Signage on the Island of Movement (source: My Levice - Jana Némethová)
Formed only 15 years ago, a seven-hectare island on the Hron River near the village of Kalná nad Hronom in southern Slovakia has become a popular outdoor escape. Known as Ostrov pohybu (Island of Movement) since last year, it now draws runners, cyclists, dog walkers and families from across the region, according to My Levice.
The island was created when a 1,070-metre canal was dug in 2010 to feed a nearby hydroelectric plant, cutting the land off from the riverbank. “The canal was built where an old Hron branch used to flow,” says Arpád Reider, the plant’s owner.
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Today, a two-kilometre gravel trail winds through the island, doubling as an educational path with information panels on local flora and fauna. Benches, picnic tables and bicycle stands line the route, alongside climbing frames for children and outdoor fitness equipment for adults. Wooden chimes carved from different tree species add a melodic touch.
Interactive features have proved the biggest draw. “We were out running just last night and met many new faces – only about one in five were locals,” says Mayor Igor Gogora. “Children love the climbing elements, seniors play games, and people cycle or jog through.”
Located just outside the town of Levice, the island also hosts a small World War II military display – Dom bojovej slávy (House of Combat Glory) – and a weekly farmers’ market. Its position at the junction of two regional roads makes it a convenient stop for drivers heading towards Nitra or the Hungarian border.
Future plans include a climbing wall, a pier overlooking the canal and a footbridge to the opposite bank for easier access to neighbouring villages. Public toilets, currently in poor condition, are due for renovation this summer.
“The Hron has shown its power before – parts of the island have flooded in the past,” notes Gogora, adding that all new designs factor in high water levels.
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