Holiday apartment in Freistadt: château, nature and vineyards in Hlohovec

Hlohovec is characterized by a combination of château history, protected nature, viticulture and trails with far-reaching views. Hlohovec is home to the château grounds, the historic centre and the Sedliská Nature Reserve; there are also several educational and circular trails.

Culture and history

Hlohovec Château stands on the site of a medieval castle that was already mentioned in 1113. Its present appearance was created through alterations commissioned by the then landowner Jozef Erdődy at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century. The historic centre of Hlohovec covers approximately 15 ha and has been designated a heritage zone since 1 March 1993.

The Empírové divadlo in the château grounds of Hlohovec dates from 1802 and is currently considered the oldest surviving theatre building in Slovakia. On 1 June 2019, Hlohovec Château opened its doors to the public; parts of the first, second and third floors were accessible. In addition, the Vlastivedné múzeum in Hlohovec preserves more than 260 recorded finds from river sediments that may be classified as archaeological. Astronomical observations are possible at the Hlohovec Observatory and Planetarium. It houses a telescope considered the second-largest in Slovakia.

Nature

The Sedliská Nature Reserve covers 6 ha in the cadastral territory of Hlohovec. It protects heat- and drought-loving plant communities and associated animal communities, including several protected, rare and endangered plant and animal species. Particular mention is made of the large-flowered pasque flower (Pulsatilla grandis), a species of European importance, and the spring pheasant's eye (Adonis vernalis), a species of national importance.

Hlohovec Château Park is considered one of the most important parks in Slovakia because of its natural and cultural value.

Trails and viewpoints

The Sedliská educational trail is 1 km long, has an elevation difference of 80 m and features four stations. The Zámocký poznávací okruh educational trail is 2.6 km long, has an elevation difference of 62 m and leads from the entrance to the château park via the pond, grotto, château, theatre and garden terraces back to the starting point.

A cycling path almost eight kilometres long runs along the left bank of the Váh from one end of Hlohovec to the other. The Šianec viewpoint lies at an altitude of 296 m and offers panoramic views over Hlohovec and the entire region: across the Dolnovážska Lowland to the Little Carpathians, the Trnava Upland and the White Carpathians, as well as over towns and villages from Trnava to Piešťany.

Wine and local knowledge

The educational trail through Hlohovec's vineyards is an easy, accessible circular route along a blue-marked hiking trail. At seven stations, it provides information about vineyards, local winemakers, the history of viticulture and traditional grape varieties characteristic of this region.

Other places

For further orientation, Leopoldov, Šulekovo, Sasinkovo, Tekolďany, Dvorníky, Koplotovce, Madunice and Jalšové are also available as options.

For the overarching travel overview: Hlohovec District.