The Greek Catholic Bishop’s Palace in Prešov It is one of the significant historic buildings on Hlavná Street. It is situated in the immediate vicinity of Cathedrals of St John the Baptist and to this day it remains the seat of the Greek Catholic Archdiocese of Prešov. Its history is closely linked to the establishment of the independent Greek Catholic Diocese of Prešov and to the development of the Greek Catholic Church in Slovakia.
From the monastery to the bishop’s residence
The history of the building dates back to a former Minorite monastery. This was created by converting an older town hospital and almshouse, which the Minorites acquired in 1673. Their presence in Prešov came to an end following an edict by Emperor Joseph II in 1787, by which the monastery was dissolved.
Following the dissolution of the monastery, the building was put to a new use. In 1791, the seat of the Greek Catholic vicariate was moved from Košice to Prešov and established in the very premises of the former Minorite monastery. This marked the beginning of its important role in the history of the Greek Catholic Church in Prešov.
The Establishment of the Diocese of Prešov
The building’s significance increased even further following the establishment of the Greek Catholic Diocese of Prešov in 1818. Pope Pius VII canonically established it by a papal bull Relata semper, which was solemnly proclaimed on 22 September 1818. According to the provisions of the bull, the bishop’s residence was to be situated in the former residence of the Greek Catholic vicariate.
Gregor Tarkovič became the first Bishop of Prešov. Following his arrival in Prešov in 1821, he played a key role in developing the basic episcopal institutions, establishing the bishop’s office, library and archive. It was his work that proved crucial in building the organisational and cultural foundations of the new diocese.
A 19th-century view of the palace
The building’s present appearance is primarily the result of extensive alterations carried out in 1848, which were initiated by Jozef Gaganec, the second Bishop of Prešov. The reconstruction resulted in a two-storey palatial building with a façade in the Classicist style.
A striking feature of the building is central dome, which creates its distinctive silhouette. Above the main entrance is a triangular tympanum bearing a historical inscription referring to the year 1848 and a relief of the coat of arms of the Greek Catholic diocese. The façade thus combines the grand architecture of the 19th century with a clear reference to the building’s ecclesiastical function.
The Headquarters of the Greek Catholic Church
The Bishop’s Palace has remained linked to the leadership of the Greek Catholic Church in Prešov throughout subsequent periods. Today, its address is Hlavná 1 in Prešov, and it houses the Greek Catholic Archdiocese of Prešov. Since 2008, Prešov has also been the seat of the Prešov Greek Catholic Metropolitan Church sui iuris in Slovakia. Pope Benedict XVI elevated the Eparchy of Prešov to an Archieparchy at that time, and Prešov became the metropolitan see.
Today, the palace forms a historical and urban link between Hlavná Street and the complex of St John the Baptist’s Cathedral. For visitors to Prešov, it is of particular interest as part of the historic centre and as a site that bears witness to more than two centuries of the development of the Greek Catholic Church administration in the city.
When strolling down Hlavná Street, it is particularly worth paying attention to its the Classicist façade, the central dome, the historic tympanum and the bishop’s coat of arms. Together with the nearby cathedral, it forms one of the most striking historical settings associated with the spiritual history of Prešov.
Source: OOCR RŠ
Source of photographs: OOCR RŠ
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Greek Catholic Bishop's Palace It is situated at Hlavná 1 in Prešov, right next to St John the Baptist’s Cathedral. Whilst strolling through the historic centre, you can admire it mainly from the outside, as the building now houses Greek Catholic Archdiocese of Prešov.
The building’s most striking feature is large central dome. Above the main entrance is a historic tympanum featuring a relief of the coat of arms of the Greek Catholic diocese and an inscription commemorating the palace’s reconstruction in 1848.
The palace is an interesting stop for visitors exploring The main street and religious monuments of Prešov. A visit here can naturally be combined with a tour of the nearby cathedral and other historic buildings in the town centre.
As this is the active seat of the archdiocese, Regular guided tours of the interior are not a standard part of a visit. It is advisable to check the current admission options or any upcoming events directly with the Greek Catholic Archdiocese.
