Levoca (Levoča) is a small but very cozy town in the eastern part of Slovakia, located between Kosice (Košice) and Poprad. Despite its modest size, this town with a population of only 14 thousand people is known far beyond the country. Pilgrims and tourists from all over the world come here to visit local churches, temples and admire the medieval architecture.

In the 13th century, this small settlement was part of Hungary. It had a beneficial geographical position at the intersection of trade routes, which allowed Levoca to quickly develop and thrive, especially thanks to trade relations with Polish Krakow and even Venice. Local squares were always bustling, fairs and markets were frequent, and art developed together with the economy. The evidence of this period is the well-preserved architecture of the town.

The town's heart is Master Paul’s Square. It houses the main attractions, like the Town Hall and the late-Gothic Basilica of St. James. There is also an evangelical church, Thurzo's house, which is a beautiful example of the Renaissance, and several rather colorful houses with a gable tile roof.

When you think of Levoca, you always remember its most famous resident, Master Paul, who gave the name to the main square. Unfortunately, the facts of his biography, year and place of birth, and even his last name are unknown: he became famous many years after his death and all the archival documents were lost.

Historians suggest that Paul began working in Krakow, then lived in the cities of eastern Slovakia, and later moved to Levoca, where he founded his art workshop and married the daughter of an influential citizen.

The main attraction of the town, which made Levoca famous all over the world, is a wooden carved altar with a height of almost 19 meters. Created at the beginning of the 16th century, it is still kept inside the Basilica of St. James. The unique structure is officially considered the largest altar in the world. It is decorated with statues of saints carved from a single piece of linden. It is believed that Paul looked like one of the twelve apostles, so the master could immortalize his self-portrait.