Liešťany: History, Traditions and Routes Through the Surroundings

Liešťany combines local history, local traditions, nature and marked routes into a multifaceted image of the municipality. The various aspects lie in the municipality’s origins, its traditional names, the activities of local associations and the connections through the surrounding area.

History

Liešťany was established in 1943 by merging the independent settlements of Liešťany, Dobročná and Lomnica. The history of Liešťany, Dobročná and Lomnica has been documented in writing since the beginning of the 14th century. In 1332, Liešťany was referred to as Lyssen and Dobročná as Dobrochna. After King Charles Robert confirmed mining rights in 1337, people began searching for and extracting precious metals in the Diviacka Valley. Historical seals suggest that Liešťany once had a parish church dedicated to Saint George.

Culture and Traditions

Local chapels dating from the 20th century are an exception among Liešťany’s larger cultural and historical sights. The LIESKA folklore association originated from a performance in a chapel in Liešťany during a local parish feast in 1989. The annual carnival programme “Pochovávanie basy” is a recurring folklore tradition in Liešťany.

LIESKA regularly participates in local Mother’s Day celebrations and parish feasts in Liešťany. The association also provides church singing at Christmas, Easter and local parish feasts. At weddings, LIESKA maintains the traditional custom of removing the bride’s wreath at night and putting on the bonnet, Čepčenie. The Municipality Day, Deň obce, is held in Liešťany as a traditional cultural event.

Nature

Part of the Liešťany municipal area belongs to the Strážovské vrchy Special Protection Area, SKCHVU 028, within the Natura 2000 network. On 3 October 2018, a tourist map was installed in front of the Liešťany Cultural Centre to help visitors with hiking and orientation in the surrounding area.

Routes and Events

KST Liešťany continues the traditional star-shaped ascent of Suchý vrch on the first Sunday in May each year, with a raffle and music. In September, KST Liešťany continues the tradition of cooking goulash on Chotej hora.

The blue-marked Route 2308, the Bojnický cyklookruh, runs between Nevidzany and Kostolná Ves through Liešťany. The Bojnický cyklookruh can be started at any point and combined with other cycle routes in the district.

For travel planning around Liešťany, visitors can view and compare hotel and holiday accommodation offers. Before booking, the offer pages allow visitors to check in particular the exact location, type of accommodation and possible occupancy. Included services, individual price components, as well as the conditions for booking, changes and cancellation are equally important. Comparing these fields makes differences between the offers visible and helps align the selection with one’s own travel dates and intended budget. The decision thus remains guided by the specifically stated terms and conditions.

In the same regional context, you will also find Ráztočno, Sebedražie, Kamenec Pod Vtáčnikom, Malá Čausa, Bojnice, Kanianka, Lehota Pod Vtáčnikom and Malinová.

For the broader travel overview: Prievidza.