Vlachovo: Huta Karol, Building History and Hiking

Several themes come together for a stay in Vlachovo: a historic blast furnace, buildings from different periods, hiking and fishing waters.

Technical monument and historic buildings

Huta Karol is a blast furnace for producing iron from iron ore and a technical monument of European significance dating from 1870. Emanuel Andráši founded the blast furnace and named it after his father, Karol Andráši. It is one of the outdoor exhibitions of the Slovenské technické múzeum Košice. If you are planning a visit, check the current visiting arrangements in advance.

The Evangelical church also reflects several stages of building history: it originates from an originally Late Gothic, single-nave building dating to around the end of the 15th century. The church was extensively rebuilt in 1871; the altar dates from 1880. These dates distinguish the original design, the later reconstruction and the furnishings chronologically.

Kaštieľ Andrášiovcov is a single-storey Baroque building from the second half of the 18th century. It was remodelled in the Classicist style in the first half of the 19th century. Following restoration in 2004–2005, the building has served as Vlachovo’s cultural centre.

Another architectural feature is the Grófska ľadovňa. The Andrášiovci built it at the beginning of the 19th century; its ceremonial entrance is inspired by the Egyptian architecture of mastabas and pyramids. The ľadovňa consists of a room carved into the rock, which was probably used to store hunted game. The visible design of the entrance thus contrasts with the only probable account of the room’s former use.

Hiking and regional themed routes

A yellow-marked hiking trail passes through Vlachovo. The municipality recommends a yellow-marked route from Vlachovo towards Stromíš and Babiná. For a different hike, you could consider the route to Malý Radzim and back: it is 18.8 kilometres long, has 1,201 metres of elevation gain and is described as a full-day hike. These destinations can help you plan a route based on your preferred direction or the scope of your hiking day.

Výstup na Stromíš is a traditional annual event organised by the municipality. It commemorates Štefan Klement and Ján Elexa, who came from Vlachovo and fell in the battles of the Second World War. The hiking tradition thus also includes a memorial to two residents known by name.

Themed route Iron Road II extends beyond the village: it runs from Drnava through Krásnohorské Podhradie, Rožňava, Betliar and Nižná Slaná, through Vlachovo and on to Dobšiná. If you plan your trip around this route, you can place Vlachovo among the stops listed along the way.

Culture and local nature themes

The Festival ľudového spevu a tanca and the Remeselnícky jarmok are two separate events in Vlachovo. In 2025, the festival reached its 31st edition and the craft market its 19th. The Folklórny súbor Stromíš preserves songs and traditions from Vlachovo and the region. Together, these examples offer insight into different forms of cultural life: a recurring festival, a craft market and the preservation of songs and traditions.

The landscape and fishing can also play a part in planning your trip. Andrášiovské rybníky comprises ponds prepared for sport fishing. The Slaná River flows immediately beside the ponds and offers fishing waters for trout and grayling. If you plan to fish, check the local fishing rules in force beforehand.

Another nature-conservation initiative with a clearly defined date is at Močiar pod Michlovom: a new spawning pond for the protected common frog was created there in 2003. The fishing waters, hiking trails and this completed project represent different interests you can take into account when choosing your stay in Vlachovo.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Jovice, Betliar, Brzotín, Čierna Lehota, Krásnohorské Podhradie, Stratená, Rejdová, Dedinky.

For the overview of the wider area: Rožňava.