Malé Hoste: Fortified Settlement, Churches and Cycling Loop

Malé Hoste combines a Slavic fortified settlement, sacred architectural remains, the Livina stream and a named MTB and trekking cycling loop. Archaeological finds from the Great Moravian period of the 9th to 10th centuries AD were discovered at the old fortified settlement on Brišťo. The historical, landscape and sporting themes each represent a separate aspect of the place. For planning purposes, these three approaches can be considered separately in Malé Hoste: chronologically classified architectural remains, a named watercourse and a cycling loop appeal to different interests, without any one of these areas presupposing the others.

Culture and history

The old Slavic fortified settlement on Brišťo dates from the 9th to 10th centuries AD; its foundations lie beneath the grass. The foundations of a Romanesque church are also located at the fortified settlement. The complete disappearance of the former church on Brišťo is dated approximately to 1924.

The wayside chapel of St Vendelin was built approximately in the 18th or 19th century. Its surviving remains were reconstructed in 2004–2005. In Pusté, above the cemetery, there is an undated wooden cross standing in a field. These points represent different forms of sacred and historical evidence that can be considered separately: the fortified settlement, church foundations, chapel and wooden cross do not belong to the same period or have the same state of preservation.

The “St Martin's Church” is a Baroque church built in 1787. Inside is an organ with a five-part case structure by the master Wagner from the mid-19th century. A Renaissance bell dating from 1651 hangs in the tower. The construction date, organ and bell thus provide three independent details about the furnishings and history of this church building.

Historically, wagon-making was one of the most important occupations of the population of Malé Hoste. The municipal library offers a different cultural perspective: it lends books from various genres to children and adults. Local craft history and today's book selection therefore stand alongside each other as different topics.

Landscape

The Livina stream flows through Malé Hoste and on to Pochabany. Its course forms a geographical reference that can be understood independently of the historical architectural remains and local history. The watercourse thus complements the sites at Brišťo, the chapel, the wooden cross and the library with a landscape context.

Cycling

The “Duchonka – Zlatníky – Solčianky – Topoľčany” loop runs through Malé Hoste. It is especially suitable for MTB and trekking bikes. The cycling loop complements the cultural and landscape themes with a clearly named route and a specifically stated cycling category.

When staying at a hotel in Malé Hoste, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions can be considered as separate comparison points. For the days spent locally, the fortified settlement on Brišťo, the Livina stream and the loop stand alongside one another as different themes.

Other places: Bánovce nad Bebravou, Borčany, Zlatníky, Uhrovske Podhradie, Pečeňany, Šišov, Kšinná, Haláčovce

To the higher-level travel overview: Bánovce Nad Bebravou.