Horné Zahorany – Architectural History, Literature and Routes

Horné Zahorany brings together architectural history, literary heritage and routes for different ways of exploring. The municipality lies in the southeastern Slovak Ore Mountains, on both sides of the Veľký potok, which flows through the municipality. This gives you several specific interests to consider when planning a stay: Neoclassical architecture, local history associated with Ľudovít Kubáni, and routes for walking or cycling.

Architectural history and literary traces

A Neoclassical bell tower dating from 1790 has a Baroque cupola. The Evangelical church is Neoclassical and was built from 1808 to 1814. Its altarpiece is also Neoclassical, with four columns and a central image of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, created by E. Putra in 1913. The nave ends in a segmental arch and has a flat plank ceiling. The segmental arch describes the shape of the room; the flat plank ceiling is a separate feature of the interior. The church is in good condition and continues to serve its religious purpose. If you are planning a visit, check access in advance, as local visiting arrangements may vary.

Ľudovít Kubáni was a Slovak poet, prose writer and playwright who was born in Horné Zahorany. A memorial plaque with his relief is on the school building; it commemorates the writer who came from the municipality. His birthplace and the plaque offer two distinct points of reference for literary history: Kubáni’s origins and his commemoration in the village.

Hiking trail and cycling loops

The red hiking trail 0805 passes through Horné Zahorany. The “Cesta muránskej Venuše” route also runs along a section from Rimavská Sobota through Nižná Pokoradz and the municipality. In addition, four cycling loops pass through Horné Zahorany: “Gotický kostolík v Kraskove”, “Náučný chodník Drienčanského krasu”, “Magin hrad” and “Hradisko Drieňok”. The practical distinction starts with the type of route: 0805 is a hiking trail, the four named loops are cycling routes, and “Cesta muránskej Venuše” is another regional route.

River and landscape

The river also shapes the location of the municipality: Horné Zahorany lies on both sides of the Veľký potok, whose source is within the cadastral area. The highlands also have geological features: the relict surface consists of andesite, and landslides have created block fields. Oak forests occur only in the northern part of Horné Zahorany.

Activities at Rytierov Dvor

The Rytierov Dvor farm is also located within the cadastral area of Horné Zahorany. It offers hands-on cooking classes right on the farm. Fishing is possible at one of the bodies of water; you can also hire a horse for a walk along a path between fallow deer and mouflons. The farm combines hands-on cooking classes with outdoor activities: fishing by the water and a horse ride along the path between fallow deer and mouflons. Class times may change, and participation in fishing and horse hire depend on local arrangements. Check dates and participation directly with the farm in advance.

Discover more destinations: Šimonovce, Slizké, Kyjatice, Kraskovo, Španie Pole, Petrovce, Lukovištia, Gemerček

For the regional travel overview: Rimavská Sobota District.