Memorials Liptovská Lúžna

In the Liptov village of Dúbrava, nestled in the picturesque nature of Nízke Tatry, the Guardian of the Forest (Strážca lesa) stands guard over the entrance to the forests and mines in Dúbravská dolina. It is a wooden statue soaring to a height of 5 m. To movie fans of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, it resembles the walking tree character "Ent", while to fans of Guardians of the Galaxy, it recalls the character "Groot". It was created by a pair of English artists.

Rooted to the ground, the statue is made almost entirely of wood, only subtly supported by a metal structure. It symbolizes Perun, the Slavic god of thunder and lightning. In his hand, he holds a burning torch, and his feet are covered with stones. The path leading to him is well-trodden, so you certainly will not get lost. It is quite possible that during your walk you will meet families with strollers or seniors. The terrain is easy and the route is relatively short.

In the past, mining activity flourished in Dúbravská dolina, leaving many residents with health consequences, but above all, it was responsible for one of the largest ecological disasters in Slovakia in 2019. The wooden guardian stands here as a sort of barrier between nature and man. He is a protector of both the forest and nature. He defends them and stands here as a warning to anyone who would consciously want to destroy them.

Not far from the wooden guardian are the famous Dúbravské bane, which were strategic for Czechoslovakia in their time. They were the highest-altitude antimony mines in Central Europe. Mining in them completely ceased in 1992. An old mining train stands at their entrance. However, its condition is just as dilapidated as the surrounding area of the mines. Nevertheless, a beautiful spruce forest leads to them.

Similarly beautiful forests can be found all around the area. Liptov is a very popular tourist destination, and every visitor will find something to love here. If you too want a photo with the wooden man of Dúbrava, plan a nice extended weekend in Liptov. For that, you need to find quality accommodation near the Wooden Man. You will find plenty of options, for example, on the page accommodation Liptovský Mikuláš. To truly enjoy your trip to the fullest, get inspired by our tips for trips in Liptov.

In modern Slovak history, there are very few chapters as dark as the one written in the year 1945. One of the saddest events at the end of World War II took place in the village of Nemecká in central Slovakia. It is right here that a memorial stands today, dedicated to the victims who died at the hands of the German commando and the Hlinka Guard. The cultural monument is located near the main road from Banská Bystrica to Brezno. In addition to the Pamätník Nemecká itself, an exhibition entitled Represálie nacistov a príslušníkov POHG na Slovensku v rokoch 1944-1945 is prepared for visitors. Here, you can see not only the uniforms of members of the Hlinka Guard, but also the personal belongings of the victims who laid down their lives here.

In the village of Nemecká, on the premises of a former lime kiln, tragic events took place in January 1945 that have no equal in the modern history of Slovakia. The lime kiln situated on the border between the territories of the villages of Ráztoka and Nemecká became a silent witness to the murder of direct participants in the SNP, their family members, supporters of the uprising, and persons persecuted for racial reasons. The victims were shot here and subsequently burned in the flames of the stone furnace. More than 900 people lost their lives here during a single week in January.

Today, the Pamätník Nemecká, also referred to as the Pamätník umučeným, stands at this blood-stained site. The cultural monument belongs to the Múzeum SNP. The first part of the exhibition provides a general introduction, the course of the tragic event, and introduces visitors to its main actors and, last but not least, the victims of the murder.

The second part of the exhibition is located in a separate room. Its goal is a detailed presentation of the reprisals in western, central, and eastern Slovakia. One of its sections is dedicated to attempts to exterminate the Roma population. Among the most interesting items representing these tragic events are parts of uniforms of the POHG, the German police, and the Arrow Cross Party. An especially emotional part of the presentation is the personal items of the victims of extermination and belongings from burned houses in the villages of Kalište and Kľak.

The lime kiln in Nemecká proved to be a strategic site in 1945. The victims were burned here, and their ashes, along with remaining body fragments, were swallowed by the waters of the Hron river. The furnace stands here to this day as a silent witness of the tragedy and a figurative warning finger. Next to the lime kiln, a monument symbolizing the flame of the furnace and a kneeling woman was built for the victims of the reprisals.

If you visit the village of Nemecká during your wanderings through Horehronie, you certainly will not miss the Pamätník umučeným. The gloomier thoughts that might run through your mind after touring this place can be dispelled by the picturesque nature of central Slovakia. Accept an invitation to the nearby village of Predajná and take a walk to the magnificent Predajnianske vodopády, or let your mind unwind in the mysterious underground of Bystrianska jaskyňa. And when the cultural heritage and natural wealth of this region completely charm you, find accommodation near the Pamätník Nemecká. Cottages and cabins in Horehronie practically invite you to relax surrounded by picturesque nature.

Some sights leave deep feelings in people after visiting them. One such place is Kalište – osada declared a national cultural monument, located near Banská Bystrica. The Partizánska republika Kalište (Partisan Republic of Kalište) was a long-term area controlled by partisans on the southern slopes of the Nízke Tatry.

Today, we would search in vain for traces of this settlement's development. Nestled among coniferous forests, the slightly huddled village speaks for itself about a cruel truth. Even upon visiting this settlement, you will understand what terrible things happened here. With your own eyes, you will see burnt and demolished houses, a cemetery, two small houses with a chapel, and a tree above the grave of fallen partisans. It is precisely in the 2 already reconstructed houses that an exhibition of the Múzeum SNP titled Partizánska republika is open to the public.

During the Second World War, the village of Kalište was the so-called center of the partisan republic. Local people supported it passionately because, thanks to the partisans, they saw hope for a better tomorrow. However, the Germans did not like this, and on 18 March 1945, they set fire to the village and murdered the locals. Almost no living soul remained here. Precisely so that this devastation from many years ago is not forgotten, the Partizánska republika Kalište serves as a detached exhibition of the Múzeum SNP in Banská Bystrica. Life in this municipality was never restored, making it the only one of its kind in Slovakia.

Every year, the memory of the fallen villagers is commemorated during the SNP anniversary celebrations in Banská Bystrica. If you head directly to the settlement, 17 informative boards, part of an educational trail located throughout the entire area, will guide you through the history of Kalište. You can reach the settlement directly from Donovaly on foot along the yellow tourist trail or via cycling routes leading through the surrounding villages. Alternatively, you can choose to drive through Moštenica. If you set off for the settlement early in the morning, we recommend booking accommodation near Partizánska republika Kalište.

Somewhat better feelings will be left in you by other attractions in Banská Bystrica and its surroundings. During the summer season, swimming at Aqualand – Plážové kúpalisko is a great option. Or would you like to plan a visit to the observatory as part of your holiday in Banská Bystrica? Remember, the best childhood memories come when a trip is longer and the accommodation is cozy. Therefore, choose an apartment in Banská Bystrica. If you come as a couple who simply enjoys spending time discovering new points of interest, a hotel room will suffice for you as well. Of course, you do not have to follow our recommendations entirely; it is enough to choose the right accommodation in Banská Bystrica through our portal.

If you are currently in Špania Dolina, do something for your health and set off on a hike along the Partizánsky náučný chodník. Below Jelenská skala, you will find the small and well-hidden Partizánsky bunker Mor ho!, where the staff of the "Pomstiteľ" brigade operated during World War II. The bunker owes its name to an illegal resistance magazine that, along with various propaganda leaflets, was printed here during the suppression of the Slovak National Uprising at the turn of 1944 and 1945.

Reminisce about the difficult war period and visit Staré Hory, which were an important part of the so-called Partisan Republic. A strategic telephone exchange was also located here, ensuring communication between individual partisan groups. We must never forget this decisive stage in the history of our nation.

The Bunker Mor ho! is one of the stops along the Partizánsky náučný chodník. You can reach it via an unmarked branch off the red-marked hiking trail, along a very narrow path leading through dense forest and brushwood. The bunker has undergone reconstruction and is freely accessible to the public today. You will also find a commemorative plaque beside it, recalling its former significance.

Špania Dolina, the starting point to the bunker, is situated on the border of the Nízke Tatry and Veľká Fatra. Discover more beauties of this region and book your holiday in Špania Dolina today. A wide selection of accommodation near the Partizánsky bunker Mor ho! can be found on our accommodation Špania Dolina page. Another gem located directly in the village is the unique Banícky orloj (Astronomical Clock of Miners), built in 2004 in honor of the miners and pitmen from this area. Špania Dolina attracts tourists in the winter season as well. At the Šachtičky ski resort, 14 km of perfectly groomed slopes await you with a breathtaking view of the Nízke Tatry. Both beginners and experienced skiers will find something to enjoy here. We wish you a wonderful holiday filled with extraordinary experiences.