The road to the tunnel is well marked, so it's hard to get lost here. At the entrance portal to the Slavošovský tunnel, a Dobšinský fairy-tale shop has been built . It's a nice place to play with children.
The tunnel began construction in 1941 during World War II. Slovakia lost territory in the south and thus many railways as a result of the Vienna Arbitration. Slavošovce were cut off, as well as other Gemer valleys from the connection with the rest of Slovakia. The situation is illustrated by the map below.
The tunnel was ceremoniously pierced in April 1944, but it was already approaching the SNP and then the end of the war. The construction part of the tunnel arches is formed by hand-worked granite blocks. At that time, 700 workers were working on the construction site.
However, it was never put into use after the completion of the tunnel and other constructions. After the war, the lost territories returned to Czechoslovakia and therefore the connection lost its justification. Interestingly, the tunnel is still in very good condition and sometimes one feels that the work ended a year ago.
The tunnel is 6 and a half meters high and four meters wide. Walking through an empty tunnel in complete silence for 2 and a half kilometers is a special experience that is worth the experience.
About half a kilometer further is the entrance to the 245 meter long Kopráš tunnel.
The whole route ends with a high Mníšany viaduct.
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