The region we are imagining passes through several districts. It starts in Ilavský, continues to Ponitria and touches the borders of the Trenčín and Žilina regions. It is dominated by the Strážov hill, dense forests and nature, which has remained untouched in several places.

If you decide to get to know this part of the Trenčín region by car, you do not bother. The very path that winds through many forests can be an interesting experience. You can forget about the densely built-up cities, only occasionally you will come across one of the distinctive villages in the middle of the mountains, which have preserved their unique character to this day.

However, you will do even better if you prefer hiking or cycling. The region below Strážov is a less popular place and, compared to the busy High or Low Tatras, it provides more peace, while it certainly does not lag behind in beauty. Its advantage is also the proximity of popular attractions, including the dam in Nitra Rudna, Bojnice Castle, ZOO, but also Čičmany with a unique architecture.

We represent the ZLIECHOVSKÁ DOLINA region

The imaginary center of the whole region is this time the village. Zliechov lies directly below Strážov, thanks to which the seal of a typical mountain village. Life here was not easy in the past and probably thanks to that the ancient culture has been preserved here. It takes the form of local folklore - songs, embroidery and folk costumes, which are among the most beautiful in Slovakia. The origin of some of the patterns is even based on Italian Renaissance art, and the dexterity of the locals still admires far beyond the borders of the village.

The whole region stands on the border of several areas of Slovakia. This is reflected, for example, in the dialect used in Valaská Belá. The upper lakes and the village center were settled in the direction from Ilava. The pronunciation of the inhabitants living in this area is harsh, which is typical of the West Slovak dialect. The Lower Lazy, in turn, have adopted the soft Central Slovak dialect, which is characteristic of the villages of the Rudnianska Valley.

Large and magnificent historical monuments are under Stráž's name, dominated by churches, monuments or sculptures. In many places, however, you will discover pieces of history that once shaped this region. These are, for example, the remains of the Ilava - Zliechov - Gápel forest railway, through which wood from the rich forests there was weighed a hundred years ago.

Photo: Peter Savko