Výčapy-Opatovce – Vineyards, the Nitra floodplain and culture

Výčapy-Opatovce combines the landscape of the Nitra Valley with viticulture, rural culture and a distinctive cycling route. The municipality lies at an elevation of 146–230 metres in the southeast of the loess-covered Nitrianska pahorkatina, in the Nitra floodplain and on its terrace. For your travel planning, this creates a place where river landscapes, hills and historical traces can be distinguished within a small geographical area.

Landscape and viticulture at Saint Urban

The vineyard area at Saint Urban offers views of Výčapy-Opatovce, the meanders of the Nitra and the Tribeč Mountains opposite, with the distinctive Žibrica mountain. The vineyard area lies above Výčapy-Opatovce. The historic vineyards on the hill west of the village disappeared after 1960; recently, a new vineyard was planted there. Today’s vineyard landscape therefore represents both an older local tradition and its continuation at a later date.

Depending on the route chosen, a footpath from the village centre takes about 20–30 minutes to reach the vineyard area at Saint Urban. The route is approximately 1.5–2 kilometres long. There is a pavilion and a barbecue fire pit there. However, there is no drinking water or buffet.

Cycling along the Nitra

Výčapy-Opatovce is also a starting point of the Ponitrianska long-distance cycling route No. 019. It begins at the dam near Výčapy-Opatovce and heads towards Nitra along the grassy dikes of the Nitra. The route is a 74.9-kilometre red MTB trail of medium difficulty. Its course uses paved roads as well as field and forest paths.

Churches, manor house and village culture

The Výčapy district is home to the Roman Catholic Church of All Saints. It was built by the nobles of Seku and was first mentioned in 1332–1337. Opposite it stands a Baroque manor house commissioned by Prince Frigyes Hohenzollner in the mid-18th century. The cemetery in Výčapy also contains the Baroque Chapel of Saint Joseph from the early 18th century. A brick bell tower dating from 1815 on the square in Opatovce commemorates the local building history.

The village’s lively culture is also closely connected with the seasons and viticulture. Each year, the local viticulture association organises celebrations for the Feast of Saint Urban, the patron saint of winegrowers. These include a solemn Mass and the traditional blessing of the vineyards. The “Rok na dedine” folklore festival is also held annually; local groups and groups from surrounding villages present customs and splendid folk costumes. In October, the “Rok na dedine” cultural programme takes place in Výčapy-Opatovce.

The local NÁDEJ singing group performs, among other things, a harvest thanksgiving celebration with the presentation of the harvest crown, haymaking and love songs, spinning-room gatherings and feather-plucking for a bride. The Nefelejcs group recalls the original Hungarian songs and customs of its ancestors and takes preserved, richly embroidered folk costumes out of the chests. During the carnival season, the tradition of the “fašangoši”, which has survived to this day, is also observed: boys walk through the village with an accordion, dance traditional dances in front of the houses and invite women and girls to dance.

Archaeological traces and practical information

The history of the municipality stretches back considerably further than its visible buildings. A settlement site from the Palaeolithic was discovered in the cadastral territory of Výčapy-Opatovce. Neolithic settlement associated with the Linear Pottery, Želiezovce and Lengyel cultures has also been confirmed. In addition, finds from the Roman period as well as Old Slavic and Great Moravian settlements have been discovered.

For geographical orientation, Výčapy-Opatovce lies on the main road between Nitra and Topoľčany. The village also has a railway station named Výčapy-Opatovce. For sporting activities, the Výčapy-Opatovce sports hall is available to the public for sports, competitions, recreation and leisure activities with the operator’s consent. The playing surface is intended for handball, football, basketball, tennis, volleyball, badminton and floorball.

Zbehy, Nitra, Lužianky, Jelenec, Lúcnica Nad Zitavou, Babindol, Veľký Lapáš and Báb.

Return to the higher-level travel overview: Nitra.