Discover Iža: Hotels and Roman Heritage on the Danube Limes

Iža brings together Roman military history, protected salt landscapes, churches from different eras and a museum showcasing traditional crafts in a compact area. The Kelemantia fort was established as a bridgehead of the Brigetio legionary camp; its stone fortification remains are freely accessible to the public.

Culture and history

The Roman military camp, also known as a fort, was established in Iža as a bridgehead of the Brigetio legionary camp. It is one of two national cultural monuments that make up the Slovak section of the UNESCO World Heritage Danube Limes. At the same time, the fort is considered the only permanently inhabited military fortress identified to date on the left bank of the Danube in the northern Pannonian Limes. Several temporary Roman camps near the fort date from the time of the Marcomannic Wars and are considered exceptional evidence of Roman military history. The stone fortification remains of Kelemantia are freely accessible to the public.

The Roman-themed attractions also include two watchtowers built on Roman models. One stands at the eastern edge of Iža and the other at the western edge, along the main road. The watchtowers can be climbed and thus serve, in a sense, as small observation towers.

The village churches also bear diverse traces of history. The Roman Catholic church in Iža was built in the 16th century and is dedicated to the Archangel Michael. Its high altar and pulpit date from the 1770s and were designed in the Rococo style. The Roman Catholic Church of St. Michael the Archangel is designated a national cultural monument. The Reformed Church in Iža was built in 1871. A second memorial plaque is dedicated to the victims of the Second World War. On the banks of the Danube stands a small, functioning arched bridge locally known as the “Turkish Bridge”; it is presumed to date from the Ottoman period.

Nature

Bokrošské slanisko adds a distinctly different landscape aspect. The area is protected as a nature reserve and has been part of the Natura 2000 network since 2004. It includes the priority European habitat type 1340*, inland salt meadows and salt marshes. Thus, alongside the stone evidence of military history, Iža also places a specially classified habitat at the center of attention.

Visiting

The Kelemantia Roman and Ethnographic Museum in Iža has 16 craft workshops where Roman and traditional crafts are presented. The available craft workshops can only be visited during various events throughout the year. For regular visits, opening hours are listed for Tuesdays and Fridays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. For groups and individuals, visits by prior arrangement are listed for Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. By prior appointment, the museum also welcomes visitors outside regular opening hours.

Festivals and crafts

The Štrúdľový Festival in Iža took place for the fifth time from August 23 to 25, 2024. The festival includes a cooking competition in which classic beef goulash is prepared. Traditional craft workshops are also part of the program. At this event, culinary tradition and practical crafts stand side by side, without the village’s historical focus being limited to its Roman past.

Cycling

A signposted and developed cycle route leads from Komárno via Iža to Patince and back to Komárno. The route connects these three places in a clearly designated circular route and complements the historical, scenic and cultural themes with a signposted option for exploring by bicycle.

Other places

The following places are also available for further selection in the destination area: Vrbová Nad Váhom, Radvaň Nad Dunajom, Kravany nad Dunajom, Patince, Holiare, Pribeta, Okoličná Na Ostrove and Chotín.

For the higher-level travel overview: Komárno District.