Skýcov – Educational Trail, Lime Kilns and Local History

Skýcov combines a summer educational trail with traces of lime mining, an observation tower and an eventful local history. If you would like to combine nature and cultural experiences, the village offers several clearly distinct points of interest: the self-guided circular trail “Náučný chodník – Vápenný vrch”, the technical monument of the lime kilns and the church “Kostol Nanebovzatia Panny Márie”.

Educational Trail Between Lime Kilns and Protected Area

The “Náučný chodník – Vápenný vrch” educational trail begins at the lime kiln site, the “areál vápenných pecí”, 1.5 km from Skýcov on the main road to Bošany. The lime kiln site is a technical monument of Skýcov and gives the starting point a cultural and historical character. The trail passes through the Vápenný vrch protected area and continues as the Partisan Educational Trail, which extends 13 km to Zlatno. Thus, in addition to the self-guided summer circular trail, there is also a longer connection towards Zlatno as a documented part of the trail network.

The educational trail includes an observation tower at an elevation of 536 m. From there, the view extends within a radius of 100 km. The tower adds a clearly designated viewpoint to the trail, while the lime kilns make the village’s industrial and craft heritage visible.

Vápenný vrch: Nature and Visible Traces of War

Vápenný vrch reveals several layers of its history directly in the landscape. There are numerous artillery shell craters from the Second World War, as well as tunnels created by limestone mining. These traces stand side by side: the craters refer to the wartime period, while the tunnels point to the earlier use of limestone.

The protected area is also clearly defined botanically. A rare orchid species occurs on an area of approximately 200 m² in a strictly protected section of Vápenný vrch. The approximate area specification is just as much a documented feature as the strict protection of this section.

Church and Remembrance Culture in Skýcov

In the village, the church “Kostol Nanebovzatia Panny Márie” is another focal point. It was built in 1809 in the Empire style. The church is a single-nave building with a straight-ended presbytery, meaning a straight end to the altar area, and an integrated tower. The interior furnishings date from the beginning of the 20th century.

The destruction of Skýcov in 1945 is also part of the village’s history: 262 houses burned down at that time. Only the church, the rectory, the school and several houses where Germans were accommodated survived. Every year on 15 and 16 March, commemorative gatherings are held in Skýcov to remember the victims of the Second World War and the tragedy of the burned-down village.

The Skýcov Hody on 15 August are associated with the church feast of “Kostol Nanebovzatia Panny Márie”. At the traditional Hody, children, young people and older residents went to the church in local traditional costumes. Eggs cooked with onion skins, as well as Klobassa and ham, are also recorded as foods associated with this celebration.

Further destinations: Topoľčianky, Tesárske Mlyňany, Lovce, Čierne Kľačany, Slepčany, Beladice, Goldmorawitz, Hostie.

For the overarching travel overview: Zlaté Moravce.