Scharnowitz: Holiday apartments and holiday homes

The originally Gothic Roman Catholic Church of St. Peter and Paul in Žarnovica was built around 1400, destroyed in 1647 during the Turkish plundering, and not restored until the end of the 17th century. A portal from the ruins of the Revište castle chapel was inserted into the church wall to preserve it.

Renting a holiday apartment in Scharnowitz can be part of personal travel planning.

Culture and history

The site of the Žarnovica castellum was formerly occupied by a Gothic palace or castle that served as an advanced fortification of Revište Castle. The Žarnovica castellum is a building dating from around the turn of the 15th to the 16th century. According to historical sources, it was built in 1490 by Filip Dóczy on the older foundations of a fortified castle. The assembly of Tekov County met in the castellum in 1666.

The first written mention of Žarnovica dates from 1332; in it, the priest Friedrich from St. Nicholas Church is named in the list of papal tithes. The history of millstones is also part of the traditional local heritage: historically, millstones made in Žarnovica were used to grind grain for markets in the Žiarska kotlina; some of the products were transported along the Hron to lower-lying parts of the country.

Paths and landscape

The ruins of Revište Castle are located in the Banská Bystrica Region, in Žarnovica District, in Žarnovica. From Revištské Podzámčie, the castle can be reached on foot in about 30 minutes.

The Kľakovskou dolinou forest educational trail can be used year-round as a self-guided circular route on foot and by bicycle and covers historical, forestry, and natural-history topics.

The Žarnovica Calvary is situated on a small hill on the southwestern outskirts of the town next to the cemetery; the Stations of the Cross follow a simple path through the trees. It consists of 14 chapels or stations and was created in 2001 through donations. At the summit, three wooden crosses stand in front of the Neo-Gothic Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which was built in 1895; the surroundings offer views of Žarnovica and distant hills. The chapel is usually closed.

Places to visit

Zveropark in Revištské Podzámčie offers animal watching, a small waterfall, a lake rich in fish, and a meadow for picnics. Zveropark is home to more than 40 animal species.

The Žarnovica Speedway Stadium is located in the municipal sports complex Mestský športový areál, Bystrická 37, 966 81 Žarnovica.

At the 2026 Glgáč Ceramic Festival at Revište Castle, potters from the wider surrounding area met for the sixth time and demonstrated traditional craftsmanship. Visitors were able to try pottery-making activities, including throwing on a potter’s wheel.

Geographical setting

In the immediate vicinity of Žarnovica lies Horný Pajer, which is recorded as a mountain. In the surroundings of Žarnovica are Veľký Žiar, Vojšin, and Sedlová Skala, each recorded as a mountain. In the wider regional surroundings of Žarnovica are Šášov and Hrušov, recorded as ruins, as well as Púšť, recorded as a church.

More local pages: Malá Lehota, Župkov, Rudno Nad Hronom, Nová Baňa, Hodruša-Hámre, Horné Hámre, Hrabičov, Hronský Beňadik, Kľak, Ostrý Grúň, Tekovská Breznica, Veľké Pole, Voznica, Brehy, Žarnovica, Orovnica.

To the higher-level travel overview: Banská Bystrica.