Veľká Richňava (Rychňavské jazero)
A historic mining reservoir about 3 km south-west of Banská Štiavnica, originally built to supply water for the Štiavnica mines and one of the deeper tajchy at 21 m. By the dam at about 7 m there is a 'sculpture' made of an old TV and a toilet; the lake holds many pike and freshwater mussels, and the bottom is muddy with sunken wood. Nearby tajchy are also dived.
Facts
- Region: Slovakia – Quarries, Tajchy & Reservoirs
- Area: Banská Štiavnica & Novohrad
- Depth: 0–21 m
- Level: beginner
- Current: low
- Type: bay
- Coordinates: 48.42815, 18.84572
- Highlights: medieval mining reservoir (tajch), sculpture made of an old TV and a toilet at about 7 m by the dam, pike, freshwater mussel, freshwater bryozoan colonies, muddy bottom with wood
- Tips: The tajchy are popular bathing lakes in the protected landscape area of Štiavnické vrchy – dive outside bathing hours and park considerately. Logs continue to 2026.