You can get to know Hiadeľ through its customs and cuisine. A traditional local dish is Krumplovník, made from potatoes and flour; even great-grandparents used to prepare it. It is baked and available to sample at the Hiadlovský Krumplovník village festival in the second half of September. Check the current date and programme of the festival before your trip.
Festivals and Customs Throughout the Year
The annual Hody na sv. Františka takes place on the Sunday closest to 4 October. A shared agape follows a Holy Mass. If you would like to include this festival in your travel plans, check the current date and programme in advance.
International Firefighters’ Day is observed in Hiadeľ every year on 4 May. The programme includes an event specially for children and a firefighting competition with teams from neighbouring municipalities. Confirm the date and programme before travelling.
Among the Whitsun customs that have been preserved is putting up maypoles in front of houses; a decorated tree is also erected in the village square. The custom may vary from year to year. During Carnival, masked members of the volunteer fire brigade and other volunteers sing their way through the village with an accordion player. A community disco follows in the evening; individual programme items may vary.
The St John’s bonfire takes place on the weekend after St John’s Day. People gather around a large fire and celebrate the beginning of summer; the exact weekend may vary. In early December, St Nicholas Day brings activities for children to the community centre as part of a Christmas market, including decorating gingerbread and making Christmas decorations. Homemade scented candles, Christmas wreaths, jewellery and wooden products are also on offer, along with festive refreshments. These include gingerbread, sweets and punch, with or without alcohol. The selection may change from year to year.
Chapel, Memorial Room and Local History
The Chapel of St Francis is late Neoclassical and was built between 1847 and 1856. It is in good condition and continues to serve its religious purpose. As its condition may change, check it, as well as current access arrangements, before visiting.
A plaque on a school building commemorates its temporary use during the Slovak National Uprising: it housed A. S. Yegorov’s partisan headquarters and a military field hospital. The DHZ Hiadeľ memorial room displays awards, winner’s trophies, medals and diplomas, as well as firefighters’ protective clothing with a helmet and breathing apparatus. Check the opening arrangements before visiting the memorial room.
Traditional folk clothing also has a regional classification: it belonged to the central Slovak variant of the Detva–Podkonice type. At present, houses Nos. 104 and 110 are protected. These brief details add further insights into Hiadeľ’s cultural heritage alongside its festivals and firefighting history.
Nearby
The Moštenické hradisko archaeological site is located on the summit of Hradište, near Hiadeľ. Based on the pottery recovered during investigations of the site and its surroundings, its origins are dated to the Late Bronze Age. The site thus links a specific place with a date based on the pottery finds discovered there.
A map with markers is available for the tourist educational trail. Click on a marker to see information about the contents of the corresponding information board. Hiadeľská Kyslá also emerges at two locations nearby. The trail, the archaeological site and the named spring offer different points of interest if, alongside village festivals, you are also interested in history and local features.
Discover more destinations: Priechod, Povrazník, Vlkanová, Badín, Donovaly, Môlča, Lučatín, Turecká.
Return to the regional travel overview: Okres Banská Bystrica.
