Discover the culture, nature and mining of Nová Baňa

Nová Baňa combines sacred heritage, historic mining sites, nature trails and active routes into a destination with many different facets. Between protected cultural monuments, viewpoints, waterways and marked trails, you will find both brief historical insights and longer routes with significant elevation differences.

Culture

The Kalvária in Nová Baňa is a national cultural monument comprising 17 protected sites: Calvary Hill, the Church of the Holy Cross, the Chapel of the Suffering Christ and fourteen Stations of the Cross chapels. Religious processions and Masses continue to take place regularly at Kalvária. The site also serves as a resting place in nature with views of Nová Baňa. As a Way of the Cross, the complex leads from the foot of Záhrb Hill to the Church of the Holy Cross at the summit.

The mining history is also present in several places. The mining trail system comprises two historical themed circular routes: a 4.3 km black route with 210 m of elevation gain and a 5.6 km green route with 130 m of elevation gain. The restored Trojkráľová mine adit was ceremonially opened on 26 September 2008 and was undoubtedly one of the most productive adits in the historic gold mining of Nová Baňa.

The Pohronské Museum in Nová Baňa was founded in 1952. It is housed in the former town hall, originally a four-storey Gothic building from the second half of the 14th century, which was rebuilt in the mid-18th century and is protected as a cultural monument. The museum has more than 12,000 collection items. The holdings include archaeological finds as well as evidence of mining, crafts and folk production, including pottery, glassmaking and woodcarving.

A Roman Catholic church, originally Gothic, was built in the second half of the 14th century and rebuilt after its destruction between 1725 and 1729. The Hospital Church is a protected cultural monument and one of the oldest architectural monuments in Nová Baňa. Its construction in 1391 was closely connected with the neighbouring hospital.

Nature

The Háj lookout tower has three viewing platforms. From there, views extend across the Nová Baňa Basin, the ridge of the Pohronský Inovec and part of the Danubian Lowland. The Tajch reservoir offers a different landscape attraction: it is used for recreation and sport fishing. Its leisure infrastructure includes safe access points to the water and a wooden footbridge on the right bank.

The Zbojnícke studničky nature trail connects springs, water structures and a wetland. It leads from the Tajch reservoir via Šarvíz to Kohútovo. Nine thematic stations provide information about springs, the water cycle and the importance of the forest. The trail can be walked in both directions, is accessible year-round and is easy. It is approximately 10 km long and takes about 2.5 hours.

The Starohutský Waterfall is located approximately 300 m north of the settlement of Stará Huta, a district of Nová Baňa. Its waterfall drop is 5 m high.

Active pursuits

Mountain bikers can take the “Bajkom okolo Novej Bane” loop. It can be ridden in both directions and is rated moderate to difficult in terms of fitness and downhill technical skill, is 39.4 km long and has 1,300 m of ascent. This clearly distinguishes its length, elevation gain and technical rating.

The Zvonička nature trail passes through Zvonička, Červená skala, Havrania skala, Háj and Kohútovo. It is 6,233 m long and has 274 m of elevation gain. In the “Zvonička” ferrata sector, several rock formations are connected by bridges and via ferratas.

A yellow-marked tourist route leads from the railway station in Nová Baňa to the Zvonička nature trail. In the Zvonička recreational area, there is a children’s playground with a swing set and other play elements next to a fire pit.

More destinations

Veľké Pole, Rudno Nad Hronom, Malá Lehota, Voznica, Hronský Beňadik, Žarnovica, Kľak, Hodruša-Hámre

To the higher-level travel overview: Scharnowitz.