Discover Sása: Churches, History and Gavurky

Sása brings together several themes to consider when planning a trip: nature watching in the protected Gavurky area, churches from different periods, and historical traces in the town. If you choose Sása as a destination, you can decide between a short stay in nature and an interest in architecture and local history.

Nature and hiking route

The Gavurky Protected Area extends across the cadastral territories of the municipalities of Sása and Dobrá Niva. It covers 57.4 hectares and lies at an elevation of 444 to 470 metres above sea level. The nearest access point is about two kilometres from Sása. The area is suitable for a short walk or easy nature watching. The distance refers to the access point from Sása; it is not the length of a walk within the area.

A hiking route passes through Babiná, Sása and Zaježová. This is another way to include Sása in your hiking plans. Unlike Gavurky, this route focuses on the sequence of places. This means a short stay in nature and a route through several places can be considered as different planning options.

Churches from different periods

The Church of St. Catherine in Sása stands on Kašteľ Hill and is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria. It was built at the end of the first half of the 13th century as a single-nave Late Romanesque church. Its construction period, dedication and location offer three different points of reference for understanding the building. The description “single-nave” identifies its basic form, while the Late Romanesque classification indicates its period of construction.

A much later building is the Evangelical Church in Sása. It was built between 1894 and 1899 in the Neoclassical style. Its hall-like interior, straight-ended altar and wooden beamed ceiling are features highlighted in descriptions of the space. Thus, the two churches are notable not only for their different periods of construction, but also for their distinct architectural features: the single-nave Late Romanesque form of the Church of St. Catherine and the hall with a beamed ceiling in the Evangelical Church. The Evangelical Church is in very good condition and continues to serve its purpose. If you plan to visit the interior, check access in advance.

Local history and the Memorial House

The first written records of Sása date from 1332 and 1337. The town appears in papal tithe registers. In 1351, Sása received town privileges equivalent to those of Babiná and Dobrá Niva. These historical facts complement the churches’ architectural history with a written and legal perspective on the town.

The Memorial House in Sása is a former Roman Catholic rectory. It was built in the mid-18th century in the Baroque style; Andrej Truchlý-Sitniansky worked there. The town’s documented historical features also include a fortification: it was built around the Catholic church in Sása from several ramparts and ditches, two metres high and wide. The Memorial House and the fortification therefore offer additional, distinct topics alongside the two church buildings.

Bus stops and travel planning

A timetable effective from 14 December 2025 lists the following bus stops in Sása: Kameňolom, Pod lipkami, MŠ, Stred and Podskalka. Check current departure times before travelling. The list of stops and the hiking route address different planning needs: one lists points of access for bus travel, while the other describes a route through Babiná, Sása and Zaježová.

Discover more destinations: Breziny, Bzovská Lehôtka, Dobrá Niva, Sliač, Dubové, Kováčová, Ostrá Lúka, Lukavica.

For the wider travel overview: Zvolen.