Šahy: River Landscape, Culture and Cycling Routes

Šahy lies at the confluence of the Ipeľ and Krupinica rivers and on both banks of the Ipeľ. As a result, several clearly distinct themes come together in the town: historical exhibitions and buildings, the Poiplie Ramsar site, a designated MTB circuit, and a water tourism offering at the Ipeľ bridge.

Culture and History

The Hontianske múzeum was re-established as a municipal museum in 1992 and has operated as a publicly accessible exhibition space in Šahy since 1995. Its permanent exhibitions present the ethnography and history of the Hont region. In addition, the museum organizes social science lectures and local history excursions. It therefore combines a permanent exhibition with changing public programs, without the two areas having the same character.

The Ľudovít Simonyi Gallery presents changing art exhibitions. In the historic center of Šahy, the structure and character of commercial buildings dating from around the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries have been preserved. The remains of a Premonstratensian monastery still stand in Šahy today. The restored synagogue on Bartók Square now serves as a cultural center. Together, the museum, gallery, historic commercial buildings, monastery remains and synagogue offer different points of connection within the town’s cultural landscape.

Dni kultúry v Honte has a 37-year tradition. This event format adds a recurring cultural component to the city’s permanently visible historical heritage.

Landscape

The Poiplie Ramsar site also includes part of the area outside Šahy’s built-up zone. The designation points to the town’s landscape setting and complements its visible riverside location with a broader connection to nature.

Cycling and Water

The Šahanský okruh is a blue MTB circuit with route number 2111, a length of 44.9 km and a medium level of difficulty; it runs along asphalt, paved paths and forest tracks. The route surfaces therefore vary within the same circuit, while its number, length and level of difficulty further define the route’s character.

The Šahanský okruh passes through Šahy and offers connections to cycling routes toward Hungary and onward to Štúrovo. The route can therefore be considered separately in terms of its circuit format, surface and the stated directions, without equating it with the cultural sites in the center.

A landing point next to the Ipeľ bridge offers water tourism with kayaks and canoes for 20 people. The circuit and the water offering have different focuses: the cycling route is described by its number, length, surface and level of difficulty, while the water offering is characterized by the two types of boats mentioned and the group size.

Visitor Information

The tourist information office in Šahy provides visitors with free maps and information materials about monuments, local attractions and program options. It also provides advice on transport options, excursions and guided city tours. The information point therefore brings together information on the cultural, landscape and active themes located at various places in the town and its surroundings.

Hotels in Šahy can be compared objectively based on travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions.

More destinations: Devičany, Levice, Jesenské, Hrkovce, Krškany, Tekovský Hrádok, Podlužany and Šarovce.

To the main travel overview: Levice.