Holiday apartment in Brehy: Pottery tradition on the Hron

Brehy lies on the left bank of the Hron River and combines a strong craft tradition with protected landscapes, historic buildings and paths through the forest and surrounding countryside. More than 90 percent of the cadastral area of Brehy belongs to the Štiavnické vrchy Protected Landscape Area. This also includes a small part of the built-up area in the Liešna district; the second level of protection applies within the protected area.

Culture and history

Pottery has a long tradition in Brehy. Sixteen potters are recorded for the year 1715. From the beginning of the 18th century until 1918, residents of Brehy transported earthenware on carts throughout the Kingdom of Hungary. The Hrnčiarske múzeum Brehy continues this history: It works to preserve the pottery house and the original, only still-functioning pottery kiln in Brehy. The museum also organizes public events and leisure activities, as well as creative workshops and workshops, including for children.

One of the notable buildings is the Roman Catholic Church of Saint Joseph the Foster Father. It was completed and consecrated on November 5, 1786. The village also features traditional linear development along the stream dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In the wider regional surroundings of Brehy are the ruins of Hrušov and Šášov, as well as the Church of Svätý Urban.

Landscape

The mountains in the surrounding area also form part of Brehy’s landscape setting. Chlm Mountain lies nearby. The mountains Veľký Veterník, Sedlová Skala and Priesil are located in the vicinity of Brehy. This brings together different landscape features: the Hron river valley, the Štiavnické vrchy protected area and the named elevations in the nearer and wider surroundings.

Hiking and trails

The educational trail Zabudnuté pamiatky baníctva v Brehoch combines hiking with an introduction to local history. The route is considered easy and is also suitable for families with children. From Brehy, a yellow-marked hiking route also leads to the 650-metre-high Hulín through pleasant woodland.

Another short route leads to the Calvary of Brehy. It lies below Kaliště Mountain in the Laštok district, on a small hill. From the yellow-marked main road, it can be reached via a narrow path in just a few minutes; the route there is short and easy.

Water and events

The Hron is also a venue for water sports. Lodenica pod Orechmi is a boat storage area in the village of Brehy. OZ Lodenica pod orechmi organizes the opening and closing of the Hron to mark the beginning and end of the water sports season. The organization offers those interested activities ranging from ordinary hiking to rafting and kayaking. It organizes the rental of water sports equipment in cooperation with the Dronte boat rental service.

The events calendar also includes Splav netradičných plavidiel, which usually takes place in Brehy in August. Together with the workshops of the Hrnčiarske múzeum Brehy, the historic buildings and the marked trails, this creates a broad mix of crafts, local history, outdoor activity and water.

More village pages

More selected village pages: Hodruša-Hámre, Ostrý Grúň, Malá Lehota, Horné Hámre, Žarnovica, Hrabičov, Župkov, Nová Baňa.

To the higher-level travel overview: Scharnowitz.