Nová Bašta is closely connected with the pilgrimage site Mária Studňa. The village of Nová Bašta is located in the middle of the Cerová vrchovina volcanic mountain
range, in the valley of the Gortva River tributary. Although it is fi rst mentioned in 1267, it is undoubtedly older. In the 10th and 11th centuries, part of the tribes of the old Hungarians settled in the area called Podmedvedie - Medvesalja below the Medveš hill. In the past, the village belonged to the Hajnáč castle estate. It was owned by Marriássy, Nyáry and other Gemer region noble families. Its original name was Kostolná Bašta. The fi rst church dedicated to St. Nicholas stood here before 1290. Today’s church of St. Stephen has been standing here since 1397.
