Walls of Bardejov, Slovakia

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According to its first written mention in

1241, Medieval Bardejov was a significant

and quickly developing town. Its strategic

location at the intersection of trade

routes between Hungary and Poland and

the Black and the Baltic seas, marked the

town as a significant business centre,

which very quickly received many royal

privileges. In 1352, Ľudovít the Great of

Anjou granted the town the right to hold

an eight-day fair and simultaneously also

the right for the construction of town

walls. In 1376, Bardejov became a free

royal town and was experiencing a period

of boundless prosperity. In the 16th century, it was a reputable centre of culture and education. A humanistic gymnasium

was established, which belonged to the

highest level of the Hungarian Empire. Its

rector, Leonard Stöckel, was the author

of the first pedagogic document issued

in Slovakia. The presence of two notable

printers, which spread a number of rare

works within the town including the first

Catechism of Martin Luther translated

into Slovak, among others, also supported the high level of education. In the 17th century, Bardejov and many other

neighbouring towns experienced a series

of natural disasters as well as anti-Habsburg uprisings, which resulted in the economic decline of the town and region.

That economic crisis, which culminated in

WWI, compelled many town residents to

emigrate. After the war, the town rebuilt

itself on industry, and for this reason the

number of inhabitants again rose. At this

time, machinery and shoe making led the

renewed prosperity. In 1950, the town

was declared a town historical reserve,

which resulted in intensive renovation

and the rescue of many cultural heritage sites. Since 2000, Bardejov has been listed on the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites.

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