Rimavské Zalužany between the Rimava Valley and wooded hills

Between the Rimava Valley and wooded hills

Rimavské Zalužany lies in the Rimava Valley at an altitude of 255 metres, on the right bank of the Rimava. Those looking for a place with a rural character for their trip to Slovakia will find a landscape here where the river, forest and traces of history are closely connected with the municipality. The area includes numerous beech and oak forests. To the southwest, the 916-metre-high Sinec rises, creating a distinctive landmark in the surrounding landscape.

These geographical contrasts make Rimavské Zalužany a destination for travellers who do not want to spend their days exclusively in cities. You can regard the village as a peaceful base for nature and cultural interests, without reducing the landscape to a single experience. For orientation when arriving, it is important to note that road I/72 passes through Rimavské Zalužany, connecting Rimavská Sobota with Brezno. A railway line between the same two towns runs parallel to it.

Combining hiking and history

A special connection to regional history can be found on the SNP–Rimavská Baňa Battlefield nature trail. The trail is approximately 4.5 kilometres long and passes through the cadastral territories of Rimavská Baňa and neighbouring Rimavské Zalužany. It focuses on the fighting between Slovak insurgents and German units at the end of 1944. In this way, the nature trail combines outdoor activity with a concrete historical subject.

The nature trail includes an authentic restored machine-gun bunker on Hrb hill. During the reconstruction of the fighting for this hill on 14 September 2024, the programme first included commemorative ceremonies at the monument to the Slovak National Uprising and the monument to Ján Kutlík, followed by a battle reenactment. Those interested in the history of the Slovak National Uprising can thus gain a vivid insight into a regional historical site.

The village and local culture

There are also historical points of interest in the village itself. Rimavské Zalužany is home to a Neo-Gothic bell tower dating from the second half of the 19th century. Around the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, a mill was operating here; an old mill also stands near the railway station. Two lime kilns discovered in the surrounding area further complete this picture of the area’s craft and economic past.

Local culture is also reflected in festivals and events. The Haluške festival includes a folklore programme and, alongside the cooking competition, offers traditional dishes and local specialities. The community pig slaughter included traditional dishes such as lung soup, cabbage soup, liver, a regional blood speciality and homemade sausages. It was held for the seventh time and was also popular with visitors from the surrounding villages.

Lesík as an event venue

About 500 metres from the village lies Lesík, a nature-surrounded area for cultural and social events that has been used for such purposes for more than 80 years. It features an amphitheatre, a goulash-cooking area, an audience area and the covered Žliabok spring. In the past, the venue hosted dance events, summer festivals, theatre performances, sporting events and firefighter competitions, among others. The motorcycle gathering “Jednou stopou do lesíka” has also been held here for the seventh time; its programme included concerts, competitions, a raffle and a memorial bonfire.

Accommodation for planning your trip

If you are looking for accommodation in Rimavské Zalužany, you can base your choice on the mix of landscape, history and regional culture you are seeking. The nature trail, Sinec, the forests and the local event venues appeal to different interests. The road and rail connections also provide clear orientation for arriving, without allowing specific distances to individual accommodations to be inferred. For a trip focused on a rural setting and regional experiences, Rimavské Zalužany is therefore an independent choice within travel planning in Slovakia.

More destinations for your trip to Slovakia: Budikovany, Širkovce, Čerenčany, Krokava, Lukovištia, Kesovce, Ivanice, Včelince.

Back to the main travel overview: Rimavská Sobota District.