Nemčiňany – Church, Vineyards and Historic Traces

Nemčiňany combines its location in the hilly landscape with Romanesque-Baroque architectural history, a fired-clay find, vineyards and a fishing waterway. The village lies in the northern part of the Pohronská pahorkatina upland, in the valley of the Rohožnícky potok, on an offshoot of the Štiavnické vrchy.

Location and Waterways

The VN Nemčiňany fishing waterway is located near Nemčiňany. It covers 3 ha and is 1.0 to 3.0 m deep. Carp, zander, grass carp, pike, catfish, crucian carp and bream are found in the waterway. Kráľová studnička, one of the springs feeding the inflowing stream, is also located near Nemčiňany. The surrounding mountains are suitable for mushroom picking, adding a specific natural aspect to the village’s landscape features.

Culture and History

The Church of Saint Michael the Archangel in Nemčiňany is a single-nave building with a semicircular apse. Its Romanesque section was completed in 1249; between 1716 and 1720, the church was rebuilt in the Baroque style. In the wider surrounding area, it is considered one of the oldest churches. The surviving historic monuments of Nemčiňany also include the church, the bell tower and the family crypt of the Kostolániovci family with its cellar. Funding was secured for work on the family crypt of the Kosztolányiovci family, including a new cross, repairs to the crypt’s surface, a new enclosure and two information panels.

Another trace of the village’s history is the Nemčinianska Venuša. The figurine is described as a flat, headless, stylized female idol made of fired clay. Its age was determined to be approximately 5,600 years. The original was discovered in 1982 in the cadastral area of Nemčiňany.

Viticulture and Trails

The Kosztolányiovci family established the first vineyard with noble grape varieties in Nemčiňany. Well-maintained serpentine paths lead through the mountain park to its summit and to the family crypt of the Kosztolányiovci family. A second chapel at the site of the former Nemčinianske vineyard was restored in 2012. There is also a chapel in the Rohožnické vineyards of Nemčiňany.

Traditions and Events

The Dni vína Nemčiňany event is a selected nomination exhibition for the National Salon of Wines of the Slovak Republic. The local annual cycle also includes the setting up of the maypole, Stavanie mája, an old spring tradition in Nemčiňany. On 14 February 2026, a traditional Fašiangová zabíjačka took place at the cultural centre in Nemčiňany. Traditional slaughterhouse specialities such as roasted Hurka, Klobása, ribs, Kapustnica and Obar were served. On 30 May 2026, a traditional holy mass for the blessing of the vineyard harvest and the winegrowers took place in the Živý vrch wine-growing area, by the Chapel of Saint Urban.

If you would like to explore other places in the regional selection besides Nemčiňany, you can also find Slepčany, Volkovce, Goldmorawitz, Beladice, Lovce, Žikava, Zlatno and Červený Hrádok here.

For the overview of the wider travel region: Zlaté Moravce.