The ancient town of BARDEJOV is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful towns in Slovakia. It was inscribed into the List of the World Cultural Heritage of the UNESCO in 2001.
Bardejov is spoken of as the “most Gothic town in Slovakia”. The principal area of its historical core is the rectangular Radnicné námestie square skirted by rows of antique burgher houses with typical gable facades.
In the centre of the square is the building of the former town hall from the 16th century. The interior of the town hall contains the most valuable exhibits of the Šarišské múzeum (Museum of Šariš). More items of this Museum are displayed in the originally Gothic burgher house Gantzughof with the Renaissance arcade, which stands in the south-western corner of the square.
The most important monument of the square is the parish church of St Egidius standing in its northern part. Its construction started at the beginning of the 15th century probably at the site of the Cistercian monastery. It was conceived as a majestic Gothic basilica with three naves. In the set of eleven Late Gothic wing altars built in the period between 1460 and 1520, the side altar of the Nativity of the Lord is considered the most valuable.
The top of the New Gothic church tower offers a unique view of the town.
The Franciscan monastery with the church of St. John the Baptist was built in the Gothic style. The monastery stands near the town walls, the best preserved medieval fortification system in Slovakia. Apart from the stone walls, two gates and four bastions survive of disappeared fortification.