This is not an official website
Poľanovce
Poľanovce is a village in the District of Levoča, situated at an altitude of 570 meters above
sea level. It lies at the junction of the Levoča Highlands and the Branisko mountain range, 23
km from Levoča. The village has a population of 156.
History of Poľanovce
Origins and the Middle Ages
The village of Poľanovce was first mentioned in 1270 when King Béla IV granted it to Urov's
son, Fiók, in exchange for a tower at Spiš Castle. Historical records refer to the village under
various names: Polank (1270), Babarete (1321), Polyank or Babarethy (1352), Polanka or
Babarethe (1429), Polanowetz (1773), Polanowce (1808), and in Hungarian as Polyanóc or
Polyánfalu.
Throughout its history, Poľanovce was owned by various landlords, including Bartolomej, son
of Pongrác de Polanch, in 1321. From the 18th century onward, ownership passed to families
such as the Jancsovcs and Almássys. In 1787, the village had 36 houses and 305 inhabitants,
increasing to 55 houses and 397 inhabitants by 1828. The primary sources of livelihood were
agriculture, carting, and charcoal production.
Recatholicization and Church Administration
Poľanovce played a crucial role in the recatholicization of Spiš during the 17th century. After
Gabriel Bethlen’s uprising in 1623, the Jesuits converted several villages, including
Poľanovce, to Catholicism. Canons from the Spiš Chapter held services in local homes and
educated residents on Catholic doctrines. Priest Ján Szölösi played a particularly important
role in this process.
In terms of church administration, Poľanovce belonged to the Spišské Vlachy deanery, which
included the parishes of Chrasť nad Hornádom, Kluknava, Bijacovce, and Vyšné Repaše.
Although the village was not listed in the papal tithe registers of 1519, it held a significant
place in the ecclesiastical structure of Spiš.
The Village in the 19th and 20th Centuries
During the First Czechoslovak Republic, Poľanovce retained its agricultural character, with
residents engaged in farming and crafts. Between 1919 and 1920, the village and neighboring
communities requested a reduction in grain quotas due to a poor harvest. At the same time,
they faced a scabies outbreak.
During the Slovak National Uprising, locals supported partisan groups in the region. Some
villagers later found employment in industrial enterprises in Košice and Spiš.
Education and Schooling
The School in Poľanovce
A Roman Catholic school had existed in Poľanovce since 1823.
In 1937–38, 110 children attended the school, taught by Mrs. Mária Horutová.
Teachers at the Roman Catholic School in Poľanovce Before the War:
1919–1925 (?) – Ján Pataky (teacher and organist)
1931–32 – Irena Tkáčová
1932 – Jozef Lacek
1932–33 – Jaroslav Jelínek
1933–34 – Jozef Becko
1934–35 – Antónia Pauknerová
1935–39 – Mária Horutová
1939 – Ján Boucik
Between 1930 and 1940, approximately 95% of school expenses (teacher salaries,
maintenance, supplies, etc.) were covered by the local church. Any shortfall was covered by
the village, in accordance with the law at the time.
Records indicate that the old school building was established in 1823. On November 27,
1918, elections were held for a new organist-teacher, with Ján Pataky unanimously chosen.
On February 24, 1924, a meeting was held to decide on constructing a new school building, as
the old one was no longer adequate. The decision was made to convert the local manor house
into a school and sell the original building.
Members of the School Committee:
Ján Pataky – teacher
Ján Chromčo – farmer, chairman of the committee
Jozef Novak – mayor
Jozef Hudok
Štefan Šubar
Jakub Zahurančík
Tomáš Gaduš
Vincent Kaľavský
The old school building was auctioned on March 15, 1924. Interested buyers included Juraj
Novak, Pavol Zahurančík, František Piľa, Štefan Chlebovec, and Mária Hudok (née
Kaľavská). Mária Hudáková eventually purchased it for 4,210 Kčs.
Church
The Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was originally a Gothic structure.
A tower was added at the end of the 17th century and repaired in 1706. In 1765, the interior
was vaulted, the old southern entrance was walled up, and a new entrance was opened under
the tower. Minor modifications were made in the 20th century.
The church is a single-nave building with a rectangular chancel, an oblong nave, and an
attached tower. The interior features Czech and Prussian vaults. The facade is smooth, with
sgraffito quoining on the tower.
Inside, the main altar features an oval painting of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, with
Rococo angel sculptures from 1766 on the sides. Two side altars, also Rococo (circa 1765),
contain oil paintings of St. Joseph and another saint. The pulpit, from the late 18th century, is
Rococo, adorned with drapery and a vase on a volute canopy. The baroque baptismal font,
with a petal-shaped basin, is a wooden sculpture from the mid-18th century.
Other notable features include:
The Crucifix – a polychrome folk baroque woodcarving from the mid-18th century.
Tombstones from 1442 and 1601, made of red marble.
Cultural and Sacred Monuments
Poľanovce houses a bronze processional cross with engraved ornaments, a cylindrical
nodus, and figures of the Virgin Mary and St. John beside the cross. The village also
possesses a historic chalice, made of repoussé metal, inscribed on the reverse: A Georgio
Episcopo 1891.
Sihoť
Poľanovce was founded in 1270, and the church was built in 1379.
In 1739, Carthusian monks founded a monastery on Sihoť, which was dissolved by Emperor
Joseph II in 1792 after 53 years. A painting of The Transfiguration of Christ was transferred
from the monastery to the church in Poľanovce. On August 6, an annual religious festival was
held in honor of this event. A wooden cross once stood on the original site, now replaced by a
chapel.
Archaeological Research
Excavations have been conducted on the ruins of the Church of the Transfiguration at
Sihoť near Poľanovce.
Granary (Sypaň)
In the past, no farmstead in the village was complete without a granary (sypaň)—a storage
structure for food. Even during the summer heat, the stone construction kept the interior cool.
The granary also included a large, cool cellar.
This is not an official website
Poľanovce
Poľanovce is a village in the District of Levoča, situated at an altitude of 570 meters above
sea level. It lies at the junction of the Levoča Highlands and the Branisko mountain range, 23
km from Levoča. The village has a population of 156.
History of Poľanovce
Origins and the Middle Ages
The village of Poľanovce was first mentioned in 1270 when King Béla IV granted it to Urov's
son, Fiók, in exchange for a tower at Spiš Castle. Historical records refer to the village under
various names: Polank (1270), Babarete (1321), Polyank or Babarethy (1352), Polanka or
Babarethe (1429), Polanowetz (1773), Polanowce (1808), and in Hungarian as Polyanóc or
Polyánfalu.
Throughout its history, Poľanovce was owned by various landlords, including Bartolomej, son
of Pongrác de Polanch, in 1321. From the 18th century onward, ownership passed to families
such as the Jancsovcs and Almássys. In 1787, the village had 36 houses and 305 inhabitants,
increasing to 55 houses and 397 inhabitants by 1828. The primary sources of livelihood were
agriculture, carting, and charcoal production.
Recatholicization and Church Administration
Poľanovce played a crucial role in the recatholicization of Spiš during the 17th century. After
Gabriel Bethlen’s uprising in 1623, the Jesuits converted several villages, including
Poľanovce, to Catholicism. Canons from the Spiš Chapter held services in local homes and
educated residents on Catholic doctrines. Priest Ján Szölösi played a particularly important
role in this process.
In terms of church administration, Poľanovce belonged to the Spišské Vlachy deanery, which
included the parishes of Chrasť nad Hornádom, Kluknava, Bijacovce, and Vyšné Repaše.
Although the village was not listed in the papal tithe registers of 1519, it held a significant
place in the ecclesiastical structure of Spiš.
The Village in the 19th and 20th Centuries
During the First Czechoslovak Republic, Poľanovce retained its agricultural character, with
residents engaged in farming and crafts. Between 1919 and 1920, the village and neighboring
communities requested a reduction in grain quotas due to a poor harvest. At the same time,
they faced a scabies outbreak.
During the Slovak National Uprising, locals supported partisan groups in the region. Some
villagers later found employment in industrial enterprises in Košice and Spiš.
Education and Schooling
The School in Poľanovce
A Roman Catholic school had existed in Poľanovce since 1823.
In 1937–38, 110 children attended the school, taught by Mrs. Mária Horutová.
Teachers at the Roman Catholic School in Poľanovce Before the War:
1919–1925 (?) – Ján Pataky (teacher and organist)
1931–32 – Irena Tkáčová
1932 – Jozef Lacek
1932–33 – Jaroslav Jelínek
1933–34 – Jozef Becko
1934–35 – Antónia Pauknerová
1935–39 – Mária Horutová
1939 – Ján Boucik
Between 1930 and 1940, approximately 95% of school expenses (teacher salaries,
maintenance, supplies, etc.) were covered by the local church. Any shortfall was covered by
the village, in accordance with the law at the time.
Records indicate that the old school building was established in 1823. On November 27,
1918, elections were held for a new organist-teacher, with Ján Pataky unanimously chosen.
On February 24, 1924, a meeting was held to decide on constructing a new school building, as
the old one was no longer adequate. The decision was made to convert the local manor house
into a school and sell the original building.
Members of the School Committee:
Ján Pataky – teacher
Ján Chromčo – farmer, chairman of the committee
Jozef Novak – mayor
Jozef Hudok
Štefan Šubar
Jakub Zahurančík
Tomáš Gaduš
Vincent Kaľavský
The old school building was auctioned on March 15, 1924. Interested buyers included Juraj
Novak, Pavol Zahurančík, František Piľa, Štefan Chlebovec, and Mária Hudok (née
Kaľavská). Mária Hudáková eventually purchased it for 4,210 Kčs.
Church
The Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was originally a Gothic structure.
A tower was added at the end of the 17th century and repaired in 1706. In 1765, the interior
was vaulted, the old southern entrance was walled up, and a new entrance was opened under
the tower. Minor modifications were made in the 20th century.
The church is a single-nave building with a rectangular chancel, an oblong nave, and an
attached tower. The interior features Czech and Prussian vaults. The facade is smooth, with
sgraffito quoining on the tower.
Inside, the main altar features an oval painting of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, with
Rococo angel sculptures from 1766 on the sides. Two side altars, also Rococo (circa 1765),
contain oil paintings of St. Joseph and another saint. The pulpit, from the late 18th century, is
Rococo, adorned with drapery and a vase on a volute canopy. The baroque baptismal font,
with a petal-shaped basin, is a wooden sculpture from the mid-18th century.
Other notable features include:
The Crucifix – a polychrome folk baroque woodcarving from the mid-18th century.
Tombstones from 1442 and 1601, made of red marble.
https://www.knihydominikani.sk/hlavna_nemethy_22?farnost_id=649
Cultural and Sacred Monuments
Poľanovce houses a bronze processional cross with engraved ornaments, a cylindrical
nodus, and figures of the Virgin Mary and St. John beside the cross. The village also
possesses a historic chalice, made of repoussé metal, inscribed on the reverse: A Georgio
Episcopo 1891.
Sihoť
Poľanovce was founded in 1270, and the church was built in 1379.
In 1739, Carthusian monks founded a monastery on Sihoť, which was dissolved by Emperor
Joseph II in 1792 after 53 years. A painting of The Transfiguration of Christ was transferred
from the monastery to the church in Poľanovce. On August 6, an annual religious festival was
held in honor of this event. A wooden cross once stood on the original site, now replaced by a
chapel.
Archaeological Research
Excavations have been conducted on the ruins of the Church of the Transfiguration at
Sihoť near Poľanovce.
Granary (Sypaň)
In the past, no farmstead in the village was complete without a granary (sypaň)—a storage
structure for food. Even during the summer heat, the stone construction kept the interior cool.
The granary also included a large, cool cellar.
https://sypan.webnode.sk/
