Holiday apartment in Nižná Myšľa: Monastery, archaeology and Skalka

Nižná Myšľa lies at the transition between the Košice Basin and the Slanské vrchy, at the confluence of the Hornád, Olšava and Torysa rivers. The pilgrimage route Cesta sv. Alžbety runs through the village and has connected Košice with Sárospatak (Blatný Potok) since 2011. The landscape, archaeology and sacred buildings shape the distinctive character of this Slovak village.

Landscape and trails

Skalka is an area for hiking and recreation in nature above the Olšava River on the eastern side of Nižná Myšľa. The area is about 20 minutes from the village and offers views of the East Slovak landscape. At the same time, Skalka is an archaeological site with evidence of settlement during the Upper Paleolithic, Neolithic, Copper Age and Bronze Age.

The annual hiking event “Prechod Slanskými vrchmi” establishes a lasting connection between the village and the surrounding landscape. It was officially held for the first time on January 17, 1970, and is organized by the Nižná Myšľa municipal office. The 15-kilometer route begins after the transfer from Nižná Myšľa toward Slanec and leads via Bradlo at 840 meters, Červený vrch and Koscelek to Nižná Myšľa.

Culture and archaeology

The Myšľanské obecné múzeum is located in a 13th-century monastery building. It presents the archaeological and cultural heritage of the region, particularly finds from excavations at an archaeological site of European significance in the municipality of Nižná Myšľa.

The Archeoskanzen Nižná Myšľa archaeological complex at the Várhegy site includes fortified settlements, a burial ground and reconstructions of houses from the Early and Middle Bronze Age. The Archeoskanzen also displays a functional replica of a monoxylon, a boat made from a single piece of wood. In Nižná Myšľa, two replicas of Bronze Age dwellings, part of a defensive wall with an entrance gate, two kitchen ovens, a tunnel kiln for firing ceramic vessels and a replica of a sacrificial pit have been constructed.

Monastery and churches

The present-day Church of Saint Nicholas is a Baroque-Classical church built between 1802 and 1805. Underground passageways made of stone and mortar have been preserved in the monastery of Nižná Myšľa, originating from the oldest parts of the original structure. Catacombs are located beneath the monastery building. A Prussian vault bearing the Jesuit IHS symbol survives from the former monastery chapel.

Chapels and religious sites

Below the church stands the Chapel of the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary, dating from the early 19th century. The Chapel of the Holy Family dates from around 1930 and features valuable doors with wrought-iron grilles. The Chapel of Saint John of Nepomuk is the oldest chapel in Nižná Myšľa and stands by the bridge over the Olšava River.

The Marian Chapel was built in 2000 on the road to Koscelek. Holy Mass is celebrated once a year at nearby Koscelek. Alongside the pilgrimage route, this means that several chapels of different ages and architectural styles are among the religious sites preserved in Nižná Myšľa and its immediate surroundings.

Other places

Other local destination pages can be accessed via the following places: Kechnec, Opátka, Košická Belá, Zlatá Idka, Malá Ida, Moldava Nad Bodvou, Budimír, Štós.

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