Holiday apartment in Veľký Kamenec – Castle, Tarbucka and Nature

On Tarbucka, sands blown from the slope have formed a geomorphologically rare phenomenon in Europe on volcanic rocks consisting predominantly of andesite; the sands lie on andesite hills. Together with historic buildings and a marked trail, this natural feature characterizes the distinctive themes of Veľký Kamenec.

Nature

Tarbucka is so far the only known and confirmed location in Slovakia where the endangered European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) both occurs and reproduces. The Tarbucka Natura 2000 site is a site of European importance and lies within the cadastral territories of Streda nad Bodrogom and Veľký Kamenec. The references to the landscape, protected area and wildlife therefore each belong to different facets of the same place.

Trails and viewpoints

The marked hiking trail “Veľký Kamenec – Tarbucka – Streda nad Bodrogom” runs from Veľký Kamenec via Tarbucka to Streda nad Bodrogom. At the beginning of the small park in Veľký Kamenec, there is an information board with a map of this route. There is another information board and a viewpoint at the summit of Tarbucka. The trail designation, the map at the park entrance and the board at the summit thus identify three specific orientation points along this trail connection.

Culture and history

The European Park in Veľký Kamenec contains wooden statues of medieval Hungarian warriors. Veľký Kamenec Castle is mentioned in a document from 1323. Its best-preserved characteristic Renaissance fortification element is a massive pentagonal bastion with loopholes on three levels.

The manor house in Veľký Kamenec was built below the ruins of the medieval castle at the end of the 17th century in the Baroque style. During a major reconstruction at the beginning of the 19th century, it acquired its present-day Neoclassical appearance. The Church of Saint Joseph the Foster Father in Veľký Kamenec is also Neoclassical; it was built between 1801 and 1814. The church stands on a hill not far from Veľký Kamenec Castle.

The building history thus reflects several periods in closely situated local landmarks: the castle is associated with a documentary mention from 1323, while the manor house was initially built later in the Baroque style and acquired Neoclassical forms after its reconstruction. The church is likewise part of the Neoclassical heritage and stands on a hill not far from the castle. Medieval fortification, a later secular building and a 19th-century religious building thus come together in a shared townscape. The bastion preserves a specific architectural detail of the castle complex, while the park and information boards provide further visible points of reference.

Character of the locality

Agriculture and viticulture were among the local occupations in Veľký Kamenec. Even after 1918, the employment of the inhabitants did not change. This historical information adds an economic aspect of the locality to its natural and architectural heritage.

Other places

Other locality pages are available: Biel, Veľká Tŕňa, Sečovce, Dobrá, Viničky, Trebišov, Veľaty, Čierna Nad Tisou.

For the overarching travel overview: Trebišov District.