Harmanecka cave - Vlkolinec - Ruzomberok

Route: Banska Bystrica - Harmanecka cave - Vlkolinec - Ruzomberok - Banska Bystrica
Duration: 9 h
Our first stop we will make at the Harmanecka cave is situated in the Veľká Fatra Mts. The cave is known for occurrence of rare white soft sinter, tall pagodas and sinter lakes. So far the explorers discovered 2,763 metres of cave corridors. The cave boasts bulky domes, chimneys and abysses. The ornamentation of parts called the White Dome and the Treasury are considered the most beautiful. The cave, thanks to its white colouring is also called the White Cave. Next we will reach the UNESCO village of Vlkolínec in Slovakia. As you first set foot in to this village, you could actually be stepping back in to the 1800’s. Vlkolínec hasn’t changed a bit since that period and it’s never going to. There you will see 55 buildings, preserved, frozen in time as it were. The entire village is untouched and displays perfect examples of folk architecture. It’s postcard perfect colourful wooden houses provide a perfect contrast to the rising mountainous background. But there aren’t just pretty homes here. There is also a museum (made from two of the houses combined), a school house (now displaying folk art) the existing bell tower and the Church of Visitation of Virgin Mary.The village isn’t just conserved for our entertainment however; out of the 45 houses 18 are currently lived in full time. Water is still collected from the stream running down the mountain. There is a working farm. The village of Vlkolínec was first documented in 1376 with records indicating that five streets were in place by 1469. The majority of the surviving buildings, however, date from the 1800’s. Next we will visit to the city Ruzomberok and its three sides are enclosed by the mountains and the eastern side is open to the Liptovska kotlina basin. The most important role in the history of the crafts in Ružomberok was played bypaper manufacturing, a symbol of the city which is preserved until the present day. The best place to begin sightseeing in the city is the upper part the Square of A. Hlinka, originally a quarter where the first German settlers arrived and founded the settlement Rosenberg. The secular landmark dominating the square is the town hall which stands beside the church. In its southern part there used to be a Roman-Catholic parsonage where A. Hlinka spent part of his life. His presence in the city is commemorated in the mausoleum of Andrej Hlinka located next to the southern nave of the St. Andrew church. Beyond the square of A. Hlinka is another remarkable architectural monument - the Calvary. It is the only Liptov Calvary. Also you will see the Gallery of Ludovit Fulla, Liptov Museum, restaurants, cafes, entertainment, shopping centre. After free time we return to Banska Bystrica.
Price: per person