Memorials Mýto pod Ďumbierom

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.