Spišská Kapitula – Katedrála svätého Martina a Diecézne múzeum

About the museum

Spišská Kapitula is an ancient ecclesiastical town whose history begins at the end of the 12th century. It takes its name from the chapter (kapitula) of canons, the body of clergy who had their permanent seat here. Until 1776 the chapter was headed by a provost; in that year Empress Maria Theresa and Pope Pius VI established the Diocese of Spiš (Spišské biskupstvo), and Spišská Kapitula became the seat of the Spiš bishops. After 1948 it lost the status of an independent municipality, and today it is administratively a street of the town of Spišské Podhradie. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993.

The Cathedral of St Martin was built in the 1220s as a Romanesque structure. In 1462–1478 it was remodelled in the Late Gothic style into a hall church, and in 1493–1499 the Zápoľský Chapel (Kaplnka Zápoľských) was added to it. Among its most valuable works are the Romanesque sculpture of the white lion (Leo albus), the oldest dated wall painting in Spiš from 1317, and five surviving Gothic winged altarpieces from the workshop of the masters of Spišská Kapitula.

Visitors can choose a basic or an extended route with a guided commentary, which also includes the canonical library, the cathedral's archaeological exhibition and the royal chapel (westwerk). Tickets are bought at the Diecézne múzeum, which together with the Turínske plátno (Shroud of Turin) forms a separate ticket. The grounds also include the Bishop's Garden (Biskupská záhrada) and Spišský Jeruzalem, the oldest Calvary in Slovakia.

Highlights

• St Martin's Cathedral from the 13th century, with the Zápoľský Chapel
• Romanesque sculpture of the white lion (Leo albus)
• Oldest dated wall painting in Spiš, from 1317
• Five Gothic winged altarpieces
• Diocesan Museum with the Turínske plátno
• Spišský Jeruzalem – the oldest Calvary in Slovakia

Permanent exhibitions

• Katedrála svätého Martina – Gothic cathedral from the turn of the 13th to the 15th century, with the Zápoľský Chapel, the white lion, a wall painting from 1317 and five Gothic winged altarpieces.
• Turínske plátno a Diecézne múzeum – Exhibition of the Diocesan Museum in Spišská Kapitula with a joint ticket for the Turínske plátno.

Operated by

Rímskokatolícka cirkev, Biskupstvo Spišské Podhradie

Admission & discounts

The basic admission of €10 (reduced €7) applies to the Turínske plátno and the Diocesan Museum. Cathedral tours are paid separately according to the chosen route. The Bishop's Garden has free admission.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The family ticket for two adults and 1 to 5 children applies to the tours.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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