Different themes come together in Mana: the landscape of the Žitavský luh represents riverside nature and birdwatching, while buildings in Veľká Maňa bring the history of the area to life. When planning your visit, it is worth looking closely at the routes and their respective conditions, as well as the sights: the nature trail has its own rules, and the manor house is not open to the public.
Riverside landscape and protected park
The Žitavský luh also includes the cadastral area of Veľká Maňa and preserves a significant remnant of the river’s original meandering course. The area is a breeding site for the spotted crake and western marsh harrier. During bird migration, it serves above all as an important resting and living habitat for the garganey. Both the shape of the river course and its importance for birds define the character of this natural area.
Another protected area is Maniansky Park, in the cadastral area of Veľká Maňa. It is protected as a historic park and belongs to the fourth level of protection. The park and the Žitavský luh represent different aspects of the landscape: a protected historic park on the one hand, and a remnant of the meandering river course with breeding and resting habitats on the other.
Nature trail and cycling routes
The Žitavský luh nature trail is 3.6 kilometres long; it takes around one to one and a half hours to walk and has three stations. Access is available from Road No. 511 via the embankment and the Kmeťovo Bridge, as well as via the embankment from Žitavce. On the designated route, travel is permitted only on foot or by bicycle. Free movement is not permitted in the other parts of the protected area. Check the current rules again before your visit.
Two cycling routes are listed, each with a different description. Route 5104, classified as REKREA, runs from Veľká Maňa to Trávnica, is 7.8 kilometres long and offers views of the Žitava Valley. The 5.1-kilometre cycling route 8105, “Žitavský luh,” runs from Maňa to the Žitavský luh Nature Reserve. It is classified as easy and is also suitable for beginners. Their lengths and destinations help distinguish the two routes: 8105 is the shorter one, while views of the valley are noted as a feature of 5104.
Church, manor house and history
The Church of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows in Veľká Maňa is a late Baroque building dating from 1756. It was remodelled in the Classicist style in the first half of the 19th century. The church also houses an early Renaissance image of the Madonna from the 16th century. Beneath it is a crypt containing the tomb of Baron Ján Malonyay and the tomb of a son of Gejza Foldvári, the last owner of the Veľká Maňa estate. The architecture, the artwork and the recorded burials give the church several historical connections.
The late Baroque manor house in Veľká Maňa dates from 1741–1742 and was built by František Xaver Koller. It houses a social services facility and is not open to the public. If you are planning your trip around the architectural history, bear in mind that access differs from that of the church and do not plan a visit to the manor house.
Connections and folklore
Road II/511 runs through the Veľká Maňa district. The municipality of Maňa also has bus and train connections. Check the timetables for your intended travel date if you plan to use them to get there.
Cultural events include the Požitavské Folklore Festival: a traditional, non-competitive showcase of children’s and adults’ folklore groups and ensembles. More than 250 people take part each year. If you would like to include the festival in your travel plans, check the specific event dates.
Discover more destinations: Ľubá, Tvrdošovce, Bánov, Parkan, Jatov, Šarkan, Branovo, Svodín.
Back to the main travel overview: Nové Zámky.
