ACTIVITIES IN THE REGION
Culture in Nova Bana
Nova Bana has a small museum, which obtains a replica of the "fire machine " of Isaac Potter. Water was boiled in a massive kettle, vapour was derived and set in motion huge cilinders. Because of the suction power, they could remove water from the mines, and that for the first time in Europe in 1722 (42,000 buckets or 50 liter per day). A reconstruction of this machine and other articles are to be seen in this museum.
Walks with starting point Nova Bana
If you drive direction Stara Huta, you come across the waterfalls. It is only indicated by a small sign, on the right side of the road by the text "vodopady". Parking only for 1 car foreseen.
From Nova Bana you can have a climb to the hills around the city, with a view over the river Hron. Recommended are Červena Skala (red rocks) and Havrania Skala (raven rocks). The best way to explore the region is to walk along marked paths. Buy yourself a map and simply follow the marked routes. Every route has a specific colour. Altitude and duration are written on the signs which you encounter during your walk. I can recommend to visit for example Vojšin, departing from the farm on foot.
From Nova Bana you can have a climb to the hills around the city, with a view over the river Hron. Recommended are Červena Skala (red rocks) and Havrania Skala (raven rocks). The best way to explore the region is to walk along marked paths. Buy yourself a map and simply follow the marked routes. Every route has a specific colour. Altitude and duration are written on the signs which you encounter during your walk. I can recommend to visit for example Vojšin, departing from the farm on foot.
Monastery Hronsky Benadik, 15 km
This monastery is a typical gotic building, built on the fundaments of a Roman church from the 11th century. In the chapel of the holy blood, a relic is held with pieces of the clerical garb of Jesus. Pope Paulus II made this gift towards King Matej Korvinov.
Aquapark in Vyhne, 25km
You can visit a small aquapark in the village of Vyhne. You can combine it with a visit to the other important mine cities as
Banská Štiavnica or Banská Bystrica (the word "banska" stays for mining).
In front of this aquapark you can find a restaurant with terrace and playyard.
Banská Štiavnica or Banská Bystrica (the word "banska" stays for mining).
In front of this aquapark you can find a restaurant with terrace and playyard.
Topolčianky, 30 km
This village is well known for its classic castle and adjacent English garden. There are guided tours in the castle at given times during the weekends. The garden can be visited at any time. Once, this castle was inhabited by the first president of Czechoslovakia, Masaryck, because of his love for horses. Every year on the 1th of Mai, there are held tournaments with horses. Topolčianky is also very known for its breeding programs for horses: it has two own breeds, the Hucul and the Slovakian warmblood. Also Lipizaner and Shagya Arabian horses are bred. Not far away from this castle, you can see the vineards of Vino Topolčianky. This region produces its own wine. A rarity can be found nearby, under the supervision of the Statesforestry, the european bison (bison bonasus) is breed in semi wild condition. It is open for public.
Banská Štiavnica, 30 km
In 1156 silver was extracted from the mines. The centre of the city is under the protection of the UNESCO. We recommend taking a walk to the calvary hills, and to visit the centre of the city with its monuments: plague column. You can finish your walk by visiting the castle tower. In the centre of the city lays the local beer brewer ERB. The brewery is made in the restaurant itself, and its copper tanks are part of the interior. Banská Štiavnica has a lot of lakes (tajch), which can be visited. The most renomated is Počuvadlo because of its cristalclear water. You can let explore your children in Terra Permonia in Banská Štiavnica: http://www.terrapermonia.sk/krajina-poznania/fotogaleria.html
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Svatý Antón, 40 km
In this beautiful baroque-classic castle is fit a muzeum which has a collection of more than 2000 hunting trophies.
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Kremnica, 50 km
This city has also a rich mining history. The gold was of such a good quality, that the city Kremnica decided in 1335 to emit its own golden dukate. It was used as a means of paying at that time, and later on also used in the Hungarian empire and later in the Czechoslovak republic. The mint Mincovňa Kremnica (second picture) stands open for tourists. This city has its own castle and church and vast fortifications along the former cityborders. The so called geografical middlepoint of Europe can be found not far from Kremnica, in Krahuľe. In the vast forests of Kremnica live sustainable populations of brown bear, wolf and lynx.
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Wooden churches in Slovakia
Especially in the north, middle and east-Slovakia, you can find typical wooden buildings. For more info:
Castles, fortifications and ruines
Slovakia has numerous fortifications, castles and ruines. Information about them can be found in books, also with an English and/or German translation.
Skiing in the neighbourhood
Only 10 km away from the farmhouse, you can find the small ski centrum Drozdovo (http://www.penziondrozdovo.sk/), with two small lifts. -The total length of the slope is approximately 500 meter. Skalká near Kremnica (http://skalky.sk) has four of them with 7 different possible ways to descend. Total length is 2800 meter. In both of these centra is a skischool at your disposal for children and there is a possibilty to eat and drink. They also rent out skis.
National parks in Slovakia
Museum
Every monday, all museums are closed.
Sanatoriums, health resorts
Each health resort has its own special cure-therapies. For more details:
Eating and drinking
Pittoresque Slovakia
Open air museum, ethnografic performances, folklore, popular architecture, cave visits, old authentic villages such as Vlkolinec and Cicmany, and lot more:
