Orovnica

Orovnica is a small village in the Žarnovica District of central Slovakia. It sits at 321 metres above sea level on the edge of the Vtáčnik mountains. The name comes from an old Slovak word meaning ‘levelled ground’, first recorded in 1209 as Varanza. The village covers 14.24 square kilometres of rolling countryside. In 2025 it has 511 inhabitants. The village is known for its quiet rural life and clear mountain air. Most people belong to the Roman Catholic Church, with smaller groups of Evangelicals and others. A few families trace their roots to Polish, Czech or Hungarian settlers. The landscape around Orovnica is a patchwork of meadows, orchards and small woods. The Vtáčnik range rises nearby, offering gentle walking trails. Visitors find a peaceful place with wide views over the valley. The main street is lined with low houses and a small shop. At the edge of the village a footpath leads up into the hills. From the higher slopes the whole valley stretches out below. On clear days the peaks of the Vtáčnik are visible against the sky.