Trnovec: Chvojnica Floodplain, History and Village Culture

Trnovec showcases Slovakia in a place where natural surroundings, local history and living traditions exist closely side by side. The Chvojnica nature reserve also encompasses the cadastral territory of Trnovec. Protection levels 4 and 5 apply to this protected area; in some parts, it overlaps with the White Carpathians Protected Landscape Area. The Chvojnica River flows through the cadastral territory and belongs to the Morava river basin. The lowest-lying part of Trnovec is the Chvojnica floodplain.

Landscape between two geomorphological units

Trnovec lies on the boundary between the geomorphological units of the Lower Morava Valley and the Chvojnica Hills. This location makes the village particularly interesting for travellers who wish to view the landscape not merely as a backdrop, but in the context of its geological and hydrological connections. A specific point of orientation is provided by the yellow-marked KST hiking route no. 8161. It is 11.5 kilometres long and leads across the bridge in Trnovec, which is one of its landmarks. The Chapel of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows is the second stop on the described route and is located at kilometre 2.9. The route is intended to be marked with reflective directional elements so that it can also be recognised in the dark.

Local history and historical traces

Trnovec was settled by Croats in 1548 and became part of the Holíč estate. An even earlier Slavic settlement existed in the cadastral territory from the 8th to the 9th century. The building history also reflects the conditions of the village: in the 18th century, houses in Trnovec were built from clay and unfired bricks to reduce the risk of fire. The cadastral territory also once contained a subject mill. The former estate brickyard produced bricks, sewer pipes and roof tiles. Both examples belong to the earlier economic and everyday history and should accordingly be understood as historical references.

Churches, crafts and regional culture

In the centre of the village stands the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, built in 1871 in the Classicist style. The single-nave building has three bays with a Prussian vault. The church is in good condition and continues to serve its religious purpose. Another cultural and historical point of reference is the Church of Saint Margaret of Antioch in Kopčany, an almost completely preserved Great Moravian church from the 9th century.

Embroidery is also part of the local tradition. Examples from Trnovec can still be seen in the village church and at the local handicrafts exhibition. The carnival tradition in Trnovec has been revived in recent years, adding a living custom to the historical evidence.

Trdelník and traditional dishes

In Trnovec, small trdelník pastries are part of the local culinary tradition. Traditionally, they were baked on wooden sticks over a fire during the carnival season. Traditional dishes from Trnovec also include carnival doughnuts, sulz and Božie milosti, which are also locally called fanky. Skalický trdelník has a distinct regional connection: since 22 October 2007, it has held a protected geographical indication registered by the European Commission. In the so-called black kitchen of a Franciscan monastery, trdelník is prepared in the traditional manner.

More destinations for your trip to Slovakia

For further orientation within the Slovak offering, you can also find Trnava, Skalica, Hlohovec District, Veľké Kostoľany, Špačince, Dunajská Streda District, Váhovce and Topoľníky.

For the higher-level travel overview: Tyrnau.