The Barbara Route, the longest educational and discovery route in Slovakia, is becoming a vibrant open-air classroom. The civic association Barborská cesta – Terra Montanae is launching a new initiative entitled "School on the Barbara Route", which will bring unique educational activities directly to the Barbara Route in the Central Slovak mining region.
A school that moves and inspires
These one- to several-day programmes offer an alternative to traditional end-of-year school trips and physical training courses, while combining experiential learning with physical activity in nature. Stays lasting five days or more can be funded through contributions from the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic, intended for physical education courses in the outdoors.
What will pupils experience on the Barbara Route?
They will follow in the footsteps of miners, discover natural beauty and technical monuments, and learn through movement, hands-on experience, and teamwork. The aim is not only to improve physical fitness, but above all to deepen pupils’ understanding of the region’s cultural, historical, and natural heritage.
Zdroj foto: Darina Rojíková
Goals of the School on the Barbara Route:
- To combine movement with exploration of the cultural, historical, and natural heritage of Central Slovakia
- To promote healthy physical activity, endurance, and time spent in the fresh air
- To learn the basics of orientation in nature and first aid in the field
- To understand the importance of mining heritage for our history and culture
- To discuss the impact of human activity on nature, landscape revitalisation, and sustainable tourism
- To strengthen teamwork and social relationships among pupils
- To develop ecological awareness and appreciation of the region’s multicultural identity
The Barbara Route as an open textbook
The Barbara Route offers a unique outdoor learning environment where past and future meet, education is enriched by experience, and movement goes hand in hand with knowledge. The "School on the Barbara Route" is an opportunity to bring the region closer to pupils — and at the same time, help them see it from a new perspective.
Interested in this initiative?
Contact us at predseda@barborskacesta.sk or call +421 905 810 232 to find out more about how your school can get involved.
