{"id":8568014,"date":"2025-11-13T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/regiontatry.sk\/tatransky-ladovy-dom\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T08:14:30","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T06:14:30","slug":"tatra-temple-of-ice","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/regiontatry.sk\/en\/tatra-temple-of-ice\/","title":{"rendered":"TATRA TEMPLE OF ICE"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Tatra temple of ice is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A grandiose ice tribute to two popes \u2013 Habemus papam. Basilica of Saint John Lateran, Rome.  <\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

The Tatra Temple of Ice enters its thirteenth season, this time paying tribute to two popes \u2013 Pope Francis<\/strong>, who passed away in 2025, and Pope Leo XIV<\/strong>, 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<\/strong> (1,285 m a.s.l.) welcomes visitors from 14th<\/sup> November 2025 to 19th<\/sup> April 2026<\/strong>, and as always, it is free<\/strong> of charge.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Basilica of Saint John Lateran \u2013 Mother of all churches<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Built from 225 tonnes of ice<\/strong> and 1,800 ice blocks<\/strong>, this year\u2019s masterpiece is inspired by the Basilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome<\/strong> \u2013 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 <\/strong>and is often referred to as \u201cthe Mother and Head of all Churches of the City and the World.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n


Ice architecture and symbols<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Under the guidance of chief sculptor Adam Bako\u0161<\/strong>, a team of 20 ice artists<\/strong> from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany<\/strong> worked on the project. 
The ice basilica features typical Lateran elements \u2013 statues of the Apostles, the Holy Door, the Papal Altar and the Papal Chair (Cathedra Papalis)<\/strong>, where a newly elected pope symbolically begins his Petrine ministry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Papal Altar (Altare Papale)<\/strong> 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Papal Chair or Throne (Cathedra Papalis)<\/strong>, placed behind the altar, symbolises papal authority and spiritual leadership. The word cathedra<\/em> (chair) also gave rise to the term cathedral<\/em> \u2013 a temple where the bishop resides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It represents service rather than power \u2013 from this chair, the Pope teaches and guides the Church as the successor of Saint Peter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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New this season<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A brand-new feature this year allows visitors to walk through an ice tunnel<\/strong> leading directly to the main structure. 
As they emerge, they are greeted by the monumental fa\u00e7ade<\/strong> of the Basilica of Saint John Lateran<\/strong>, crowned with statues of the thirteen apostles<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the right-hand side<\/strong>, visitors will find the Holy Door<\/strong> \u2013 a symbol of faith and hope, which, in the real basilica, is opened only once every 25 years during the Jubilee Year<\/strong>. 2025 is the latest Jubilee, giving this year\u2019s theme even deeper significance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the left<\/strong>, the Papal Altar<\/strong> is surrounded by portraits of the six most recent popes<\/strong> \u2013 Leo XIV, Francis, Benedict XVI, John Paul II, John Paul I and Paul VI, along with the Papal Chair<\/strong>. Together, they form a moving image of faith, tradition and service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Details worth noticing <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For observant visitors, there\u2019s a little challenge \u2013 to find five hidden Tatra edelweiss flowers<\/strong> carved into the icy structure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dome cover measures 25 metres in diameter<\/strong> and is 10.7 metres <\/strong>high. The atmosphere is further enhanced by glass artworks by Achilleas Sdoukos<\/strong>, whose play of light lifts the ice architecture to an entirely new level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Tatra Temple of Ice in numbers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  • 13th edition <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 225 tonnes of ice<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 1,800 ice blocks<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 25 m dome diameter<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 10.7 m highest point<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 25 days of work, 8 hours a day<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 20 sculptors from 4 countries + 20 assistants<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Chief sculptor: Adam Bako\u0161<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n


    Ceremonial opening of the Tatra Ice Dome<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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