Discover Motyčky: Holiday Apartment, Baroque Church and Reservoir

Motyčky developed from an earlier settlement of lumberjacks and charcoal burners. The settlement was formerly called Pri Rybníku; it already appears under its present name, Motyčky, towards the end of the 17th century.

History

The oldest building in Motyčky is the Roman Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The Jesuits built it in 1754 together with a small monastery. The church was solemnly consecrated as early as 1755. The church was built in the Baroque style and is of high cultural and historical heritage value. Masses are held regularly in the church.

The church thus brings together several historical layers of the locality: its construction dates to the Jesuit period, its consecration followed just one year later, and its Baroque architecture continues to shape the inventory of culturally and historically significant buildings in Motyčky to this day. The regular Masses also point to the building’s continued religious use.

Water and Fishing

The Motyčky Reservoir is one of the water-engineering structures built on the Starohorský potok stream between 1923 and 1925. It is part of the cascade of hydroelectric facilities Motyčky–Dolný Jelenec–Staré hory. The Motyčky Reservoir is not intended for recreational swimming.

Below the church, the VN Motyčky fishing grounds are located in the municipality of Motyčky. They cover 2 hectares and are designated as salmonid waters. Fishing is possible in the Motyčky Reservoir with the appropriate fishing permit.

At the water, Motyčky brings together technical history and a clearly defined use of the water body. The years 1923 to 1925 represent its water-engineering origins on the Starohorský potok, while the cascade records its connection with Dolný Jelenec and Staré hory. For the fishing grounds, both the designated size and their classification as salmonid waters, as well as the required fishing permit, are decisive.

Geographical Context

Motyčky is one of the municipalities in the Banskobystrický Geopark. The municipality is therefore connected with a larger geopark area, while the church, reservoir and fishing grounds form specific points of reference within the locality.

Traditions and Culinary Delights

A special date is Deň uhliarstva on 5 September 2026. The event takes place in Motyčky from 10:00 to 17:00 and is the highlight of a four-day charcoal-burning event supervised by charcoal burners from Hrušov. The programme includes the construction of a new charcoal kiln and historical metal smelting. It is complemented by charcoal-burner cuisine, including párance.

Deň uhliarstva therefore features more than just individual demonstrations. The festival combines the charcoal-burning event supervised by charcoal burners from Hrušov with craft and historical themes. The construction of a new charcoal kiln makes the central work process visible, while the historical metal smelting takes up another traditional area of production. This programme is complemented by charcoal-burner cuisine; the dishes mentioned include párance.

Other Places

Other locality pages in the same larger area: Staré Hory, Malachov, Môlča, Moštenica, Donovaly, Horné Pršany, Hronsek, Riečka.

For the broader travel overview: Banská Bystrica District.