Holiday apartment in Rimavské Zalužany – Nature, History and Festivals

Rimavské Zalužany lies in the Rimava Valley at an altitude of 255 metres on the right bank of the Rimava River. The municipality includes numerous beech and oak forests; the 916-metre-high Sinec rises to the southwest. Thus, a river valley, forest areas and a distinctive ridge come together, while historical sites and local events also contribute to the character of the village.

Road I/72 runs through Rimavské Zalužany, connecting Rimavská Sobota with Brezno. A railway line connecting Rimavská Sobota with Brezno runs parallel to the road.

Nature and Trails

The SNP–Rimavská Baňa Battlefield Educational Trail is approximately 4.5 kilometres long and leads through the cadastral territories of Rimavská Baňa and neighbouring Rimavské Zalužany. In terms of content, the trail presents the fighting between Slovak insurgents and German units at the end of 1944. Its route also includes a restored authentic machine-gun bunker on the Hrb hill.

History and Culture

One of the visible architectural landmarks in Rimavské Zalužany is a pseudo-Gothic bell tower from the second half of the 19th century. An old mill stands near the railway station. Around the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, a mill was in operation in Rimavské Zalužany. Two lime kilns were also discovered near the village.

The memory of the fighting for Hrb hill is also commemorated at events. During the re-enactment on 14 September 2024, the programme began with memorial ceremonies at the monument to the Slovak National Uprising and the monument to Ján Kutlík, followed by a battle re-enactment.

Community and Events

An important event venue is Lesík near Rimavské Zalužany. Surrounded by nature, this site for cultural and social events lies about 500 metres from the village and has been used for such purposes for more than 80 years. Lesík has hosted dances, summer festivals, theatre performances, sporting events and firefighting competitions. The site features an amphitheatre, a goulash-cooking area, an audience area and the covered Žliabok spring.

Lesík also hosts the motorcycle gathering “Jednou stopou do lesíka”, which has already been held there for the seventh time. The programme included concerts, competitions, a raffle and a commemorative bonfire. The Haluške Festival includes a folklore programme combined with a cooking competition featuring traditional dishes and local specialities.

Traditional Cuisine and Festivals

The community pig slaughter in Rimavské Zalužany had already been held for the seventh time and was also popular with visitors from the surrounding villages. It included a sausage-making competition with seven participating teams. Traditional slaughter dishes were served, such as lung soup, cabbage soup, liver, a regional blood-based speciality and homemade sausages.

At Držkobranie, participants prepared tripe from whole tripe. In addition, one woman, one man and one child from the audience could help evaluate the dishes. The fifth edition of Držkobranie was announced for a Saturday, 10 August, at Lesík near Rimavské Zalužany and included a tripe-cooking competition.

Other Places

Drienčany, Rimavské Janovce, Dulovo, Veľké Teriakovce, Rumince, Kesovce, Klenovec, Dolné Zahorany.

For the higher-level travel overview: Rimavská Sobota District.