Markušovce Manor House Park

History

The date of the park’s establishment is unknown. Most likely, the original garden was arranged in the style of renaissance terraced gardens. The park was divided into three terraces that were interconnected with a path and lined with lime-tree avenues. The park, rectangular  and oriented from north to south, is centrally planned. In the mid 19th century, flora was planted to extend the natural landscape. State intervention of the park in the 1950s brought a baroque influence to the park, but it did not change the natural landscape in the growth.

Description of the park

The Markušovce park has above-standard architectural and horticultural parameters. It is the only park arrangement in the Spiš region that is an inseparable part of the historically valuable monument.

The park originally consisted of two parts: an evenly arranged French garden behind the castle and a natural area behind the river Hornád (today it is separated from the castle by a street and is no longer maintained). Today, the park has the shape of a rectangle that rises north to the Palace of Pleasure of the Dardanelles. From there, the terrain descends again. The building of the original Renaissance chateau is located in the southern part of the park. The park is separated from its surroundings by a fence and a wall. Behind the wall used to be a vegetable and fruit orchard. To the west and east of the park there are two-storey estates. In the park there are three terraces connected by a stone staircase. There used to be 8 life-size statues of Ovidius with 4 decorative vases. In the middle of the highest terrace was a fountain. In the upper part of the park, boxwood or yew hedges are cut into various shapes. There is a hidden door under the main staircase. It can be assumed that there used to be a cave here.

Fauna and flora of the park

The planting structure of the original park is unknown apart from a few ancient linden trees (Tilia platyphyllos) lined up in avenues. One can also find an avenue of beech trees in several rows.

Múdre stromy

Current use

Markušovce Park has above-standard architectural and horticultural parameters. It is the only park arrangement in the Spiš region that is an inseparable part of the historically valuable monument.

Classical music concerts take place in Markušovce park too.

Contact

Kaštieľ a Letohrádok Dardanely:

+421 917 746 339

Plan your way

Opening hours

The park is open during the museum's opening hours, which are as follows:

Accessibility of the park