Großkritsch: Culture, Mining History and Forest Landscape

Veľký Krtíš combines historic cultural monuments with a flat valley, foothills and wooded areas.

Cultural Monuments with Their Own History

One of the most prominent cultural sites is the Evangelical Church in Veľký Krtíš. It was founded around 1635 and is now a national cultural monument. Particularly noteworthy is the original interior, which has not been compromised by renovations. Thus, a visit focuses not only on the exterior of the building but also on its historic interior.

A different architectural character is represented by Kaštieľ Viliama Sebastianiho. The manor house was originally built for the Ambrózy family and is a Renaissance building from the 17th century. Its present form is a single-storey block building with a mansard roof; the three-axis entrance portico features Ionic columns. From 1850 onward, the Sebastiani family owned the manor house. Its architectural form and changing ownership history provide several historical points of interest, rather than reducing the site to a single architectural detail.

The mining history is also present in the townscape. The Banícky kombajn monument was unveiled on September 9, 2005. It commemorates the development of mining as well as miners who died while working in the mines or lost their health as a result. Its specific commemorative character distinguishes this site from the historic ecclesiastical and secular buildings.

Cultural Centre and Swimming Pools

The Cultural Centre combines several cultural functions: it houses the Hontiansko-novohradská Library and the Municipal Cultural Centre. A cinema was also established in the Cultural Centre, which likewise served as a theatre and concert hall. For your travel planning, this describes a cultural venue where a library, stage performances and film screenings were historically brought together.

The Biokúpalisko KRTKO at 1169 A.-H.-Škultétyho Street, 990 01 Veľký Krtíš, offers a different form of leisure activity. Veľký Krtíš also has the indoor swimming pool “Krytá plaváreň,” for which opening hours are published. Since specific times may change, you should check the currently applicable information before visiting.

Valley, Hilly Landscape and Forest

The settlement of Veľký Krtíš developed in a flat valley of the Krtíš stream. The northern part of the cadastral area extends across the foothills of the Krupinská planina, which transition into the lower hills of the Ipeľská kotlina. Oak, beech and acacia forests are located in the northeastern part of the cadastral area. Thus, the flat valley gives way to rising transitions and wooded areas, without forming a uniform mountainous landscape.

A Destination in the Nearby Area

In the vicinity of Veľký Krtíš, the ruins of Modrý Kameň Castle are located in Modrý Kameň. The Museum of Puppet Culture and Toys is housed there. The castle can be reached by car; from Modrý Kameň, the walk takes about 20 minutes. This destination therefore combines historic built heritage with a specialized museum collection. If you would like to combine cultural monuments, landscape and a family-oriented museum theme, this offers a clearly identifiable addition to the sights in Veľký Krtíš.

For further comparison of places, you can also include Veľká Čalomija Veľká Čalomija, Horná Strehová Horná Strehová, Lesenice Lesenice, Dolné Príbelce Dolné Príbelce, Kleňany Kleňany, Bátorová Bátorová, Ľuboriečka Ľuboriečka and Vinica Vinica.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Veľký Krtíš.