Holiday apartment in Moldava nad Bodvou: Churches, Karst and Wine Tradition

Moldava nad Bodvou combines striking natural landscapes with a rich cultural history. The Moldavská jaskyňa cave lies in the karst of the Medzevská pahorkatina upland, on the border between Slovenský kras and the Košická kotlina basin. The cave is over 3 km long and is one of the thirty longest caves in Slovakia. Six bat species and 83 species of invertebrates have been identified there.

Culture and History

The Roman Catholic Church is located in the historic centre. It was built in the 15th century under King Matthias Corvinus in the Gothic style, on the foundations of a masonry church that already existed before 1290, and is listed among the cultural monuments. The Reformed Church also stands in the square in the historic centre. Dating from 1773, it was built in the Classicist style and features an intricately carved pulpit.

The Národopisné múzeum s kováčskou vyhňou is housed in a stone building constructed around 1850 at Hlavná ulica 130. The front section contains an authentic blacksmith's workshop with an open hearth. The museum is accessible only by prior appointment with the Municipal Cultural Centre. Another historic landmark in the townscape is the Szojkova brána, a copy of a wooden gate unveiled in 1996 to commemorate the town fire of 1795.

The Chapel of Saint Roch stands on a hill outside the built-up area, in the cadastral territory of Moldava nad Bodvou. It was built in 1833 in honour of the patron saint, Saint Roch, and in memory of the victims of the cholera epidemic that broke out in the town in 1831. Every year in August, a mass with indulgence is celebrated in the chapel in memory of the victims. It is open only during these annual services.

Nature and Trails

A green-marked hiking trail to the Moldavská skalná brána rock gate begins at the Moldava nad Bodvou railway station. The Moldavská skalná brána is accessible in the Hazalutov locality, directly within the town of Moldava nad Bodvou, and lies there in the Moldavský kras. This is part of Slovenský kras National Park, but is not an officially protected area. Moldava nad Bodvou also provides an opportunity for a trip to the Zádielska dolina valley.

With its infrastructure and services, Moldava nad Bodvou is a starting point for various local-history and nature excursions in the surrounding area. The destinations mentioned represent different scales: natural attractions can be found both within the town and in the karst and landscape area along the border between the larger geographical regions.

Wine

The wine museum is located in one of the cellars beneath the Municipal Cultural Centre of Moldava nad Bodvou. Two- and three-storey cellars were built in the town for storing wine and agricultural produce. A commemorative plaque recalls Máté Laczkó Szepsi (1576–1633), a preacher, teacher, historian and poet who is regarded as the first producer of Tokajer Samotok (“Aszú”).

Other Places

Bukovec, Budimír, Medzev, Vyšný Klátov, Košická Belá, Štós, Opátka, Nižná Myšľa

To the higher-level travel overview: Košice-Okolie District.