Krškany: History, St. Anne’s Church and Horšianska Valley

Krškany offers both a historical and a scenic perspective for planning your trip. In Veľké Krškany, the Church of St. Anne, a Neoclassical manor house and a wayside cross take centre stage; in Horšianska Valley, the landscape is shaped by a gorge-like valley, the Sikenica stream and protected floodplain forests. If you are looking for a hotel in Krškany, you can plan your stay around whether cultural history or nature is your main focus.

History between the castle and village economy

Veľké Krškany was first mentioned in writing in 1242 under the historical name utraque Keresken. In the 15th century, the settlement belonged to Levice Castle. The early written mention and later affiliation with the castle mark two clearly distinct periods in the settlement’s history.

In the past, the inhabitants of Veľké Krškany made their living from agriculture and viticulture. There was also a lime kiln at the end of the 19th century. Thus, alongside agricultural activities, a historical trade also forms part of the village’s profile.

Buildings in Veľké Krškany

The Neoclassical manor house in Veľké Krškany dates from the first half of the 19th century, while the wayside cross dates from the second half of the same century. You can therefore encounter two differently dated forms of local cultural heritage: a manor house and a religious wayside marker.

The Church of St. Anne was built in 1777 and is Baroque-Neoclassical in style. Its single-nave layout, square presbytery, northern sacristy and tower integrated into the entrance façade define the building’s structure. The Baroque high altar has a projecting mensa and a large painting of St. Anne with her family. It dates from the first half of the 18th century, making it older than the church building of 1777. A description from 2025 states that the church is in good condition and serves its religious purpose. If you are planning a visit, check access arrangements locally.

Horšianska Valley: valley, stream and floodplain forest

The protected Horšianska Valley area also includes the cadastral territory of Veľké Krškany. The valley lies in the Ipeľ Hills, is gorge-like and about 80 metres deep. The Sikenica stream meanders along the valley floor. Protected habitats include floodplain forests of willow, poplar and alder. Together, the valley’s shape, the stream and the floodplain forests describe the landscape from three perspectives: terrain, water and habitat.

Plan the nature trail and your journey

The marked nature trail in Horšianska Valley runs for about 8 km from Žemberovce to the municipality of Krškany. Its length helps you factor the route into your day’s plans; the time needed to walk it depends on your pace. Trail conditions may change following weather events. Check the current conditions before setting out.

An older municipal plan lists a bus route via Levice, Krškany, Brhlovce and Žemberovce, as well as two pairs of bus stops in Veľké Krškany. Before travelling, check the current timetable and stop information.

Discover more destinations: Sikenica, Tupá, Jabloňovce, Hrkovce, Plášťovce, Želiezovce, Tekovský Hrádok, Beša

For the broader travel overview: Levice.