Holiday apartment in Polomka: Mountains, views and culture

Polomka combines a winter sports area with a viewpoint whose panoramic views extend far across the mountain landscape. Access to Polomské očko leads along a 2-kilometre-long ski slope with an elevation difference of approximately 300 metres. The observation tower stands at an altitude of 906 metres on the summit of Polomka’s local ski resort. From there, panoramic views extend over the ridge of the Low Tatras, the forests of Muránska planina and large parts of the Horehronie region.

Mountain landscape

The northern side of Polomka is bordered by the Low Tatras massif. Within the municipality, Homôlka reaches an altitude of 1,665 metres in the Low Tatras. As a result, different elevations and landscape features come together around the village, while the observation tower offers a clear view of the ridge, the forests and the wider regional surroundings.

Winter

The Polomka Bučnik ski resort has three artificially snow-covered and regularly groomed runs: one easy and two intermediate. The ski resort also includes ski equipment rental, a ski service and a ski school. Access to Polomské očko connects this winter setting with the viewpoint on the summit, without omitting the route length and approximate elevation difference indicated there.

Transport connections

A second-class road and a railway line run through Polomka in a west–east direction between Banská Bystrica and Brezno, and onward to Poprad and Rožňava. This transport connection is just as much a part of the village landscape as the mountain scenery and the various destinations within the municipality.

Nature

The Voľchovô educational trail is an 8.5-kilometre-long nature trail with seven stations and information boards about the region’s fauna and flora. It begins at the upper car park of the ski resort and leads directly to the Polomské očko observation tower. Benches are provided at each information board, where visitors can rest.

Rybník Voľchovô is part of the Voľchovô educational trail and is connected to two marked cycle paths. The pond can be reached on foot, by bicycle or by car. At Rybník Voľchovô, the owner can demonstrate fishing and provide the necessary equipment.

Culture

Local traditions include traditional dishes such as hriatô s medom, krompak v kapuste and štikaná chamula. Polomka is particularly known for its hand-pulled polomská štrúdľa. The Polomka folk costume also preserves a distinctive character: it features rich embroidery on hand-woven linen, and its ethnographic elements have been preserved in their original form.

The Veža climbing wall is located in a former water tower. It is 10 metres high, 7.5 metres wide and offers climbing routes of varying difficulty. The climbing wall opened on 1 May 2013; it is operated by the TREND civic association in Polomka.

The MIDO exhibition hall displays folk art and everyday objects, including traditional costumes, photographs, paintings, porcelain, household appliances, looms, sewing machines and a historically furnished room. The MIDO exhibition also includes documents about the production of polomská kapka. The exhibition hall opened to the public in 2015.

The Od ľanu ku kroju exhibition traces the traditional production of clothing – from growing flax through its processing, spinning and weaving to the polomská kroje. Visitors can try out the fully functional looms there. Admission to the exhibition is possible by prior reservation at 0911 179 191.

History

The Roman Catholic Church of Saint John the Baptist is an important sacred monument in Polomka. Count František Wesselenyi had it built in 1666. After his death, his wife continued the construction; the church was completed three years later. Its interior contains a unique late Baroque pulpit from the late 17th century, which is a national cultural monument.

The former poorhouse of Polomka is a prominent historical monument and was founded in 1725 by Count Štefan II Koháry. Several completely original wooden houses have been preserved in Polomka, particularly on Bernolákova and Nálepkova streets.

The grounds of the Chapel of the Seven Sorrows of Mary have served as a pilgrimage site since 1999. Every year on 15 September, believers from various parishes gather there. Visitors to the chapel can drink spring water that does not freeze even in winter.

Other places: Ráztoka, Cierny Balog, Bacúch, Helpa, Vaľkovňa, Benus, Valaská, Mýto Pod Dumbierom

To the higher-level travel overview: Brezno District.