Voznica: Nature and Mining History on the Hron

Voznica between protected areas and mining history

Voznica connects landscapes along the Hron with traces of a mining and transport history shaped over a long period. Within the municipality, the Štiavnické vrchy Protected Landscape Area extends from the southern boundary to the banks of the Hron. In the eastern part, the Kojatín Nature Reserve lies in the Richňavská Valley. It was designated in 1997, covers 68.63 hectares and is subject to the fifth level of protection. The small protected areas of the Štiavnické vrchy Protected Landscape Area feature volcanic landforms, rock formations and scree slopes created by selective weathering; they are also home to numerous protected and endangered animal and plant species.

Voznica therefore offers a landscape setting in which nature observation and cultural-historical orientation exist side by side. The protected areas should be understood as named and designated natural areas; their designation alone does not indicate any particular form of visit.

Springs, valleys and marked trails

A tourist shelter and an information board stand on the summit of Smrkáčik. One route begins behind Voznica near the Dedičná štôlňa Jozefa II. and leads to the hill crowned with a cross. The Gabrielka Spring is located about 4 kilometres upstream from Voznica in the Richňavská Valley. There is a wooden shelter with benches there, serving cyclists and hikers as a rest stop.

The Suchá Voznica Spring is also part of the documented landscape of the locality. It is maintained and serves as a water source during hikes through the long Suchá Voznica Valley. A hiking route connects Sedlo Peciny, the Richnavské jazerá, Banište, Kopanice and Kojatín with Voznica. After crossing the boundary of Kojatín, a blue-marked hiking trail leads to the former Slavkov forester's lodge. For cycling, a route is described that runs from Žarnovica via Voznica and Rudno nad Hronom, then continues along a green-marked trail towards the Rudnianska Valley and Uhliská, leading to the approximately 4-metre-high Rudniansky Waterfall.

Mining, church and regional culture

The strongest cultural-historical feature is the Dedičná štôlňa Jozefa II. It emerges in Voznica into the Hron River, was built from 1782 to 1878 and, upon completion, was the longest mining work in the world. To this day, it drains the Štiavnica mining district. Together with the late-classical Church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria from 1842, it creates a villagescape in which technical history and sacred architecture make different periods visible.

The history goes back even further: archaeological investigations near Bártová in the Richňavská Valley provide evidence of settlement by people of the Lusatian culture from 1220 to 700 BC. Voznica is also documented since 1075 as an important economic and transport centre of the surrounding area, with a toll station or toll system in Voznica. The folklore ensemble Dolinka, founded in Voznica in 1984, is part of the living cultural tradition. The regional folk music competition Spievam, spievaš, spievame takes place in Voznica every two years.

Getting there and finding your way around

For travel planning, it is relevant that the R1 expressway runs through the municipality of Voznica. The nearest access point is in Žarnovica. A new reinforced-concrete pedestrian bridge has crossed the Hron since 1969; it replaced the former ferry.

Other places you can include in your Slovakia research are Ostrý Grúň, Nová Baňa, Horné Hámre, Orovnica, Hronský Beňadik, Kľak, Veľké Pole and Žarnovica.

For the higher-level travel overview: Scharnowitz.