Radošina: Culture, Wine and Landscape in the Považský Inovec

Radošina combines distinctive religious buildings, theatrical history, winegrowing and a landscape at the transition between mountains and hilly country. This gives you a destination where cultural and historical details stand closely alongside experiences in nature, without the town being limited to just one theme.

Landscape between mountains and hilly country

Radošina lies on the boundary between the Považský Inovec mountain range and the Nitrianska pahorkatina hilly region. Oak and oak-hornbeam forests predominate on the slopes of the Považský Inovec in the cadastral territory of Radošina. At 749 m, Marhát is the highest peak.

The Považský Inovec educational trail offers a specific way to explore this landscape thematically. It runs through the cadastral territory of Radošina and can be used as a self-guided route in summer and winter. At around 60 km, including municipal branches, and with a moderate to high level of difficulty, it is not a short walk but an extensive network of paths. The educational trail covers historical, cultural, natural science and nature conservation topics.

Churches, Chapels and Kaštieľ

The Roman Catholic church in Radošina was built between 1636 and 1644 in the Renaissance style and dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity. It was given a Baroque makeover in 1755; a projecting tower had already been added in 1663. The single-nave building has a Renaissance barrel vault, a semicircular presbytery end and a sacristy. The tower has a pyramid roof and an iron cross.

The Chapel of the Holy Cross stands at the entrance to the church grounds. It already existed in 1636, was later given a Baroque makeover and is also known as the Chapel of the Virgin Mary. The Lourdes Grotto is located next to the Church of the Most Holy Trinity. It is made of karst rock and contains statues of the Virgin Mary and Saint Bernadette, as well as votive tablets. It was consecrated on 22 May 1949.

Another cultural and historical highlight is the Radošina Kaštieľ. The two-storey, four-winged building has an enclosed courtyard and semicircular corner turrets. Built in the Renaissance style in the second half of the 16th century, it has served as a summer residence of the Diocese of Nitra since its construction.

Theatrical History with a Distinctive Local Character

Radošina is also associated with the Radošinské naivné divadlo. The theatre was founded in Radošina in the 1960s; its first premiere took place on 25 December 1963. One of its founders was Stanislav Štepka. The premieres of “Jááánošííík” in 1970 and “Človečina” in 1971 took place in the club theatre of the Radošinské naivné divadlo. The building of the Klub mladých also preserves the interior of this theatre’s first stage.

Wine and Practical Information

Pivnica Radošina is part of the local identity. It mainly processes grapes from its own 33-hectare vineyard, located directly above the wine cellar. Radošinský Klevner was served during a visit by Pope John Paul II or the British Queen to Slovakia. Pivnica Radošina offers wine tastings.

One important restriction should be noted when planning your journey: Radošina has had a railway connection on the Nitra–Zbehy–Radošina line since 1909, but passenger services on this line are currently suspended. The Čertova pec natural cave is located nearby. It is considered the oldest human cave settlement in Slovakia and was declared a protected natural formation in 1981.

More Places to Consider

For your further selection of places, you can also consider Ardanovce, Podhradie, Šalgovce, Lužany, Tesáre, Krušovce, Dvorany Nad Nitrou and Chrabrany.

For the broader travel overview: Topoľčany District.