Širkovce: Castle Trails, Village Culture and Landscape along the Rimava

Širkovce between the Rimava and the Cerová vrchovina

Širkovce combines a riverside location with a landscape where natural and cultural attractions meet within a small area. The village lies on the right bank of the Rimava, at the foot of the Cerová vrchovina and in the southwestern part of the Rimavská kotlina basin. In the southern part of the municipal area, flat to hilly terrain alternates with oak forests and black locust stands. The cadastral area also includes the Cerová vrchovina a Rimavská kotlina Natura 2000 site. If you are looking to situate a place with river landscapes, wooded areas and historical destinations within your trip through Slovakia, Širkovce offers several clearly distinct points of reference.

Village culture and visible history

The village has a municipal museum that adds a local perspective on Širkovce. Another prominent building is the Reformed Church. It was built in 1718 and is a hall church with a projecting tower, a flat coffered ceiling and wooden Protestant galleries. The church is in good condition and continues to be used for religious purposes. It is therefore not only a historic building but also a still-used place of community life.

The manor house is also part of Širkovce's architectural heritage. It is listed in the restoration priorities register of the Slovak Ministry of Culture under reference number 11794/1. On a tour of the village, the manor house can therefore be viewed together with the church and the municipal museum as part of the local cultural history.

Marked trails to castle ruins

Širkovce is also a starting point for trails to historic fortifications. A marked hiking trail leads from Širkovce to the ruins of Širkovský Castle. Another blue-marked hiking trail, approximately 1.5 kilometres long, leads from Širkovce to Kapla Castle. The approximate figure refers to the length of this trail, not to an elevation or time estimate.

Kapla Castle was built in the 13th to 14th century. Today, only ramparts and foundations are visible there. This limitation is precisely what distinguishes the site from fully preserved castles: the trail leads to archaeologically identifiable remains, not to an intact castle complex. Investigations at the castle uncovered older settlement traces from the Stone and Bronze Ages alongside the castle remains. The site of Kapla Castle can be reached by train, car, on foot or by bicycle.

Park, events and local traditions

Recurring events are part of public life in Širkovce. A fair is held every year, featuring demonstrations of traditional crafts, a cultural programme and refreshments. Village Days are also held annually. Cultural events take place in the park, where an amphitheatre stands beside a pond with a spring. In addition, the tradition of an agricultural machinery exhibition was established in Širkovce. Alongside its historic buildings, these elements give the village a contemporary, community-oriented dimension.

More places to help plan your trip

If you would like to further organise your journey through the Slovak countryside, you can also visit the pages on Dulovo, Chrámec, Včelince, Rimavské Brezovo, Hodejovec, Radnovce, Vyšný Skálnik and Kraskovo.

For the wider travel overview: Okres Rimavská Sobota.