Malé Zlievce: Churches, Hilly Countryside and Local History

Malé Zlievce lies in the Ipeľ Basin, in the valley of the Stracinský stream. Visitors who choose the municipality as a destination will encounter a local history shaped by early settlement, periods of upheaval and resettlement. Churches, a manor house and other historical remains add to the picture. At the same time, the municipality’s hilly terrain, with its low ridges, provides a scenic setting for its history.

Location and Landscape

The municipality of Malé Zlievce is hilly, with low ridges. Its underlying geology consists of Upper Tertiary deposits. Acacia and oak groves grow on the steeper slopes; other areas are deforested. The landscape is therefore not continuously forested: open areas accompany the wooded slopes. These details describe the municipality as a whole and give an impression of its relief and vegetation.

A History of Upheaval and Resettlement

Malé Zlievce was established around the 13th century when it separated from Zlievce, a municipality documented as early as 1248. The year 1248 therefore refers to the early documented history of Zlievce; Malé Zlievce’s establishment is dated approximately to the following century. This places the two dates in context without treating them as the same event.

Malé Zlievce was occupied by the Turks from 1554 to 1593. Wars and a plague epidemic in the first half of the 17th century were followed by another turning point: the settlement was completely abandoned and resettled around 1680. Agriculture and winegrowing were among the historical sources of livelihood. Lignite mining also took place in Malé Zlievce from the mid-19th century. These periods illustrate different aspects of local history, from settlement and reconstruction to former livelihoods.

Churches and Religious Architectural History

The Evangelical church stands in the centre of Malé Zlievce and continues to serve its religious purpose. Its architectural history encompasses two successive stylistic periods: originally, it was a Gothic church dating from the mid-14th century; in the mid-17th century, it was remodelled in the Renaissance style. If you plan to visit the interior, it is best to check access in advance.

The Chapel of Divine Mercy was solemnly consecrated on 5 April 2008, and holy masses are held there. A year later, on 28 March 2009, 14 crosses for a Stations of the Cross route were blessed in Malé Zlievce. At the edge of the village there is also a cross erected in 1940 and repaired later. These separate dates place the chapel, the crosses and the older cross within their respective histories. If you plan to attend a particular mass, it is advisable to check the schedule in advance.

Other Historical Sites

Count Pavol Prónay’s manor house was built by him in 1709 and is listed in the Central Register of Monuments of the Slovak Republic. The Evangelical church is listed there as well. The two buildings represent different chapters in the village’s architectural history: the church’s medieval origins and later remodelling are documented, while the manor house is associated with its year of construction and its connection to Prónay.

In the centre, a monument to the Red Army stands in a small park beside the municipal office. Another historical connection reaches further back: a burial site of the Kuštanovice culture was located within the territory of Malé Zlievce. Taken together, these places and remains offer different points of reference in time, from the archaeological past to monuments and buildings from more recent centuries.

Discover more destinations: Dačov Lom, Slovenské Ďarmoty, Chrťany, Horné Strháre, Obeckov, Kováčovce, Vinica, Veľká Čalomija.

For the broader travel overview: Veľký Krtíš District.