Monuments

Bohúňovo - Gothic Church

The late-Gothic church in the middle of Bohúňovo is approximately opposite the Classicist Evangelic church from the beginning of the 20th century. The original wooden coffered ceiling was rebuilt and replaced by a flat plastered one. However, several painted wooden coffers have survived and still hang on the walls. They are decorated with folk motifs. The same motifs can be found on the wooden gallery as well. The Triumphal arch, separating the inner sanctum and the liturgical area, can be considered atypical for it has a circular shape rather than a typical pointed one. The original barrel vault has been preserved in the sanctum. The wedge-shaped cap of the sanctum is quite rare and not characteristic for this region. The bell tower with its wooden shingled roof is a bit younger structure and it was completed to its current shape in the 18th century. In case of visiting the church please contact municipal office in advance.

Dlhá Ves - Classicist Evangelic Church

The Classicist Evangelic Church was built in 1792, following the adoption of the Toleration Patent (1781) by which Emperor Joseph II declared freedom of religion. It concerned these Christian religions: Evangelic Augsburg Lutheran, Calvinist Reformed Helvetic, Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic. The church has undergone some partial reconstruction. Its bell tower with an interesting top dates from the first half of the 19th century. According to local myths the sphere of the tower contains a message from the ancestors for future generations. Should the village be in great need or grave danger, only then can this message be read. We can assume that such message existed because it was a tradition in other villages as well. However, a more reasonable explanation regarding its content is it being actually a status report from the time of building the church tower. It went through reconstruction in 1913 when it was lengthened by 8 meters.

Čoltovo - Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church

The Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church stands on a high ground on the outskirts of Čoltovo. You can get a beautiful view on the valley of the river Slaná from this place. The church was originally built in Gothic style at the beginning of the 14th century. It went through some significant reconstruction in the 17th century followed by some minor ones in the 18th and 19th centuries. Its bell tower was severely damaged during the liberation of the village in World War II while the Russians mounted a massive artillery barrage in an attempt to wipe out the German positions. It was necessary to build a new one. During the last reconstruction between 2000 and 2004 the original Gothic pastophorium was uncovered. Its gothic heritage e is still preserved in the triumphal arch and window linings on the east side. Visiting the church can be arranged in advance at the municipal office or the nearby pastoral office.

Gemerská Panica - Manor house

The Eclectic style manor house was built in the 19th century. It belongs to the national cultural heritage and so does the adjacent park. The building functioned as a summer residence for Hungarian Count Kubínyi who was a member of the Hungarian Diet and expert on railways. He designed the railway line between Plešivec and Muráň. The manor house has been completely renovated and is currently functioning as a guesthouse.

Hrušov - St. Mary‘s Church of Immaculate Conception

Right after entering the village, by the main road, there stands the Roman Catholic St. Mary’s church of Immaculate Conception. The Gothic single-nave sacral building originates from the 14th century and it belongs to the national cultural heritage of Slovakia. While its nave seems to be typically Gothic at first glance, it was reconstructed several times in the 17th and 18th centuries. A small painting from 1763 proves that the church was rebuilt with some Baroque elements. Inside its premises it houses the portrait of St. Anne that was originally placed into the homonymous chapel by the vineyards in the outskirts of the village. The church is open only during religious ceremonies. Visiting by a tourist group should be agreed in advance with the municipality.

Hrhov - St. John the Baptist’s Church

The building of the church dates back to 1500, but some written sources mention years 1332-1334. The current building might have been the rebuilt form of the earlier original Romanesque church. The fact of the church’s older dating is also supported by the gravestone of Juraj Bebek (Bebek György) who died in 1381. He was a member of the Bebek family that became popular in Gemer due to ownership of the castle Krásna Hôrka. Despite its Gothic or maybe Romanesque roots, the church is mainly Classicist nowadays due to major reconstruction in 1823. This is confirmed by the contemporary writing on the façade. There are remains of a 17th century fortification system with a watchtower around the church. It served as a defence against possible attacks of the Turks.

Jablonov nad Turňou - Granarium

One of the most remarkable objects of the village is a large historical building called Granárium. Its name probably stems from the Italian word “granario” which means granary. It dates from the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries. It served as a granary but also as a wine cellar and food storage facility. At the time when Jablonov nad Turňou was part of Szádvár’s estate the granary was property of the Eszterhazy family. The exact year of its construction is unknown, although some documents narrowing the search have been preserved. It stored taxes paid in kind rather than money (known as the harvest’s tenth). Aside from grain, wine and sheep cheese the huge building also stored fruits and other products. The Granarium is currently led by the Alma Centrum civic association whose goal is to increase the attractiveness of the region in terms of tourism. In its cellar it houses an exposition about the history of wine making and offers a marvellous opportunity for tasting local wines. Aside from that, the Granarium provides accommodation as well.

Kunova Teplica - Classicist Church

The Evangelic church bearing the marks of the Classicist style was built in 1805. It was severely damaged during the liberation fights in World War II therefore it needed reconstruction. Nowadays the church attracts especially with wall paintings above the altar. They portray famous reformers and fighters for the rights of Protestant churches. On the rightmost painting Martin Luther (1483-1546), a preacher and founder of the Reformed Church, can be seen. Continuing to the left there is Štefan Bočkaj (Bocskay István) (1557-1606): Prince of Transylvania, leader of the anti-Habsburg uprising who fought for recognition of Protestantism. Followed by Juraj Rákoci (Rákóczy György) (1593-1648): the right hand man of Gabriel Bethlen in the anti–Habsburg uprising and significant propagator of the Reformed religion. On the leftmost paintings Dr. Philipp Melanchton (1497-1560), a philosopher and reformer, is depicted. Please notify the municipal office about your visiting intention in advance.

Plešivec - Castle

Partial remains of the castle ruins from 1320 can still be found on Hradná Street. The fortress was property of the Bebek family from the beginnings until it was burnt by the imperial army in 1557 as a direct consequence of Juraj Bebek’s actions when he allied with the Turks, much to the emperor’s dislike. But the town of Plešivec was not very fortunate either. One year later it was attacked and plundered by the Turks.

Silica - The Gothic All Saints’ Church

The originally Gothic church, surrounded by historical defensive walls, stands in the upper part of Silica village. Today it is property of the Reformed Church while in times of establishing it belonged to the Catholic Church and was dedicated to All Saints. Its construction dates back to 1525 presumably. The old nave was constructed in the early stages and was further enlarged and extended in the Middle Ages. In 1525 a huge bell tower was added to the structure which might suggest some inconsistency in the dating of the church itself. Although the structure retained a lot of its Gothic elements but they are not dominant nowadays. The church was rebuilt several times, most notably in years 1776, 1813 and 1876. Currently, the Classicist style dominates the building. However, visitors are still able to see frescoes that probably originate (like elsewhere in the near Gemer) from the second half of the 14th century. In case of a visit it is wise to contact the pastoral or municipal office in advance.

Silická Jablonica - Gothic Church of the Holy Cross

The Gothic Church of the Holy Cross was built at the central part of the village. It stands on a high ground as the village’s most emblematic building. Its size backs up the assertion that Silická Jablonica was much more populated in the past than it is today. Aside from its basic purpose it served as a place of pilgrimage as well. On the Day of St. Peter and St. Paul, whom the church’s altar is dedicated to, a pilgrimage is held here, when people of Silicka Jablonica and the neighboring settlements like Hrusov, Jablonov nad Turnou and the currently extinct village of Derenk come to pay their respects and pray.
According to data from the Monuments Board of the Slovak Republic the church originates from the 1500s. The first written mention of Silická Jablonica from 1386 allows to assume that the village is much older. Based on this fact the Church of the Holy Cross presumably wasn’t the first one in Silická Jablonica, but remains of no other church were found and there is virtually no information regarding an exact place. In the 18th and 19th centuries the local fruit-growing and wine-making region was dominated by the Andrássy family. The church’s restoration to its current form was funded by them as well. Unfortunately, the reconstruction was quite insensitive to the original architecture and it resulted in complete disappearance of the original Gothic style. The church’s style is classified nowadays as Neo-Gothic, although it is quite atypical. Compared to Catholic churches in general the interior is relatively austere. Noteworthy is the large wooden gallery. There is a historical document in the altar from 1871 reporting about the Andrássy family’s contribution to the church’s reconstruction.
Currently the Church of the Holy Cross belongs to the Roman Catholic parsonage in Jablonov nad Turnou, but keys can be acquired from the municipal office in Silicka Jablonica.

Slavec - Reformed churches in Vidová and Slavec

The church in Vidová was originally built in the style of Renaissance, then in the 1800s a Classicist tower was attached to it. The 15th century late-Gothic church in Slavec is obviously much older. It has undergone several modifications through the years, mainly external. Both temples have rare painted wooden coffered ceilings and galleries. In case of visiting these churches please contact the municipal office.

Bretka - Ruins of a church and military bunker

Located in the middle of the village. The church fell victim to aerial bombardment during an unfortunate raid on the nearby military bunker. The bunker is still in good condition.