On the southwestern edge of the limestone Silická planina plateau, Dlhá Ves lies in the secluded Dlhoveská dolina valley, in the southern part of Slovak Karst National Park. The village’s history and karst landscape offer different starting points for planning a trip: the Evangelical church and the Vidiecky dom represent architectural and everyday history, while cycling and hiking trails lead into the surrounding area. Consider whether you would rather focus your time on local cultural monuments or on nature and routes.

Church and Village History

The Evangelical church in Dlhá Ves was built in 1792, and its tower was added in 1840. Its furnishings include a neoclassical altar dating from 1802 and an organ from 1795. The organ was made by Fr. Ed. Petznik and is a national cultural monument. The dates of its construction and furnishings give the church several clearly distinct historical associations, rather than reducing it to a single year of construction.

The Vidiecky dom is also a cultural monument and an example of traditional rural architecture. The house has three rooms: an entrance hall, a kitchen and a room. Old furniture and objects illustrate the everyday life of the local population in the past. The entrance hall displays items used for fieldwork and tending livestock. The kitchen contains looms on which former residents made fabrics. The collection continues to be supplemented with objects, old documents and photographs from residents.

In addition to the rooms of the Vidiecky dom, charcoal burning and glass painting are among the traditional crafts preserved in Dlhá Ves. Several Gemer farmhouses from the late 19th and early 20th centuries have also been preserved on the Silická planina plateau. These different associations help distinguish local everyday history from the architectural heritage of the plateau.

Karst Landscape and Nearby Destinations

Smradľavé jazierko, a small karst lake covering approximately 0.33 hectares, lies within the cadastral area of Dlhá Ves. Another natural attraction is Domické škrapy, a nearby national nature reserve. Established in 1973, it features thermophilous vegetation. The two places offer different nature experiences: a small karst lake on the one hand, protected vegetation on the other.

Domica Cave lies within the cadastral area of Kečovo, about seven kilometres from Dlhá Ves, and has been open to the public since 1932. The “Domica and Surroundings” educational trail has been in the area since 1985. Its five information panels cover Slovak Karst, Domica Cave, fauna and flora, geology and geomorphology, and agriculture. Cultural and community events are also held regularly on the Silická planina plateau.

Cycling, Hiking and Seasonal Activities

The “Jaskyňa Domica – Silická planina” cycle route starts at the large car park near the church tower in the centre of Dlhá Ves and joins the red cycle route markings. It follows road 587 through the village to Domica Cave. Check route conditions before setting off. The marked green hiking trail follows a different route: it comes from Bretka, passes through the cadastral area of Dlhá Ves and ends on the Silická planina plateau. The routes therefore differ in their mode of travel and destinations: Domica by bike, and the plateau on foot.

Use of the sports ground next to the park also depends on the season. It is used year-round: for football and other games in summer, and as an ice rink in winter since 1989. An ice carnival is held every year in Dlhá Ves. These seasonal activities offer a different focus from the church, the Vidiecky dom and the surrounding trails.

For planning, a simple comparison may help: if you are mainly interested in historic buildings and past ways of life, focus on the Evangelical church and the Vidiecky dom. If you would rather choose a route, you can pick between the cycling connection to Domica Cave and the hiking trail to the Silická planina plateau. Natural attractions such as Smradľavé jazierko and Domické škrapy round out the selection, without every stop needing to have the same focus.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Betliar, Vlachovo, Drnava, Krásnohorská Dlhá Lúka, Čierna Lehota, Dobšiná, Stratená, Krásnohorské Podhradie.

Return to the main travel overview: Rožňava.