Nová Vieska combines a distinctive landscape with traces of natural and cultural history reaching far into the past. To the north lie the marshes of the Paríž stream; to the south, the ridge of the hills. The area also has a small nature reserve, a palaeontological site and buildings and memorial sites that reveal different chapters of the region’s history.
Landscape and Protected Areas
The village lies on the southern edge of the Pohronská pahorkatina hills. To place the landscape in context, the wetland areas along the Paríž stream lie to the north, and the ridge of the hills to the south. Drieňová hora marks a different natural area: this nature reserve, covering almost four hectares, extends across the cadastral territories of Nová Vieska and Gbelce. It is home to heat-loving grassland species. These have replaced downy oak forests, which disappeared as a result of human intervention.
Parížske močiare has been designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance since 1990; since 2008, it has also been a protected bird area. It was designated a national nature reserve in 1966, covering an area of 184.046 hectares. A total of 169 bird species were recorded in the area between 1954 and 2014. It is also the only site in Slovakia where a regular and confirmed breeding population of the moustached warbler (Acrocephalus melanopogon) has been reliably documented.
A clear conservation principle applies when visiting Parížske močiare: do not disturb the wildlife, leave no litter and do not pollute the surroundings. Before visiting, also check the local protection regulations.
Fossils and the History of the Earth
The palaeontological site at Nová Vieska is known for fossilised faunal remains, including the last mastodons and the first mammoths. It is considered one of Central Europe’s most important sites for the transition from the Pliocene to the Pleistocene. It is intended to serve, at a minimum, as a Slovak stratotype for a new Quaternary boundary. This geological transition dates back around 2.6 million years. The site thus offers a glimpse into another kind of regional history: not individual buildings, but the much earlier development of animal life and geological eras.
Church and Memorial Sites
The Reformed Church was originally built as a Tolerance Church in 1787 and restored after a fire in 1874. Its hall-like interior has two galleries; the tower and buttresses date from 1874. The church is in good condition and continues to serve its religious purpose. If you are planning a visit, it is advisable to check its condition and use in advance.
The community centre also brings together personal remembrance and local cultural history. A memorial room for Lajos Gulyás was established in 2005 in his birthplace, which became the community centre. The community centre was also set up as a memorial house to preserve local folk culture.
Folk Traditions and Events
The Csemadok organisation in Nová Vieska is dedicated to preserving folk traditions and organising cultural events. A Hungarian folk ensemble performs Hungarian dances and songs. Each year, the ensemble learns a new choreography featuring folk dances from different regions and performs at numerous local and international cultural events. Alongside the historic sites, these living forms of cultural preservation are also in focus.
Discover more destinations: Kmeťovo, Svodín, Šurany, Podhájska, Gbelce, Bíňa, Komjatice, Bánov
For the wider travel overview: Nové Zámky.
