A stay in Veľké Držkovce can be planned around two interests: cultural history and cycling. The history of Dolné Držkovce dates back to a settlement first mentioned in 1232; at the same time, the Okolo Považského Inovca cycling route passes through Dolné Držkovce. Historic places and biographies add a sense of historical depth to a cultural visit, while route details provide information about the course, surface and type of bicycle.

Location and Cycling

The municipality of Veľké Držkovce lies in the western part of the Bánovce foothills of the Nitra Loess Hills, along the middle course of the Inovec stream. On the Okolo Považského Inovca cycling route, the section between Čuklasovce and Zlatníky passes through Dolné Držkovce. Check the current signage and surface conditions before setting out. A route from Bánovce nad Bebravou to Považský Inovec follows paved roads as well as field and forest tracks, and is suitable for mountain and trekking bikes. The route details answer different planning questions: one describes the route through Dolné Držkovce, while the other specifies the surface and suitable bicycle types. Check conditions before setting out on this ride, too.

Traces of Local History

Dolné Držkovce is recorded as the settlement of Filips as early as 1232. Viticulture is documented there in the 16th and 17th centuries, while records from 1673 mention families of potters and furriers. The history of the area therefore extends beyond buildings to include viticulture and specialized craft traditions.

Ľudovít and Mikuláš Dohnány were born at the old manor estate in Dolné Držkovce and worked with Ľudovít Štúr. A plaque on the former notary’s office commemorates the brothers and Karol Kmeťko. Kmeťko was born in Dolné Držkovce in 1875 and later became Archbishop of Nitra.

Ján Morvay was also born in Dolné Držkovce; he was a supporter of the Bernolák movement. In 1831, he translated and published a Slovak guide to combating cholera. These biographies connect local history with the circle around Ľudovít Štúr, the Bernolák movement and an ecclesiastical career in Nitra.

Church and Chapel

The Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Dolné Držkovce was built in 1931. It is a single-nave religious building in the Historicist style. The presbytery, or chancel, has a flat end; the tower is positioned at one corner of the building.

The chapel in Horné Držkovce has a different building history: the noble Krejči family had it built in 1900 in gratitude for their daughter’s recovery. It was expanded and extensively renovated in 2007. While the construction date and architectural style help visitors understand the church in Dolné Držkovce, the chapel’s founding story and later structural changes are its main points of interest.

A Culinary Event

At Držkovská držka, registered teams from across Slovakia compete to prepare the best tripe soup. If you want to plan your visit around this event, check the dates and access arrangements for that year’s edition: both may vary.

Discover more destinations: Haláčovce, Slatina Nad Bebravou, Malé Hoste, Trebichava, Pravotice, Uhrovské Podhradie, Uhrovec, Brezolupy

For the regional travel overview: Bánovce Nad Bebravou.