Sivá Brada, National nature reserve in Levoča District, Slovakia
Sivá Brada is a national nature reserve in Levoča District featuring a roughly 25-meter-high travertine hill built up by mineralized water continuously rising from below. The calcium carbonate deposits form distinctive geological structures visible across the protected area.
The site gained official protection in 2004 following recognition of its geological value. The travertine and mineral spring formations developed over thousands of years through continuous natural processes.
The Baroque Chapel of St. Cross built in 1675 sits atop the hill, showing how local faith and the natural setting are intertwined. Visitors can observe how this sacred space remains connected to the surrounding landscape and continues to hold spiritual meaning.
The site is accessible via marked hiking trails that connect to nearby attractions including Spišský salaš farm, Spišská Kapitula chapel, and medieval Spiš Castle. These paths are clearly signed, making it easy to plan a walking route through the area.
Active mineral springs here release carbon dioxide, creating bubbling pools within the travertine formations. These gas emissions reveal the ongoing geological activity that continues to shape the landscape.
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