Hostice lies in the valley of the Mačací potok, in the heart of the Cerová vrchovina. A green-marked cycling loop runs through the village and forms a circuit around the mountain range; excursions into the volcanic landscape are also possible from Hostice. The Hostice reservoir lies two kilometres beyond the village in the direction of Jesenské. The village also has historical landmarks, including the Baroque Church of St Andrew the Apostle. Landscape, water, cycling and local history offer different focal points for a stay.
Landscape and Nature
The cadastral area of Hostice covers 2,112 hectares and lies largely within a protected landscape area. Hostice thus connects its valley setting on the Mačací potok with the landscape of the Cerová vrchovina. Excursions into the volcanic mountain range are possible from here, while protected landscapes can also be found within the cadastral area.
Wetland communities and riparian vegetation have developed in the upper reaches of small multipurpose reservoirs in the Cerová vrchovina Protected Landscape Area, including the Hostice reservoir (VN Hostice). These areas serve several waterbird species as nesting sites and sources of food. The aquatic and riparian life thus adds a distinct natural dimension to the volcanic mountain landscape.
Cycling Loop and Reservoir
The green-marked cycle route runs through Hostice and forms a circuit around the Cerová vrchovina. Its circular layout distinguishes it from the more general possibility of excursions in the landscape: the cycling route follows a specific loop around the mountain range, while excursions take in the volcanic landscape more broadly. This brings a defined type of tour together with a wider connection to the landscape.
The Hostice reservoir lies two kilometres beyond the village in the direction of Jesenské and is used as a fishing spot by anglers from nearby and farther afield. Its location is a landmark in its own right, alongside the cycling loop. When planning a visit, the distinction is straightforward: the route offers a circuit, while the reservoir is a place with an established fishing use.
Church, History and Cultural Connections
The Baroque Roman Catholic Church of St Andrew the Apostle dates from 1787. A major fire destroyed it, along with the entire village, in 1890. The church was restored between 1892 and 1913. Its construction, destruction and restoration trace a notable sequence in the village’s history. The manor house of the Putnoky family is also in Hostice and offers another historical landmark.
A hiking event through the Cerová vrchovina took place for the 49th time on 12 October 2024. The all-day hike followed a green-marked trail through the valley to Hostice. This edition is a dated look back at a hike, not information about a future event.
Musical traditions are also part of the local cultural heritage. The folk song “Ó ó farsang”, passed down in Hostice, also known as Gesztete, belongs to the category of adult folk songs for festive occasions. Hostice, also known as Gesztete, is also associated with the folk singer Motyovszki Józsefné Kovács Teréz, whose repertoire comprised more than 1,025 folk songs. The church, manor house, song and singer offer different ways to explore the village’s history and culture.
Discover more destinations: Lukovištia, Rimavská Seč, Klenovec, Jesenské, Husiná, Hajnáčka, Drienčany, Bátka.
See the broader travel overview: Rimavská Sobota District.
