Technical monuments Vikartovce

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.

Just by reading the name of the attraction, you will figure out how to find your way around this interesting sight. Slnečné hodiny Nová Lesná (Sundial Nová Lesná) is located directly in the sub-Tatra village of Nová Lesná. This scientific device designed for measuring time will catch your attention as an attraction under the Tatras mainly for children, but adults will marvel at it as well.

Sundials as such work on the principle of incident light. Therefore, if you want to experience firsthand how this ancient device works, plan a trip to see it during beautiful sunny days. The space of the structure as such consists of three elements: the sundial, the panoramic orientation object, and meditation stools. If it were not for the idea of creating the sundial by Mr. Nosek and Ms. Šimoníková, this project would not have been successfully realized.

Time is a relative quantity. Here, you can spend a long time reflecting on yourself or watching the movement of the Sun in the sky by the sundial. The uniqueness of this work lies in the fact that the clock as such is multiple. What does that mean? You can look at the southern clock, western clock, or noon clock. Simply put, you can say that the western clock shows time only in the afternoon, the noon clock shows true local time in the settlement of Malý Smokovec, and the southern one shows daylight saving time (in Arabic numerals) as well as the time for the rest of the year (in Roman numerals).

At the panoramic orientation object, observing the surroundings is particularly interesting. On the installed spatial structure, you will learn information regarding the panorama of the Vysoké Tatry. How wonderful it is to admire individual peaks in the distance, their altitude, and imagine conquering them. Excellent for every tourist.

The meditation stools are part of the area in front of the southern dial of the sundial. There are precisely 12 wooden stools intended for sitting, observing the surroundings, and meditating. They symbolically correspond to the number of hours in a day as well as the number of months in a year.

If you decide to visit this picturesque village, definitely do not miss its attraction. On a sunny day, you will recharge your energy here and learn the exact time. From the sundial, you can also plan a trip to nearby attractions in the area. It will be best to wake up in the morning in accommodation near Slnečné hodiny Nová Lesná, or in accommodation in Nová Lesná, but do not snub accommodation in the Tatra settlements either. From an apartment in Starý Smokovec, you can take a look into Tricklandia, and from private accommodation in Dolný Smokovec, winter sports at the Pod lesom ski resort will come in handy. It is up to you how you decide to spend your time.

On the southeastern foot of the massive Slavkovský štít, above the heads of residents and visitors of Starý Smokovec, lies a popular and easily accessible year-round tourist center. It is Hrebienok that regularly transforms into a magical ice kingdom during the winter months. Scenery as if cut out of a popular modern fairy tale was named Tatranský ľadový dóm Hrebienok. And since ice does not last here in warmer seasons, the ice dome takes on a new, unique form every year, inspired by monumental global landmarks. Tourists therefore love to return here, making their winter skiing trip or Christmas holiday atmosphere more enjoyable with a visit to this icy beauty.

You can visit the ice dome in Vysoké Tatry during the winter season. Sculptors' work usually begins as early as autumn so that the icy masterpiece is accessible to the public on time. Visitors come here from the second half of November until May of the following year. After that, the gates of the ice kingdom close so that it can rise again in a new outfit for the next winter, inspired by the beauty of world architectural wonders. Occasional concerts and performances by artists, held right against the backdrop of this magnificent ice kingdom, offer a unique experience.

Every year, the ice structure is protected by a 25-m diameter dome, which completes its unique atmosphere. Entry is free of charge for visitors. You can comfortably reach Tatranský ľadový dóm via the Pozemná lanovka na Hrebienok funicular from the Starý Smokovec station. Therefore, the trip is also favored by families with children and active seniors enjoying unusual beauty set in the picturesque environment of Vysoké Tatry.

Winter in the Tatras is truly fairytale-like. Come and enjoy the unique atmosphere brought to perfection by master sculptors. Under their hands, a new Tatranský ľadový dóm Hrebienok is born here every year. You can combine a trip to Hrebienok with a walk to Rainerova chata or to Vodopády Studeného potoka. And what would a winter holiday in our high mountains be without great skiing? Located directly in Starý Smokovec is the popular Jakubkova lúka ski resort. It attracts skiers not only with excellent snow conditions, but also with a gentler slope suitable for children and less experienced skiers. And when the Tatra winter penetrates right beneath your jackets, spend a pleasant evening in a chalet or guesthouse providing accommodation near Tatranský ľadový dóm Hrebienok. There is certainly no shortage of offers in the Tatras. Accommodation in Starý Smokovec and the nearby area will satisfy the demands of even the most discerning vacationers.