Brhlovce: Rock Dwellings and Folk Architecture

Brhlovce brings together a distinctive rock settlement and the history of domestic culture and stoneworking. The Dolina-Šurda area is home to an exceptional settlement form featuring rock dwellings. The Folk Architecture Reserve is located in the Dolné Brhlovce district of the municipality of Brhlovce in Levice District and encompasses the historic areas of Dolina and Šurda. The rock dwellings are mainly in Šurda Street and date from the 18th to the 20th century. The rock formation is the reserve’s most important urban and historical asset and forms an urban landmark.

Living Spaces and Craftsmanship in the Rock

The Skalné obydlia Brhlovce exhibition opened to the public in 1992. Its furnished living spaces illustrate the development of domestic culture among the inhabitants of Brhlovce and the wider Tekov and Hont regions. At the end of the courtyard, the exhibition extends across up to two levels of rooms carved into tuff. The furnished rooms and rock construction show different aspects of living: the design of the living spaces and their integration into the rock.

The exhibition’s utility spaces include a stonemason’s workshop. Its equipment illustrates the traditional livelihood of Brhlovce’s inhabitants. In the 19th century, stoneworking became the main livelihood of the people of the village. The inhabitants learned stone extraction and working techniques from the Italian builders of the local manor house. The exhibition thus connects domestic culture with a craft that played a central role in Brhlovce’s history. For planning purposes, please check the exhibition’s current visiting arrangements.

Geology and Landscape

The rock dwellings are also connected to the area’s geology: Brhlovce lies within an extensive geological area of volcanic origin, shaped by volcanic activity during the Tertiary period. Lava and volcanic ash formed layers of trachyte as well as porous andesite tuffs and tuffites. The connection with tuff is tangible in the exhibition rooms, which are carved into this rock. The rock settlement can therefore be understood in relation to both the geological substrate and the local history of construction.

The Búr stream is also part of the reserve’s landscape. In the Šurda area, it forms part of the reserve’s southern boundary and is a right-bank tributary of the Ipeľ. Together with the historic areas of Dolina and Šurda, this waterway provides another point of reference for the area.

Church and Other Local Highlights

The Evangelical church stands on the Horvát parlag hill and forms, in a sense, the center of Dolné Brhlovce. The Late Classicist church dates from the 19th century. It has an elongated hall and a rectangular ground plan, with a projecting prismatic tower. Inside, the church has an altar from the second half of the 19th century featuring a painting of the Garden of Gethsemane. Alongside the rock rooms, the church also brings sacred architecture into focus.

In Brhlovce, Nový dvor is a craft center with a café and gallery. It showcases the handcrafted production of leather goods such as bags, belts, and shoes, including sandals. The Pivnica BRHLOVCE family winery is located in the rock dwellings in Brhlovce. Podlievané buchty are also a local specialty. Together, these highlights complement the rock architecture with crafts, a winery, and a local culinary specialty.

Getting Around During Your Stay

The Museum of Rock Dwellings is approximately a four-minute walk from the public car park. From the “Brhlovce, Obecný úrad” bus stop, it is about a two-minute walk. Based on these approximate walking times, the stop is closer to the museum than the car park. When planning your visit to Brhlovce, you can compare the final walking distance from these two arrival points.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Vyškovce Nad Ipľom, Horné Semerovce, Sikenica, Rybník, Hrkovce, Ipeľské Úľany, Kalná Nad Hronom, Tekovský Hrádok.

Go to the main travel overview: Levice.