Historical town Kežmarok (626 mn) is located in the Poprad River valley between the steeply rising High Tatras Mountains to the west and north-west, tree-covered Levočské Mountains to the east and picturesque Spišská Magura Hills to the north.
The first written record of Kežmarok dates from 1251 and few years later, in 1269, it was granted town privileges. ln 15th century, being a Free Royal Town, it gained further important economical and political privileges. The position on the important merchant route connecting the north of Europe with Orient helped to flourish local crafts, schools, trade and culture over the centuries.
Kežmarok is today one of 17 urban reservations in Slovakia, the administrative centre of equally named district as well as one of the natural centres of cultural life and tourism in the Spiš region. Visitors can enjoy many fine examples of Romanesque, gothic, renaissance and baroque architectural styles. The town square has got an unusual long V-shape with the majestic Town Hall and the Thokoly Castle on the opposite ends. Two other valuable buildings of the town - the Wooden Articular Church and the Lyceum -are listed among National Cultural Monuments of Slovakia.
Ján Nyéki
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