Region of Banská Bystrica - Slovakia

Banska Bystrica Region is located in south part of Central Slovakia, and with its extent of 9445 square kilometres is greatest area of the Republic. On south, it borders with Hungary, on west with Nitra and Trenčín regions, on north with Žilina and Prešov regions, and, finally, on east with Košice region.

Unusual folk music festival - this could be a depiction of the festival called Hontian Show. It is one of the most recent and most attractive folk culture events. It is interesting for its originality and inventiveness. In Hrusov, a picturesque town situated on the south of central Slovenska, there will be the 18th sequel of this interesting event, it will take place on August 16th and 17th 2013. The whole town lives on this event - yards, streets, solitudes, convention center and an amphitheatre want to bring closer almost forgotten agricultural tradition, crafts, works and traditions as past generations knew them. Also, there will be helt various folk shows in an interesting amphitheatre, yards, wine cellars, and also you will experience degustation of local specialties. Lets go with us and experience atmosphere of the last year festival. If you have no plans yet, I recommend you the 18th year of Hostinska Show. Indeed you will have many unforgettable memories as I did.

Text and photo: O. Maňáková

On picturesque Krupinska plain lays the town of Bzovík. Right next to it is a citadel designed to defend the land against Turkish troops. In our photogallery you can now visit this place. The whole medieval complex is accssible for free. Omnipresents signs, however, warns you of risk you might take if there. Please accept our invitation for a short walk in one of the oldest architectonic sights in Slovakia.

Text and photo: Oskár Mažgút

Překlad: Stanislava Waniová

The Stiavnicke Hills are well known for their mining history. This beautiful land has mines going under it through and through. The village of Hodruaa-Hamre,the quarter of Kopanice, is about 7.5 kilometers south west of Banska Stiavnica. The village is located in the Protected Landscape Area of the Stiavnicke Hills. Kopanice is a remote village 2.2 km southeast from Hodrusa-Hamre.

Right next to Kopanice is the hill of Baniste which is easily accessible. The climb to the top is not difficult. You can get there after 10 minutes of walk from Kopanice – Dul settlement. Enjoy beautiful vistas to the surroundings from the top. Below the hill, we can see the houses of small settlement of Kopanice to the northwest. To the east, we can see the village of Kopanice-Dul. Magical are also vistas of the Stiavnicke Hills and its Sitno mountain (1 009 m n. m.). The Stiavnicke Hills is the highest mountain of this mountain range.

Text and photo: Radoslav Biskupič

Banska Stiavnica is an old town located in the middle of a collapsed Stiavnice volcano. For long centuries, precious metals were mined here. This allowed our ancestors to build beautiful streets or quiant architecture which looks amazing in the nature that surrounds it. Join us for a look of this precious gem of Slovakia.

Text: Oskár Mažgút

Photos: Jozef Dovičin

Dumbier - the hill in the Low Tatra Mountains, visited by every mountain tourist. This mighty mountain is undoubtedly one of the most famous and most visited hills of the Low Tatras. It is the highest peak of the mountain range, reaching an altitude of 2 046 meters. Dumbier offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surroundings - the main ridge of the Low Tatras with its adjacent valleys and ruins, but above all the beautiful panoramas of the Western and High Tatras. For tourists it is accessible all year round. During the winter time, this mountain is a frequent destination for hiking but mainly for cross-country skiing. A great advantage is also the presence of the nearby M. R. Stefanik's cabin which can provide visitors with refreshments, relaxing in warm cozy alpine huts and overnight stays. We can do climbs up Dumbier from the Bystre valley from Srdiečko, the main ridge from Certovice or from the upper station of the Chopok cable car station and then the crossing over the main ridge.

Text and photos: Radoslav Biskupič

The following photos, we will introduce you to the traditional Krnacek races, which take place every year in the village of Turecka. This year's track was very challenging due to the amount of snow that froze and increased the speed of the track. Even though some crews overturned or ended off the tracks, no one was serious. The contestants, as well as the spectators, had fun and adrenaline and remembered the old traditions. The event included a rich cultural program with a taste of traditional Slovak dishes.

Text and photos: Karol Kobelt (www.karolkobella.sk)

Edited by: Infoglobe

Go with us to the winter beauties of the Starohorské Hills. Our starting point will be the picturesque mining village of Špania Dolina, which has been declared a conservation area of folk architecture since 1979. We will take a walk along the marked hiking trails and enjoy the views of the majestic mountains.

Text: Oskár Mažgút

Photos: Karol Kobella (www.karolkobella.sk)

Experience a brief return to the past with the following photos. Enjoy the views of the famous Čiernohorská railway, which has been attracting many tourists to the Čierný Hron valley with steam hissing from a locomotive for years. Enjoy nostalgic rides in an open train among beautiful nature. We will take you to Čierny Balog, the mysterious Vydrovské valley and to the settlement of Dobroč.

Text and photos: Mgr. Anna Nociarová

Edited by Infoglobe

Today we invite you to a tourist walk through the best preserved and at the same time the highest volcanic mountains in Slovakia, which was named after beautiful mountain meadows full of flowers. Surely you already know that this is a mountain beauty called Poľana. Its unique natural wealth has been included in the UNESCO biosphere reserves, and on one of its peaks (Hrb) you would also find the geographical center of Slovakia. Use the following photos to enjoy wonderful views of this hitherto little-discovered mountain range.

Text: Oskár Mažgút

Photos: Beata Firicová

Today we will set off through photographs to a city famous for its mining past, but also for the Slovak National Uprising. Surely you already know that we will visit Banská Bystrica. In addition to the history associated with mining, especially silver and copper, it offers a unique SNP memorial, an attractive center declared a city monument reserve and the only Slovak map museum located in the suburbs (in the village Kynceľová) of this Central Slovak capital.

Text: Oskár Mažgút

Photos: Matouš Vinš, Mgr. Anna Nociarová, archiv vydavatelství CBS, Oskár Mažgút

Near the town of Žarnovica, the 23-hectare Zvěropark offers interesting animals (some of which you can pet), amazing corners with a pond or waterfall, as well as a children's landscape with famous fairy tale characters, all surrounded by beautiful nature. The biggest attraction, besides the wetland elk, are all sorts of activities ranging from playing in the playgrounds to tractor train tours to picnicking and barbecuing in the flowering meadows.

Text and photos: Oskár Mažgút