In Krupina District, literary traces, fortified buildings and distinctive rock formations come together. In Krupina, the town lies on the floodplain of the Krupinica River, on the boundary between the Štiavnické vrchy and the Krupinská planina. Museums and a walking trail make history accessible from different perspectives: as local history, literature and part of the built heritage.

Literature, Traditions and Architectural History

The “Po stopách Andreja Sládkoviča” walking trail leads to 16 interesting places in Krupina that are closely connected with the life of the Slovak poet. A permanent exhibition at the Múzeum Andreja Sládkoviča explores the town’s history and literary figures. Its main subjects are Andrej Sládkovič and Elena Maróthy-Šoltésová. In this way, a route through places connected with their biographies complements the museum’s exploration of historical and literary themes.

The museum also includes cellar spaces known as the Krupina underground. They can be visited during selected events and, following the necessary modifications, as part of a guided tour of the museum exhibition. Access is therefore subject to these conditions.

In Sebechleby, the Ethnographic Museum displays regional costumes, folk traditions and customs. It is part of the Stará Hora folk architecture reservation. In 1981, Stará Hora was added to Slovakia’s list of protected folk architecture reservations. Visitors interested in traditional clothing and customs will find here a different perspective on cultural history than in Krupina’s exhibition on local history and literature.

Buildings, too, tell stories of different eras. The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Krupina is a three-aisled Romanesque basilica built by German colonists in the early 13th century. The Vartovka watchtower was built around 1564 during the conflicts with the Ottomans. It is considered the only Slovak watchtower preserved in its original condition. Čabraď Castle is documented in writing from 1276; historically, it was intended to protect the routes to the mining towns.

The Bzovík fortress shows another form of defensive architecture: its fortified complex has four projecting round corner bastions and a moat. At the Lišov Museum, visitors can meet local craftspeople and take part in educational programs alongside the exhibitions; specific offerings may change.

Rock Formations and Protected Landscapes

At the Štangarígeľ rock formation, also known as Krupinské bralce, the defining feature is its regular pentagonal andesite columns. Some reach up to six metres in height. The 0.65-hectare area was declared a natural monument in 1975 and lies within the Štiavnické vrchy Protected Landscape Area. Its geological formation and protected status give the site a character distinct from the district’s historic buildings.

There is a practical restriction to bear in mind when travelling there: the paved road from Krupina to Štangarígeľ is often closed to cars about four kilometres before the destination. The tourist information service recommends travelling by bicycle. As the closure may vary seasonally or operationally, check access before your visit.

The Mäsiarsky Bok National Nature Reserve covers more than 120 hectares and lies beside the railway and road between Krupina and Babiná. Fallen rocks and the flowing Krupinica River shape the landscape described here; the reserve is also an important site for reptiles. Nature and conservation are also central to Čabradský hradný vrch and its surroundings: the area is designated a national nature reserve with the fifth-highest level of protection and is considered an important site for reptiles.

In the southern part of Krupina District, Dudince lies in the Štiavnica River valley, in the Hont region. The town is known for its rare healing mineral water. This adds another dimension to the district’s cultural and landscape discoveries, without reducing the character of the entire district to a single theme.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Hontianske Nemce, Dudince, Selce, Karpfen, Čabradský Vrbovok, Devičie, Dolný Badín, Domaníky, Hontianske Moravce, Hontianske Tesáre, Horný Badín, Kozí Vrbovok, Lackov, Litava, Medovarce, Rykynčice, Sudince, Súdovce, Terany, Trpín, Uňatín, Žibritov, Jalšovík, Bzovík, Cerovo, Čekovce, Dolné Mladonice, Drážovce, Drienovo, Horné Mladonice, Kráľovce-Krnišov, Ladzany, Lišov, Sebechleby, Senohrad, Zemiansky Vrbovok.

For the regional travel overview: Banská Bystrica.