Holiday apartment in Veľký Šariš: Castle, Nature and History

Šariš Castle was first mentioned in written records in 1245.

Nature

The educational trail on Šariš Castle Hill has 11 stops. Šarišský hradný vrch is a national nature reserve of volcanic origin in the cadastral area of Veľký Šariš. Rare plants such as the grass-leaved iris and Turk’s cap lily grow on Šarišský hradný vrch.

Culture

Šariš Castle houses a historical exhibition. The “Alžbetka” bastion tower contains an exhibition about alchemy and brewing. A guided tour of the keep observation tower takes approximately 25 to 35 minutes. The first museum exhibition about Šariš Castle comprised 350 archaeological finds dating from the 12th to the 17th century. The exhibitions therefore combine the general history of the castle with the distinct subjects of alchemy and brewing.

The history of technology is also represented in Veľký Šariš. The “Mlinská džurka” steam locomotive was built in 1882 and is located on the grounds of Veľký Šariš railway station. It is considered the oldest preserved steam locomotive in Slovakia.

Religious Buildings

The Church of St James was originally a single-nave Romanesque-Gothic church and is now a three-nave church. Medieval wall paintings from the 13th and 14th centuries were discovered inside. This building therefore brings together the original single-nave form, its present three-nave state and medieval art.

The Chapel of St Elisabeth is an early Baroque religious building from the last third of the 17th century and formerly served as a funerary chapel. In the past, pilgrimages took place there on the feast day of St Elisabeth.

Kunigunde was built sometime after 1544 on the grounds of an Augustinian monastery. Kunigunde has the only patronage of St Kunigunde in Slovakia. Kunigunde is the only remaining standing part of the monastery church.

Information on Site

The Veľký Šariš Tourist Information Centre provides an overview of cultural, sporting and tourist activities in the town and at Šariš Castle. Visitors can buy souvenirs related to Šariš Castle as well as products made by local artists there.

The Veľký Šariš Archaeopark is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 18:00. The Veľký Šariš Town Museum and Gallery has 200 square metres of museum and gallery space.

Events and Routes

The official 2026 events calendar lists “Šariš športuje”, an archery competition, for 5 September 2026. The cycling race “Cyklopreteky – MTB Kráľ Šariša” is also listed there for 3 October 2026. The calendar therefore gives dates for two different competitions in September and October.

The New Year’s Eve climb to Šariš Castle is announced for 31 December 2026 as the 39th edition. The footpath from Veľký Šariš railway station to Šariš Castle follows a yellow-marked hiking trail.

A heavily used section of the international EuroVelo 11 route passes through Veľký Šariš. The safety of cyclists and pedestrians there has been the subject of repeated discussion.

Other Places

Ľubotice, Kapušany, Hermanovce, Fričovce, Prešov, Trnkov

To the higher-level travel overview: Prešov.