Pistian: Holiday Apartment, Culture and Spa History

The Colonnade Bridge, also known as the Glass Bridge, is a national cultural monument over the Váh River and is considered one of the outstanding examples of Slovak functionalist architecture. At the same time, it is the longest covered bridge in Slovakia.

Culture and History

The Imrich Winter Balneological Museum has its headquarters and most important exhibitions in the Kúpeľná dvorana in the town park. The Kúpeľná dvorana includes an exhibition about General Milan Rastislav Štefánik, an outstanding figure in modern Slovak history. It also houses permanent exhibitions on the history of spas and spa treatment in Slovakia, as well as sacred art; temporary exhibitions are also held regularly.

The Dom umenia Piešťany is located on the banks of the Váh in an extensive park and is a centre of Piešťany's cultural and social life. It is one of the main co-organisers of the international Piešťany Festival, which has taken place every year during the summer months since 1955. The preserved Napoleonské kúpele complex includes the oldest spa buildings in Piešťany.

Elektrárňa Piešťany is a restored industrial monument dating from 1906. Until 1946, it served as a municipal diesel power station for the town of Piešťany and the surrounding municipalities. The renovated former generator hall houses a permanent interactive exhibition on energy transformations and various aspects of their use. Elektrárňa Piešťany offers guided tours for tourists.

The Piešťany Military History Museum has permanent exhibitions on the armament of the Czechoslovak Army from 1945 to 1992 and on Slovaks in uniform from 1848 to 2020. Stará lekáreň focuses on Slovak utilitarian design featuring glass, ceramics, jewellery, three-dimensional works for interiors, graphic art, painting and sculptures for interiors. Krajinský most is a cultural monument dating from 1931; a footbridge was later added on its upstream side.

Nature and Spas

The approximately 2.8 km-long branch of the Váh around Kúpeľný ostrov is important for the overwintering of birds and for aquatic plants. Kúpeľný ostrov is home to a 9-hole course and the Eva thermal outdoor pool. Thermal mineral water and unique sulphurous healing mud provided the basis for the establishment of Kúpele Piešťany.

The spa park on Kúpeľný ostrov offers walking paths between trees and flowerbeds. The mini-zoo on Kúpeľný ostrov is freely accessible and is home to, among other animals, owls and peacocks.

Cycling, Circular Routes and Water

The Vážska cyklomagistrála begins at the Colonnade Bridge and leads towards Trenčín; the section to Trenčín is approximately 50 km long. Cyklochodník Dubová leads towards the Sĺňava Reservoir and connects to Kolookruh Sĺňava at Lodenica. This paved recreational and educational circular route around the Sĺňava Reservoir is suitable for cycling, hiking and inline skating.

The entire Kolookruh Sĺňava takes about three hours on foot and about 45 minutes by bicycle. Sightseeing cruises on the Váh start at the beginning of the Colonnade Bridge and last 55 or 80 minutes. Lodenica Piešťany is a sports and leisure centre at the Sĺňava Reservoir, used for sporting events, competitions, leisure activities and outdoor events.

The Piešťanské informačné centrum is listed at the Colonnade Bridge and at Pribinova 2 in Piešťany.

Other places: Rakovice, Chtelnica, Sokolovce, Trebatice, Banka, Ostrov, Prasnik, Ducové.

To the higher-level travel overview: Piešťany District.