Edited by IPC Prešov | Košice and Žilina Regions
The most interesting creations of nature in the Spiš region
Country: Slovakia
Region: Košice Region
Type of inspiration: Nature
Inspiracja
One of the most interesting natural phenomena of the Spiš region is the formation of the so-called limestone stones. Travertine, as it is generally called, is a chemical sediment (rock) that is formed in a freshwater environment in areas formed by limestone or dolomite, and it is precisely this environment that offers tourists the largest travertine area in Slovakia, together with Spiš Castle, which has become a Unesco World Heritage Site.
The environment in which the stones are formed can be different and they can be found in nature in various forms. In caves, they are formed on the walls by the slow dripping of water in the form of stalagmites or stalactites. Penumbra are formed in surface watercourses and have also been used in the past in agriculture for fertilisation. Travertine also occurs near mineral and thermal springs, where it usually forms so-called travertine mounds.
Travertine stones are used in construction. In the past, they were also used as a building material in the construction of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy. Today, however, they are more likely to be used as cladding elements in interiors, thanks to their variety of colours.
Several types of travertine can be found in the region, the most striking being the 'stone city', which is about two kilometres long. This town was formed from mineral water springs on a tectonic quarry and is the largest travertine area in Slovakia. It consists of two parts: the Hell, formed by narrow rock passages surrounded by 40-metre high walls, and the Paradise, part with high towers. Visitors can find it near Spišský hrad in the Dreveník area and it can also be reached by a nature trail from the Sivá Brada nature reserve.
Gallery
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Dreveník
Slovakia Košice Region
