On 16 May 2025, a remarkable volunteer initiative was carried out by staff members of Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica as part of the SECreTour and Mining Treasures projects, in collaboration with the university’s volunteer centre UMB Engage. The staff actively contributed to the restoration of the Barbora route – a unique cultural-tourism route that connects history, nature, and the mining heritage of central Slovakia. Their engagement demonstrated that the academic community can be a strong and meaningful partner in protecting and developing the region.
The aim of the volunteering day was to improve the accessibility and visual marking of the route, which runs through the scenic landscape between Banská Bystrica, Kremnica, Banská Štiavnica, and Zvolen. The volunteers enthusiastically took on a range of tasks – painting trail markers, mowing and clearing footpaths, and removing overgrown shrubs and self-seeded trees that obstructed movement along the route.
Read the full articles by Darina Rojíková here;
https://banickepoklady.eu/en/articles/article/pomahame-zachovat-kulturne-dedicstvo-a-rozvijat-region
