Spišká Kapitula

The little town was established already in the 12th century. In the early 13th century, Spišská Kapitula evolved into the religious center of the whole Spis region. According to historical sources, in the first half of the 13th century, the town was plundered by Tartar invasions. Soon after the disaster, reconstruction works began. The dominant feature of the town - the Romanesque Cathedral of St. Martin consisting of a nave, two aisles and new northern tower as well as a nearby Abbey Palace was erected on the highest spot during 1245 to 1273. The whole complex was fortified. The Cathedral shelters very rare interior, like 14th century frescoes, Gothic altars, rare sculptures. Fortification walls encircling the whole urbans unit were built in 1662-1665 and became the most extensive structure in the town. Among the significant town´s monuments are also the Renaissance Bishop Palace (1652), later remodelled in Baroque style, the clock tower (1739), or the Gothic Theological Seminary building, later rebuilt in Renaissance and Baroque styles. Spišská Kapitula was inscribed on UNESCO´s World Heritage List in 1993.