Slovakia - Eastern Europe - page 635

takes places at the Marian church, the white building on a hill about a mile outside of
town and easily visible from side streets running off the main square. If your visit hap-
pens to coincide with the pilgrimage, it probably goes without saying, don't even
dream of finding a room.
ESSENTIALS
Getting There
BY BUS The bus is the only way to get to Levo c a using public transportation. The
bus station is a short walk from the main square. The regional bus hub is in Spi s ska
Nová Ves, about 10km (6 miles) away. Frequent buses ply the route daily from there
to Levo c a.
BY CAR Levo c a is on the main road connecting Poprad to points east. The drive
from Poprad takes under an hour. Ko s ice is about an hour away to the east.
Visitor Information
The main tourist information office, SUZ, is situated on the main square (Námestie
Majstra Pavla 58; & 053/451 - 3763; http://suz.levoca.sk). The office is a good first
stop for brochures on the sites and can advise on hotel and restaurant options. The
official town website, a source for basic information like population and various other
statistics and links, is also helpful (www.levoca.sk).
WHERE TO STAY
Levo c a is blessed with a few decent hotels, including arguably one of the best mom-
and-pop hotels in the country. It's best to try to book in advance during the summer,
and well in advance if you plan to be here in early July when the pilgrims hit town. In
winter, you'll likely have the entire town to yourself.
Barbakan The Barbakan is less overall appealing than the Satel (below), but wel-
coming and comfortable for an overnight stay. The hotel occupies three floors of a
burgher's house, a block off the main square. The rooms, particularly the doubles at the
back of the hotel, are well appointed, with hardwood floors, throw rugs, and roomy
bathrooms with big new bathtubs. Whether you choose a double or a single, ask for a
room away from the main road. The house restaurant is decent in a pinch, but the food
is frankly better at the Satel and a couple of other restaurants around town.
Kosická 15. & 053/451-4310. Fax [phone]. www.barbakan.sk. 12 units. 1,600 Sk ($53/£29) double. AE, DC,
MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; limited room service. In room:TV, minibar, hair dryer.

Penzión pri Kosickej bráne A no-frills bed-and-bath pension, right next to the
Barbakan and about 15m (50 ft.) or so from the main square. The building, which
dates from the 16th century, is lovely, but the room furnishings are the standard-issue
particleboard beds and desks. The four-bed apartment is spacious and represents real
value if you're traveling in a larger group.
Kosická 16. & 053/469-9713. www.penzionkosicka.sk. 9 units. 800 Sk ($27/£15) double. AE, DC, MC, V. Ameni-
ties: Restaurant.
Satel This is Levo c a's nicest hotel and one of the best small hotels of any
Slovak town. The rooms are spotless, with inviting, modern furnishings and beautiful
hardwood floors. Some of the rooms have the original Renaissance-era vaulting. Don't
miss the gorgeous Renaissance-arcaded restaurant/cafe in the back. An on-site sauna
and small wellness center add to the, frankly, unexpected charms of this family-run inn.

Finds