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Bardejov
The earliest written record dates back to 1241 and can be seen on the yellowed pages of the Ipatyiev Monastery Chro nicle. The extensive territory of "terra Bartfa" can be found in written records dating back to 1247.
At the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries colonists from Silesia settled down near the settlement lying on the main communication route. In 1320 King Robert granted them exten sive rights, which speeded up the process of transformation of the chartered village "Bardejov" into a town. In 1365 Bardejov obtained the right of capital punishment and in 1376 King Louis I. promoted it to the status of free royal town.
In the 14th and 15th centuries, the dexterousness of the Bardejov merchants and the development of craftsmanship as documented by 64 professions and more than 50 guilds, raised the town to the peak of its fame and wealth. A number of silent witnesses have been preserved from this period certifying the "Golden Age" of Bardejov. Among them are the secular and ecclesiastical buildings which even today impress the mediaval character of the town.
The most precious of them is the monumental St. Egidius Church, which from the point of view of its architecture, is a part of the national heritage in Slovakia. Its 11 gothic winged altars with panel paintings have hardly any parallels in Europe. The artistic feeling and taste of the masters is also witnessed by the church interior.
A special attention is attracted by the rectangular square paved with cobblestones flanked on three sides with burgher houses carrying traces of gothic and rennaissance architecture. The 16th century was marked by the flourishing of culture, education and arts.
After centuries of flourishment and fame came the centuries of decline, poverty and stagnation. Plague and other epidemics, fires and wars almost destroyed the town, which was falling into disrepair both economically and socially and Bardejov was gradually becoming forgotten. But Bardejov has not been completely forgotten. In 1950 it was declared a protected city core and an intensive restoration of the cultural heritage was begun.
The town of Bardejov is an administrative centre of Upper Sharish region, it is also a centre of industry, culture and sports. It is called "the most gothic town of Slovakia".
Because of outstanding urban, architectural, artistic, historic and cultural values preserved in Bardejov, it was declared an Urban Preservation area in 1950. In the year 1986 International Board of Trustees by UNESCO, which has a seat in Hamburg, awarded Bardejov - "The European Prize - Gold Medal" for preservation and restoration.
An important part of Bardejov is Bardejovske Kupele - the spa, which belongs to the most visited spa centres of Slovakia. Uncommon beauty together with culture-historical sights provide the visitors not only medical treatment, but also rich cultural and social life.
Suburbs of Bardejov: Bardejovska Nova Ves, Bardejovska Zabava, Bardejovske Kupele, Dlha Luka and Mihalov.
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The Project is co-financed by the International Visegrad Fund
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