In the heart of the Orava region stands the remarkable Roman Catholic Church of All Saints,
one of Slovakia’s most precious sacred monuments. This late Gothic wooden church from
the second half of the 15th century is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and
represents a rare example of traditional medieval wooden architecture.
The church was built from massive red spruce logs, which allegedly grew directly on the
construction site. In the 17th century, it underwent a Renaissance reconstruction, which,
however, did not disturb its historical character. Today, it boasts a combination of Gothic
elements with later Renaissance and Baroque details.
The church is protected from the outside by a stone wall with a Baroque gate and two
circular ossuaries. Inside, visitors can admire the pulpit with figures of the Evangelists,
paintings of the Apostles on the walls, and a magnificent Baroque altar whose central motif is
the image of All Saints.
Every detail is the result of painstaking craftsmanship that underscores the historical and
spiritual value of this place. For the renovation and delicate restoration of the church, this
sacred wooden structured received the prestigious Europa Nostra award in 1994, which is
awarded to the most significant cultural heritage protection projects in Europe.
Since 2008, the Church of All Saints has been included on the UNESCO World Cultural and
Natural Heritage List, confirming its significance and uniqueness among Europe’s wooden
monuments.
During the summer, from mid-May to mid-September, the church is open to visitors every
day except Mondays. It is open from 10:00 to 16:00. We recommend checking the opening
hours on the website of the town of Tvrdošín.
How to get there?
The church is located in Tvrdošín, on the grounds of the local cemetery.
Parking
There is a parking lot next to the local cemetery.