden church and was built in the 1785.
The Roman Catholic wooden church Hraničné, Slovakia
All photos taken by Julius for Travel via Europe
Related: What to visit in Slovakia
