Bžany and the Valkov Recreation Area

Landscape and orientation

The municipality of Bžany lies on the western shore of the Veľká Domaša reservoir on the Ondava River. The reservoir is in the Ondavská vrchovina, in the hilly surroundings of the Low Beskids. The Valkov Recreation Area is a key point of reference along the shore: it lies on the western shore and forms the centre of the Stropkov part of the Domaša area. The recreation centre is divided into the northern Valkov area and the southern Tíšava area. This division helps you match beach and leisure information to a specific section.

Water and beaches

Valkov offers good conditions for bathing, swimming, diving, boating and windsurfing. Both relaxing by the water and active water-based recreation are therefore central here. Individual facilities may vary seasonally.

Valkov’s public beach is grassy and pebbly, with a gentle slope into the water. Tíšava has a sandy and grassy beach with a very gently sloping entrance and is considered particularly suitable for families with small children. When comparing the sections, the surface and slope are key: Valkov is grassy and pebbly, while Tíšava is sandy and grassy, with a very gentle slope. Maintenance and services at Valkov Beach may change seasonally. For Tíšava, check beach access and suitability for the season.

The Tíšava Recreation Area has children’s playgrounds, a beach volleyball court, showers, a snack bar and a rental service for small watercraft. These facilities add further leisure options to the beach; individual services may vary seasonally.

Hiking trails and overnight stays

Valkov is also a useful point of reference for hiking: marked trails in the area connect to the red-marked Cesta slobody trail, which is part of the Slovak and European hiking trail network. Check the trail markings locally before setting out.

Autokemp Tíšava offers more than 60 pitches for tents and 20 pitches for caravans, each with water and electricity hookups. Confirm capacity and facilities again before your trip.

Churches and history

In the church Chrám sv. Mikuláša biskupa, the altar and the forward-set iconostasis date from the time the church was built. A Madonna painting, executed in tempera on wood and set in a Rococo frame, dates from the second half of the 18th century. The same church therefore brings together information about the time of its construction and a more precise date for a work of art.

The late Baroque, single-nave church Chrám ochrany Presvätej Bohorodičky in Valkov was built in 1817. Its attic is home to a colony of Geoffroy’s bats (M. emarginatus) with more than 2,000 females; the population may fluctuate.

Another historical perspective is offered by the Neoclassical church in Bžany: it was probably built in 1825 and restored in 1886. The construction date is therefore uncertain, while 1886 is the year of restoration.

Discover more destinations: Havaj, Stropkov.

Return to the main travel overview: Okres Stropkov.