Drienovo – Landscape, Geology and History

Drienovo has two clearly defined aspects: a striking landscape in the Krupinská výšina area and a local history featuring historical names, buildings and people. The Drieňovo – Gašparov výšok geotope adds volcanic geology to the landscape. When choosing a destination in Slovakia, you can take both nature and local history into account.

Ridge, valley and volcanic rock

Drienovo lies in the southwestern part of the Krupinská výšina, which consists of tuffitic, mostly coarse-grained andesitic deposits. The Drienovo ridge drops steeply into the deep valley of the Litava. The steep slopes of the valleys near Drienovo are mostly covered with oak forest. Together, these features form a landscape shaped by a ridge, a deep valley and wooded slopes. This means Drienovo can be understood not only through its individual buildings, but also through its geology and topography.

The Drieňovo – Gašparov výšok geotope consists of chaotic breccias from a pyroclastic flow of the Čelovce pyroclastic volcano. Breccia is a rock made up of angular rock fragments; the term “pyroclastic” refers to material ejected by a volcano. This identifies both the form of the rock and its connection to the Čelovce volcano. Visitors interested in the history of the Earth will find a clearly defined geological subject at this geotope.

A hiking route description published in 2021 runs from Dudince via Plášťovce, Litava and Senohrad, as well as Hlašťovina and Drienovo, to Malá Tabla. In this sequence, Drienovo lies between Hlašťovina and Malá Tabla. The route description thus places the village among a series of named destinations—a different perspective from viewing Drienovo as a place in its own right, with its landscape and history.

Local history, church and Ján Rotarides

Drienovo is documented as Drino from 1256 and was renamed Drienovo in 1773. The two dates mark different stages in the history of the name: an early form and a later renaming. Historically, agriculture and viticulture were among the livelihoods in Drienovo. The village’s history thus includes both the development of its name and its former economic activities.

Drienovo’s Evangelical church was built in 1906–1907 in the historicist style, on the site of a church dating from 1773. Historicism draws on older styles. Here, the year 1773 refers to the predecessor building, while the present church dates from 1906–1907. A Baroque chalice dating from 1722 is part of the Evangelical church’s inventory. The church is in good condition and serves its religious purpose.

Ján Rotarides worked as a teacher in Drienovo from 1856 to 1896. He is buried in the local cemetery, and residents care for his grave. His work in the village and the remembrance of him at his grave are two distinct connections to local history.

The wartime period is also part of the village’s history: during the Slovak National Uprising, a partisan group under Major MIRONOV was housed in a building in Drienovo.

Discover more destinations: Ladzany, Dolný Badín, Horné Mladonice, Žibritov, Čekovce, Jalšovík, Lackov, Súdovce.

For the regional travel overview: Okres Krupina.