Valaská Belá: Hotels, Glassmaking Tradition and Mountain Landscapes

Valaská Belá combines protected mountain landscapes with a clearly recognizable craft tradition. Between the Strážovské vrchy, the source of the Nitrica and museums dedicated to glass, linen and embroidery, nature, regional culture and specific places to visit stand side by side. Folklore, sacred history, as well as opportunities for winter sports, agrotourism, hiking and cycling round out the offer.

Nature

The Strážovské vrchy Protected Landscape Area was designated in 1989 and is characterized by forests interspersed with mountain meadows. Another protected area lies directly within the municipality’s cadastral territory: the privately owned Rysia Nature Reserve covers 30.49 hectares and is subject to the highest, fifth level of protection.

The Nitrica is also one of the named landscape features of the area. Locally, the river is called Belanka and rises below Homôlka at an elevation of 900 meters above sea level.

Glass and Crafts

Handmade glassmaking has a special cultural status in Valaská Belá. The element Ručná sklárska výroba was included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Slovakia.

At the open-air glassmaking museum Sklený sen, you can watch glass being shaped and blown by hand using traditional techniques. A visit must be arranged in advance because the furnace has to be heated before glass processing can begin.

The Museum of Linen, Weaving and Embroidery focuses on another form of traditional craftsmanship. Visitors can weave fabrics on traditional looms there. The museum also displays handmade dolls in various sizes, colorful carpets, as well as various tablecloths, doilies and placemats connected with folk traditions. A visit to this museum should preferably be arranged in advance.

The Belianska embroidery is also part of the textile heritage. It was embroidered in three ways, all of which were also known in the surrounding area.

Folk Culture and History

The Belanka folklore group takes part every year in the summer and winter folklore festivals of Upper Nitra. It presents traditional programs for Carnival, during the Carnival procession through the municipality, at the erection of the maypole, on Mother’s Day and in Christmas performances.

A historic landmark is the Classicist Church of St. Michael the Archangel. It was built in 1800 on the site of an older Renaissance sacred building, which was already mentioned in 1572; its tower was incorporated into the new structure. The church is in good condition and continues to serve its purpose.

Winter and Trails

At the Homôlka Ski Center, skiers have access to ski terrain served by three of its own Tatrapoma lifts. Homôlka is also home to Chata Homôlka, which offers accommodation and full-day meals.

Valaská Belá offers good conditions for agrotourism, as well as attractive hiking and cycling routes. Thus, alongside winter sports, trails and rural activities form distinct areas of interest within the municipality itself.

Other places: Pravenec, Lehota Pod Vtáčnikom, Malinová, Radobica, Sebedražie, Cigeľ, Koš, Jalovec.

To the main travel overview: Prievidza.