The Astronomical Educational Trail in Stara Lesna combines information about celestial bodies with the technical facilities of an astronomical institute. Also notable are its location in the Poprad Basin, its role as a starting point for the central part of TANAP, and its local churches as historical landmarks.
Location and Routes into TANAP
Stara Lesna lies in the Poprad Basin, below the lower boundary of Tatranský národný park (TANAP). The village serves as a starting point for the central part of the national park. TANAP also manages 2,428 hectares of the former cadastral area of Stara Lesna. Marked routes for skiers and cyclists start here. The park’s location, its role as a starting point, and the area figure refer to different spatial aspects. For a trip to the central part of the park, its role as a starting point is the most directly relevant planning detail; the marked routes, in contrast, specify activities for two user groups.
Astronomical Educational Trail
The trail begins at the institute’s main building in Stara Lesna and ends at the last dome, which houses telescopes. Its 13 panels provide important information about the astronomical institute’s technical facilities and celestial bodies. Thus, the topics covered include both the sky itself and the technical side of the institute. The information on the panels may change over time. The educational trail is accessible year-round. As local conditions and maintenance may change, check the local situation before your visit.
Local History and Churches
Stara Lesna was founded by the Berzeviczy family in the second half of the 13th century; the village was first mentioned in a written record in 1294. The date of its founding and its first written mention are two distinct historical details. The Roman Catholic church is the village’s most valuable architectural monument and has a Renaissance bell tower added around 1600. The Protestant church was built in 1822, after Emperor Leopold II approved the expanded rights of the Protestant Church. This makes it possible to distinguish the village’s medieval history, a Renaissance architectural detail, and the 19th-century building history.
Accommodation and Getting There
The cadastral area of Stara Lesna has several large hotels, recreational facilities, guesthouses, and a settlement with privately owned holiday homes. When searching, you can first distinguish between hotels, guesthouses, and private holiday homes as types of accommodation. Individual establishments and capacities may change; therefore, check the specific availability of the accommodation you are considering.
Stara Lesna is accessible by bus from Poprad and Kežmarok. From the High Tatras, the village can be reached via the TEŽ (Tatranská elektrická železnica) and by bus. Connections vary depending on your starting point: the bus is specified from Poprad and Kežmarok, while the route from the High Tatras combines the TEŽ and a bus. Check the timetables before departure so you can coordinate your journey with your accommodation plans.
Discover more destinations: Mlynceky, Červený Kláštor, Lendak, Vrbov, Zakovce, Reľov, Kežmarok, Lechnica
Back to the higher-level travel overview: Okres Kežmarok.
