Village Michalová was founded in 1778 as a settlement belonging to the Mining Chamber on
the terrier of Brezno. It had existed near iron ore mines and mainly near blast-furnace
mentioned as "polhorská" blast-furnace in a historical document because of existence
some state dwelling-houses situated on the area of Pohronská Polhora built by the State
assets and the Mining Chamber in Banská Bystrica and this in the time of taking decision
about construction of blast-furnace (in the year 1795).
Following some finds of processing of iron ore in the terrier of the village we have many
prooves of places where wood had been burnt and then used for producing raw iron.
Further there are located some tips for nice coloured cinder exported as a by-product
from blast-furnace.
Except iron ore manganese ore had been mined in the years 1938-50 which was processed
electrolytic in Banská Bystrica. Nowadays most people leave the village for work in
Železiarne Podbrezová.
Points of interest, remarkables and rarities
History of Michalová has been connected with the blast-furnace since its foundation. Proof
of the fact village was founded following the existence of the blast-furnace is noted in
the names of streets like Trosky street (Cinder street) where cinder was carted through
this part of village.
Hrable street was named after a place in a brook where beechen timber was floated and
caught there, where wooden coal was produced.
Streets Horný rad and Dolný rad occured near the blast-furnace where prominent workers
had been living - to be immigrated from Germany and the Austrian part of the Habsburg´s
monarchy.
Nowadays village is taking steps to orientate itself to developing small businesses and
country tourism. A ski lift Tatrapoma H 130 2000m long, a boarding house 50m away from
the ski lift (capacity 40 beds) are in operation. You can be acommodated at private
houses near the ski lift.
And the New Year´s Eve race has become tradition in the streets of villages Michalová
and Pohronská Polhora.
Translation: Hošková