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My Town Tour - Brezno, Slovakia

Blog entry by Martin Sojka posted 469 days ago 981 reads 0 times favorited 68 comments Add to Favorites Watch

I’d like to invite you to a brief tour of Brezno – nice small town in the heart of Slovakia where I’m living now.

Let’s see what Wikipedia has to say about Brezno’s history:

“The place has been inhabited since prehistoric times, but the current town arose from an old Slovak settlement, next to which newly arrived German miners erected a typical square market in the early 13th century. The first written evidence of the town’s existence is dated 1265 when King Béla IV of Hungary issued a charter for the hunters from the area of Liptov allowing them to use woods around the settlement, known as Berezuno. The name is derived from the Slovak word “breza” for birch. In the nineteenth century Brezno was a typical almost purely Slovak town and was one of the centres of the Slovak national movement. Since Second World War it has developed into an industrial town.”

“According to the 2001 census, the town had 22,875 inhabitants.”

... and this is interesting info too: “Brezno is twinned with the French town of Meudon, Nový Bydžov in the Czech Republic and Ciechanów in Poland.”

Tour continues with some beautiful photos. Enjoy…

History

From the sky

Courthouse

Town square

Panorama

Storm

Gray Bear golf course near Brezno

Low Tatras in winter

Wikipedia's page about Brezno
Nice article at Spectacular Slovakia
Beautiful photos of the region at Hiking.sk
Map of the Upper Hron River Region

Thanks to jeanmarc for posting his region tour today. He inspired me ;)

Hope you enjoyed!

-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com | My Facebook: http://profile.to/msojka


68 comments so far

View jeanmarc's profile

jeanmarc

1750 posts in 608 days


posted 469 days ago

that then I to say C am imposing and splendid J hopes that the others ljs will follow L idea to show us their areas

-- jeanmarc manosque france

View jeanmarc's profile

jeanmarc

1750 posts in 608 days


posted 469 days ago

has when part of golf both lol

-- jeanmarc manosque france

View TedM's profile

TedM

1840 posts in 624 days


posted 469 days ago

Beautiful, simply beautiful! As I mentioned to you before, I was lucky enough to visit Slovakia a couple of years ago. My wife and I had such a great time there. We were visiting friends in Komarno and from there we visited Bojnice, the hot springs in Ružomberok, Vlkolinec, Banska Stiavnica and of course, we drove through the Tatras. Although we didn’t visit Brezno we were pretty close at Banska Bystrica. We can’t wait to go back, if only for the duck dinners! :) Next time we’ll drop by for a visit. ;)

-- I'm a wood magician... I can turn fine lumber into firewood before your very eyes! - http://www.woodworkersguide.com

View teenagewoodworker's profile

teenagewoodworker

2479 posts in 660 days


posted 469 days ago

thats a very nice place to live! so much natural beauty and so much wood :)

View Jarrod Zion Murphree's profile

Jarrod Zion Murphree

348 posts in 615 days


posted 469 days ago

That looks like an inspiring place to live. I am so intrigued by Central Europe, as well as the Baltic and Scandinavian countries. I can’t wait to travel there.

Thanks for posting. Looks amazing. You’re a lucky guy…

Regards, JM

-- Jarrod, Taos, NM http://jzmurphree.wordpress.com/

View gizmodyne's profile

gizmodyne

1668 posts in 981 days


posted 469 days ago

Beautiful pictures Martin. I want to visit now.

-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne

View trifern's profile

trifern

7894 posts in 659 days


posted 469 days ago

Breathtaking! Do you guys have an Olympic team?

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.

View Rob 's profile

Rob

197 posts in 559 days


posted 469 days ago

Oh my goodness, you’re for Slovakia! I had no idea. ;) Looks like a nice place.

View GaryK's profile

GaryK

9520 posts in 880 days


posted 469 days ago

Ah! You can smell the history!

Great looking place to live.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

View SCOTSMAN's profile

SCOTSMAN

2238 posts in 477 days


posted 469 days ago

Very beautiful typical of Easterm European countries well preserved and friendly peole there too I have not been that far east but I lived in germany for five years and have been around Italy Venice Austria Salsburg because of my interest in Mozart etc .Thanks for hosting this site .I take my hat off to you your a reall gentleman God bless Martin and best wishes from Scotland to your your family and all my new friends here on the jock site.Alistair

-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease

View Roper's profile

Roper

756 posts in 605 days


posted 469 days ago

you are avery lucky man to live in such a beautiful place martin. did any one elso notice how nice and clean it is there. wish our cities looked that good.

-- Roper - Master of sawdust-

View Russel's profile (online now)

Russel

2057 posts in 831 days


posted 469 days ago

This is pretty cool, a travelogue. Jean Marc and Martin both live in very attractive places. As for me, I live in a cookie cutter suburban neighborhood, so it’s really neat to see more appealing locales.

-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.

View thetimberkid's profile

thetimberkid

1944 posts in 595 days


posted 469 days ago

Looks like a Beautiful place!

Thanks for the post

Callum

-- For wood working podcasts with a twist check out http://thetimberkid.com/

View tenontim's profile

tenontim

1319 posts in 636 days


posted 469 days ago

Very beautiful place to live, Martin. With such a pleasant place to live, no wonder you do such a nice job with this website. We appreciate you. I guess Zagreb is the closest I’ve gotten to your town, although it’s not as nice. And not that close. Thanks for the post.

-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com

View PaBull's profile

PaBull

292 posts in 556 days


posted 469 days ago

Thanks for sharing. I am from Holland myself came to America when i was 25 and I am getting home sick looking at your pictures.

-- http://www.twinoaksgrowers.com

View dennis mitchell's profile

dennis mitchell

3791 posts in 1206 days


posted 469 days ago

Now that is fun. Thanks Martin

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

View rikkor's profile

rikkor

11338 posts in 766 days


posted 469 days ago

I really appreciate the opportunity to see the (well known) home of LumberJocks. It is really beautiful. I live in a suburb of a large metropolitan area. It is nice for many reasons, but spectacular views like you have is not one of them.

View itsme_timd's profile

itsme_timd

676 posts in 722 days


posted 469 days ago

What a gorgeous town, thanks for sharing!

-- Tim D. - Woodstock, GA

View Karson's profile

Karson

25792 posts in 1292 days


posted 469 days ago

Martin: Thanks for the tour of your home town. A beautiful place. We tend to think of old around here meaning 100 yrs old. Where as in the rest of the world. There is a lot of history before we even started.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

View brunob's profile

brunob

1468 posts in 1061 days


posted 469 days ago

Spectacular. I’d love to hike in those mountains.

-- Bruce from Central New York

View Obi's profile

Obi

2191 posts in 1128 days


posted 469 days ago

So… which house is yours?

-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/

View buli's profile

buli

17 posts in 1165 days


posted 469 days ago

Great propaganda Martin. I was wondering what a nice town and then I realized that it’s Brezno :)

-- Buli, Brezno

View Brad_Nailor's profile (online now)

Brad_Nailor

1211 posts in 849 days


posted 469 days ago

Purty….like one of them there picture post cards!

-- David, South Windsor, CT "I love the smell of sawdust in the morning"

View Zuki's profile

Zuki

1232 posts in 969 days


posted 469 days ago

Thanks for sharing Martin.

-- The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them

View Les Hastings's profile

Les Hastings

951 posts in 665 days


posted 469 days ago

Ok I’m jealous Martin,,,,,,,,,Thanks for sharing your part of the world with us.

-- Les, Wichita, Ks. (I'd rather be covered in saw dust!)

View Yettiman's profile

Yettiman

153 posts in 629 days


posted 469 days ago

Thanks for the post.

Have you ever visited Aqucity?

I hear it is very nice

-- Keep your tools sharp, your mind sharper and the coffee hot

View Napaman's profile

Napaman

3482 posts in 969 days


posted 469 days ago

I love the red rooves! When do the REAL TOURS start…one day I will get to EUROPE…beautiful Martin…thank you for sharing your city with us….If I get time I will try to do Napa…

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

View motthunter's profile

motthunter

2079 posts in 690 days


posted 469 days ago

What? you live in another country? what a scandal.. JUST KIDDING… Glad to see your town. It looks like a great place. Always nice to know a bit more about others.

-- making sawdust....

View TheCaver's profile

TheCaver

292 posts in 731 days


posted 469 days ago

Interesting Martin, especially the bit about the historical ‘birch’ reference. Wonderful scenery.

I do take some slight at some of the negative comments about our own country (the US). Most people have not REALLY delved into American History enough to realize that our history is every bit as interesting and fascinating as any other country’s albiet not quite as extensive. Then again, our history runs much farther than the 200 years that schoolbook history teaches us.

I would like to suggest a favorite pastime of mine made possible by the Teaching Company. TC offers college level courses (available in audio or video so you can listen in the shop) on a WIDE variety of subjects including American and European history. I just finished a 44 hour long course on American History taught by prize winning professors in the comfort of my home and it was mind blowing. They also have some great courses on physics which I recommend too :)

Google ‘the teaching company’ (I am in no way affiliated, just a VERY happy user).

Sorry for hijacking the thread Martin!

JC

-- Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known. -Carl Sagan

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14159 posts in 1052 days


posted 468 days ago

thanks for the tour Martin.
What a beautiful city.
Love the town square…

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View miles125's profile

miles125

1419 posts in 897 days


posted 468 days ago

Nice looking place. I love town squares!

-- miles125, Alabama.."Architecture is frozen music""

View brianinpa's profile

brianinpa

1365 posts in 614 days


posted 468 days ago

Very nice. I think I have seen some of those places on jigsaw puzzles.

-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.

View Scott Bryan's profile (online now)

Scott Bryan

20534 posts in 713 days


posted 468 days ago

Martin,

Brezno is simply gorgeous.

Thanks for allowing us to visit with you.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

View RAH's profile

RAH

414 posts in 768 days


posted 468 days ago

Beautiful, thanks for sharing.

-- Ron Central, CA

View SteveKorz's profile

SteveKorz

2030 posts in 605 days


posted 468 days ago

Wow, Martin. You are a very lucky man, this is absolutely beautiful! I think if I was over there, I would explore it all!! Thanks for the tour, and the enlightenment… it’s always nice to see other places, and meet other people.

-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) †

View Richforever's profile

Richforever

339 posts in 612 days


posted 468 days ago

Thanks for sharing such a beautiful place! I love the architectural details and the cleanliness.

-- Rich, Seattle, WA

View Greg3G's profile

Greg3G

770 posts in 977 days


posted 468 days ago

Stuning views Martin. I can only imagine sitting in the square on a summer evening listening to the music, drinking a nice wine with friends. It brings back great memories of the time I spent in Germany, Austria and Italy.

Thanks for reminding me. I will have to find the time to get back to Europe. I would like to take my wife and visit some of the places I went and go someplaces I couldn’t get to at the time.

-- Greg - Charles Town, WV

View DAN 's profile

DAN

6435 posts in 874 days


posted 468 days ago

what is the local hardwoods ? what else is grown in those hills ?

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

View lazyfiremaninTN's profile

lazyfiremaninTN

528 posts in 844 days


posted 468 days ago

All those beautiful pictures and none of you enjoying that wonderful corner of the world, WHY?

And no pictures of your wood working shop?

I would give my left leg to be able to go visit some of the smaller/ off the beaten path places in europe.

-- Adrian ..... The 11th Commandment...."Thou Shalt Not Buy A Wobble Dado"

View ND2ELK's profile

ND2ELK

6134 posts in 665 days


posted 468 days ago

Hi Martin

What a wonderful looking place you live in. I will never have an opportunity or money to visit Europe, so thank you for bringing a little part of it to us. You are blessed to live in such a beautiful country!

God Bless
tom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

View Grumpy's profile

Grumpy

14914 posts in 743 days


posted 468 days ago

What a wonderful part of the world you live in Martin. Somewhere to be very proud of.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

View Dick, & Barb Cain's profile

Dick, & Barb Cain

7034 posts in 1191 days


posted 468 days ago

Thanks for the spectacular tour of your beautiful community, & countryside.

It looks like such a nice, quiet, & peaceful looking area.

It’s hard to imagine how old the buildings are, there.

The community I live in was relocated, & completely rebuilt in the early 1920s, because of the rich

iron ore deposits underneath.

We also have a lot of people from your area of Europe who came here to find work in the iron mines.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

View Sac's profile

Sac

236 posts in 525 days


posted 468 days ago

Beautiful town Martin.

I took the liberty to look at the other pics on your site there at phoyobucket. I was wondering Martin if you have the planes for the bookcase? , Thanks.

-- Jerry, Set in the foothills of the Smokey's

View Mark Shymanski's profile

Mark Shymanski

1554 posts in 604 days


posted 468 days ago

Thanks for the tour of your community. Great scenery and an interesting history. I like posts like this.

-- ...it's rennovation time!!!

View Al Navas's profile

Al Navas

289 posts in 767 days


posted 468 days ago

Martin,

Thanks! A beautiful, spectacular, wonderful place to call home. Thanks for the wonderful mini-tour.

-- Al Navas, St Joseph, MO, http://sandal-woodsblog.com

View Sawdust2's profile

Sawdust2

1181 posts in 979 days


posted 468 days ago

Hey, guys. Are those Martin’s fellow conspirators on the golf course?
Don’t let NM see this post. LOL

Lee

-- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project.

View snowdog's profile

snowdog

808 posts in 874 days


posted 468 days ago

looks like a great place to live, which hose is yours? :)

-- "so much to learn and so little time"..

View Jeff's profile

Jeff

997 posts in 985 days


posted 468 days ago

Thanks, Martin. Very courteous of you to share. I like this idea of tours as well. I live in one of the historic districts of St. Paul and this makes me want to do such a tour.

-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN

View Martin Sojka's profile

Martin Sojka

1398 posts in 1364 days


posted 468 days ago

Thanks for nice comments.. I’m glad you like the town ;)

I found something else for you to enjoy. It’s the latest promotional video on Slovakia – english voice by legendary Mr. Don LaFontaine (should be running on CNN and BBC soon):

The video features the following Slovak locations, or natural, sports and culturals:

  • Golf Course Grey Bear Tále (close to Brezno)
  • Vysoké Tatry – Green Lake
  • Orava Castle
  • Matysová Wooden Church
  • Rafting on Dunajec
  • Domica Cave
  • Bardejov
  • Bratislava – Hotel Radisson SAS Carlton

Real Fairyland – how cool ;)

-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com | My Facebook: http://profile.to/msojka

View Dusty56's profile

Dusty56

3455 posts in 579 days


posted 468 days ago

Absolutely gorgeous setting…Did you grow up in this part of Heaven on Earth ? Thanks for sharing and making us all just a wee bit jealous ! Have a great weekend , Martin : )

-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14159 posts in 1052 days


posted 468 days ago

that’s quite the video!
Fariyland, eh???? Hmmm do you need a little fairy door? I’m getting pretty good at them! :D

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View GEORGE6149's profile

GEORGE6149

30 posts in 489 days


posted 468 days ago

Looks like a very beautiful place. Thanks for sharing. Also thanks for LJ’s. I am a complete rookie at wood working, but I’m learning a lot from this forum. A lot of excellent wood workers who are not afraid to share their knowledge.THANKS

-- GEORGE

View Todd A. Clippinger's profile

Todd A. Clippinger

5632 posts in 991 days


posted 467 days ago

Martin,

I just love the post. The pictures and video are much appreciated.

One of the elements that I love so much about LJ is the diversity and that I have contact with so many people from around the world.

I really appreciate you sharing your home with us.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

View Lee A. Jesberger's profile

Lee A. Jesberger

3710 posts in 871 days


posted 467 days ago

Hi Martin;

What can I say that hasn’t already been said.

A beautiful place to live, for sure.

I think of the fact that not long ago this long distance communication wouldn’t even have been imaginable, yet from this small town, you are able to create a worldwide family.

Bravo, Martin!

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

View Bob #2's profile

Bob #2

3033 posts in 913 days


posted 467 days ago

Martin , I have been over your pics again and again and I can’t see the Golden Arches or even a hint of aTimmy’s?
What do you folks eat over there? <gd>

Nice place – lucky guy!

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

View jude's profile

jude

148 posts in 841 days


posted 467 days ago

cool! Thanks for sharing. Good skiing in Slovakia????

-- life can always be weaved into a song.

View Grumpy's profile

Grumpy

14914 posts in 743 days


posted 467 days ago

Lucky you Martin. Thats some beaut scenery.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

View Dave T's profile

Dave T

90 posts in 511 days


posted 466 days ago

It’s already been said, but it looks beautiful. I loce the architecture!

View scottb's profile

scottb

3403 posts in 1218 days


posted 466 days ago

Beautiful slice of the world you have over there. I do so miss (temporarily living and walking in) the town squares, architecture and history of Europe. Thanks for sharing!

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

View toyguy's profile

toyguy

712 posts in 729 days


posted 466 days ago

I Sure would like to tee it up at Grey Bear….... Looks like a great track.

Very nice slice of the world for sure….

-- Brian's Table Top Toys http://home.mountaincable.net/~bgraham/

View Martin Sojka's profile

Martin Sojka

1398 posts in 1364 days


posted 463 days ago

Woo hooo.. 2 gold medals in 30mins for Slovakia in Beijing 2008 Olympic Games:

“Elena Kaliska of Slovakia continued her country’s gold streak in the Canoe/Kayak Slalom events, finishing first in the Women’s Slalom Kayak Single final on Friday, August 15. Slovakian paddlers have also captured the gold in the Men’s Canoe Single and Double events.” – read here

-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com | My Facebook: http://profile.to/msojka

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14159 posts in 1052 days


posted 463 days ago

congrats to Slovakia!!! :)

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View jeanmarc's profile

jeanmarc

1750 posts in 608 days


posted 463 days ago

congratulations for the sportsmen slovack

-- jeanmarc manosque france

View Grumpy's profile

Grumpy

14914 posts in 743 days


posted 463 days ago

I heard the news as well, great effort.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

View daltxguy's profile

daltxguy

558 posts in 806 days


posted 462 days ago

Hi Martin,

I’ve not had the pleasure of visiting Brezno ( at least I don’t think so, but we might have driven through it or near it when we drove from Vienna to Wroclaw in Poland ) but it looks very familiar. My family is from southwest of where you are in the northern part of Hungary, near the Danube.

We used to take day trips on our bicycles to Bratislava from Vienna when I lived there in the early 90’s back when it was still Checkoslovakia!

It’s a lovely spot you have there. I shall have to take you on a tour of my area here in New Zealand.

-- Steve, New Zealand, www.steveracz.com

View GaryCN's profile

GaryCN

175 posts in 826 days


posted 451 days ago

The closest that I have been to there is Zell Am See AT or Salzburg AT
The area is very impressive. I’m wondering how long of a drive would that be
from Munich DE to Brezno? 12 hours or less?

-- Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati

View CessnaPilotBarry's profile (online now)

CessnaPilotBarry

1260 posts in 594 days


posted 451 days ago

A beautiful place!

-- - Please help keep Lumberjocks an enjoyable escape by refusing to participate in political discussions. Simply spit out the bait and ignore the thread...

View coloradoclimber's profile

coloradoclimber

448 posts in 959 days


posted 450 days ago

It is indeed a beautiful place. Even the storms look cool :)

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