Vinica combines a long history of wine-growing with a circular walk that starts at the Tájház House of Folk Culture. The village brings together traces of cultural history, vineyard sites and a landscape on the edge of the Krupina Uplands. You can shape your stay around a particular interest: local history, wine or time on the educational trail.
Wine-growing and local history
Vinica, formerly known as Nekyje, is one of the oldest villages in the Hont region. Records from 1135 are considered the earliest evidence of settlement and wine-growing in Vinica. A document from the same year states that Lampert and his wife Žofia donated their property in the village to Bzovík Monastery. The village museum, the Tájház House of Folk Culture, opened its doors in 2011 and also serves as the starting point of the Náučný chodník Stráž educational trail.
The village’s architectural history also reflects several different periods. The Church of St Stephen the King stands on 16th-century foundations and was remodelled in the Classical style from 1840 to 1846. Inside are a Renaissance baptismal font from the second half of the 16th century, with a petal relief on a square base, and a glazed Rococo reliquary from the second half of the 18th century containing a small folk-style wooden Pietà. Other cultural heritage sites include a chapel dating from the late 18th century, a manor house that was originally late Baroque, with a stone portal dated 1780, and a Classical-style manor house from the first half of the 19th century.
Wine, tastings and events
The Csernus family winery and its vineyards are located above the village on the southern slopes of volcanic Guard Mountain. The winery offers intimate tastings of local wines with expert guidance; check in advance for current dates and to arrange a visit. The Oberačkové slávnosti are held in Vinica every year. Check the municipality’s website for dates of upcoming editions.
VinFest Vinica 2025 was organised by the NEKVINUM civic association and served as a nomination exhibition for the 2025 National Wine Salon of the Slovak Republic. The programme for this edition included a public wine tasting and the announcement of results at 6 pm on 10 May 2025 at the Vinica Cultural House. Žobrák is another vineyard site of interest: the area’s vineyards contain around 500 vineyard cottages. The educational trail also passes through Žobrák, combining local history and vineyard scenery along the circular route.
Náučný chodník Stráž educational trail
The circular route connects Žobrák, Žabí prameň, the Stráž lookout tower, the southern slope of Porgy and Biela studňa, then passes through Vinica on the way back. It is 7.3 kilometres long, has 250 metres of elevation gain and takes 3.5 hours to walk. These details can help you plan the route as a separate activity; allow additional time for breaks. The wooden Stráž lookout tower dates from 2013. Below it are small pseudokarst caves in rugged andesite and andesite breccia.
To reach the educational trail by bus, go to the stop by the Vinica Cultural House; from there, walk about 300 metres west along Nekyjská Street. Check current travel conditions before setting off. If you would like to combine the route with a visit to the Tájház, the educational trail starts directly at the House of Folk Culture. This brings local history and a multi-hour excursion through the landscape together without requiring an additional route.
Landscape and practical information
Vinica lies in the Ipeľ Basin, on the edge of the Krupina Uplands and by the Veľký potok river. Mineral springs and alkaline drinking water are also features of the area. If you want to visit a particular spring, check access locally. Vinica also has a bathing facility; find out about its current opening times and accessibility before visiting.
There are several different options when planning your visit: historic buildings in the village, wine-growing and events, or a route taking in the lookout tower, springs and vineyard sites. If you want to combine several of these, you can use the Tájház as the starting point for your walk and the stated walking time as a guide when planning your day.
Discover more destinations: Dolná Strehová, Muľa, Širákov, Dačov Lom, Čeláre, Dolné Príbelce, Kováčovce, Lesenice
Return to the overview of the wider travel area: Veľký Krtíš District.
