KEŽMAROK is a town in the Spiš region of eastern Slovakia ont he Popra driver. It is first time mentioned as a town in 1269, when Hungarian King Béla IV granted it town rights and privileges. It was situated near important buseiness routes from Orient to Northern Europe and this supported its fast development. In 1380 it became a free royal town / city with several political and economic privileges ( the right of two annual fairs, the right of the sword, the right to use coat of arms etc.).
Kežmarok castle belongs to the type of the city castles that were built inside the cities as their fortification strongholds. The Hungarian Thököly family changed the castle into luxurious Renaissance structure and they constructed a Baroque chapel as well. The Hungarian magnate and rebel Imre Thököly was born int he town in 1657. He died in exile in Turkey in 1705 but int he 20th century his body was returned to Kežmarok and buried in a noble mausoleum int he town’s Lutheran church.
The other significant historical sites are the Renaissance merchant houses, and a museum of ancient books. In pride of place is the Protestant church built in 1688 entirely of wood. The church has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008.
More information: www.kezmarok.sk; www.kezmarok.net; www.muzeum.sk
