Povrazník – Find a hotel between nature and culture

Nature

The cadastral area of Povrazník belongs to the Poľana Biosphere Reserve. Poľana is the highest and best-preserved volcanic mountain range in Slovakia. Povrazník is known among mineralogists for occurrences of wood opals, which formed during volcanic activity near Poľana. The Ďuríkova diera volcanic cave is located near Povrazník. The area surrounding the town is also considered a popular mushroom-picking region.

Hiking and cycling

The marked route from Na Mincu via the main ridge of Poľana to Detva is 25 km long, has an elevation gain of 860 metres, and is considered challenging. The unmarked route through Driekyňa from Povrazník is 5 km long, has an elevation gain of 130 metres, and is considered easy. For cycling, a route from Povrazník to Slovenská Ľupča covers 10 km and 80 metres of elevation gain; it is considered easy. The green cycle route No. 5551 leads around Poľana, is approximately 122 km long, and is considered challenging.

Culture and crafts

The log house at No. 59 in Povrazník dates from 1880 and is registered as a cultural monument. The bell tower in Povrazník contains a small bell from 1745 and a large bell from 1792. A memorial plaque dedicated to General Dr M. R. Štefánik was unveiled at the bell tower in 1928. Its ground floor is built of masonry, while the wooden upper floor was constructed using a post-and-beam framework with plank cladding.

The municipal museum of Povrazník opened in 2008 and contains restored exhibits collected mainly by local residents. It includes a room dedicated to folk traditions, a classroom, and a collection of televisions and radios. Several wooden log houses and original ethnographic artefacts have been preserved in Povrazník.

History

The history of Povrazník is closely connected with mining. The first written mention dates from 22 May 1424; at that time, the settlement was listed as Powraznik among the villages of the Ľupča estate. The inhabitants of Povrazník specialised in making ropes, which were supplied mainly to the mines of Ľubietová, Špania Dolina and Staré Hory. Linen and rag rugs were still woven in Povrazník until the mid-20th century. The traditional costume of Povrazník belongs to the Poniky variant of the Detva costume type.

Below Brezina, on the road to Majer, there are three large rocks, each weighing approximately one tonne, with centrally positioned holes about 15 to 20 cm in diameter. Pegs were attached there, and long bundles of hemp fibres were twisted from rock to rock and braided into ropes used to lower miners into the pits.

Transport and other destinations

Povrazník has a bus connection with Banská Bystrica. Other destinations on poezdka.de include Hronsek, Horné Pršany, Moštenica, Priechod, Harmanec, Motyčky, Môlča and Donovaly.

For the higher-level travel overview: Banská Bystrica District.