Beša: History, Churches and Nature

Beša brings together documented local history, church architecture, connections to nature and events. When planning a stay, you can tailor your trip to whether you are particularly interested in historic sites, the surrounding area or a specific event date. The historical dates are established; check event dates before your trip.

Local History with Specific Points of Interest

Beša was first mentioned in writing on 5 July 1292. An unusual clue to the town’s history can be found at a house in the town centre: remains of a mammoth skeleton were discovered there in 1902 during the construction of its cellar; a commemorative plaque now marks the spot. The plaque links a specific place to a find that dates back well before Beša’s written history.

The railway also has a precise date in its history. The first train passed through Beša railway station on 25 September 1914. A Bronze Age hoard of bronze objects and Roman-barbarian settlement finds were also discovered in the territory of Beša. Agriculture and winegrowing have long been among the local occupations. Together, these clues offer different insights into the town’s history, from early finds to later transport and economic connections.

Two Churches, Different Building Histories

The Reformed, also known as Calvinist, church was built to its current floor plan in 1793. Its present-day appearance dates from renovations carried out in 1903. The original construction and later changes are easy to distinguish here: the floor plan dates from the construction, while the appearance reflects the later work.

Kostol sv. Anny is a Baroque church built in 1770. Its described features include a single-nave interior, a presbytery with a segmental end and a projecting tower. The two churches therefore offer different architectural points of interest: the Reformed church is notable for its floor plan and renovations, while Kostol sv. Anny stands out for its construction date, style and spatial layout.

Nature and Routes

The legally protected Turkey oak Bešiansky cer (Quercus cerris) stands in Bešianska cerina. The tree offers a wide view of the surrounding area. A regional tourism description from 2024 names the wetlands near Beša as a destination for a short detour from the cycling route to Podhájska. Route 5525M runs through Trávnica, Beša and Bardoňovo. Check the route locally before setting out.

Sports and Events

Organised football in Beša dates back to the founding of the Sokol Beša football club in 1949. A sports complex with a covered grandstand was also built between 1973 and 1974. Since 2007, gatherings and races for off-road and specialist vehicles have been held on prepared off-road tracks in the Bešianska pahorkatina hills near the football grounds. Check in advance whether an event is taking place during your trip.

The cultural centre is used for cultural and social events, which are also open to the wider public from the surrounding area. Traditional disco events and entertainment take place during Bešianske hody. If you are travelling for this occasion, specific event dates are important, so plan around the dates announced for that year.

A motorcycle gathering held twice a year also uses Beša as a meeting point: riders continue their group ride to the pilgrimage site of Studnička and attend a mass there. Dates may vary, so it is helpful to check them before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Ipeľské Úľany, Hronské Kľačany, Devičany, Horné Semerovce, Malé Ludince, Slatina, Kozárovce, Kalná Nad Hronom

For the broader travel overview: Levice.