Špačince – Landscape, Church and Historic Trails

Špačince lies in the northern part of the Trnava Hills and combines a clearly defined natural area with sacred history, historic monuments and a vibrant hiking tradition. If you are looking for a place with a manageable yet diverse range of themes for your trip to Slovakia, you will find several different points of interest here: protected landscape, evidence of church history, archaeological finds and an annual long-distance hiking march.

Landscape and Protected Natural Area

The Krupanský potok flows through Špačince. Part of the Špačinsko–nižnianske polia protected bird area also lies within the municipality's cadastral territory. The area was designated, among other reasons, to ensure conditions for the survival and reproduction of the saker falcon. This information identifies the area and its protective function; it does not imply any specific wildlife-watching or visitor facilities.

Church, Calvary and Monuments

The Roman Catholic Church of Špačince is dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. It was originally Gothic and was built in 1312. When the old church was demolished in spring 1939, the tower, sanctuary and Chapel of Saint Anne were preserved at the request of the monument preservation authorities. Part of the original presbytery has been preserved as the Chapel of the Virgin Mary. This creates a historical context in which not only the age of the church but also its surviving structural elements and changes to the building can be seen.

The Calvary of Špačince lies next to the cemetery. It dates from 1797 and features a Baroque cross. Fourteen Stations of the Cross were erected at the Calvary in 1873; in 1930, paintings were added to the stations. Another distinctive monument is the statue of Christ the King on the road to Trnava. It dates from 1678 and is protected by the monument preservation authorities. If you do not want to choose historic places based on just one attraction but would instead like to connect several documented testimonies, Špačince offers various thematic areas for this purpose.

Hiking and Cycling at the Pochod ŠPCH

The local tourist association has organized the long-distance hiking march Pochod ŠPCH – Špačinskí pekní chlapci since 1985. The Pochod ŠPCH has been held annually since its first edition. Cyclists have also taken part since 1992. They may follow a separate route, but like the hikers, they must pass through all checkpoints. This rule creates a clear distinction between the two forms of participation: the route may be different for cyclists, but the checkpoints remain mandatory for all participants.

Access and Historical Depth

Špačince is connected to the wider road network via Road II/560 Trnava–Dolné Dubové–Dechtice. This provides a documented specific road connection for geographical orientation, without allowing any particular travel times or additional transport services to be inferred.

The history of the village also extends beyond its medieval church. Špačince received town privileges and the right to hold annual fairs in 1699. Archaeological finds from the Neolithic period, dating to around 7000 BC, were discovered in the land division known as “Peňažité.” A silver coin from the Roman Empire period was also found in Špačince. These testimonies lead from the Neolithic period through the Roman era and the Middle Ages to the village's hiking traditions today.

To the main travel overview: Špačince.