Malá Čausa – Local History, Crafts and Cycling Routes

Malá Čausa lies on the southern slope of the Žiar Mountains in the valley of the small Čausanka stream, also called Čermel. The settlement stretches from north to south along this watercourse and combines a well-documented local history with living handicrafts, traditional architecture and several documented opportunities for cyclists.

Easter Egg Art and Village Heritage

One particular cultural association of the village is Margita Šimková. ÚĽUV lists her as an ÚĽUV master craftsperson for the production of Easter eggs; her place of activity is given as Malá Čausa in the Prievidza District of the Trenčín Region. Her work includes batik-decorated Easter eggs, eggs decorated with relief patterns in wax, and straw-covered Easter eggs. After 2000, she also added the perforation technique to her repertoire. Mária Kršková also decorates Easter eggs using the relief-wax technique and masters the Madeiro technique. Malá Čausa therefore represents several different forms of this Slovak craft, not just a single method of decoration.

The history of the village stretches far back. Malá Čausa is considered an Old Slavic settlement dating from the 12th century. In a deed of donation issued by King Sigismund for the Noffry brothers in 1430, the settlement is documented under the historical name “Kys Chewche”. The building history can also be traced through specific features: the oldest houses were built from unfired bricks. It was only in the final decade before 1900 that people began building with stone, following the example of the German houses in Handlová. Traditional houses with earthen floors can still be found today. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the domestic production of wooden shingles was also a local source of income.

Chapel, Monument and Village Character

One of the notable buildings is the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary. The single-nave neoclassical building was constructed in 1902 and renovated in 2002. The chapel is in good condition and continues to serve its religious purpose. The SNP Monument provides another historical reference: it was unveiled on 27 August 1972 to mark the 28th anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising. Together with the older houses, it creates a village character in which sacred architecture, commemorative culture and traditional forms of housing stand side by side.

Smaller details also contribute to local orientation. Two protected lime trees stand in a cemetery in Malá Čausa. A reconstructed grandstand stands at the football pitch. The leisure activity complex with a multifunctional sports field is regarded as a sports and cultural centre for the municipality’s residents and visitors. These places are not combined here into a single attraction; instead, they show different sides of the village: remembrance, architectural heritage and spaces used by the community.

Cycling Around Malá Čausa

Several specific route details have been documented for planning a cycling trip. The Bojnice Cycling Circuit includes a 20 km section within the microregion. It passes through Handlová, Ráztočno, Jalovec, Chrenovec, Malá Čausa and Brezany. Another described cycling route is 16.3 km long, has a medium level of difficulty and is also suitable for older children. Its surface alternates between asphalt and paved and unpaved forest paths.

The route description also mentions individual landmarks: after 3.5 km through the forest on a paved path, there is a turn-off to Malá Čausa. On another section of the route, the path leads to Malá Čausa and continues for another 3 km to Jalovec, followed by approximately 2 km in the direction of Ráztočno; after the final approximately 2.5 km, this section ends at the quarry in Remata. The approximate distances are deliberately retained as such. If you would like to combine cycling with local history, Malá Čausa therefore offers both a specific connection to the village and several described route options.

Other Places for Orientation

For further orientation, you can also find Nitrianske Sučany, Liešťany, Koš, Zemianske Kostoľany, Oslany, Poruba, Radobica and Diviaky Nad Nitricou.

For the broader travel overview: Prievidza.