Nitrianske Rudno: Reservoir, Trails and Culture

The Nitrianske Rudno reservoir was built on the Nitrica River between 1951 and 1958. It covers 89.7 hectares and has a total volume of 4.410 million cubic metres. It was originally created to supply water to the Nováky thermal power plant and chemical plants.

During the summer months, the reservoir offers opportunities for swimming and water sports, as well as cultural events, concerts and car and motorcycle gatherings. Sport anglers use it during fishing seasons. For planning your visit, it is helpful to note the difference: swimming and water sports are summer activities, while sport fishing is limited to fishing seasons.

Trails through forests, meadows and countryside

The Fraňa Madva educational trail starts in Nitrianske Rudno and ends in Nitrianske Sučany. It leads through beech, pine and oak forests, as well as across meadows. Its features include rock formations with views of the Rudnianska Valley. Along the way, forest and meadow landscapes alternate with rock formations and valley views.

The Fraňa Madva trail also includes Brložná Cave and a short ascent secured with chains. By the reservoir, a nature trail provides information about local flora and fauna, as well as important habitats in the Strážovské vrchy and protected Natura 2000 areas. Before your visit, check local conditions on the chain-secured ascent and the current conditions on the nature trail.

Church, monument and local history

The Roman Catholic Church of Saints Andrew-Svorad and Benedict was built between 1804 and 1816 on the site of a wooden church that had been destroyed by fire. There is a Lourdes grotto on the church grounds, south of the entrance. The Fraňa Madva monument was also erected there in 1925. Fraňa Madva studied botany and collected and researched medicinal plants; he was widely sought after as a folk healer.

Horný kaštieľ, also known as Javorčekeje dom, is considered the oldest house in Nitrianske Rudno. Together with the church, grotto and monument, it represents different aspects of local history: a building from the early 19th century, an earlier wooden church and a monument dating from 1925.

Folk culture and events

Folk customs, traditions and traditional crafts are preserved in Nitrianske Rudno through various events. DĽH spod Rokoša interprets songs from the Upper Nitra region, with a particular focus on the Rudnianska Valley. The Rokôška folklore ensemble has been dedicated to folk culture since 1986 and regularly performs at folklore events in the region and beyond. The town is also associated with a mining tradition.

The traditional Fraňa Madva March was held for the 29th time in 2026. This year, the 11.7-kilometre route ran from the area of Madvova studnička to Nitrianske Sučany. Motocross races for the Mayor’s Cup were also held at the Kaňová venue in 2024 and 2026. If an event is important to your trip, check the current dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Nitrianske Rudno, Nová Bošáca, Považská Bystrica District, Púchov, Trenčín District, Bánovce nad Bebravou, Myjava, Nové Mesto nad Váhom District.

Return to the regional travel overview: Trenčín.