Holiday apartment in Liešťany – culture, nature and living tradition

Liešťany is particularly distinctive where history and living tradition come together. The annual Carnival programme “Pochovávanie basy” is a recurring folklore tradition in Liešťany and gives local cultural life a regular place in the yearly calendar.

Culture and history

The present-day municipality was formed in 1943 by merging the independent settlements of Liešťany, Dobročná and Lomnica. The history of Liešťany, Dobročná and Lomnica has been documented in writing since the beginning of the 14th century. In 1332, Liešťany was referred to as Lyssen and Dobročná as Dobrochna. These historical names point to the long written record of the three settlements.

More recent cultural history is also connected with local customs. The LIESKA folklore group grew out of a performance in a chapel in Liešťany during a local church festival in 1989. Since then, LIESKA has regularly participated in local celebrations for Mother’s Day and church festivals in Liešťany. At Christmas, Easter and local church festivals, the group provides the church singing. At weddings, LIESKA also maintains the traditional custom of removing the bride’s wreath at night and putting on the bonnet, known as Čepčenie.

Further traces reach back into medieval history. After King Charles Robert confirmed mining rights in 1337, the search for and extraction of precious metals began in the Diviacka valley. Historical seals suggest that Liešťany once had a parish church dedicated to Saint George. Among the few larger cultural and historical sights in Liešťany are local chapels from the 20th century. The Municipality Day, Deň obce, is held in Liešťany as a traditional cultural event.

Nature and orientation

Part of the Liešťany municipal area belongs to the Strážovské vrchy Special Protection Area, SKCHVU 028, within the Natura 2000 network. This means that part of the municipal area is included in a designated protected zone. On 3 October 2018, a tourist map was installed in front of the Liešťany Cultural Centre for visitors. It is intended to support hiking and orientation in the surrounding area.

Hiking, cycling and the yearly calendar

The KST Liešťany continues the traditional star-shaped ascent of Suchý vrch on the first Sunday in May, with a raffle and music. In September, the association also continues the traditional goulash cooking event on Chotej hora. Both dates connect the local activities of KST Liešťany with recurring events throughout the year.

Liešťany can also be incorporated into a marked cycling connection. The blue-marked Route 2308, the Bojnický cyklookruh, runs through Liešťany between Nevidzany and Kostolná Ves. The Bojnický cyklookruh can be started at any point and combined with other cycle routes in the district.

Other places

You can access other places directly: Tužina, Šútovce, Oslany, Dolné Vestenice, Prievidza, Pravenec, Jalovec, Poruba.

To the overview of the wider destination: Prievidza.