TATRA TEMPLE OF ICE

The Tatra Temple of Ice enters its thirteenth season, this time paying tribute to two popes – Pope Francis, who passed away in 2025, and Pope Leo XIV, his successor. Symbolically, it marks the end of one era and the beginning of another, bringing a theme with spiritual as well as artistic depth. The most popular winter attraction at Hrebienok (1,285 m a.s.l.) welcomes visitors from 14th November 2025 to 19th April 2026, and as always, it is free of charge.  

Basilica of Saint John Lateran – Mother of all churches 

Built from 225 tonnes of ice and 1,800 ice blocks, this year’s masterpiece is inspired by the Basilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome – the main church of the city and the official seat of the Pope as the Bishop of Rome.  
The Lateran Basilica holds the highest rank among Catholic churches and is often referred to as “the Mother and Head of all Churches of the City and the World.” 

Ice architecture and symbols 

Under the guidance of chief sculptor Adam Bakoš, a team of 20 ice artists from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany worked on the project.  The ice basilica features typical Lateran elements – statues of the Apostles, the Holy Door, the Papal Altar and the Papal Chair (Cathedra Papalis), where a newly elected pope symbolically begins his Petrine ministry.  The Papal Altar (Altare Papale) forms the spiritual heart of the entire basilica. In the real church, it stands above the relics of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, the apostles upon whose faith the Church was built.  The Papal Chair or Throne (Cathedra Papalis), placed behind the altar, symbolises papal authority and spiritual leadership. The word cathedra (chair) also gave rise to the term cathedral – a temple where the bishop resides. It represents service rather than power – from this chair, the Pope teaches and guides the Church as the successor of Saint Peter. 

New this season 

A brand-new feature this year allows visitors to walk through an ice tunnel leading directly to the main structure.  
As they emerge, they are greeted by the monumental façade of the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, crowned with statues of the thirteen apostles.  On the right-hand side, visitors will find the Holy Door – a symbol of faith and hope, which, in the real basilica, is opened only once every 25 years during the Jubilee Year. 2025 is the latest Jubilee, giving this year’s theme even deeper significance.  On the left, the Papal Altar is surrounded by portraits of the six most recent popes – Leo XIV, Francis, Benedict XVI, John Paul II, John Paul I and Paul VI, along with the Papal Chair. Together, they form a moving image of faith, tradition and service. 

Details worth noticing  

For observant visitors, there’s a little challenge – to find five hidden Tatra edelweiss flowers carved into the icy structure.  The dome cover measures 25 metres in diameter and is 10.7 metres high. The atmosphere is further enhanced by glass artworks by Achilleas Sdoukos, whose play of light lifts the ice architecture to an entirely new level.  

Hrebienok has much more great attractions in store. The Tatra Christmas Market with typical Christmas delicacies will be a big highlight of this winter season. Sledging on the 2.5 km track from Hrebienok to Starý Smokovec is a classic favourite. And our pride – the largest winter event in the Tatras – Tatry Ice Master, an international ice sculpting championship with teams from around the world takes place on 18th and 19th January 2025 this year. A trip to Hrebienok never disappoints!