Šávoľ: Kerčík Nature Reserve and Church History

Šávoľ brings together the Kerčík Nature Reserve and a local history shaped by archaeological traces and church buildings. It is also located at the transition between the Lučenec Basin (Lučenská kotlina) and the Cerová Highlands (Cerová vrchovina).

Kerčík and the landscape around Šávoľ

The Kerčík Nature Reserve was designated in 1983 and covers an area of 1.2 hectares. It lies on an isolated basalt inselberg at the northwestern edge of the Cerová Highlands. Šávoľ is located at the transition between the Lučenec Basin (Lučenská kotlina) and the Cerová Highlands (Cerová vrchovina); Kerčík, by contrast, is situated on an isolated basalt inselberg at the northwestern edge of the Cerová Highlands. An inselberg is a geological rise made of resistant rock that stands out from the surrounding landscape. At Kerčík, this individual, isolated landform consists of basalt.

The protected site is home to a rich population of the Bohemian pasqueflower (Pulsatilla pratensis ssp. bohemica Skalický) in steppe-like, heat-loving plant communities. “Steppe-like” describes the character of these plant communities; “heat-loving” refers to their association with warm sites. When the reserve was designated in 1983, the aims included not only protecting the Bohemian pasqueflower and its habitat, but also scientific, educational, and cultural-educational purposes. A 100-metre-wide protection zone outside the reserve boundary is subject to the third level of protection (as of 2023); follow the current protection guidance on site.

The Veľké Dravce–Veľký Bučeň educational trail introduces the Kerčík Nature Reserve; the protected area lies between Bulhary and Šávoľ. If you plan to include the trail in your hike, check the local guidance on trail conditions before setting out.

The natural surroundings extend beyond the reserve. The Šávoľský potok stream rises in Šávoľ. The village also has oak-hornbeam forests and, in places, stands of acacia.

Churches, parish history, and early settlement traces

Among the early historical points of reference is a Neolithic settlement of the Bukovohorská culture in Šávoľ. In 1250, the parish had a church and a rectory. The Neolithic settlement of the Bukovohorská culture dates to a much earlier period than the church and rectory that stood in the parish in 1250.

The Church of the Holy Spirit is known in Slovak as “Kostol Zoslania Ducha Svätého”; its construction date is given as 1397. It is a Baroque building that was enlarged in 1805. The main altar is also Baroque in style and includes sculptures of two angels and a painting of the Descent of the Holy Spirit.

Another sacred building is the Chapel of the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary. It was built in 1780 and reconstructed in 2011. Together with the Church of the Holy Spirit, it shows that Šávoľ’s religious heritage comprises more than one building.

Discover more destinations: Halič, Píla, Tomášovce, Licince, Mýtna, Šíd, Lehôtka, Divín.

For the overview of the wider area, see: Lučenec District.