The Baroque high altar of the Church of St. Anne is older than the church building: it dates from the first half of the 18th century, while the church was built in 1777. This contrast in dates offers a concrete starting point for exploring the history of Krškany. A second perspective is provided by the protected Horšianska Valley, with its gorge-like valley, the Sikenica stream and protected floodplain forests. Cultural history and landscape thus offer two distinct focal points for a stay.

Church of St. Anne: Architecture and Furnishings

The Church of St. Anne is a Baroque-classical building dating from 1777. Its architectural features include a single-nave layout, a square presbytery, a northern sacristy and a tower integrated into the entrance façade. The furnishings have their own chronology: the Baroque high altar dates from the first half of the 18th century and is therefore older than the church building. It has a projecting mensa and a large painting of Saint Anne with her family. The different dates help to view the church structure and altar as two distinct chapters in the church’s history. The church serves a religious purpose. If you would like to visit the interior, ask locally about visiting arrangements.

Historical Traces in Veľké Krškany

Veľké Krškany was first mentioned in writing in 1242 under the historical name utraque Keresken. In the 15th century, Veľké Krškany belonged to Levice Castle. These are two distinct historical references: an early written mention and a later affiliation. In the past, residents made their living from agriculture and viticulture. There was also a lime kiln at the end of the 19th century. A Neoclassical manor house from the first half of the 19th century and a wayside cross from the second half of the same century add to the area’s historical features. The manor house and wayside cross thus place local architectural history in two successive periods.

Horšianska Valley: Valley and Habitats

The protected Horšianska Valley area also includes the cadastral territory of Veľké Krškany. It is a gorge-like valley about 80 metres deep in the Ipeľ Hills. At the bottom of the valley, the Sikenica stream meanders in curves. Protected habitats include floodplain forests of willows, poplars and alders. The valley’s depth, stream and floodplain forest convey different aspects of the landscape: the shape of the valley, its watercourse and its protected habitats.

A marked educational trail in the Horšianska Valley runs for about 8 km from Žemberovce to the municipality of Krškany. Trail conditions may change after weather events; check them before setting out.

Getting There and Planning Your Stay

An older municipal plan lists a bus route via Levice, Krškany, Brhlovce and Žemberovce. The same plan lists two pairs of bus stops in Veľké Krškany. Check the timetable and stops before travelling. If you plan to include both, take visiting arrangements at St. Anne’s and current trail and timetable conditions into account when planning your day.

Discover more destinations: Hronské Kľačany, Ipeľský Sokolec, Santovka, Vyškovce Nad Ipľom, Devičany, Bielovce, Hrkovce, Ondrejovce

Go to the overview of the wider area: Levice.