Rudno Nad Hronom: Hiking, Forests and Mining History

In Rudno Nad Hronom, you can plan a trip around hiking trails, forest scenery and mining history. The red-marked Rudná Magistrála hiking route begins in the village and passes the remains of the castle on Ivankovo Hill (Hrádok). Religious buildings and local events also offer a range of historical and cultural themes for your stay.

Hiking Route and Forest Scenery

The Rudná Magistrála runs partly through the primeval forests of Drastvica. The area lies between the villages of Voznica and Rudno Nad Hronom. The primeval forest covers about 150 hectares around the 834-metre-high summit of Drastvica and extends mainly across its southern slopes to Veľký Žiar, at 856 metres. In the oak forests, the silver fir finds a natural habitat; the oldest sessile oaks are about 400 years old. The area is under the fifth level of nature protection.

The ruins of Rudno Castle above the municipality date from the 13th century and are part of the Pohronská hradná cesta, the castle route along the Hron. The Rudná Magistrála and this castle route therefore offer different themes to consider when planning your trip: one is a hiking route associated with forests and a castle, while the other is a castle route along the Hron River.

Mining History in Rudno Nad Hronom

Rich gold mines were already known in Rudno Nad Hronom in 1331. The Banícka štôlňa Anna Božena mining tunnel is a tangible reminder of the area’s mining past. Its construction began in the mid-18th century. The system is more than one kilometre long and drains an interconnected mine complex across eight levels. There is also a recreation area by the tunnel.

Nový tajch, built in 1789 to power mining facilities and ore crushers, is also part of the mining heritage. The remains of the dam, with its original stone outlet still intact, can be seen at Nový tajch. This site thus highlights both the pond’s former function and its surviving structures. The local parish is one of the oldest in the region and is mentioned as early as 1337 in records of the papal tithe.

Churches, Chapels and Views

Kostol sv. Imricha is a Baroque-Classical parish church. It was built in 1802 and 1803 on the site of two older churches; the church tower was added in 1887 and designed in the Neo-Gothic style. Another religious building is Kaplnka Srdca Panny Márie: the Neo-Gothic chapel was built in 1899 and 1900 on a hill above Rudno Nad Hronom. It offers wide-ranging views of the surrounding area and is even visible from Nová Baňa in the distance.

In the upper part of Rudno Nad Hronom, near the Anna-Božena Mine, stands the mining chapel Banícka kaplnka sv. Joachima a Anny. A pilgrimage takes place every year on the feast day of its patrons. During the summer months, Mass is also celebrated in Kaplnka Srdca Panny Márie; the current schedule may vary.

Traditions and Event Dates

The Šarkaniáda kite-flying competition is traditionally held in the meadow behind Kalvária. If you would like to plan your trip around the event, check the current dates. The pilgrimage and summer Masses may also be relevant to your plans. Another cultural experience is the carnival procession: in 2024, it went through the village and ended with a dance evening at the cultural centre. This year refers to the 2024 event.

Discover more destinations: Horné Hámre, Tekovská Breznica, Orovnica, Hronský Beňadik, Žarnovica, Nová Baňa, Kľak, Ostrý Grúň

For the overview of the wider region: Scharnowitz.