Strike a pose with tanks and explore northeastern Slovakia: A must-see guide
The beauty of temples in the region is mixed with bunkers and tanks.
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The road from Medzilaborce to Svidník is winding but filled with stops worth making. In the village of Miková, the birthplace of Andy Warhol's parents, a newly opened memorial room, resembling a modern museum, awaits visitors.
The exhibition centres on the life of the famous artist's mother, Júlia, who continued to support him even after he became a renowned pop art icon in New York. The exhibition was initiated by jeweller Petra Toth. The municipality does not own any Warhol family artefacts. It narrates the story of Júlia's emigration and life in the USA. Admission is voluntary, and souvenirs are available for purchase. However, the birthplace of Andy Warhol's mother no longer stands in the village.
The war cementeries in Medzilaborce are hidden from tourists. (Source: SME-Jozef Ryník)UNESCO World Heritage sites
As we travel from Miková, we encounter several wooden churches in the villages of Miroľa, Bodružal, and Ladomirová. These churches, often located right by the roadside, are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, making them well worth a stop to admire both their exterior and interior.
For those interested in military history, we recommend visiting the military cemeteries, such as the one in Hunkovce. One cemetery serves as the final resting place for nearly 3,100 German soldiers who died during the Carpathian-Dukla operation in 1944, while the other is the burial site for soldiers who fell during the First World War.
Tanks near Death Valley, the site of intense fighting during World War II. (Source: SME-Jozef Ryník)Tanks and Lithuanian cyclists
In front of Svidník stands a monument to the Dukla tankmen. While visiting, we met a group of Lithuanian bikers who were keen on taking pictures of the tanks. They were particularly fascinated by a scene of a Soviet tank battling a German one, where the German tank was clearly losing the fight.
Not far from there lies Death Valley, an open-air museum showcasing military equipment scattered across the meadows. These meadows were the site of intense fighting during the Second World War as part of the Carpathian-Dukla operation. Soviet troops and the 1st Czechoslovak Army Corps fought through the Carpathians for many weeks during the autumn of 1944.
Although they eventually broke through the fierce German resistance, it came at a heavy cost, with over 60,000 Soviet and Czechoslovak soldiers losing their lives in the battle.
Additionally, near the village of Kružlová, there is a bullet-shaped watchtower that offers a great viewpoint to overlook the entire Death Valley.
Another observation tower is located directly at Dukla on the Polish-Slovak border. Standing 50 metres high, it was completely renovated last year and offers a splendid view of both Slovak and Polish territories, where battles against the German fascists took place in 1944.
Tourists can also explore military history in the town of Svidník, home to the Military History Museum. The museum offers an outdoor exhibition showcasing tanks and planes in the park. Visitors can also view military uniforms, badges, clothing, and authentic frontline film footage.
Aquaruthenia is a large outdoor swimming pool complex in Svidník. (Source: SME-Jozef Ryník)Swimming in the town of war monuments
If you are not interested in military history and prefer sunshine and water, you can visit the local water park in Svidník. The park, named Aquaruthenia after the Ruthenians, a minority living in the region, has been in operation for over two decades and continues to expand with new pools, wellness facilities, and children's attractions.
Aquaruthenia primarily caters to families with children, featuring artificial waves, water slides, and playgrounds. While most visitors are local, the park's proximity to the Polish border means that Polish visitors also frequent the site. According to Jozef Kráľ, the owner, there are days when the number of Polish visitors exceeds that of locals. To encourage longer stays from abroad, the aquapark has started offering accommodation this year, in addition to the car camping that has been available for several years.
Kráľ notes that stays of two to three days are common, and during the summer, visitors can be found at the park on both weekdays and weekends.
Imperfect cooperation
According to Kráľ, there is still significant potential for cooperation among entrepreneurs in the tourism industry in the northern region of Slovakia. He believes that a coordinating entity that commands respect from entrepreneurs is key.
Slovaks could learn from the Poles in their willingness to collaborate in business and effectively utilise European funds, according to the businessman. Over the past decade, the Poles have made significant progress in tourism, both quantitatively and qualitatively, he notes.
Additionally, there are ambitious plans for the future at the aquapark. The intention is to cover some pools so visitors can swim there even in bad weather. There are also plans to renovate and expand the area's attractions to draw more visitors.
In Medzilaborce, you can enjoy a bath at the Typton Hotel, which offers the unique experience of beer baths in tubs. The hotel is well-regarded in the town, largely because of the Andy Warhol Museum of Modern Art.
During our visit, we encountered a group of Italian cyclists who were delighted to find a pizza place. The hotel also rents out bicycles, making it an ideal choice for this type of tourist. The surrounding forests feature long cycle paths that extend all the way to Poland.
Sights in northeastern Slovakia:
Medzilaborce district
- Andy Warhol Museum of Modern Art: It is currently undergoing renovation.
- Church of the Holy Spirit: Built in the Old Russian Renaissance style, it features exceptional interior decoration.
- Miniskanzen (a small open-air museum): Here, you can view miniatures of traditional folk architecture.
- Miková: Memorial room dedicated to Andy Warhol and his mother, Júlia.
- Čertižné: Cemetery of notable Ruthenian figures, including writer Adolf Dobriansky.
- The Jewish cemetery: Commemorates the large Jewish community that once lived in Medzilaborce.
- Krásny Brod: Ruins of a monastery.
- Habura: Heritage fruit orchard owned by Anna Fecáková, who has a large collection of plum trees.
- Devil's Stone: A sandstone rock with a carved relief of a devil’s head.
Svidník district
- Military bunkers in Vyšný Komárnik: reminiscent of the intense fighting during World War II in the forests of the Eastern Carpathians.
- Wooden churches in the villages of Príkra, Miroľa, Bodrudžal, and Ladomirová.
- Farma Pod Čiernou Horou in Jurkova Voľa offers horse riding.
- Museum of Ukrainian Culture with an open-air museum.
- Medvedie and Šarbov ski resorts.
Stropkov district
- Stropkov Manor House: A historical museum.
- The animal park is particularly suitable for families with children.
- Domaša reservoir: Ideal for summer recreation and water sports.
- Waterfalls in the village of Vladiča.
- Museum of the Tokajík Tragedy: Located in the village of Tokajík, this museum and memorial commemorate the victims of fascism from the autumn of 1944, when the Germans killed 32 men and burned part of the village.
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