The Putikov vŕšok volcano (432 m above sea level), the youngest volcano in Central Europe, was last active more than 102,000 years ago. The hill near Tekovská Breznica is covered with red clay, loess and granules, which prove its volcanic origin. At its top you can clearly distinguish contours of the former crater. Climbing to the top, there is a 26-metre-long volcanic vent - "Sesame Cave" - through which volcanic gases are expelled during the explosion. You will also find red volcanic stones around the cave, which are porous and very light. During the eruption, the volcano expelled out black porous stones. These stones, in a variety of shapes, flew to a maximum height of 500 metres. Samples of these volcanic bombs, as they are known, can be seen in the Pohronské Museum in the town of Nová Baňa. The Putikov vŕšok volcano was declared a natural monument in 1996, with the level 5 protection.
