Slovak miscellany (Slovakia)
This guide gives information on the regions of two towns in Slovakia: Svidnik and Humenne. A two-day trip is enough to visit the places on the trail described below.
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You cross the Polish-Slovak border in Barwinek. The first village on the Slovak side is Vyšny Komarnik, where you can still find signs of fierce battles for the Dukla Pass in autumn 1944. The trail of unique Ruthenian Orthodox churches built of wood also starts here.
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When on the pass, it is worth using the viewing tower to see the panorama of the Low Beskids.
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By the road running to Svidnik you will see many old military objects and numerous small Orthodox churches. Signs with tourist information will guide you to real gems of architecture, e.g. Orthodox churches in Bodružal and Ludomirova, listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
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Kapišova is the gateway to the famous Death Valley, an interesting place for those into the history of WW II.
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When coming into Svidnik you have PSS Svidnik on the right side – a factory making equipment for breweries and municipal plants, were organized groups of tourists can see systems for brewing and taste local beers. Slightly further there is the Vanapo distillery, which makes premium quality spirits, and in nearby Jurkova Vola an artisan distillery, Anmil. Svidnik also has an aqua park worth visiting.
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Then you go to Stropkov, which has beautiful churches of three denominations, ruins of the castle, and a small zoo.
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Next, follow the scenic Ondava Valley to see an artificial lake with a dam, Vel’ka Domaša. When driving among the hills by the lake, you can admire large panoramas of mountains and lakes. You pass Mala Domaša, and taking the lower dam reach the western bank of the Ondava.
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In Podčicva you can admire the ruins of the castle perched on the rock by the road.
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You reach Humenne, where you can visit the palace and open-air museum, and have a delicious meal and a beer at an artisan brewery, Pivovar u Medveda, and in nearby Porubka taste and buy excellent spirits at Bird Valley Distillery.
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On the way from Humenne you can also take a turn to Osadne, to see the crypt under the Orthodox church, where 1200 skeletons of soldiers killed at the time of WW I are resting.
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Before Medzilaborce is Krasny Brod, with the ruins of an old Basilian monastery. In Medzilaborce there is the Museum of Andy Warhol, a leading figure of pop art. The return to Poland goes via serpentine roads and the Radoszyce Pass.
