Discover Priechod: Landscape and Cultural Heritage

Priechod lies in the northern part of the Banská Bystrica Basin, on the southern slopes of the western part of the Low Tatras. The area's profile includes protected natural areas, archaeological traces, and a folklore tradition that remains active to this day. Sacred buildings and stories of farming and sheep raising offer further insights into the area's history.

Landscape and natural areas

The Ľupča stream flows through the entire cadastral area of Priechod. The Brvnište protected area lies about one kilometre north of the village, in the Ľupčica valley on both sides of the stream. A large, thriving population of Fatra cyclamen grows there, isolated from the main areas of distribution in the Veľká Fatra and the northeastern part of the Starohorské vrchy. In the Kopec protected area, Ivanov's feather grass (Stipa joannis) and Fumana procumbens occur only sporadically throughout the Low Tatras National Park and its protected area.

There are numerous rest areas in the Ľupčica valley, associated with grilling or roasting food over a fire; their specific facilities may vary. If you plan to visit a particular rest area, check its facilities in advance.

Archaeological traces and sacred sites

The educational trail to the Kamenná–Hrádok archaeological site has four stations in total. It leads along a field track directly to the site of a prehistoric fortification near the “transmitter.” The Chapel of the Archangel Michael was built in 1833 and is the oldest architectural monument in Priechod. Its altar features a folk wood carving of the Virgin Mary from the 19th century.

Another milestone in the area's church history is the Church of the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary. It was consecrated on 19 September 2021 as part of celebrations marking its 50th anniversary. The parish building, dating from 1995, now houses a monastery of the Discalced Carmelite community. The chapel, church, and parish building thus represent different periods and forms of the area's sacred history.

Folklore and local traditions

The Priechoďan folklore group was founded in 1968, initially as a women's singing group; men joined shortly afterwards. It has been active without interruption since its founding and takes part in folklore festivals at home and abroad. An active amateur theatre group is also part of the area's cultural life, putting on performances at Christmas and Easter.

Traditionally, on the first Sunday in August, the event “Čô sa stauo v tom Priechode” takes the form of either an annual folklore afternoon or—every five years, or to mark a milestone anniversary of the group's founding—a folklore festival. The event therefore has a regular place in the calendar, but its format varies. If you are travelling specifically for it, check the exact date and format in advance.

Sheep raising and historic food culture

In the 20th century, Priechod was an agricultural and pastoral community and one of Slovakia's most important centres for sheep raising. After the founding of the Czechoslovak Republic, women from Priechod sold Oštiepky and Parenice cheeses throughout the country, including as far afield as Prague and Karlovy Vary.

Discover more destinations: Hiadeľ, Banská Bystrica, Hronsek, Staré Hory, Badín, Vlkanová, Nemce, Motyčky.

See the broader travel overview: Banská Bystrica District.