Ružínska priehrada
The Vodná nádrž Ružín reservoir was artificially built on the Hornád river, at its confluence with the Hnilec river, between 1963 and 1972. It is set into the valley of Bujanovské vrchy, amidst the beautiful mountainous nature of Eastern Slovakia. It is located near Košice, and if you look at it from a bird's-eye perspective, it has the shape of a curved letter "V". Although the water is relatively cold even during the hottest summer, it rightfully ranks among Slovakia's most beautiful bodies of water.
Jazero Ružín lake spreads out at an altitude of 327 m above sea level, over an area of 600 hectares, with a maximum depth of up to 50 meters. Its construction resulted in the partial or total flooding of the villages of Jaklovce, Košické Hámre, Malý Folkmár, Margecany, Rolová Huta, and Ružín. The reservoir forms a system of two waterworks. Ružín I. stretches from the dam body to the Margecany railway bridge and is used for swimming. Ružín II., also known under the name vodná nádrž Malá Lodina, functions as a compensation basin for the pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant Ružín I..
The famous railway viaduct, Ružínsky viadukt, which belongs among frequently photographed objects, leads across the dam. The banks of the water reservoir are mostly rocky and steep, with the scenery of the surroundings beautifully completed by deciduous trees. Since the entire reservoir is sufficiently long, several recreational areas are located along it. In some, dining options, playgrounds, water sports beach areas are available, and of course, you can also go swimming here. Popular ones include, for example, Potoky, Táleng, Košické Hámre, or Jaklovce. Diverse leisure options for holidaymakers are offered by the Lodenica resort, where a boat and pedal boat rental is located alongside a maintained beach with sun loungers and umbrellas.
The Ružín dam has gradually become a sought-after and popular location not only among vacationers seeking rest and cooling off during hot summer, but also among anglers and kayakers. They swear by the deserted, quiet nooks with two small islands. These are Ostrov lásky and Malý ostrov. The dam ranks among the most beautiful grounds of the Slovenský rybársky zväz (Slovak Anglers' Union). The most popular fishing grounds are those in the village of Margecany and Opátska zátoka.
You can also enhance your stay at the Ružín dam with hiking. A popular spot is Sivec hill, from which you will have the entire dam in the palm of your hand. Besides it, you will see Volovské vrchy, and if the weather favors you, even Vysoké Tatry. You will certainly not regret making a trip to Drienková skala, the national nature reserve Bujanov, and Holica hill, also known as Napoleónov klobúk.
We will not reveal any more to you, come see with your own eyes what beauties the Spiš region hides. Book accommodation near Vodná nádrž Ružín, for instance on the page accommodation Margecany or accommodation Košice, pack your backpack with swimwear and trekking shoes, and off you go.



