Memorials Kráľova Lehota

On the Háj hill, which rises to an altitude of 748 m a.s.l. above the town of Liptovský Mikuláš, you will find Lesopark Háj-Nicovô. It is a popular cultural and recreational zone and a frequent visiting spot for locals, as its summit offers a beautiful panoramic view. You will see the Vysoké Tatry with the unmistakable Kriváň, the Západné Tatry, and the Chočské vrchy on the northwestern side. The western side reveals the Veľká Fatra, while the southern side reveals the ridge of the Nízke Tatry. The highlight of the view is an exceptional vista of Liptovský Mikuláš and the Liptovská Mara water reservoir.

The dominant feature of the summit is the military memorial and cemetery Háj-Nicovô. More than 1,350 fallen heroes rest here. Their graves are arranged along the sides of a monumental staircase. Right by the bottom steps are sculptures, one symbolizing peace and victory, the other depicting an oath to the battle flag. After reaching the top step, you arrive directly in front of the centerpiece of the memorial, a pylon with several reliefs and a five-pointed star at its top.

You can reach the top of Háj along the paved Cesta generála R. Kunu road, which is also known as Cesta hrdinov. Passanger cars and bicycles are permitted on it, but you will also find pedestrians and often mothers with strollers there. In winter, the road is not maintained. However, a forest route via the Príroda a krajina educational trail, which copies the Vojenská história trail, is very popular among locals. In addition to walking, exploring nature, and learning about history, there is much more to do at Háj. You can play sports or spend time with children at an original wooden playground, and you can also find the first Slovak eco-friendly clay target shooting range here.

The Príroda a krajina educational trail is 1.3 km long, has an elevation gain of 140 m, and is marked with a green hiking trail marker. The ascent to Háj via this trail represents a walk along a deep-sea floor. More than 45 million years ago, Liptov was submerged under the sea, as evidenced by various fossils. In the insect hotel, you can admire the fascinating world of insects; however, on the way to it, you will first pass through a mixed forest with a rare specimen, a black poplar that is over 100 years old. The end of the trail is a sweet finishing touch, as there are stairs of time located there. They show a cross-section of the geological bedrock of the Liptovská kotlina basin, going back to 460 million years ago.

The Vojenská história educational trail is 0.47 km long and is a flat walk along a red hiking trail marker. Educational boards inform about troops and weapons, as well as the subsequent restoration of the devastated territory, as bloody battles of World War II took place here. The memorial area, to which the educational trail leads, was made accessible in 1961 along with the memorial and cemetery. It is the final resting place of battle victims, and since 2018, it has also served as a Pomník novodobým vojnovým veteránom (Monument to Modern War Veterans). This stands as a tribute to soldiers who died while fulfilling duty assignments in foreign missions and operations.

You can also run up to the summit of Háj; there are even two routes named after well-known Slovak athletes and natives of Liptovský Mikuláš. The blue route of whitewater slalom canoeist Michal Martikán is 5.3 km long with an elevation gain of 175 m. The yellow route of alpine skier Petra Vlhová is 3.3 km long with an elevation gain of 140 m. Both routes are classified as moderately demanding. A regional cycling route also passes through the area.

Being in Liptov means being surrounded by beautiful nature and many opportunities for activities. Lesopark Háj-Nicovô offers you amazing views, an easy hike, and the chance to discover another chapter of our history. The accommodation page Liptovský Mikuláš will take care of your stay, while the trip tips page Liptov will provide options for how to spend your free time during your visit.

Between the villages of Važec and Tatranská Štrba lies the largest German military cemetery in Slovakia. In total, we have six of them in the territory of our country, but this one is definitely the most beautiful and best-maintained. This is mainly thanks to the funding of German organizations, which make sure and take care of the dignified rest of the fallen soldiers.

The Važec War Cemetery began to be built in the autumn of 1997, and a year later in October, it was solemnly opened. It spans an area of 2.5 hectares at an altitude of 800 m above sea level. Currently, approximately 6,500 soldiers have found their final resting place here, with the cemetery having a capacity of 8,000 graves. The buried soldiers fought in the territory of central and eastern Slovakia.

When you find yourself at the cemetery in Važec, it will evoke mixed feelings in you. On one hand, you are influenced by the history of the place and humility toward the soldiers. On the other hand, a breathtaking view of the High Tatras panorama will soothe the heart. Neatly built simple granite crosses with a modern design and clean lines give the commemorative site an elegant appearance.

The crosses mostly feature four names with their birth and death years. As you walk between them, you will silently think of veterans as well as young boys, fighters of World War II. Artillerymen and pilots, combat engineers and Waffen-SS soldiers lie here, with and without names. There are also several mass graves to be found here.

In 1999, the cemetery earned the Dušan Jurkovič Award. It was awarded by the Slovak Architects Society, which thus recognized the cemetery's solution from an architectural point of view. Perhaps that is also one of the reasons why, in addition to relatives of victims and war veterans, tourists and locals from surrounding villages often head here. The peace that the place radiates is almost magical. Indeed, silence heals both the soul and the heart.

Come visit this German military cemetery in Važec as well. Pay tribute to the soldiers, grant your soul and thoughts freedom, and enjoy beautiful views. To be as close as possible, visit the accommodation Važec page. While on your stay, be sure to visit other interesting places in the area. Among the most popular are Važecká jaskyňa cave, Birutova dolinka valley, or the nearby village of Východná, which houses an amphitheater hosting the regularly organized folklore festival in Východná.