Small Sacral Architecture and Its Greenery in Lower Spiš Region in Slovakia

Research reveals that small roadside sacral structures, predominantly crosses, are integral to the cultural landscapes of Lower Spiš Region in Slovakia. A field mapping study identified 13 such objects along a 66-kilometre historical trade route, with wooden crosses without pedestals being the most common. The oldest and aesthetically significant elements include metal crosses on travertine stone pedestals, while the Baroque roadside chapel of St. John of Nepomuk in Smolník stands out as a registered cultural monument from 1726. Woody plants, notably small-leaved linden trees (Tilia cordata Mill.), accompany these structures, adding to their landscape value. The study employed a methodology that assessed localization, spatial context, technical condition, and greenery, contributing to the preservation of historical legacy in this mining cultural landscape.

Halajová, D., Tóth, A., & Halaj, P. (2019). Small Sacral Architecture and Its Greenery in Lower Spiš Region in Slovakia. Acta Horticulturae et Regiotecturae, 22(1), 29–36. https://doi.org/10.2478/ahr-2019-0006