Pohronská Polhora – Culture, Nature and Hotels

Pohronská Polhora lies on the southern boundary of Muránska planina National Park. In the village and its immediate surroundings, preserved monuments, historic railway heritage, marked trails and vibrant regional traditions come together. As a result, the range of experiences extends from short cultural excursions to longer routes through the mountainous landscape.

Culture and History

One of the village’s notable historical landmarks is the Old Cemetery of Pohronská Polhora. It was established in 1794 and has preserved its original appearance and the design of its gravestones. At the same time, it forms an exceptional ensemble of cast-iron cemetery crosses; in 1999, the cemetery was entered in the central heritage register of the Slovak Republic.

The religious buildings also document various phases of the village’s history. The Church of St Michael the Archangel was completed in 1808, and its tower was completed in 1835. The Chapel of St John of Nepomuk was probably built in 1797. The bell tower of Pohronská Polhora dates from 1843. The municipal administration building also houses a historical exhibition about the life and traditions of the municipality’s inhabitants.

Another historical trace is the rack railway line between Tisovec and Pohronská Polhora. It was built in 1896, mainly to serve the needs of the developing metallurgical industry, and was declared a cultural monument in 2008. On 13 May 2016, a maypole was erected in Pohronská Polhora’s park in accordance with a local Pentecost tradition.

Nature and Trails

The Zbojnícky chodník educational trail begins at Zbojnícky dvor and runs via Makovo koryto beneath the Čertov most railway viaduct to the entrance of Čertovo Valley. The trail is 4.7 kilometres long, has an elevation gain of 268 metres and requires approximately three hours of walking in sturdy footwear.

A yellow-marked hiking trail leads from Pohronská Polhora to Chlipavica in the Veporské vrchy mountains. A blue-marked hiking trail leads to Fabova hoľa. The Zbojská saddle is a starting point for hiking trails into Muránska planina National Park and the Veporské vrchy mountains; it is also home to a tourist information centre.

The Rozhľadňa Zbojská lookout tower features a 13-metre-high viewing platform with a bell that visitors can ring. The lower part of the tower contains a small chapel dedicated to St George with a separate entrance. The Zbojská saddle can be reached by car, bus, train, bicycle and on foot.

Cycling and Winter

A designated cycling route leads from Krátke via Pohronská Polhora and Zbojská to the Burda saddle, then to Pätina and on to Závadka nad Hronom. In addition, an official six-kilometre section of the cycling route runs from Tisovec towards Brezno. It bypasses the Zbojská saddle and ends on the road to Pohronská Polhora in the Svetlá valley.

A small ski resort with two ski lifts, a groomed ski slope and artificial snowmaking is located in the Zbojská mountain saddle.

Local Traditions

The Zbojnícka strela excursion bus currently runs between Zbojnícky dvor in the Zbojská saddle and Gazdovský dvor in the Chlipavice saddle. Salaš Zbojská has a restaurant serving traditional dishes and lamb specialities. From spring to autumn, folk music from Horehronie, Gemer or Pohronská Polhora, along with performances by the Červené jabĺčko children’s folklore ensemble, provides entertainment there.

Every year, Zbojnícky dvor hosts regional championships in animal slaughtering. Visitors can watch and taste traditional slaughter products. Zbojnícky dvor also provides guidance on making Oštiepky and preparing Žinčica, as well as rolling Parenica and stretching cheese strands.

At the Zbojská sheepfold, sheep’s cheeses for Oštiepky, Brimsen and Žinčica are made using traditional methods. In this way, alongside the trails and monuments, traditional crafts and culinary customs also remain part of the village’s character.

Other Places

Other places in this selection: Michalová, Polomka, Nemecká, Telgárt, Braväcovo, Predajná, Podbrezová, Ráztoka.

To the broader travel overview: Brezno District.