JOURNEY THROUGH THE HISTORY OF THE HIGH TATRAS REGION – VYŠNÉ HÁGY

Discover the history, monuments, and curiosities of the most famous Tatra settlements during a cultural and tourist tour in JULY with a professional tour guide lasting approximately 2 hours. ENTRY TO THE JOURNEY IS FREE.

What you can learn:

Each Tatra settlement is unique, and in each one, you will find something that isn't in the others. For example, from Tatranská Kotliny, you can reach the only accessible cave in the Tatras, the Belianska Cave. In addition, you will also find an old quarry that now serves as a climbing wall, and the peak Pálenica, where lime used to be burned. Thanks to the rediscovery of the Belianska Cave, another settlement, Tatranské Matliare, was established. Today, the once inconspicuous part of the High Tatras city used to host notable figures such as Franz Kafka, Fraňo Kráľ, Emil Zátopek, and Ludvík Svoboda. There was even a military garrison that took care of border security and helped build, for example, Votrubova Hut. Jiří Wolker was treated in Tatranská Polianka, and you can still sit in the pleasant environment of the Wolkrov's lakes. This settlement is key if you want to go to the highest peak in Slovakia – Gerlach. Dr. Michal Guhr, the founder of the sanatorium you can visit today, was not only a great doctor but also a promoter of winter sports in former Hungary. Few know that because of him, Polianka was the first settlement with ski jumps.

Which settlement is the oldest, where did Maša Haľamová live, when was Ľudovít Štúr first on Kriváň, where were the ice hockey world championships held, why do Smokovce have the sun in their coat of arms, how did the name Smokovec come about, where was the first swimming pool in the Tatras built, where do mineral springs emerge in the Tatras, which mountain hut is the oldest, where is Mrs. Čenková's cottage, and many other intriguing facts about Tatra settlements that you may not have known.

WHEN AND WHERE DO WE MEET?

FOR THE HISTORY OF TATRANSKÁ LOMNICA

Meeting time and place: 10:30 AM I train station main entrance

Date: July 4, 2026

FOR THE HISTORY OF LOWER AND UPPER SMOKOVEC

Meeting time and place: 10:10 AM I wooden church in Lower Smokovec

Date: July 5, 2026

FOR THE HISTORY OF NEW POLIANKA, TATRAN LOG HOUSES – SPECIAL

Meeting time and place: 10:00 AM I train station New Polianka

The journey will start in the settlement of New Polianka, followed by a tram ride (or your own car) to the Tatranských Zrubov, where the tour will continue.

Date: July 11, 2026

FOR THE HISTORY OF VYŠNÉ HÁGY

Meeting time and place: 10:30 AM I train station

Date: July 18, 2026

FOR THE HISTORY OF TATRANSKÁ JAVORINA – SPECIAL

Meeting time and place: 11:00 AM I bus stop Javorová dolina

Date: July 19, 2026

FOR THE HISTORY OF NEW SMOKOVEC

Meeting time and place: 10:10 AM I White Evangelical Church

The tour begins inside the church with an introductory word from the local priest Mr. Pavol Kušnír. We will also visit the family tomb of Szontaghovci and conclude the journey with a tour of the exterior of the settlement.

Date: July 25, 2026

FOR THE HISTORY OF ŠTRBSKÉ PLESO

Meeting time and place: 10:00 AM I train station at Štrbské Pleso – staircase by the platforms

Date: July 26, 2026

In case of interest from larger groups – over 20 persons, please notify the number of people to the guide at +421 949 202 493 or at ivafigova@gmail.com.

“Realized with financial support from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Slovak Republic”