Hostie – Hotels, nature and the ruins of Hrušov Castle

Hostie is located in the Zlaté Moravce District, in the northeastern part of the Žitavská pahorkatina upland, at the foot of the Tribeč Mountains and in the valley of the Hostiansky Stream. As a result, the municipality brings together a distinctive landscape setting, near-natural areas and several marked trails. Cultural and historical sites such as the ruins of Hrušov Castle and the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross add to the character of the area.

Landscape

The Hostiansky Stream is a regionally important biocorridor. Its watercourse is unregulated, and its banks are sparsely vegetated and close to nature. Another ecologically important area is Rybník–Hrušov. It contains permanent grassland grazed by horses or mown, as well as xerothermic habitats around Hrušov Castle. The protected tree “Dub v Hostí” is also located in the cadastral area of Hostie.

The landscape can therefore be understood through its various forms: from the valley of the Hostiansky Stream and open grassland areas to the warm, dry habitats around Hrušov. Each of the areas mentioned retains its own character and forms part of Hostie’s spatial surroundings.

Getting around

The green-marked hiking trail 5123 connects Topoľčianky with Veľký Tribeč. It is 30 km long in total, of which 5.8 km run through Hostie. Another marked hiking trail runs for 6.0 km through the cadastral area of Hostie, passing the ruins of Hrušov Castle and the Rybník stud farm to the north.

Cyclists can also find marked routes with clearly designated courses. The blue-marked cycle route 11 runs for 5.8 km through the cadastral area of Hostie. It follows local roads along the Hostiansky Stream towards Jedľové Kostoľany. The also blue-marked cycle route 3 crosses the cadastral area for 5.5 km and passes approximately 500 m from Hrušov Castle. Different route lengths, trail markings and landscape sections make the routes comprehensible within their respective scopes.

Culture and history

Hrušov Castle was probably built at the end of the 13th century as part of the domain of Matúš Čák. The ruins of Hrušov Castle are located in the cadastral area of Hostie. Trails lead to them from Skýcov, from Topoľčianky via the green hiking trail marking in approximately 2¾ hours, and from Jedľové Kostoľany via the red hiking trail marking.

The Baroque Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross stands in the village centre. It was built in 1798 on the site of an older church that had already been mentioned in 1561. The church is in good condition and continues to serve its religious purpose. Also in the centre of Hostie, a monument erected in 1962 commemorates the fallen anti-fascist fighters from Hostie.

The cultural life also includes a brass-band festival tradition that continues to this day. Thus, historical buildings, a memorial site and a living musical tradition stand side by side in Hostie.

You can also visit the local pages for Tesárske Mlyňany, Mankovce, Žikava, Obyce, Vieska Nad Žitavou, Topoľčianky, Velčice and Nemčiňany.

To the higher-level travel overview: Zlaté Moravce.