Rudno nad Hronom: Churches, Mining and Nature

The parish church Kostol sv. Imricha is a Baroque-Classical church. It was built in 1802–1803 on the site of two older churches. The tower was added in 1887 and given a neo-Gothic design. The parish in Rudno nad Hronom is one of the oldest in the region and was already mentioned in the papal tithe records in 1337.

Rich gold mines were already known in Rudno nad Hronom in 1331. Construction of the Banícka štôlňa Anna Božena mining tunnel complex began in the mid-18th century. The complex is more than 1 km long and drains an interconnected mine system through eight levels. A recreation area is located near the tunnel complex. The mining chapel Banícka kaplnka sv. Joachima a Anny lies in the upper part of Rudno nad Hronom, near the Anna-Božena Mine.

Nový tajch is also one of the preserved traces of this mining history. The pond was built in 1789 to power mining facilities and ore crushers. At Nový tajch, the remains of the dam with the preserved original stone outlet are visible.

The Drastvica primeval forest covers approximately 150 ha around the 834 m-high summit of Drastvica. It extends mainly across its southern slopes to Veľký Žiar, which reaches 856 m. Drastvica lies between the villages of Voznica and Rudno nad Hronom. In the oak forests, Drastvica is a natural habitat of silver fir; the oldest sessile oaks are approximately 400 years old. The area is subject to the fifth level of nature protection.

The Rudná Magistrála route begins in Rudno nad Hronom and partly passes through the primeval forests of Drastvica. The red-marked tourist route also passes the remains of the castle on Ivankovo Hill (Hrádok). The ruins of Rudno Castle above the municipality of Rudno nad Hronom date from the 13th century. A castle ruin from Rudno nad Hronom is part of the Pohronská hradná cesta, the castle route along the Hron.

The Kaplnka Srdca Panny Márie is a neo-Gothic chapel built in 1899–1900 on a hill above Rudno nad Hronom. The chapel offers wide views of the surrounding area and is already visible from Nová Baňa in the distance. Holy Masses are held in the chapel during the summer months. A pilgrimage takes place every year on the feast day of the patrons of the Banícka kaplnka sv. Joachima a Anny.

The Šarkaniáda kite-flying competition is traditionally held in the meadow behind Kalvária. In 2024, a traditional carnival procession took place in Rudno nad Hronom, passing through the village and ending with a dance evening at the cultural centre.

Further places for travel planning: Ostrý Grúň, Hodruša-Hámre, Župkov, Kľak, Hrabičov, Nová Baňa, Horné Hámre and Orovnica.

For the overarching travel overview: Scharnowitz.