AUTHOR: Andrea Nepšinská

Where: Brezno
County: Brezno
Time/Duration: Set aside the whole day

On a beautiful, sunny day, we set out on an in-depth tour of the town of Brezno. It lies in the heart of Slovakia at the foot of the majestic Ďumbier, the highest peak of the Low Tatras, and last year celebrated the 750th anniversary of its first written mention.

Horné Lazy Observation Tower

Our first destination was the Horné Lazy observation tower, which, at 40 meters high, is the second-tallest observation tower in Slovakia. We set out from in front of Kaufland along a marked trail. On our right, we passed a modern interpretation of the Stations of the Cross and continued past small springs with spring water, tended by Uncle Libič. You’ll find his wooden statue under a shelter by the path. On our way to the game reserve with roe deer, red deer, and mouflon, we were accompanied by informational signs about the forest and its animals.

At the trail junction, we turned right at the snack bar. The meadows gave way to a forest, where we came across wooden sculptures of animals. Every year, extreme running enthusiasts test their strength in these hills during the “Doby vežu” event. For us, a simple hike without any challenging obstacles was enough. After 60 minutes, we were already looking up at the sturdy steel structure of the observation tower, which was being assembled with the help of a helicopter. After climbing 192 steps, magnificent views in all directions opened up before us. We walked back down via a second trail, which, together with the first, forms a loop. We returned to the car via Banisko, passing an orchard of fruit trees and a small stream. On the way to the parking lot, we enjoyed the sight of beds of wildflowers.

Historic Square

Within a few minutes, we drove to the nearby Gen. M. R. Štefánik Square. It is one of the largest squares with a square layout in Slovakia. We made our way to the bell tower, which houses an information center on the ground floor. We climbed the steep stairs to the first floor, where we were pleasantly surprised to find a charming café with seating. The second floor was dedicated to Gen. M. R. Štefánik, who spoke to us from a screen. Higher up were three historic bells. The bell ringer’s apartment was located on the top floor. From the windows, we could admire views of the entire city. After returning to the ground floor, we bought some beautiful souvenirs. The friendly information desk staff recommended many other places to visit, including rides on the dragon train around the area and a city scavenger hunt called “Na špacírke Breznom,” which really piqued our interest—we’ll definitely give it a try on our next visit to the city.

We walked past the townhouse and the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, through a beautiful park, all the way to The Horehronie Museum at No. 13. In addition to the permanent exhibition, which chronicles the city’s history, the museum also hosts various exhibitions and lectures. We marveled at the beautiful jewelry created by the talented artist Katarína Žiak.

Since we were really hungry by then, we headed to a restaurant for a delicious lunch.

Hron River Embankment

We then walked past the Ďumbier City Hotel to the synagogue, which serves as a venue for exhibitions and concerts. During our visit, it was hosting an exhibition of cartoons and satire titled “O Bomburovu šabľu,” which the city organizes annually. We laughed at the cartoons not only by Slovak artists but also by artists from China, India, the U.S., and Australia.

We continued walking along the peaceful Hron River embankment, passing a mini-golf course, artistically designed benches, a playground, and a few ducks. Before heading back to the car, we couldn’t resist some sweet Balkan ice cream.

Car Museum

One last stop awaited us: the Double Red Cars Museum. It’s located in the Brezno-Mazorníkovo district. Spread across five floors are more than 150 cars from various eras, which even the Geissen family admired. Among the sports cars, the iconic red Ferrari stood out. You can even find a car called the Rabbit here, which appeared in a music video by singer Rihanna.

After a busy day, dinner was just what we needed. We enjoyed some delicious hamburgers at the Double Horse restaurant, which is located in the museum building.

More Tips for Day Trips

One day isn’t enough to explore this town. Especially since there are interesting events taking place here throughout the year. At Easter, the square is filled with Easter eggs of various sizes. The Brezno City Days in the summer are a treat for all participants. Culture enthusiasts will enjoy the Divadelná Chalupka theater. The Ondrejský Fair is one of the oldest fairs in Slovakia. In winter, an ice rink is set up in the square as part of the “Ice Town” event, featuring beautiful themed decorations. The city has also built an amazing network of bike paths, making it a joy to explore by bike.

So don’t hesitate—come and see for yourself how the heart of Horehronie—the town of Brezno—beats.