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Church and viewpoint · Spišská Nová Ves, Košice
Church of the Assumption of the Virgin (Spišská Nová Ves)
The 14th-century Gothic church in the middle of Spišská Nová Ves’s square, with a neo-Gothic 87-meter tower—the country’s tallest church tower. The tower has a viewing platform over the town and the High Tatras and is accessed through the information center.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Church of the Assumption of the Virgin (Spišská Nová Ves)
The Church of the Assumption (Kostol Nanebovzatia Panny Márie) is the main church of Spišská Nová Ves and stands in the middle of the square, which is lens-shaped, elongated north to south. The three-nave basilica is Gothic, from the second half of the 14th century, and houses interior artworks from the period, such as a cross-shaped reliquary and a bronze baptismal font.
The tower was rebuilt in neo-Gothic style at the end of the 19th century and measures 87 meters, making it the tallest church tower in Slovakia. At the top is the country’s highest belfry, with five bells driven by a single clock mechanism that also moves the seven dials on the façade. Four statues of the evangelists, each over three meters tall, stand on the tower.
The ascent of the tower is organized by the city’s tourist information center year-round at set times. From the viewing platform you can see the whole square, the roofs of the center, the Hornád valley, the Slovak Paradise and, on clear days, the ridge of the High Tatras.
Around the church, the square groups the classical town hall from 1777–1779, the evangelical church from 1790–1796 and the Provincial House, with a rococo façade, which houses the Spiš Museum.
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
About an hour for the tower climb and the church interior.
Best time
On a clear day to see the Tatras from the viewpoint; visibility is often better in the morning. The climb follows the information center’s schedule, and the church closes to visitors during masses.
How to get there
It stands in the middle of the main square (Radničné námestie), about a 10-minute walk from the train station.
Tip
Ask at the tourist information center, located on the square, for the tower ascent times. Then walk the square end to end to understand its lens shape.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Church of the Assumption of the Virgin (Spišská Nová Ves)
How tall is the church tower in Spišská Nová Ves?
87 meters. It is the tallest church tower in Slovakia.
Can you climb the tower of the Church of the Assumption?
Yes, year-round, at times set by the city’s tourist information center.
What can you see from the top of the Spišská Nová Ves tower?
The square and town center, the Hornád valley, the Slovak Paradise, and, in clear weather, the High Tatras.