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Church · Poprad, Prešov
St. Giles Church (Kostol svätého Egídia)
The Gothic church in the middle of Poprad’s main square, with medieval frescoes inside and a separate Renaissance bell tower beside it.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About St. Giles Church (Kostol svätého Egídia)
The Church of Saint Giles (Kostol svätého Egídia) stands in the center of Saint Giles Square, Poprad’s main, elongated pedestrian square. It is the oldest building in the town: the Gothic church was built in the 13th century and expanded in later centuries, when Poprad was one of the German merchant towns of Spiš.
The interior holds 15th-century medieval frescoes, uncovered and restored in the 20th century, with scenes of the Passion of Christ and of saints. Some Baroque decoration was partially removed in the restorations to reveal the older paintings.
Next to the church is the bell tower, separate from the main building, as is common in the Spiš towns. It has a Renaissance upper section with decorative crenelations, and is one of the square’s landmarks.
The surrounding square has two-story houses from the 18th and 19th centuries, cafés and a walking connection to the station. The church is parish-run, and visits to the interior follow mass times or openings arranged with the parish.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
20 to 40 minutes for the church, the tower and the square.
Best time
During daytime, near mass times, when the church usually opens. The square is pleasant in the late afternoon, with the tower lit by low light.
How to get there
It is in central Poprad, about a 10-minute walk from Poprad-Tatry station, heading south to the square.
Tip
Combine with Spišská Sobota on the same day: the two churches show medieval Spiš art. If the church is closed, see the bell tower and the square and return at mass time.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about St. Giles Church (Kostol svätého Egídia)
Where is the Church of Saint Giles in Poprad?
In the middle of Saint Giles Square, the town’s main square, about a 10-minute walk from the station.
What can you see inside the Church of Saint Giles?
The 15th-century Gothic frescoes, with scenes of the Passion of Christ and of saints, restored in the 20th century.
Is the tower beside the Church of Saint Giles part of it?
It is the church’s bell tower, built separate from the main building, with a Renaissance top, as in other Spiš towns.