Memorials Nitriansky kraj

Would you like to experience a realistic trip into the past? We recommend visiting the village of Veľké Lovce in the Nové Zámky district. The period homestead, Dom ľudového bývania Veľké Lovce, will reliably draw you into the life, housing, and work of our ancestors in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The small private museum is simultaneously proof of the skill and ingenuity of its owner, who renovated it with respect for cultural heritage and made it accessible to the public. Although the folk housing house regularly becomes the center of cultural events organized by the village, its owner and operator continues to be Mr. Galbavý. You can also arrange a tour of this charming homestead with him by phone.

The folk housing house presents a 57-meter-long farmhouse dating from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. However, it is assumed that the first walls of the house were built back in 1794. The original structure consists of unburnt sun-dried brick and clay. During the sensitive renovation, the owner consistently preserved both the period architecture and natural materials. This created a truly charming monument, a house with a unique atmosphere that currently serves as the seat of a small private museum. Part of the homestead is also a farmyard, pigsties, a chaff storage room, a stable, a barn, a cellar, an apiary, or a wattle sheep pen.

In the interior of the house, besides individual rooms and the kitchen with an open chimney, you can also view traditional furnishings, items of daily use, decorations, or working tools. You will find original kerosene lamps, old ceramics, beautiful folk embroideries, and a rare wooden chest from 1908. If you are lucky, you will catch one of the village's cultural events, for which the spaces of the clay structure become the venue. Carnival celebrations, traditional home pig slaughters, Easter markets, grape harvest festivals, or folklore celebrations regularly take place here. The property currently also includes a stage and a shelter for visitors.

You can combine time travel with horseback riding at the Trilobit ranch in the village of Čechy or with water relaxation at the sought-after thermal swimming pool Podhájska. In the winter season, you can enjoy perfect skiing at the Čechy Pallag resort. The offer of trip options and attractions here is truly diverse. Similarly varied is the offer of accommodation in the vicinity of Dom ľudového bývania Veľké Lovce. We recommend using the sought-after accommodation in Podhájska, from where diverse experiences will be just a stone's throw away.

The Romanesque rotunda with a circular floor plan and an internal apse stands on the site of a now-vanished Premonstratensian monastery complex in the village of Bíňa, in southern Slovakia. It is assumed that this sanctuary was built around 1200 and served as a baptistery, that is, a place for the baptism of adults. Its interior is decorated with magnificent frescoes from the 13th and 14th centuries. The unique architectural solution of the rotunda has no parallel in Slovakia. The inner walls are divided by twelve niches with semicircular endings, symbolizing the twelve messengers of God.

The cylindrical brick structure has an inner diameter of 720 cm, and its walls reach a thickness of up to one meter. The dome-shaped roof is topped with the apostolic double cross of Saint Stephen. The foundations of the rotunda are built from unusually carved quarry stones joined by lime mortar and clay containing brick fragments. Documents from 1683 mention that the sanctuary was severely damaged and fell into disrepair for more than 70 years. Its restoration began only in 1755, when it was modified into the Baroque style. Therefore, the dating of this unusual house of worship was debated for a long time. Its true Romanesque origin was discovered only by chance. Following the bombardment during World War II in 1945, the Baroque plaster fell off, revealing the original medieval masonry.

Shortly after the war, in 1954, the renovation of the original Romanesque elements began, along with a comprehensive heritage restoration. Romanesque windows were exposed, while the newer Baroque ones were bricked up. After removing the Baroque coating, Romanesque paintings of exceptionally high artistic and technical quality were revealed. These are preserved fragments of a fresco depicting a group of twelve apostles. The figures, approximately one meter tall, are rendered in delicate shades of pale ochre, gold ochre, grayish-green, light blue, and pink. The faces of God's heralds are noble, radiating deep spirituality. The restoration also uncovered part of a votive painting depicting an adoring knight, a crusader. Among the Romanesque architectural elements, the portal on the southeastern side, a circular window in the western part, and three slit windows facing east have been preserved in their original state.

The exterior plaster also underwent reconstruction, using the same smoothing technique applied during its original construction in the 12th century. To smooth the plaster, a metal tool heated in fire was used, which scorched the plaster with the hot metal. In 2006, archaeological research uncovered part of a Romanesque sculpture representing part of a lion's head, which presumably stood in front of the portal leading to the monastery church. Directly beneath the foundations, graves dating back to the Great Moravian era were discovered.

The complex includes the now non-existent Kaplnka sv. Kataríny and the twin-tower Gothic Kostol nanebovzatia Panny Márie. After exploring this unusual sacral structure, head straight to the pools of Termálne kúpalisko Vadaš and treat yourself to true summer refreshment. If you are already looking forward to your summer vacation, do not wait and book your accommodation near Rotunda dvanástich apoštolov today. The accommodation Bíňa page offers a variety of spacious cottages that can accommodate the whole family. And if you enjoyed the water park in Štúrovo, do not hesitate to search for private accommodations or apartments right in its immediate vicinity.

The legend-shrouded statue of Corgoň has been supporting the corner of Kluchov palác on Pribinovo námestie in Nitra for over 200 years. The strongman, named Corgoň by the locals, is actually Atlas from Greek mythology. According to legend, God punished him by condemning him to carry the pillars supporting the sky on his shoulders forever. Thus, the Nitra Atlas has been holding up the floor of the historic bishop's palace building for centuries. Besides the identity of the city hero, Corgoň, legends are also bound to him about fulfilling secret wishes.

The monumental statue of Atlas was commissioned by the Bishop of Nitra, Jozef Kluch. Its author is the sculptor Vavrinec Dunajský from Ľubietová, who carved and installed it in 1820. In the local jargon, Corgoň refers to an extraordinarily strong young man. Such was supposedly also the local blacksmith who lived in Horné mesto in the 16th century. When he struck the anvil with his hammer, the whole of Nitra shook. And it was he who managed to save Nitriansky hrad during the Ottoman raid. It is said that he threw huge rocks at the enemy, tearing them straight from the cliffside. In addition to his strength and mighty roar, the Turks were reportedly terrified of Corgoň's immense figure, blackened from the forge. Thinking he was a devil, they mounted their horses and fled.

In addition to the original story, many other superstitions surround the statue of Corgoň, created through the misinterpretation and corruption of old legends. Most of them say that the strongman can fulfill various wishes. If a single girl wants to get married as soon as possible, she should reportedly kiss the big toe on his right foot. If she wants to give birth to a child within a year, kissing the big toe on his left foot is recommended. Men, on the other hand, like to touch Corgoň's waist. It is said that this will make their beloved yielding to them. Before a difficult exam, students kiss all of Corgoň's toes. This is supposed to bring them luck and success. Well, so say the legends. If you feel like it, you can go and test any of them out in Nitra.

You can combine a viewing of the legendary statue of Corgoň or Atlas with a walk around the entire square, dominated in the center by a 6.6-meter-high statue of Prince Pribina. Pribinovo námestie lies right in front of the entrance to Nitriansky hrad. In Nitra, we also recommend visiting the modern Nitrianska galéria, the 2-kilometer-long historical Hradisko Zobor, whose origins date back to the Bronze Age, or the complex of Zoborský kláštor. If you have not yet booked your accommodation near the statue of Corgoň, we recommend doing so as soon as possible. Accommodation capacity in Nitra fills up quickly during the peak season. In advance, you will certainly find a pleasant guesthouse or a popular apartment that meets your expectations.

Nádvorie Európy is an original urban planning project located in Southern Slovakia, in Komárno. The town center literally glows with colors and shapes. It entices all your senses, and you do not know where to look first. It is a mix of architecture, building styles, and history of specific European countries. Would you like to get to know Europe but are afraid of flying, feel cramped in a car, and long train journeys cause you panic? Then come to Komárno; here you have Europe in the palm of your hand.

The foundation stone was laid in February 1999. On an area of 6,500 m2, you will find more than 40 buildings here that represent individual countries of the Old Continent. Various colors, shapes, and sizes of windows, towers and turrets, bay windows as well as diverse staircases, fountains, and greenery in places. Buildings of Wales, Transylvania, the Vatican, Iceland, or Greenland next to each other. Not far from them are statues of patrons and monarchs Matej Korvín, Mária Terézia, Ľudovít Veľký z Anjou, or Žigmund Luxemburský. Does it seem like a rather wild mix to you? On first hear, it certainly is. However, this place will completely charm you on your very first visit.

Walk across the paved square, have a coffee in front of one of the local cafés, or sit on a bench by the Milénium fountain. Let the children run around and enjoy the atmosphere of the place to the fullest. What might seem disturbing and incompatible to you at first glance will after a while feel like a perfect interplay of details of individual styles that represent almost all European countries.

This architectural masterpiece also carries a strong message. It points out that even though every country is different, we are close to each other. Even though we have different opinions, we share the same values. We want to be united without losing our uniqueness in the process. We are all destined to cooperate with each other, strengthen cohesion, and focus on the same goals.

Come and enjoy the unique view of the one-of-a-kind Nádvorie Európy. Both young and old will like it here, and artistic souls will gather inspiration for their work in the courtyard. Let yourself be captivated by the atmosphere and enjoy sweet doing-nothing while sitting on the benches. Watch the buildings, the people, and perceive your surroundings as you do so. It will charge you with a special energy from which you will draw for a long time after returning home. Set aside at least a few days for your visit. It is best to find stylish accommodation near Nádvorie Európy and start every morning with fragrant coffee and fresh pastries from a local bakery. Book your stay on the accommodation Komárno (ubytovanie Komárno) page, and the trip can begin.