My hometown

Šariššké Michaľany

Basic Information Šarišské Michaľany is a community situated in eastern

Slovakia, concretely in Sabinov district, Saris region, Prešov territory. It is located on the left side of river Torysa and it`s 15km far to Prešov.

Additional Information:Location: 49° 03' 00" N, 21° 08' 00" EAltitude: 313 mSurface Area: 9,33 km2Number of Inhabitants: 2800Density: 299 inhabitants/km2

Map

The area of Šarišské Michaľany is unofficially divided into 4 parts:1. Upper part around Roman Catholic church2. Housing estate (built in 1956)3. Village (on the left from main road)4. New streets (behind manor house in the direction of

Sabinov

On the left side of river Torysa is situated the community, on its right side lies the sports areal and industrial enterprise Imuna.

Although Šarišské Michaľany is a village, it is not a typical small hamlet without anything. It has got good transport connection in region. There are basic institutions and services you need for everyday life. For example, you can find there :

• local authority and register office• post• kindergarten and elementary school • Roman and Greek Catholic church• health centre (GP for adults, GP for children and youth, dentist)• shops (2 bigger groceries, a convenience store, gift shop, drugstore, florist, pharmacy) • services - hairdresser`s, 2 restaurants, bakery, 2 pubs, a bar, disco,

confectionery, library, fitness centre, football pitch• clubs – old people`s club, table-tennis club, football club• Imuna – pharmaceutical enterprise

Symbols of Šarišské MichaľanyCoat of Arms – It is created by a blue shield with Archangel Michal in it. Saint Michal is pictured with golden wings and he holds a gold sword in his right hand and golden scales in his left hand.

Flag – It consists of 5 lengthwise stripes in blue, yellow and white colour. The middle white stripe is the widest.

Signet – It is circular, in its middle we can see community symbol and a round inscription ŠARIŠSKé MICHAĽANY

at the bottom.

Local festivals

In Šarišské Michaľany are every year organized some festivals, which are traditional. For example it is:

1. 1st June - Children`s Day – it is celebrated in the Manor-House area or on the pitch near Imuna by various activities and competitions for children;

2. 21st- 25th August – “Michaľanska špacirka” – during these days people join the activities prepared by some groups interested in various things, some of the activities are connected with traditions

- this action is arranged for the celebration of the anniversary of the first written mention from 1248.

- the last year the community celebrated the 760. anniversary

„Michaľanska špacirka“ photos

Children's Day photos

Monuments

A big dominant feature is our Manor-House. At the end of 16. century it was rebuilt according to eastern Slovakia manor-houses . Then was its original appearance changed into present-day form. Although it doesn`t shine by luxury, it has got architectonical value. Its interior is full of decoratively elements. In 1746 it was made into baroque style but it has kept its renaissance character. One of the most precious elements is the baroque ceiling with beautiful ornaments in one interior room (nowadays it is mayor`s office). From 1982 to 1987 was the Manor-House in reconstruction. It all costs about 333 000 euro. Since then the renewed complex is used for local politics.

Renaissance Manor-House

Roman Catholic church of St. Archangel Michal

This church has got a long and complicated history. It was many times destroyed and fixed again and again. The situation calmed down in 1911 when it was repaired after a big fire in 1904. Also during the 20. century was the church a little bit renovated. The last reconstructions were made in 2001, when they put a new roof and renewed the outside walls. The interior is richly decorated by many sculptures and paintings. They come from 17. and 20. century. They are planning to renew the whole interior.

Baroque chapel of Saint Cross Ascension

It was built in 1736 as an extension to the Manor-House by the county family Szirmay. The facades of the chapel are in typical baroque style. Also the windows` shape are made in the same way. The interior is really interesting by one of two ceiling paintings. This painting displays Apostles – it would be nothing strange about it, if there were 12 Apostles. However, there are displayed 13 of them. Unfortunately, we`ll never know, if the 13. person on painting may represent the Earl Szirmay or Earl`s painter.As the most remarkable painting we consider one of the wall paintings - crucified woman (St. Julia). Just two paintings of this kind are known in the whole world – in this chapel in Šarišské Michaľany and in France.Since 1993, the chapel is used for Greek Catholic church services.

Thank you for your Attention!

Ivana Sekeráková 1.C