The village, where approx. 850 inhabitants live at present, is placed along banks of Ipel´-river, near to south headland of Krupina table-land. The community is known in Slovakia as well as abroad, thanks to the oldest church from Arpad Parentage time period. The church is rising on the highest place of the community.

History

This area was colonized just certain time period B.C., as some object from Bronze era were found there. The first notice comes of 1232, as Bolug, in a document of Andrew II. The home-stead which was King´s ownership, was added to Zvolen dominion. In inventory of Pope´s royalties from the end of 14th century, you can read the name „Belek“. The ancestors of Balogh Family, the Oszlar Parentage, obtained in 1375 all Balogh ownership as a donation. Aladar Huszar belongs to the next important owners of Balog. He let to built there curia in Neo-classical style, reconstructed later in essential way. The community is also mentioned in surveys from Turkish occupation.

In 1855, most part of Balog was replaced with arable land. Ten years later, nearly 500 persons lived there. In 1903, The Credit and Cooperative Society was established. Local inhabitants became famous through registered breeding of Swiss sorts of cattle, they even participated on exhibitions, too. Moreover, the vegetables and hemp were cultivated there. The plants were worked out and sold in towns in the neighbourhood. Most of men were engaged with production of willow baskets, great hampers and osier stands, with purpose for home use. The fishing was also diffused in the village. In 1993, a monument of victims from the 2nd World War was erected in local cemetery. To rare historical monument belongs small chapel of 18th century, or wooden bell-tower of 18th century. Another interesting artefact is St.Rochus statue of 1810, presenting skills´ evidence of local stone-sculptors.

Text: Denisa Arvajová, balognadiplom.ocu.sk

Translation: ing. Jan Jonáš

Photo: picasaweb.com, balognadiplom.ocu.sk