The fortified town of Bardejov has been designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bardejov provides exceptionally well preserved evidence of the economic and social structure of trading towns in medieval Central Europe. The plan, buildings, and fortifications of Bardejov illustrate the urban complex that developed in Central Europe in the Middle Ages at major points along the great trade routes of the period.

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The earliest written record dates back to 1241. At the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries colonists from Silesia settled down near the settlement lying on the main communication route. In 1320 King Robert granted them extensive rights, which speeded up the process of transformation of the chartered village "Bardejov" into a town.

In 1352 the town obtained the right to hold the 8-day fair and the guarantee of freedom for all who took part in it. The safety of trade and craftsmanship and the town's independence were protected by the town fortifications with their impregnable gates, massive turrets and water moats. In 1365 Bardejov obtained the right of capital punishment and in 1376 promoted to the status of free royal town by King Louis I. In the 14th and 15th centuries, the dexterousness of the Bardejov merchants and the development of craftsmanship as documented by 64 professions and more than 50 guilds, raised the town to the peak of its fame and wealth. A number of silent witnesses have been preserved from this period certifying the "Golden Age" of Bardejov. Among them are the secular and ecclesiastical buildings which even today impress the mediaval character of the town. The most precious of them is the monumental St. Egidius Church, which from the point of view of its architecture, is a part of the national heritage in Slovakia. Its 11 gothic winged altars with panel paintings have hardly any parallels in Europe. The artistic feeling and taste of the masters is also witnessed by the church interior. A special attention is attracted by the rectangular square paved with cobblestones flanked on three sides with burgher houses carrying traces of gothic and rennaissance architecture. The 16th century was marked by the flourishing of culture, education and arts. One of the most precious buildings is the Town Hall whose construction was begun in 1505 by Master Alexander. On the original gothic foundations a renaissance superstructure with a beautiful oriel was built by Master Alexius and Master Jan of Presov.

After centuries of flourishment and fame came the centuries of decline, poverty and stagnation. Plague and other epidemics, fires and wars almost destroyed the town, which was falling into disrepair both economically and socially. But Bardejov has not been completely forgotten. In 1950 it was declared a protected city core and an intensive restoration
of the cultural heritage was begun.