Holiday apartment in Očová: Churches, folk culture and Poľana

Očová combines historic churches, vibrant folk culture and marked trails into the Poľana landscape. It also offers unusual experiences at the airfield, insights into crafts and regional traditions, as well as natural areas that extend into the municipality and cadastral territory.

Culture

The Roman Catholic church in Očová was built in the 14th century and fortified with a stone wall during the period of the Turkish threat. Inside is an altar depicting the Death of the Virgin Mary from the workshop of Master Paul of Leutschau, dated 1514–1515. The Evangelical church in Očová is a Neoclassical church of tolerance built in 1785. After a fire in 1867, it was raised and extended with a tower during repairs in 1868.

The Evangelical church is listed as a sight; visits must be arranged by telephone in advance. To visit the church in Očová, which stands in a fortified and locked area near the main road, an appointment must be made with the parish office.

An important part of local cultural life is Očovská folklórna hruda, a traditional folk culture festival held in Očová since 2004. The programme includes a craft fair, workshops by master craftspeople, traditional local products and exhibitions, most of which take place at the Remeselný dvor. In front of the cultural centre there is also a monument to Ján Berky Mrenica, unveiled on the tenth anniversary of his death.

History and crafts

The Remeselný dvor is located in the former Kováčov Mill in Očová, which was built in 1918. The mill also had a blacksmith's workshop. In March 2024, a revitalised memorial room dedicated to Matej Bel Funtík was opened there, presenting his life, studies, work and scientific writings. In two rooms at the Remeselný dvor, the Očovské minimúzeum displays traditional festive and work clothing, traditional footwear, household items and work tools.

An exhibition in Očová presents embroidery made with a crooked needle, the production of Fujara instruments and pipes, weaving on a loom, architecture, as well as folk singing and dancing. During a visit to the exhibition, you can sample Očovská Rožovka, a typical rye spirit. Visitors can also bake in a bread oven at the Remeselný dvor.

Nature

The eastern part of the Očová municipal area lies within the Poľana Protected Landscape Area. The Poľana Natura 2000 site also includes the cadastral territory of Očová. It consists of a diverse landscape with various forest habitats, pastures and agriculturally used areas. The Zadná Poľana National Nature Reserve also extends into the cadastral territory of Očová.

Trails and activities

Several marked trails pass through or around Očová. A blue-marked hiking trail runs through the Hrochotská Valley towards Kyslinky, where it climbs in three directions to the ridge of the Poľana massif. A green-marked hiking trail continues below Poľana via Sudová and Trnavy, through the Suchohradné Valley to the Príslopy saddle and down to Kyslinky. A short section of the red-marked Rudná magistrála touches the eastern cadastral boundary of Očová.

A cycle route is also listed with specific route details: the Okruh Aladár, route 8635, is 12.6 km long and managed by SCK. At Očová Airfield, Aeroklub Očová offers sightseeing flights. The Očovskí Bačovia aerobatic group has also been active at the aeroclub since its founding in 1981. After releasing the tow ropes, it performs glider formations with smoke effects.

Transport connections

There is a bus stop directly in front of the Remeselný dvor, with connections towards Zvolen, Dúbravy and Detva PPS.

Other destinations: Zvolen, Ostrá Lúka, Sása, Budča, Zvolenská Slatina, Hronská Breznica, Babiná, Kráľová

To the higher-level travel overview: Zvolen.