Kmeťovo between river landscape and cultural heritage

Kmeťovo lies in the Žitavská pahorkatina, on the right-bank floodplain of the Žitava. East of the built-up area, the river flows through a channel confined by dikes. Its riverside location and protected natural areas define two distinctive aspects of the village. For your trip to Slovakia, Kmeťovo combines a tangible connection to the landscape with evidence of local architectural, winemaking and cultural history.

River landscape and trails

Žitavský luh preserves the last remnant of the river’s original meandering course. The area serves as a breeding and migratory site for protected waterbirds. The PP Žitava natural monument protects an old channel of the Žitava, along with its riverside vegetation, as a valuable biological and landscape feature.

The Žitavský luh nature trail can be reached from State Road 511 via the dike and the Kmeťovo Bridge. On the accessible section, travel is possible only on foot or by bicycle. As trail conditions can change seasonally, it is best to check them before your visit.

One hiking option is the 28 km Kmeťovo–Kolta route, numbered 0710. It reaches Žitavský luh after 2.7 km. The two figures provide different points of reference: 2.7 km is the distance along the route to the natural area, while 28 km is the route’s total length.

Church and local heritage

The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary is a Neoclassical building of historical and cultural value. It was built in 1882. Its interior includes an almost life-size statue of Our Lady of the Rosary, carved from pear wood.

In 1994, a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the three Košice martyrs was added to the church. The chapel contains an altar with a statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and a wooden wall relief of the Košice martyrs, carved by Vašek of Mojzesovo. Above the church altar is also a cross with a crucifix, made in Vienna after the First World War.

Other traces of the village’s history can be found in different places around Kmeťovo: the cemetery has a marble cross dating from 1914, and a statue of the Holy Trinity from 1924 stands in the village. In the vineyards is a statue of Saint Urban, dating from 1874 and serving as a local reminder of the winemaking tradition.

Winemaking and historic customs

The historic winemaking tradition included an annual devotional gathering at Stará hora on the Sunday after the feast of Saint Urban. Wine-tasting competitions are also part of the village’s history: the tradition dates back to 1978, and a competition was held in 2001. Alongside the statue of Saint Urban, these historical connections give winemaking a distinctive place in the village’s history.

Historic Christmas customs in Kmeťovo included fruit, Pupáčky, Kapustnica and fish on Christmas Eve. Shrovetide customs centered on celebrations, especially masked balls. Together with the church buildings and protected river areas, these traditions reveal the village’s different facets—from nature and landscape to religious and seasonal customs.

Discover more destinations: Mana, Rastislavice, Nána, Kamenín, Šarkan, Michal Nad Žitavou, Hul, Lipová

For the broader travel overview: Nové Zámky.