Beyond the mountains, beyond the valleys, where the Hron grows mightier and the landscape descends into the lowlands, lies the Gron area. In the central Hron region, the modern routes are lined by the Pohronie Castle Route. It once formed a shield protecting rich mining towns such as Kremnica and Nová Baňa. At the so-called Slovak Gate, the second-oldest monastery on Slovak territory guards its secrets. Peace and distinctive customs, in turn, characterize life in the countryside – in the scattered hillside settlements known as štále. Gron is also a meeting place for lovers of distinctive musical instruments – bagpipes and the heligonka accordion.

Discover with us the secrets of ancient times hidden by the castles along the Hron River, or look out into the distance from interesting viewpoints. And if admiring the beautiful landscape is not enough for you, we have one more tip – how about taking a peek into space …

The Pohronie route of castles, fortresses, and watchtowers stretching along the river is also adorned by the “Pearl of the Hron Region” – the monastery in Hronský Beňadik. It is mentioned as early as the 11th century and preserves a rare relic of Christ’s blood. The Pohronie Castle Route controlled access to the rich mining towns, and in fear of the Turkish threat the monastery took on the form of a Renaissance fortress. Among the many stone guardians are also Revište and Šášov castles. The beautiful views their locations offer are no longer a sign of vigilance and anxiety, but bring joy and energy. In summer, both invite visitors to various events.

The only speedway track in Slovakia today is located in Žarnovica. The first racers sped around it in 1953, and since then a rich tradition of various speedway events has revolved around its dark oval. Today, thanks to Speedway Club Žarnovica, motorcycles roar here at full throttle. The club starts races of various categories on its track at the international level: qualification for the Grand Prix – the World Championship, the final of the European Under-19 Cup, or the Golden Helmet of the SNP, organized by the Žarnovica Speedway Motor Club. Through the Speedway Academy, new generations of racers are getting on the bikes.

The ascent through forest and blueberry patches, past impressive andesite formations, to Vtáčnik, the highest peak in the central Hron region and the highest mountain of the range of the same name, is not entirely effortless, but at the top you are rewarded with a breathtaking and well-deserved prize: panoramic views of the Upper Nitra and Žiar basins, the peaks of the Štiavnica Mountains, Poľana, and the Low Tatras. During World War II, the forested dominant peak above the Kľak Valley provided shelter to locals and partisans, but it also had to witness massacres in the villages of Kľak and Ostrý Grúň. To this day, these turbulent times are recalled by the Partisan Hut, also called Škurátka, the grave of Red Army Captain Peter Chvorost, and the so-called Partisan Forest in the shape of a five-pointed star.

If you are interested in what is happening in the sky, if you want to find your way through the tangle of stars, observe celestial objects using special astronomical equipment and with an expert’s commentary, be sure to visit the Regional Observatory and Planetarium of Maximilian Hell in Žiar nad Hronom. Demonstrations of astronomical phenomena are prepared for you on the planetarium’s artificial sky, and thanks to simulation you can put yourself in the shoes of an observer at any place on Earth. Events focused on astronomy are also complemented by travel, music, and artistic programs. The Regional Observatory also includes observatories in Banská Bystrica and Rimavská Sobota.

The Zvonička educational trail will lead you to one of the most beautiful views near Nová Baňa. On Háj Hill there is a lookout tower built of wood and rhyolite, which was once quarried in the nearby quarry. Millstones were made from it, and they are placed on the front side of the lookout. When the eyes of the lookout tower’s visitor rise to a height of almost 18 m above the ground, they widen at the beauty of the Nová Baňa Basin, Pohronský Inovec, a large part of the Danubian Lowland, and Vtáčnik.