Attractions and services in the surrounding
Slovak Paradise
Slovak Paradise National Park is located in the eastern part of Slovakia. The territory was declared a protected landscape area in 1964 and according to the government regulation redesignated to the national park in 1988. The area is 19,763 ha with protection zone of 13,011 ha.
Originally the territory was a large unit, later cut up by rivers (Hornád, Hnilec) and brooks (Veľký Sokol, Suchá Belá, Biely potok) to several larger and smaller plateaux (Glac, Geravy). Through millenia the smaller streams formed ravines with waterfalls (Kyseľ, Piecky, Sokolia dolina, Zejmarská roklina) so characteristic for the Slovak Paradise.
There are many karst phenomena on the plateaux – dolines, karren, caves and caverns (Dobšinská Ice Cave, Stratenská Cave, Medvedia Cave, Čertova diera Cave).
Other show caves inscribed on the World Natural Heritage List of UNESCO
Ochtinská Aragonite Cave
Located in the Ochtinský cryptokarst on the north-western slope of the Hrádok Hill (809 m) in the Revúcka Highland between Jelšava and Štítnik.
Gombasecká Cave
Located on the western foothill of the Silická Plateau in the Slovak Karst National Park, on the left side of the Slaná River canyon between Rožňava and Plešivec.
Domica Cave
Located on the south-western edge of the Silická Plateau in the Slovak Karst National Park, close to the state border with Hungary.
All caves of the world heritage
Dobšiná
Old mining town where various metals and raw materials had been excavated since its establishment (after 1326) – silver, iron, copper, cobalt, nickel and mercury. Raw materials mining ended in the 19th century. The first blast furnace in Slovakia was built in Dobšiná in 1680. Metallurgical industry perished at the end of the 19th century. Northerly of the town, there is a water dam with hydropower station, pumping water as far as the Palcmanská Maša dam.
There are several Classicistic houses in the historical centre of the town. Dobšiná has a dominant building – originally late Gothic church from the 15th century. There is a Neorenaissance town hall from 1870 in the centre of the town and remains of forge, watermill and sawmill.
Kráľova hoľa
Mighty and large high elevation grassy upland, with the highest peak of the eastern part of the Low Tatras, called after it Kráľovohoľské Tatry. The peak platform has a prolonged character in direction east-west. A short fork Záturňa goes to the north, deeply declining to the valley of Čierny Váh in the Teplická Basin. A long fork runs to north-east through Úplaz to Predná hoľa and further to the saddle Popová, wher the Low Tatras meet the Slovak Paradise. Another short fork goes to south-east goes through the Kráľova skala to Telgárt. From the top you’ll get the panoramic view.
The peak is marked by concrete triangle post. Under the peak there were storing and living places, bunkers for the partisan revolt brigade Jánošík during the World War II. Several partisan troops crossed the cave during 1944 and 1945. The events of the second world war are commemorated by a relief on the obelisk. Since 1960 a TV transmitter is installed and mountain asphalt road from Šumiac is closed for public.
Telgárt
Telgárt village is located on the southern foothill of the Low Tatras Mts. The Hron river separates this territory from the one in the Slovak Ore Mountains. The village arouse in the 14th century and belonged to the Muráň rule. The first written mention on the village comes from 1326. The territory of Telgárt is rich in natural beauties – like the spring of the Hron River with Martalúzka natural reserve, the spring of Hnilec River, Homola Cave and Stratený potok Cave.