A new observation tower, the so-called Berzewicz Tower, was built on the top of Stebnícka Magura and was officially commissioned on Thursday, 21 November 2024.
The construction of the tower, at a total cost of €257 033.17, lasted from May 2023 to November 2024.nvestor was the Regional Tourism Organisation (OOCR) ,,ŠARIŠ“-Bardejov and the main burden of financing was borne by the Ministry of Transport (MoT) of the Slovak Republic, and later - after its establishment - by the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Slovak Republic (MCRaŠ SR), which supported the construction with the amount of 239 339 EUR. The tower will be freely accessible all year round without time limit and without charge.
The tower is freely accessible all year round without time limit and without charge.
,“The newly built lookout tower on Stebnícka Magura resembles the so-called Berzewicz tower built in 1905 on the same site, which was destroyed during the First World War in 1918. The reconstructed and restored lookout tower will serve domestic and foreign visitors and the entire Šariš region. It should bring further impetus to the development of tourism in the north-east of Slovakia. The total height to the top of the tower is 29,627 m, at a height of 21 m above the terrain there is an observation platform. The tower is unique of its kind in Slovakia, it has a reinforced concrete structure, a metal staircase and is one of the highest towers in the Prešov region. To climb it, it is necessary to climb 104 steps," explains R.Jančošek.
,“The newly built lookout tower on Stebnícka Magura resembles the so-called Berzewicz tower built in 1905 on the same site, which was destroyed during the First World War in 1918. The reconstructed and restored lookout tower will serve domestic and foreign visitors and the entire Šariš region. It should bring further impetus to the development of tourism in the north-east of Slovakia. The total height to the top of the tower is 29,627 m, at a height of 21 m above the terrain there is an observation platform. The tower is unique of its kind in Slovakia, it has a reinforced concrete structure, a metal staircase and is one of the highest towers in the Prešov region. To climb it, it is necessary to climb 104 steps," explains R.Jančošek.
The replica tower reflects the original design
He adds that they tried to make the replica of the Berzewicz tower as close to the original as possible. The project documentation was prepared by Jozef Cibuľa. The contractor of the construction is PAVLIČKO a partneri, s. r. o. The total investment of EUR 257 033,17 required own resources of OOCR “ŠARIŠ"-Bardejov in the amount of EUR 17 693 and subsidy resources of the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Slovak Republic in the amount of EUR 239 339. Thanks are also due to the individuals and tourism enthusiasts who contributed financially to the restoration of the tower in a public collection. ,“The construction has been in preparation for almost 3 years and its budget has increased due to inflation and the rising prices of building materials. The OOCR appealed to the general public, tourists and organisations to contribute to the construction of the Berzewicz Tower, each according to their means. Although these were not large sums, they are a symbol that citizens and legal entities also wanted to contribute to the improvement and restoration of the tower. The main thanks, however, go to the ministries that contributed the most to its financing. This year, the interior, staircase, railings and landscaping were completed. The restored tower will contribute to increased visitor numbers, both domestic and foreign, and will provide views of the whole region. It offers a magnificent view of the Čergov Mountains and, in good weather, the Tatra Mountains," added R.Jančošek.
New dominant of the SNP Route
The observation tower on Stebnícka Magura (899.9 m above sea level) is located near the current transmitter in the vicinity of Bardejovské Kúpele (Bardejov Spa). It is located on the main tourist route - the Road of Heroes of the Slovak National Uprising. It is possible to reach the top of Stebnícka Magura by hiking trail from Bardejovské Kúpele, Stebník, Zborov and Zlatý.
