The Prešov Calvary is a Baroque religious complex situated on a hill on the western outskirts of Prešov. The Prešov Calvary was once considered the second most beautiful in the whole of Hungary — second only to that in Banská Štiavnica — and remains one of the city’s most significant historical and spiritual landmarks, offering a stunning view of Prešov.
The History of the Prešov Calvary
The Prešov Calvary was established in the early 18th century through the work of the Jesuits during the period of recatholisation, on the initiative of the Society of the Dying Christ. Construction of the first religious buildings began in 1720, although some of the Stations of the Cross chapels were still being built as late as the 19th century. The first to be consecrated, in the autumn of 1721, was the Chapel of Christ on the Mount of Olives and the cross.
The dominant feature of Calvary is the Baroque Church of the Holy Cross, dating from 1753. The construction was overseen by the Jesuit priest František Perger, also known as the architect of the Banská Štiavnica Calvary. It was funded by the town and donations from the townspeople and the local nobility. The entire Calvary complex was not completed until 1893.
What makes up the Calvary complex
In addition to the Church of the Holy Cross, the complex comprises fourteen chapels of the Way of the Cross, the Chapel of the Holy Stairs, the catacombs and the adjacent cemetery. The Chapel of the Holy Stairs was modelled on the Roman chapel of Sancta Scala at the Lateran Basilica. In the past, the catacombs were used for the burial of priests, and in the adjacent cemetery – intended for prominent church benefactors – you can still find artistically valuable aristocratic and bourgeois crypts.
The Present and Renewal
The entire Calvary complex has been restored and refurbished on several occasions in the past. Construction, restoration and conservation work is currently underway on a number of buildings. A telescope is available for visitors within the Calvary grounds, through which they can enjoy the view of the town.
Practical information
- Location: Slávičia Street, on the western outskirts of Prešov
- Access: The Calvary site is open to the public and is ideal for a stroll, a day out or a spiritual visit
- Outlook: From the hill, there is a lovely view of Prešov and the surrounding area
The Prešov Calvary is also a thriving place of pilgrimage — every September, the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is celebrated here.
A tip for a day out — what else to visit in Prešov
The Prešov Calvary is the perfect addition to a tour of the city. You can combine your visit with other sights in Prešov itself:
- St. Nicholas Cathedral — a late-Gothic cathedral dating from the 14th century in the historic centre, whose tower you can climb to enjoy a view of the whole city.
- Solivar — a national cultural monument and a unique complex of technical structures for extracting and boiling salt dating from the 17th century, which is unrivalled in Slovakia.
- Orthodox synagogue — an impressive late 19th-century building in the Moorish style, one of the most beautiful synagogues in Central Europe, housing an exhibition by the Museum of Jewish Culture.
- Water Tower — a restored industrial heritage site with a viewing terrace, from which, on a clear day, you can see as far as the High Tatras.
- Prešov’s Main Street — the historic town centre and the town’s conservation area, featuring a number of well-preserved town houses and religious monuments.
