Technical monuments Dobšiná

During a visit to the village of Nižná Slaná, stop by its significant industrial monument. It is the huta Etelka blast furnace, which is often also referred to as the iron heart of Gemer. Once upon a time, metallurgical materials mined in the Gemer region, which was rich in gold, silver, copper, and other mineral rocks, were smelted in this furnace.

In the village of Nižná Slaná, which lies at an altitude of 360 m a.s.l., you can also admire the beauty of a unique village bell tower or uplift your faith by visiting the Evangelical church from the first half of the 14th century. After descending from the Dobšinský kopec hill, the building of huta Etelka, which was built in 1867, will appear before you. It was built by Count Emanuel Andrássy. An interesting fact is that it was named after his mother. Thanks in part to this furnace, iron production was able to come fully alive in the 1860s. At that time, huta Etelka belonged to very prosperous enterprises in Gemer. Nowadays, your heart might break upon visiting it when you see the state it is in.

Once the most beautiful blast furnace in Slovakia, it reached a height of 11 m and its volume was up to 60 m³. The foundation was a pillar structure and an "open chest" design. A cast-iron heater was used for heating, and the blast furnace blower was powered by a water wheel. The furnace remained active until 1907. After its closure, there were efforts to reopen it with a specialization in a wet gravity ore dressing plant. Unfortunately, this proved unsuccessful, so the furnace was closed down again in 1910.

Today, this technical monument is visited by many of its admirers or lovers of interesting photography. Local residents from a non-profit organization are striving to save it. In the future, a museum is planned at huta Etelka that would showcase the operation of this furnace or the history of mining in this area.

Discovering the beauties of this village will certainly take more than one day. After all, who wouldn't go to see Hrad Muránčok as well? Feel free to put on your hiking shoes and head to the nearby Grófska ľadovňa ice house in Vlachovo. It is a sought-after spot for collecting interesting photos for your photo book. After your activities, you can indulge in a little rest at the Kúpalisko Vlachovo swimming pool. Or will you also visit the breathtaking Kaštieľ v Betliari? It is a sumptuous aristocratic residence from the 17th century housing various interesting exhibits. Its adjacent English park will charm you as well.

So that you don't have to rush home tired, we recommend booking accommodation near huta Etelka. As a family, you can choose your comfort in cottages Nižná Slaná, or opt for simpler private accommodation. It only depends on your preferences and the length of stay you choose.

The Chmarošský viadukt viaduct near Telgárt is one of the most elegant and most photographed technical monuments in Slovakia, recalling scenes from historical movies with its monumental brick architecture.

The site is located on the edge of the village of Telgárt, in the Brezno district, in the Banskobystrický kraj region, at the border of three national parks. The viaduct is part of railway line number 173, known as the Central Slovakian Transversal Railway, and was built in the 1930s. The structure, with a length of 113.6 meters and a height of 18 meters, consists of nine stone and brick arches that create an impressive curve in the open landscape. The viaduct still serves railway transport today, and a train passing over this historical structure is one of the greatest experiences for passengers and photographers waiting under the bridge. The architecture of the viaduct was designed with an emphasis on aesthetics, making it a unique example of engineering construction from the period of the first Czechoslovak Republic. Thanks to its location near the Besník pass, the surroundings of the viaduct offer fresh mountain air and the typical atmosphere of the Horehronie region, where the meadows change into different shades in every season. The viaduct has become an important point for tourism in the region, with its popularity constantly growing thanks to social networks that have turned it into one of the most visited technical monuments in Central Europe.

What can you find here?

In the area under the viaduct, you will find well-kept grassy areas suitable for photography and picnics, information boards about the history of the track, and marked trails leading to the best viewpoints. A nearby parking lot along the main road is available, as well as a stylish café located in a historical train carriage offering refreshments with a direct view of the bridge arches.

Who is the place suitable for?

The location is ideal for photographers, technical monument enthusiasts, and families with children looking for an easy walk with an attractive destination. It is also sought after by railway fans and tourists passing through Horehronie towards Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa cave. Standard walking shoes are sufficient to access the base of the bridge, but maximum caution and adherence to the prohibition of entering the tracks themselves are required when moving near the railway.

What can you visit in the surroundings?

Right in Telgárt, there is another technical rarity, the Telgártska slučka loop, and the nearby Telgártsky viadukt viaduct. You can visit the source of the Hron river in the Besník pass or ascend the legendary peak Kráľova hoľa, which is the cradle of Slovak natural poetry. For history and geology lovers, Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa cave or the picturesque village of Šumiac with its unique bell museum are within easy reach.

Tunel pod Homôľkou, also known as Slavošovský tunel, is located in the nature of the Štítnická dolina and Revúcka dolina valleys. This structure, which was once meant to connect interesting places, is an unfinished railway tunnel situated in one of the ridges of Stolické vrchy below the Homôlka peak at an altitude of 744.8 m above sea level. Today, it has become a popular tourist attraction that, in addition to exploring its mysterious spaces, offers other opportunities for recreation and entertainment at this location.

Getting to this tunnel is possible if you turn off the main road in the village of Slavošovce toward the valley. The road to it is not very well marked, but if you stick to the marked hiking trail, know that you will manage it successfully. The route from the village center takes approximately 20 minutes on foot and is suitable for everyone, from young children to seniors.

Construction of Slavošovský tunel began in 1941, when we wanted to connect even more with the surrounding world and had no other alternative for a train connection on our territory, as borders began to change. The first breakthrough of the tunnel occurred in 1944. Unfortunately, due to the end of the war and the Slovak National Uprising (SNP), the tunnel was not completed. If you visit today, you can notice that the tunnel is built in the shape of the letter S. It is 2,400 m long, and exploring all of its interior with a headlamp on your head or a flashlight in your hand can be done within 1 hour. However, it depends on how fast you walk. Claustrophobics avoid this place by a wide berth, as there is a sort of "horror atmosphere" prevailing here; you can feel moisture and cold, and all around you is darkness. A visit to this tunnel thus offers an unusual adrenaline experience. The entrance to the tunnel is not fully finished. You descend into it via a wooden staircase with a handrail, where extra caution is required due to slipperiness. Passing through the tunnel is always at your own risk. The only certainty you have here is that no train will run you over.

The Gemer nature hides a wealth of indescribable beauty within itself. If you head here, you certainly will not regret it. You will find peace, harmony, and perhaps a touch of inimitable fairy-tale atmosphere. In the Slavošovce section of the tunnel, an area focusing on fairy tales by Pavol Dobšinský has been built in front of its entrance. You can relax after a light hike under a shelter at the campsite. You can read interesting information on a 3D information board here. The location is sought after primarily by cyclists, as the tunnel is designated as one of the official cycling routes. Mushroom and berry pickers will also find plenty to enjoy here.

The region will win you over with a multitude of trails and routes for cyclists and hikers alike. You can also set off to the beautiful Ochtinská aragonitová jaskyňa cave. Did you know that aragonite is a rare mineral that occurs only very seldomly? Come and see it here. There are only two such beautiful caves in the entire world. In winter, you will be thrilled by the opportunity to try snowmobiles in the village of Rejdová. A ride on them will delight you so much that you will want to try it more than once. You can step back into the past during a visit to Štítnický hrad (or Štítnik castle). Significant industrial monuments include Huta Etelka. In the past, metallurgical materials extracted in the Gemer region were smelted in this furnace.

Are you interested in exploring even more attractions? Then book accommodation near Slavošovský tunel. There are many accommodation facilities on offer where you can spend a very pleasant stay. Will you choose cozy cottages for your overnight stay, or will affordable private accommodation suffice? We leave the choice entirely up to you! We are ready to gladly assist you.