Rykynčice: Churches, a Chapel and Cultural Heritage

Rykynčice brings together sacred architecture, folk art and routes within the municipality. The church in Dolné Rykynčice, the chapel in Predhorie, religious crosses and two cycling routes offer several concrete points of interest for a trip.

Church and chapel: two building histories

The Roman Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary in Dolné Rykynčice was built in 1788 and is listed as a cultural monument under monument number 1093/1. The church houses a late Baroque polychrome carved wooden altar dating from 1792; it also has an organ from 1913. Polychrome means multicoloured and describes the design of the carved wooden altar here. The church and altar were built four years apart; the organ dates from much later.

The Chapel of the Holy Martyrs John and Paul in Predhorie, Dolné Rykynčice, was built in 1776 in a vineyard east of the village. It has a small tower and an altar with stone statues. In the past, Mass was held there twice a year: for the feasts of the Holy Martyrs John and Paul and of Saint Regina. One clear difference between the two altars is the material: coloured carved wood in the church, stone statues in the chapel.

Folk art and local history

Traces of local traditions can also be found outside the religious buildings. Stone gravestones and wooden crosses made by folk artists have been preserved in the cemetery in Dolné Rykynčice. Several religious crosses stand in front of the church, in the cemetery, by Vrch potok, above Závoz and on Čiklov. There are also two brick crosses in front of private homes.

A shared traditional costume links Dolné Rykynčice with Sebechleby, Hontianske Nemce and Domaníky: the same clothing was worn in these four Catholic communities. The local history also reaches far back. Dolné Rykynčice is mentioned as Rakucha from 1279 and is documented from 1281.

Cycling and natural history

The easy Rykynčice circular route runs for about 5 km around the municipality. The Dudince–Rykynčice–Plášťovce cycling route also runs within the municipality; it is just under 27 km long, with about 330 m of elevation gain. Length and elevation gain are the main ways to compare the two routes: the circular route is considerably shorter and rated easy, while the other route is just under 27 km long and has around 330 m of elevation gain. Before cycling, check the signage and conditions on the ground for both routes.

The Feľata Arboretum is located in the cadastral area of the municipality of Dolné Rykynčice and 7 km from Dolné Rykynčice. Its official founding date is 25 November 1958. By the end of 1985, a total of 170 tree taxa had been recorded there, including 80 conifer taxa and 90 deciduous tree taxa. This breakdown gives both the total number and the two recorded tree groups, adding a natural history highlight to the building and local history.

Getting around by regional bus

The regional timetable, valid from 14 December 2025, lists the stop “Rykynčice, Dolné Rykynčice.” Check the current connection before travelling, as timetables may change.

Discover more destinations: Ladzany, Žibritov, Dolné Mladonice, Bzovík, Hontianske Moravce, Drážovce, Jalšovík, Trpín

Back to the main travel overview: Okres Krupina.