Parkan (Štúrovo): Thermal Baths, River Landscape and Culture

Discover Parkan (Štúrovo) through its thermal waters, river landscape and local history. A thermal spring with a temperature of 39.3 °C rises on the northern edge of the town. The Vadaš outdoor swimming pool was built around it, as part of a 24-hectare recreation area. There is also the Danube riverbank, cycling routes and cultural sites with very different historical backgrounds. This lets you choose your own focus for your stay, between relaxation, activity and the town’s history.

Thermal waters and baths

The Vadaš Thermal Resort Štúrovo has eight outdoor and five indoor pools. These include the Lagúna wave pool; there are also six water slides. If you’re looking for a quieter activity on the water, the resort also has a lake for boating and pedal boating. Facilities may change; check which amenities are currently available before your visit.

The thermal spring and Vadaš outdoor swimming pool are part of a 24-hectare recreation area. For your planning, this means you can organize your stay around the baths or combine the thermal area with exploring the surroundings. Whether you choose a short trip to the riverbank or a longer cycling tour depends on your interests.

Danube riverbank, hills and cycling routes

The Hron flows into the Danube near Štúrovo, and the town is surrounded by the Kováčovské kopce hills. Burda, at 395 metres, is the highest peak in these hills. The Danube riverbank is a popular walking area for locals and tourists. Near the Mária-Valéria Bridge, an observation bench on the riverbank also serves as a photo frame.

Cycling routes also vary in length and character. The first stage of the Ostrihom–Štúrovo cycling route is 16.8 kilometres long and starts in Štúrovo’s pedestrian zone. The second stage runs for 23.8 kilometres along the embankments of the Danube and the Hron. At 42.7 kilometres, the third stage is longer and suitable only for mountain bikes. Stage details may change; check the current route description before setting off.

Another cycling route around Burda starts and ends in Štúrovo. It runs partly along a forest track, which can be slippery after rain and difficult for road bikes. The surface and weather are important differences compared with the stages along the embankments. If you’re cycling, take these conditions into account when deciding whether to ride the route.

Town history and culture

The Štúrovo Town Museum focuses on ethnography and local history. It is housed in a building belonging to the Franklovci family, constructed in the 19th century. The museum has three halls for permanent exhibitions, a hall for temporary exhibitions and an outdoor exhibition in the courtyard. Local history and changing exhibition content thus come together under one roof.

The Július Barta City Gallery presents monthly changing exhibitions by local and international artists. The gallery has served the public since 1993; exhibition dates may change. The town’s buildings and memorial sites offer another perspective on its history: the iron Mária-Valéria Bridge opened in 1895, was rebuilt in 2001 and was ceremonially inaugurated on 11 October that year. It connects Štúrovo with Esztergom.

Other notable sites include the bronze equestrian statue of Polish King Jan Sobieski, unveiled in October 2008, and the sculpture Rozprávajúca skala in the park in front of the town hall. The latter commemorates the town’s first written mention. Next to a church there is also a Baroque Calvary group from 1766, featuring a statue of Saint John of Nepomuk. A protected monument in Štúrovo was built in the Baroque style in 1701.

Military commemoration is also part of the town’s historic character. The military cemetery and monument date from 1947 and were declared a national cultural monument on 17 July 1963. It is the only immovable national cultural monument in Štúrovo. The former synagogue at Hlavná 32 is also a cultural and historical attraction.

An annual autumn event

The Simon and Jude Fair takes place every year in early October. Of the four fairs originally held, it is the only one that has survived in Štúrovo; it continues to shape the October festivities. If you’d like to plan your trip around the event, check the specific dates and programme in advance.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Bíňa, Rastislavice, Čechy, Sikenička, Ľubá, Dolný Ohaj, Kmeťovo, Hul

For the main travel overview: Nové Zámky.