Discover Petrovce

Petrovce lies in the Cerová vrchovina, at the source of the Mačací potok. A marked hiking trail, the town’s multifaceted history, the Church of the Holy Trinity and a body of water near Petrovce offer different starting points for planning your trip. Depending on whether you are more interested in outdoor activities, historical context, architecture or nature, different aspects of the town will take centre stage.

Location and hiking trail

The yellow-marked hiking trail No. 8495 starts in Petrovce and leads 4.6 km to border crossing IX/19 between Slovakia and Hungary. This gives the route a clearly specified starting point and a concrete destination. If you include it in your plans, bear the stated distance in mind and check the trail markings and access conditions on site. The number and yellow markings make it easier to identify this particular trail; its border-crossing destination sets it apart thematically from a walk focused solely on the landscape.

Local history and architecture

Petrovce lies at the historical border of the counties of Novohrad, Gemer and Borsod. Numerous finds from the Neolithic and Bronze Age point to a much earlier period than this historic borderland. Together, these details provide a timeframe spanning prehistoric finds to later regional history.

The settlement history of Petrovce begins with Sáros, a settlement founded by the Sárosi family. Nobles from Sáros founded Kissáros and Péterfala; later, the entire population of Sáros moved to Petri. This sequence of names offers a concrete way into the town’s history: you can trace its development through the interconnected settlements rather than reducing it to a single historical reference point.

The Church of the Holy Trinity in Petrovce was built in 1929–1930. Its design is inspired by Cubism and the tectonics of Romanesque buildings. Tectonics describes the design expression of a building’s structure; together with the Cubist influence, this creates a distinct architectural theme. The church is in good condition and serves its religious purpose.

Nature and bodies of water

Fenek is a rare surviving wetland in the Cerová vrchovina. The 3.98-hectare wetland has been protected since 1993. Its notable features include the endangered plant species prilbovka dlholistá and prilbovka biela, as well as rare snail species and aquatic insects. Fenek is therefore notable for its protected habitat and its plant and animal groups.

VN Petrovce is a 63-hectare body of water near Gemerský Jablonec and Petrovce. It is designated as a carp fishing water, but fishing is restricted. If you plan to fish there, check the current Slovak fishing regulations and local conditions in advance. The two nature-related sites are quite different: Fenek is a protected wetland, while VN Petrovce is notable for its body of water and fishing restrictions.

Discover more destinations

Hostišovce, Abovce, Hodejovec, Veľké Teriakovce, Horné Zahorany, Hrachovo, Chanava, Cakov

Return to the main travel overview: Okres Rimavská Sobota.