Žikava – Zubria Obora, History and Culture

Žikava combines an educational trail on the edge of bison enclosures, cycling routes, a private fishing pond and cultural-historical landmarks. Added to this are the long history of the village, folk traditions and its connection to the Topoľčianky National Stud Farm. For a trip to Slovakia focused on nature, outdoor activities and regional history, the village therefore offers several clearly distinct points of interest.

Zubria Obora: Educational Trail between Žikava and Lovce

The Zubria Obora educational trail is 2.5 km long, has an elevation difference of 100 m, takes approximately 1.5 hours and includes 10 stations. It begins in Lovce or Žikava and runs along the edge of the bison enclosures in the protected area “Topoľčianska zubria zvernica”. The trail is self-guided, can be walked in both directions, is open year-round and is easy to walk. Its scope and format are therefore clearly defined: it is a self-guided trail with several stations and a documented elevation difference. From Žikava, the Zubria Obora educational trail can be reached by bus; from there, 5 km on foot along one of two forest roads lead to the starting point. This connection is one of the specific route details associated with the educational trail and should be taken into account when choosing how to travel there. Cycling also provides access to several named points of interest. Cycling route 5118 leads towards Žikava, continues to the stud farm at Breziny and then to the Žikava Reservoir before continuing to the Zubria zvernica. The “Pre náročných – po hrebeni Tríbeča” cycling tour also passes by the Žikava Reservoir. Visitors therefore have both a self-guided educational trail and two differently designated cycling connections associated with Žikava at their disposal.

Fishing and the Stud Farm

The Žikava private fishing pond is a private fishing area designated as a carp water. The “catch and release” principle applies at the pond; caught fish can be purchased according to the currently valid price list. This rule clearly distinguishes the experience from an ordinary visit to a body of water: the handling of the catch is expressly specified. The cultural surroundings include the Topoľčianky National Stud Farm, which has been permanently located at the Žikava site since 1962. The artist František Horniak was also born in Žikava on 16 June 1956. To date, he has created approximately 150 stamp engravings. The history of the village is thus visible not only through buildings and archaeological sites, but also through an artistic biography connected with Žikava.

Church, Early History and Local Traditions

The Church of Saint Charles Borromeo in Žikava was built in 1804. Originally, it was a single-nave building with an oval termination of the presbytery and a tower incorporated into the western façade. The “Sedembolestnej Panny Márie” Chapel is also among Žikava’s cultural and historical sights. Žikava was first mentioned in writing in 1075. The Hájky archaeological site dates back even further: it is characterized by stone flakes and fragments of ancient pottery from sporadic prehistoric finds. The settlement near Hájky in Žikava is attributed to the Neolithic Lengyel culture and approximately to the period around 4000 BC. Folk traditions maintained in Žikava include, for example, Fašiangy, the raising of maypoles and church-fair celebrations. Together with the church, chapel and archaeological sites, they create a village landscape in which nature trails, fishing, art, religious buildings and older settlement history stand side by side. For further orientation: Topoľčianky, Velčice, Tesárske Mlyňany, Veľké Vozokany, Jedľové Kostoľany, Vieska Nad Žitavou, Beladice, Hostie.

For the broader travel overview: Zlaté Moravce.