Private Tour

The Eastern Slovakia Jewish Heritage tour

Overview

Available languages

Czech

Slovak

English

Mobile ticket

This tour is built around a single, extraordinary story of Ľudovít Feld, a Košice-born artist who survived Auschwitz by working as Josef Mengele’s personal painter. Our journey begins at the cultural center dedicated to Feld, where his art and life provide an immediate, deeply personal, and profoundly unique connection to the Holocaust. From this powerful and singular starting point, the tour expands, but its thematic core of art and memory remains. We visit Bardejov, where the UNESCO-listed Jewish Suburbia serves as a testament to a community's history, and Prešov, with its celebrated Judaica collection. Finally, the cinematic connection in Sabinov—the setting for the Oscar-winning film The Shop on Main Street—provides a modern artistic lens through which to view historical events. This fusion of a single artist’s struggle with broader historical and cultural landmarks makes for a truly unparalleled experience.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Kosice

Our day will begin at the Orthodox Synagogue on Puškinova Street in Košice. As we approach this beautiful 1927 building, we'll feel the weight of its history. This synagogue is still an active center for the local Jewish community. Inside, we'll also find the Ľudovít Feld Cultural Center. I find Feld's story incredibly moving; he was an artist who survived Auschwitz because Josef Mengele wanted him to paint and draw. The work we see here offers a poignant glimpse into his life and the rich artistic heritage of the region. After taking it all in, we'll get on the road, heading north to Prešov. The drive should take us about 45 minutes.

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable

Presov

Our next destination is Prešov, a city once so prominent in Jewish life that it was known as the "Jerusalem of Slovakia." We'll head straight for the magnificent Prešov Orthodox Synagogue, built in 1898. I think you'll agree it’s one of the most beautiful in Europe. Inside, we'll explore the Barkany Judaica Collection, a fascinating array of Jewish religious objects housed in the women’s gallery. As we walk around the synagogue, we'll be standing in a place that was once the heart of a vibrant Jewish quarter. After our visit, we'll take a well-deserved break for lunch in Prešov's historic center.

3 hours • Admission Not Applicable