Horný Tisovník – Folk Art, Churches and Hotels in Novohrad

Horný Tisovník combines forests, geological features and evidence of folk culture. Traditional swing wells are among the village’s attractions. Geographically, Horný Tisovník lies in the northwest of Novohrad, southeast below the Javorie Mountains, in the eastern part of the Krupinská vrchovina uplands and in the valley of the Tisovník.

Landscape

The municipal area of Horný Tisovník consists of andesitic tuffs and lava flows and contains mineral springs. Most of the area is covered by forests. Historical landscape structures with an agricultural and pastoral character have also been preserved in Horný Tisovník and its surroundings. Geological features, forests and traditional forms of land use thus coexist within the same village and landscape setting.

Culture and Funerary Art

Folk stonecutting became established in Horný Tisovník. In 2017, the village received a special award for rediscovering and restoring folk gravestones and for preserving the spiritual heritage of the past. More than 80 stone gravestones have been preserved in the restored old cemetery. An information board there introduces Michal Miloslav Laciak (1826–1904), who is buried in this cemetery.

The folk gravestones of Horný and Dolný Tisovník feature plant ornaments, various star and sun motifs, as well as depictions of birds, insects and human figures. The stone and wooden folk gravestones of the Evangelical Christians of the Augsburg Confession from Horný and Dolný Tisovník were created between 1870 and 1930 and are regarded as the most representative and cohesive expression of Novohrad folk art. Horný Tisovník also has a memorial room dedicated to the folk gravestones of Novohrad.

Churches and Bell Towers

The Evangelical church of Horný Tisovník stands on the site of a wooden Evangelical prayer house dating from 1791 and was built in 1867. The Church of Saints Philip and James was originally Gothic, completely rebuilt during the Renaissance and remodelled in the Baroque style in 1751–1755. It stands in the northeastern part of the village, is in good condition and serves its religious purpose.

The masonry bell tower has a square ground plan, rectangular sound openings, plain façades and a tent roof. It stands on a slope in the central part of the village. In the open, undeveloped area above the lower part, there is also a wooden bell tower next to the masonry one. In Dolný Tisovník, a wooden bell tower has the characteristic form of the open, arcade-style Renaissance bell towers of the 17th century.

The presentation at the old cemetery includes information boards, explanatory texts in carved boxes, a central area with a main information board and benches. This presentation is located in a natural setting on a slope above Horný Tisovník, near the Evangelical church and a bell tower.

Hiking to Zvolen

The two-day, 40-kilometre hike “Osadami Javoria z Horného Tisovníka do Zvolena” begins in Horný Tisovník. It leads via several settlements and waypoints to Zvolen. Horný Tisovník is listed as a bus connection for this hike.

Other Places

Other places: Hriňová, Podkriváň, Stožok, Latky, Klokoč, Dettwa, Kriváň, Vígľaš.

To the higher-level travel overview: Detva District.