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The ancient city of Levoca arose around the year 1245, due to the German
colonisation after the Tartar Raid, on the foundations of old Slavonic
settlements. The town is situated in the Hornad valley, on the left bank
of Levoca brook, in the middle of Spis region. The earliest written reference
about Levoca is from 1249. Hungarian King Stefan V mentioned Levoca in
conferred privileges as the capital of the Saxon's Province. The rapid
economic growth of the town was supported by its advantageous location
on important long distance trade routes and also by several privileges
and granted rights. The right of store bestowed upon the town by Karol
Robert in 1321 belongs to the most important rights. In the 16th century,
Levoca became one of the important economic centres of Europe, but the
battles against Turks and anti-Habsburg insurrections hold its promising
growth back. The disastrous fire in 1550 contributed to the splendid restoration
and the Gothic town was reconstructed in the Renaissance style. Levoca
was not only a merchant centre but first of all a centre of arts and crafts.
40 craft guilds were here in the 15th century. From the 19th century the
economical prosperity of the town declined. Levoca became an administrative
centre of Spis region and the seat of many secondary schools. In 1950,
Levoca was declared an Urban Conservation Area. Levoca's historical monuments,
works of art, and natural surroundings attract visitors and contribute
to growing tourism..
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Original information and image from Slovak
Post web site
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