Kalvária, Local History and Mining

The Kalvária in Nová Baňa comprises 17 protected sites: the Calvary hill, the Church of the Holy Cross, the Chapel of the Suffering Christ and fourteen Stations of the Cross chapels. Its status as a national cultural monument became legally effective on 4 November 2024. As a Way of the Cross, the complex leads from the foot of Záhrb Hill to the Church of the Holy Cross at the summit. A description from November 2024 notes regular religious processions and Masses, and also describes the site as a place to relax in nature with views over Nová Baňa.

The Pohronské Museum was founded in 1952 and is housed in the former town hall. The originally four-storey Gothic building dates from the second half of the 14th century and was renovated in the mid-18th century; it is a protected cultural monument. More than 12,000 collection items offer insight into archaeological finds, mining, crafts and folk production. The topics mentioned include pottery, glassmaking and woodcarving. The museum thus focuses both on early traces of settlement and on the work and trades relevant to the town’s history.

The restored Trojkráľová mining gallery is also part of the area’s mining history: it was officially opened on 26 September 2008 and was undoubtedly among the most productive galleries in Nová Baňa’s historic gold-mining industry. A Roman Catholic church, originally Gothic, was built in the second half of the 14th century and rebuilt between 1725 and 1729 after its destruction. The Hospital Church is also one of the town’s oldest architectural monuments and a protected cultural monument; its construction was closely connected with the neighbouring hospital in 1391.

Circular Routes and Nature Trails

The Mining Nature Trail consists of two circular routes focused on history and thematic interpretation. The black route is 4.3 km long, with an elevation gain of 210 m; the green route is 5.6 km long, with an elevation gain of 130 m. So your choice need not be based on distance alone: the black loop is shorter but has more elevation gain, while the green one is longer and has less elevation gain.

The Zbojnícke studničky Nature Trail offers a different experience. It runs from the Tajch reservoir via Šarvíz to Kohútovo, connecting springs, water infrastructure and a wetland. Nine themed stops provide information about springs, the water cycle and the importance of the forest. The route is about 10 km long, takes approximately 2.5 hours, is rated easy and is accessible year-round in both directions.

The Zvonička Nature Trail passes through Zvonička, Červená skala, Havrania skala, Háj and Kohútovo. It is 6,233 m long, with an elevation gain of 274 m. A yellow-marked hiking route leads from Nová Baňa railway station to the nature trail. The MTB loop “Bajkom okolo Novej Bane” offers a different kind of excursion: it is 39.4 km long, with 1,300 m of climbing. The loop can be ridden in both directions; in terms of fitness and technical difficulty, its descents are rated moderate to difficult.

In the “Zvonička” via ferrata sector, several rock formations are connected by bridges and via ferratas. The Zvonička recreation area has a children’s playground with a swing set and other play equipment, as well as a fire pit. If the playground is important to your plans, check its availability before visiting.

Views, Water and Landscape

The Háj lookout tower has three viewing platforms. From there, you can see the Nová Baňa Basin, the ridge of Pohronský Inovec and part of the Danubian Lowland. Recreation and recreational fishing are the main attractions at the Tajch reservoir. Facilities for visitors include safe water access points and a wooden pier on the right bank.

The Zbojnícke studničky Nature Trail combines waterscapes with information about springs and forests; the Tajch reservoir is a separate place for recreation and recreational fishing. Another scenic destination is the Starohutský Waterfall: it lies about 300 m north of the settlement of Stará Huta, a district of Nová Baňa, and has a 5 m-high waterfall drop. Viewpoints, water infrastructure, forest themes and mining trails each offer a distinct focus to help you choose your excursions.

Discover more destinations: Ostrý Grúň, Horné Hámre, Kľak, Župkov, Hronský Beňadik, Veľké Pole, Malá Lehota, Voznica.

For the broader travel overview: Scharnowitz.