What does history taste like, and what stories do the walls hold? Kamenica Castle ? The pilot event „Experience Castles Differently“ offered visitors a trip during which they explored the Šariš region through castle legends, folk traditions, nature and local produce.
On Sunday 28 June 2026, the village of Kamenica near Sabinov came to life with an event that showcased a new way of exploring the region’s cultural heritage. A pilot format for the product line Šariš Castle Route He showed that a visit to a castle need not be merely a stroll amongst the ruins. It can be a multifaceted experience that links history with the countryside, traditions, gastronomy and the people who bring this place to life.
Kamenica Centre for Traditional Culture and Museum
The programme of events began at the Centre for Traditional Culture and the Kamenica Museum. Together with the participants, we gained an insight into local history and customs. We were given a brief history of the village and Kamenica Castle itself, as well as a short overview of the key events that shaped the village’s origins and development into its present form.
We were also given an insight into the concept behind the Centre for Traditional Culture and Museum in Kamenica itself, and the story of its origins. Inside, we found a traditional Šariš cottage furnished to reflect the needs of the time, complete with information materials that guided us through the traditions and customs of this part of the Šariš region.
Together, we lit the fire in the oven and got it ready for us to bake some homemade bread later on.
Kamenica Castle and its breathtaking views
This was followed by a joint ascent to Kamenica Castle. Our walk along the nature trail was accompanied by a commentary on the local flora and fauna, as well as on the history, stories and legends associated with the castle. The ruins themselves offered us not only a guided tour but also views of the surrounding Šariš countryside and the famous rock formation known as Kamenná baba, also called Sleeping monk.
Bread-baking workshop for young and old alike
The programme included a hands-on bread-baking workshop, which gave an insight into the traditional method of preparing one of our ancestors’ most basic foods. Young and old alike were able to try their hand at working with dough, discover the individual steps involved in its preparation, and learn more about the significance of bread in folk culture.
Kamenica Farm and sheep’s milk delicacies
The event concluded with a visit to a local farm and a tasting of sheep’s milk products. We were given an introduction to the farm’s history and the traditional methods of processing sheep’s milk and wool. The discussion on modern technologies and the adaptation of this profession to the 21st century was lively and offered several new perspectives on the issue.
This part of the programme also served as a reminder that a region’s character is shaped not only by its monuments, but also by its traditional crafts, agriculture and the flavours associated with the local countryside.
To round things off, we sampled our bread products and can confirm that traditional fare in Šariš simply tastes fabulous.
„Experience Castles Differently“ introduced a concept in which the castle serves as a starting point for exploring the entire region. It links the historic site with the stories of the village, the natural surroundings, traditional culture and local producers. Visitors thus take away from their trip not just a visit to the castle, but above all a vivid experience of the region.
The event was aimed at the general public, including families with children, and showcased the potential of experiential tourism in the Šariš region. This pilot event also paved the way for further similar activities that can introduce visitors to the castles of Šariš from a new perspective.
A number of events of this kind are planned for this season. Next time, we’ll set off together to ‘Experience Castles Differently’ in the countryside The Slánské Hills. We will provide more information shortly.
The event took place with financial support from the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Slovak Republic. The partners were the Municipality of Kamenica, the Centre for Traditional Culture and the Kamenica Museum, and Kamenica Farm.
