Liptovský Mikuláš is a town of 31,000 people (2018) in Central Slovakia, and centre of the historical Liptov region. The town is one of the most famous tourist centres in Slovakia because of its rich cultural life. It is a perfect starting point for accessing the Low Tatras (Demänová valley) with well-known caves such as the Demänová Ice Cave or Demänová Cave of Freedom, or the Western Tatras. The town is close to the biggest ski resort in Slovakia, Jasná, which has become a popular ski centre for many western tourists.
Understand
[edit]Liptovský Mikuláš (pronunciation (help·info); until 1952 Liptovský Svätý Mikuláš, German: Liptau-Sankt-Nikolaus; Hungarian: Liptószentmiklós) is a town in northern Slovakia, on the Váh River. It lies in the Liptov region, in Liptov Basin near the Low Tatras and Tatra Mountains. Known as Liptovský Svätý Mikuláš (or Liptovský Saint Nicholas) before communist times, the town is also renowned for its guilds and culture.
From the second half of the 10th century until 1918, it was part of the Kingdom of Hungary. The town of Mikuláš (Liptószentmiklós) was first mentioned in the royal deed of King Ladislaus IV in 1286. The first written record mentioning the Church of Saint Nicolaus, which was to become the founding element of a larger settlement, dates back to 1299. The Church of Saint Nicolaus is the oldest building in town.
Mikuláš was one of the most important centres of crafts in the Liptov region. The craftsmen formed guilds. The oldest guild was the shoemaker's guild, first mentioned in 1508. There were also other guilds, of smiths, furriers, tailors, hatters and butchers.
In 1677, Liptovský Mikuláš (Liptószentmiklós) became the seat of the local district, and of Liptó county. The legendary Slovak "Robin Hood" Juraj Jánošík was sentenced and executed here in 1713 by being hanged by the ribcage on a hook. In the 19th century, the town became one of the centres of the Slovak national movement.
In the 20th century, many once independent villages were annexed to Liptovský Mikuláš. Thus, what was once the bucolic farmers' hamlet of Vrbicá is now simply a street in the middle of the town.
Folk architecture can also be seen nearby in Vlkolínec near Ružomberok, or Pribylina, a few kilometres east of the town, and for recreation the lake called Liptovská Mara is available. Aquapark Tatralandia is nearby.
Get in
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Liptovský Mikuláš is near the main Slovak D1 motorway, and on the main railway from Bratislava to Košice. The closest international airport is in Poprad.
Get around
[edit]The town has a public transport network with 14 bus routes. Most of the lines meet at the 1 main train station.
See
[edit]- 1 Demänovská jaskyňa slobody (Freedom cave), Demänovska Cesta (buses headed to Demänovska Dolina leave from the main bus station). May-Sep: Tu-Su, entry with guide only. The most visited cave in Slovakia with unique drip stone formations. Two excursions are available, 2,150 m and 1,150 m long. Temperature inside is around 6°C. €4-15 only payable in cash.
- 2 Demänovská l'adová jaskyňa (Ice cave), Demänovska Cesta (buses headed to Demänovska Dolina leave from the main bus station). May-Sep: Tu-Su, entry with guide only. One of two ice caves open to the public in Slovakia. Go on a weekday to avoid most of the crowd. €8, discounts for students, elderly, and kids.
- 3 Church of Saint Nicolaus (Kostol sv. Mikuláša), Námestie osloboditeľov 725/27 (on the Main Square). The oldest monument building in town.
- 4 Liptov Gallery of Peter Michal Bohun (Liptovská galéria Petra Michala Bohúňa), Tranovského 111/3 (in the centre of the city). The third oldest gallery in Slovakia in a beautiful historic place includes 5,000 works of art from the 15th to 20th century.
- 5 [dead link] Janko Kral Museum (Múzeum Janka Kráľa), Námestie osloboditeľov 1120/31. This museum is on the Main Square and represents the rich history of the city.
Do
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- 1 Water slalom course. Placed at the Váh river, it's the oldest whitewater slalom course in Slovakia. Slovak Olympic winners were training here.
- 2 Liptovská Mara. The biggest water reservoir in Slovakia and a popular recreational area.
- 3 Aquapark Tatralandia, Ráztocká 21. Large water park with saunas, slides, indoor and outdoor pools (including heated pools that can be used even in winter).
- 4 Zoo Kontakt, Ráztocká (along the road to Aquapark Tatralandia). Good place for families with children.
- 5 FUN PARK Žiarce, Pavčina Lehota (Demänovska Dolina). Small ski resort suitable also for kids, including a bobsleigh track.
- Visit 6 Jasná. ski resort in the nearby Low Tatras.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]- 1 Ohnivý Drak, Hodžova 35/18, ☏ +421 445620536. 10:30-21:30 daily. Cheap Chinese food, in the Slovak tradition. Most popular around lunchtime. From €3.50 for a plate.
- 2 Liptovská Izba, Námestie osloboditeľov 85/21, ☏ +421 918889659. 11:00-22:00 daily. Pleasant mid-price restaurant in the centre with Slovak food specialties.
- Slovenská reštaurácia, ul. 1. mája 699, ☏ +421 445570929. 11:00-23:00 daily. Another place with good local cuisine. Serving sizes are very generous.
- 3 Route 66, Garbiarska 627, ☏ +421 44 562 30 17, r66@r66.sk. M-Th 08:00-00:00, F 09:00-02:00, Sa 10:00-02:00, Su 11:00-00:00. Very good value for money steakhouse; one of the most late-open in the town.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Jumbo pub. Cozy pub with local beer specialties and other alcoholic drinks.
- 2 Dominant café. Nice coffee, hot chocolate and cakes are served here.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Penzión Frank, Žiar 235 (Žiarska Dolina). Comfortably furnished family guest house in the village Žiar, 10 minutes drive from Liptovský Mikuláš. From €36 per room..
- 2 Hotel Spojár, Žiar 239. Hotel Spojár and its bungalows offers accommodation in beautiful nature of Žiarska dolina. It is 10 minutes drive from Liptovský Mikuláš. From €40 per room..
- 3 [formerly dead link] Hotel Europa, Štúrova 808/15 (close to the city centre).