DMO Región Banská Štiavnica is continuing to restore the small-scale infrastructure that makes exploring the region’s villages and countryside more enjoyable for visitors.
After last year’s restoration of the Malá studnička spring in Podhorie and the historic well in Vysoká, this year the focus turned to the historic well in Močiar.
A village where you can take a break from your phone, too
The village of Močiar lies on the northern edge of the Štiavnica Mountains, at an altitude of about 620 metres. More than 70 per cent of its land is covered by forest, and the surrounding area is known for its unspoilt nature, valleys and rugged terrain. Hiking and cycle routes pass through the village, linking it with Podhorie, Šášovské Podhradie and other places in the region.
Peace and quiet and closeness to nature are among the reasons why Močiar appeals to visitors looking for a break away from busy tourist centres. In and around the village, the phone and internet signal is very weak in places, or non-existent, which these days can be more of an advantage than a drawback. A trip to Močiar offers a rare chance to put your phone away for a while, slow down and simply enjoy the silence, the forest and the landscape of the Štiavnica Mountains.
A well from 1875
Visitors can explore the area around the village on foot or by bike. One interesting stop is the restored historic well at the edge of the village as you arrive from Podhorie. According to local records, it was built around 1875 to supply water for the villagers and their cattle. The first major repair took place in 1975, when the well was lined with concrete rings. Its above-ground part was rebuilt in 2008.
The latest restoration has given the well a neater, more natural look. The lower part has been faced with stone, the wooden elements have been restored and the windlass has been replaced.
The restored well stands where three cycle routes meet – the Podhorie – Trnavá Hora route towards Jalná, the route via Starický jarok, and the route from Podhorie towards Hronská Breznica along the Bystrý potok stream. This makes it a natural place for cyclists to stop for a short rest.
More restored wells and springs in the region
The restoration of the well in Močiar follows on from last year’s support from the DMO, when the Malá studnička spring in Podhorie and the historic well in Vysoká were restored. In Podhorie, Malá studnička was given new stonework, an information board and a seating area, and has become a pleasant stop on the Žakýlske pleso educational trail. In Vysoká, a replica of the village’s original well on the Rudná magistrála long-distance trail was restored.
‘Even small places have their own story. Wells were once an essential part of village life, and today they can be a pleasant stop for hikers and cyclists. By restoring places like these, we want to show visitors that the Banská Štiavnica region doesn’t end at the town boundary. Its charm also lies in its quiet villages, forests and trails, and in places where you can take a break from the bustle of everyday life,’ says Dušan Káčer, Executive Director of DMO Región Banská Štiavnica.
So Močiar is one of those places worth heading for when you’re not looking for an attraction at every turn, but for peace, nature, exercise and a moment without constantly checking your phone. And if your phone loses signal during the trip, in Močiar that needn’t be a problem – it may well be part of the experience.
The cost of restoring the historic well, €1,500, was covered by a grant from the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Slovak Republic through DMO Región Banská Štiavnica. The restoration was carried out in cooperation with the village of Močiar, which arranged all the necessary permits and approvals.
