Veľké Vozokany: Hotel, Reservoir and Cultural History

Veľké Vozokany combines its location in the valley of the Širočina watercourse with the reservoir of the same name and a multifaceted local history. The Veľké Vozokany Reservoir is located near Veľké Vozokany and covers 23 hectares. Thus, a waterside landscape, sacred architectural history, remembrance culture and vibrant village traditions come together within the immediate vicinity of the village.

Landscape and Routes

The Veľké Vozokany Reservoir has an irregular bottom and is between 1.0 and 4.0 metres deep. Its waters contain carp, zander, grass carp, pike, catfish, crucian carp and bream. Hiking is possible along the Širočina. A cycling route also explicitly includes the village: the route between Zlaté Moravce, Veľké Vozokany and Vieska nad Žitavou passes through Veľké Vozokany along a 4.3-kilometre section; this section accounts for 30.3 percent of the route.

Archaeological traces are also part of the village’s landscape. A Neolithic settlement of the Linear Pottery culture in the Močiar area yielded a stone axe, a clay loom weight and a perforated flint pendant. A settlement south of the Veľké Vozokany Reservoir yielded ceramic finds.

Culture and History

St. Nicholas Church is at the centre of the village’s sacred history. Its dedication to Saint Nicholas has been documented since 1308. The church was originally Gothic and was remodelled in the Baroque style in 1742. In the Central Register of the Slovak Monument Fund, ÚZPF, it is listed under number 1562/0. Above St. Nicholas Church, on the road to Nemčiňany, there is also a Lourdes chapel.

The Lion Monument forms part of the commemoration of local and national history. In 1734, a stone obelisk was erected at this site in memory of the victory and in honour of those who fell. In 1896, it was replaced by a bronze lion by the sculptor Vojtech Markup. The Lion Monument commemorates the battle fought in 1652 northeast of Veľké Vozokany near the old grove, in which the Turks were defeated.

Village Traditions and Events

The LIPA ensemble in Veľké Vozokany is dedicated to preserving and reviving village customs and folk songs. For its theatre productions, the ensemble draws on works by Slovak authors, rehearses one play each year and performs it in neighbouring municipalities. Events organised in Veľké Vozokany include a harvest blessing with a fruit and vegetable exhibition, the “Čaro Vianoc” Christmas exhibition and a Christmas concert by the “SVETIELKO” church choir.

Different forms of cultural life therefore coexist in Veľké Vozokany: St. Nicholas Church preserves sacred architectural history, the Lion Monument refers to a historic battle, archaeological finds date back to the Neolithic period, and the LIPA ensemble works with customs, folk songs and Slovak theatre literature. The organised events add recurring community occasions to this picture.

Other destinations to explore include Mankovce, Velčice, Vieska Nad Žitavou, Volkovce, Obyce, Skýcov and Hostie.

For the higher-level travel overview: Zlaté Moravce.