Skýcov: Hotel near Vápenný vrch and regional history

The “Náučný chodník – Vápenný vrch” educational trail is a self-guided summer circular hiking route. Its starting point is at the lime kilns complex, the “areál vápenných pecí”, 1.5 km from Skýcov on the main road to Bošany.

Hiking

The “Náučný chodník – Vápenný vrch” educational trail continues as the partisan educational trail, which extends 13 km to Zlatno. Along its route, the trail passes through the Vápenný vrch protected area. The educational trail also includes an observation tower at an elevation of 536 m. The observation tower at Vápenný vrch offers views within a radius of 100 km. The circular route, the continuing partisan educational trail, and the observation tower are clearly designated components of the same trail network.

Nature

At Vápenný vrch, there are numerous craters from artillery shells dating from the Second World War, as well as tunnels created by limestone quarrying. A rare orchid species occurs on an area of approximately 200 m² in a strictly protected section of Vápenný vrch. The approximate area indicates the limited zone where this orchid occurs; the section is also under strict protection.

Culture

The lime kilns complex, the “areál vápenných pecí”, on the “Náučný chodník – Vápenný vrch” educational trail is a technical monument of Skýcov. The Skýcov Hody are also part of the local annual calendar: on 15 August, they are associated with the church feast of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, “Kostol Nanebovzatia Panny Márie”. For the traditional Skýcov Hody, children, young people, and older people went to church wearing local traditional costumes. At the Skýcov Hody, people ate eggs boiled with onion skins, as well as klobassa and ham.

History

Memorial gatherings are held in Skýcov every year on 15 and 16 March to commemorate the victims of the Second World War and the tragedy of the burned-down municipality. During the destruction of Skýcov in 1945, 262 houses burned down; only the church, the parish house, the school, and several houses in which Germans were housed survived. These events are part of the local history, which also remains visible at Vápenný vrch through the craters from artillery shells.

The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, “Kostol Nanebovzatia Panny Márie”, in Skýcov was built in 1809 in the Empire style. It is a single-nave building with a straight-ended presbytery and an integrated tower. The church’s interior furnishings date from the beginning of the 20th century. The 38th edition of the tourist march “NÁUČNÝM PARTIZÁNSKYM CHODNÍKOM” from Zlatno to Skýcov was announced for 22 August 2026; the aim of the march is to introduce participants to the history of the resistance in the region beneath the Tribeč Mountains.

More destinations

Vieska Nad Žitavou, Volkovce, Beladice, Beladice, Žikava, Veľké Vozokany, Martin Nad Žitavou, Goldmorawitz

To the higher-level travel overview: Zlaté Moravce.