Folk crafts, wooden architecture and mining towns of Central Slovakia
Spend three skills days in the historic area of Pohronie and try your hand at wood carving or glass painting. Experience the great art works of folk architecture and peak into the stone dwellings, a fortified Benedictine Monastery from the 10th century and the wooden Articular Church in Hronsek built without a single piece of metal. See the UNESCO World cultural heritage site Banska _tiavnica Old Town, with its gothic beauty and the Open-air Mining Museum nearby. During our visit to the Topoľčianky gothic water Castle, we will stop in the game reserve of European bison. Finally we could not possibly miss out on the pottery making, pig roasting and wine tasting in the local vineyard at sunset.
Highlights:
Pottery-making and pig roasting
Game reserve of European bison
Benedictine monastery from 10th century
Stone dwellings in Brhlovce
Original water mill in Bohunice
Banska _tiavnica UNESCO world heritage site
Glass-painting
St. Antons Mansion
Banska Bystrica old town sightseeing
_pania dolina unique mining folk village
Wooden church in Hronsek
Kremnica old mining town
Detailed Itinerary Day 1
From the Bratislava airport, we will head straight to our hotel located just a step out of the Bratislava Old Town. Taste the rich Slovak cuisine and roam around the narrow streets of the historical capitol of Slovakia after the dinner.
Overnight in Bratislava (D) (B)
Day 2
Our first stop will be at Topoľčianky where we will visit a gothic water castle and the unique game reserve of European bison. In the nearby village, your hands will have a chance to feel the local clay as you will try to make your own plate. Local specialties such as wine, roasted pig and potatoes will be served in traditional pottery. Our journey will take us even further to the fortified Benedictine Monastery in Hronsky Beňadik built in the 10th century.
At the end of the day we will visit the stone dwellings, a tertiary volcanic tuff forming the geological subsoil of the surrounding land, which enabled the natives to cut in the stones not only their utility rooms but also their dwelling rooms. These buildings originate from the historic time of the Turkish wars. A bit further up the road in Bohunice stands an original water mill where you will be able to catch your breath and take a break. Over centuries, until the end of 19th century, the local water mills were powered almost exclusively by mechanical water power.
Overnight in Banska _tiavnica (B) (D)
Day 3
We will have the entire morning to spend in Banska _tiavnica, a real jewel of Slovakia, and a town included on the UNESCO World Heritage list. It offers 360 monuments, plus a spectacular natural landscape which closely encircles the town. The small village of Počuvadlo, surrounded by untouched woods, still offers the original wooden courtyards and stone window frames originating from the 19 th century. You will meet with the local craftsman, eat "halu_ky" (a traditional Slovak dish consisting of small dumplings topped with sheep cheese and bacon) made by the craftsmans wife and try to carve your own wooden walking stick. If you are a fan of the "fine" arts, you can test your talents by painting on glass. East of this village is Svaty Anton, a village with a splendid Baroque-Classicist mansion from the 18th century. The mansion, which has a beautiful park, houses a museum dedicated to the tradition of hunting. There are few similar museums in the world, processing such a rich collection of hunting trophies. The picturesque Old Town Square in Banska Bystrica with its gothic houses from the 18 th century is a great place for a romantic evening walk. Impressive loggias with arcades, as well as the facades with wall paintings, captivate the eyes of those passing by.
Overnight in Banska Bystrica (B) (D)
Day 4
Walking through _pania dolina, a picturesque mining village with many well-preserved folk structures gives an idea of how this region looked in the past. You can taste traditional fruit dumplings accompanied by cottage cheese, or crushed poppy seeds, both local specialties at a local folk cottage. A part of the restaurant is a small farming museum, which serves as a display of working tools and of traditional folk costumes. Several interesting landmarks can be found at Hronsek. The most valuable of them is the wooden Articular church originating from the 18 th century possessing a precious interior and handsome wooden belfry beside it. Moreover, two mansions decorate the village scene. On the way back to Bratislava, enjoy a scenic view of the third medieval mining town, the glamorous Old Town of Kremnica.
Overnight in Bratislava (D) (B)
Day 5
In the morning, we will leave the Bratislava for individual departures
Departure Dates The price is for groups of 6.
For Groups of different sizes contact us and we can adopt the price.
Prices _599 EURO per person
Prices includes:
local transfers to/from Bratislava's airport to the hotel, 4 nights accommodation in hotel and pension with breakfast, lunch and dinner. Transport in a luxury mini van. Two experienced guides specialized in the history and crafts during the whole tour. Two local craftsmen. Museum entrance fees. *Prices based on a double/twin room with two people sharing*
*Single Supplement available*
Special Offer
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