Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The location, right on the main square, is ideal, and the position away from the main
highway means less noise at night.
Námestie Majstra Pavla 55.
&
053/451-2943.
Fax 053/451-4486. www.hotelsatel.com. 23 units. 2,700 Sk
($90/£49) double. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities:
Restaurant; health club and spa; limited room service; massage; non-
smoking rooms. In room:TV, minibar, hair dryer, safe.
WHERE TO DINE
The range of eating choices is smaller and less agreeable than the hotels, but fine for
the length of time you're likely to be here.
Cafet
CAFE An inviting art cafe that serves freshly ground coffee, beer,
wine, and soft drinks (but no food) in a funky, arcaded interior about midway up the
main square. The cafe's young owner is trying to raise locals' appreciation for high-
quality coffee, which he says is succeeding but going slowly. Good luck to him.
Námestie Majstra Pavla 9.
&
0902/308-631.
Coffee 30 Sk ($1/55p). No credit cards. Daily 10am-10pm.
Pizzeria
PIZZA This is better than most of the small-town Slovak pizzerias you're
likely to run across. No surprises on the menu. You'll find the same combinations of
cheese, ham, corn, sausage, bacon, and whatever else they can put on a pizza, but the
crust is thinner and crispier than the norm. The main dining area is nonsmoking, and
the two tables on the terrace command an inspiring view of the Marian church in the
distance.
Veprova 4. No phone. Lunch and dinner 90 Sk-150 Sk ($3-$5/£1.65-£2.75). No credit cards. Daily 11am-10pm.
Slovenská Restaurácia
SLOVAK The nicest spot in town for that traditional Slo-
vak meal, either on the outdoor terrace in nice weather or in the warm, peasant-style
dining rooms, complete with wagon wheels on the walls. As you might expect, the
emphasis here is on simple Slovak meals done well. The house specialty, a potato pan-
cake stuffed with a spicy mix of pork and beef, is recommended.
Námestie Majstra Pavla 62.
&
053/451-2339.
Lunch and dinner items 120 Sk-240 Sk ($4-$8/£2.20-£4.40). No
credit cards. Daily 11am-10pm.
Finds
EXPLORING LEVOC A
Levo
c
a is essentially a one-horse town and all of the main sights are perched along the
town's oblong square, Námestie Majstra Pavla. The four free-standing buildings at the
center form the most important complex of structures in town. Here you'll find the
Roman Catholic Church, St. Jacobs (Chrám Sv. Jakuba), as well as the former town hall,
the current town hall, and the main Protestant church. Start your exploration from St.
Jacobs, with its fabulous wood-carved altar (the only absolute must-see) and move on
from there. The Old Town Hall (Levo
c
ská Radnica) behind the church is recognizable
from its handsome Renaissance arches dating from the 17th century. The original town
hall, built in the 15th century, burned in a fire in 1550. In front of the Old Town Hall
you'll see a large bird cage-like contraption. This is the so-called “cage of shame,” once
allegedly used to hold adulterous women. Across the street from the Old Town Hall is
the Spi
s
Regional Museum. Take a stroll on both sides of the square to admire the old
baroque and Renaissance housing stock in all states of repair and disrepair.
St. Jacob's Church (Chrám Sv. Jacuba)
The richness of the interior of this
church is a testament to the town's former wealth and importance. Parts of the church
go as far back as the 14th century. The high point is certainly the wooden altarpiece,
carved over a period of 10 years by Master Pavol of Levo
c
a in the 16th century. At more
than 18m (55 ft.) in height, it's commonly described the world's largest of its kind. Look