Culture and sights
Beckov Castle
It is one of the most beautiful and impressive national cultural monument of Slovakia. The Beckov Castle is located on a steep rock, 60 metres high, and since the 13th century it guarded a trade route along the Váh River. It was a castle of kings, mighty noblemen and knights; it was a castle that resisted the attacks of Tartars and Turks. Its past is full of stories that underline even more the romantic character of its today’s image.
The Beckov Museum
The Museum in Beckov is an external exposition of the Trenčín Museum, and it was established in the Renaissance house of the Ambrovec family from the first half of the 17th century. It was opened in 1988. There is an exposition of the history of Beckov as well as the Beckov Castle. Important parts of the exhibition are materials about significant sons and daughters of Beckov (J.M. Hurban, L. Medňanský, A. Medňanský, D. Štúr and other).
Trenčín Castle
This mighty castle is located on a steep limestone rock directly above the city of Trenčín. It is the largest and the best preserved castle of the fortification system that comprised guarding castles of the Central Váh River Valley. It is a national cultural monument.
The strategic position of the castle is proven by the inscription on the castle rock confirming the stay of Roman legions at the place of Laugaricio in 179 AD.
Tematín Castle
This castle was built in the south-west part of the Považský Inovec Mountains, and it is, together with Trenčín, Beckov and Čachtice Castles, one of the so-called guarding castles in the Central Váh River Valley that formed a defence system of north-west mountain passes of medieval Hungary. It is located on a hill near the village of Lúka (District of Nové Mesto nad Váhom), and situated 564 metres above the sea level, it is one of the highest located castles in Slovakia.
Čachtice Castle
This castle was built in the first half of the 13th century as one of the so-called guarding castles of the Central Váh River Valley at the Western border of the medieval Hungary. Its ruins are located on a rocky hill near the village of Čachtice, near the town of Nové Mesto nad Váhom. The castle had gained a sad fame because of the so-called Blood Countess Elizabeth Báthory who lived here at the end of the 16th and the beginning of the 17th centuries. She allegedly had 600 young women killed, so that she could take a bath in their blood in order to stay young and beautiful forever.
Miniature Park in Podolie
This is a unique product of tourism in Slovakia. In an open air exhibition, there are at the moment 68 models of castles, palaces, churches, cottages, look-outs and other buildings. The aim of the park builders is to save at least 4 or 5 objects per year that are part of the cultural heritage, built in the shape from the time of their biggest fame.
Trenčín
Trenčín is one of the three oldest Slovak towns. Trenčín is located in Western Slovakia and is the natural geographic centre of the Central Váh River Valley. The main river in the town is the Váh River. The town is located about 120 km to the northeast of Bratislava, the Slovak capital. Due to the strategically advantageous location of the town, the Trenčín Castle was built here. At present, Trenčín is an important centre of trade, economy, culture and sport. Many institutions and companies have their headquarters and branches here. Also exhibitions and fairs have had a long-year tradition in this town that is also known as the Town of Fashion.
Piešťany
Piešťany is a Slovak spa, the centre of a district and the seat of many scientific institutions. It is the international centre for treatment of rheumatic diseases (National Institute for Rheumatic Diseases) and an important regional centre of culture, education, sport and recreation.
Moravany nad Váhom
This village is located about 5 km to the east of the town of Piešťany. According to the paleontological and archaeological finds on the village territory, mammoth hunters had their seasonal camp here. Later, this place was the seat of the Volut and Lengyel cultures. Many objects of chipped stone tools, weapons, jewellery and chipped objects have been found here.
A figurine of a woman carved in a mammoth tusk was found here in 1938, it was named Venus from Moravany. The object dates back to the year 22 800 BC. Is is the oldest proof of an artistic expression in Slovakia.
Sport activities
Zelená voda
A large lake established after sand and gravel extraction is located close to the town and serves for recreation purposes. In the summer, you can take a swim there, in the winter you can skate on the ice. In summer, many concerts and music festival take place here. Bike Park Kálnica
Cycling fans will love this: testing routes, downhill free ride tracks and many other surprises.
Ski Park Kálnica
A small skiing centre with a local artificial snow system, with slopes, a ski school, ski and snowboard rental.
Cycling routes
In the surroundings of Beckov, Nové Mesto nad Váhom, Trenčín and Piešťany, there are many cycling routes that are frequently used in the summer.
