Zbehy: River Landscape, History and Cycling Route

Zbehy combines a river landscape with archaeological, religious and literary local history; cycling can also be a focus of your trip. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Zbehy, asking yourself why you are travelling can help you decide: is your trip mainly about cycling, local history or a literary connection?

Riverside Location, Transport and Cycling

Zbehy lies in the floodplain and on the terrace of the Nitra, where it meets the Radošinka. The Nitra and Radošinka rivers run along the eastern edge of the village. Both the confluence and the course of the rivers along the village’s eastern edge are therefore useful geographic reference points. When planning your trip around a theme, you can consider this landscape alongside the historical topics.

Zbehy also lies on a railway line and at an intersection of third-class roads with a direct connection to the I/64 transport corridor. Check current train services and road conditions if you plan to use these routes to get there.

Regional cycling route 2104 Nitra–Rišňovce passes through Zbehy and is intended for both sports and recreational cycling. This makes cycling a specific way to include sport or exploration in your stay. Check current route conditions before setting off.

Archaeological Traces from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages

In 1967 and 1968, the foundations of a Romanesque church and the remains of a medieval settlement dating from the 12th century were uncovered at Pod Lesneky. The settlement, probably called Ethei, existed from the 12th to the 15th century. The archaeological remains at Pod Lesneky are not currently presented to visitors. If you are planning to visit this archaeological site, check its presentation status in advance, as it may change.

The archaeological heritage within the cadastral area of Zbehy also includes a Neolithic settlement of the Lengyel culture and an Early Bronze Age burial ground. Along with the history of the medieval settlement at Pod Lesneky, these represent different periods, from the Neolithic and Bronze Age through to the Middle Ages. The finds at Pod Lesneky provide historical context; they are not currently presented to visitors.

Churches and Literary History

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was originally Gothic and was mentioned as a parish church in 1397. It is listed as a protected cultural monument under registration number ÚZKP 1576/0. The surviving image from the original Chapel of St. Urban is still housed in this church. The Chapel of St. Urban stands on the site and foundations of an earlier chapel. It is intended as a place of prayer, devotion and thanksgiving to God.

Jozef Ignác Bajza is also part of the local history: he was a parish priest in Zbehy from 1815 to 1828 and is considered the author of the first Slovak novel. A monument to him stands in a park near the rectory. Alongside its archaeological and religious themes, Zbehy therefore has a specific literary connection.

Bajzove Zbehy is an annual recitation competition featuring performances of Slovak poetry and prose. If you are planning to visit for this event, check the specific dates. The Zbehy shooting club also holds competitions at the local shooting range, with participants from the Nitra region. Here, too, it is advisable to check the dates before planning a trip specifically for the event.

Discover more destinations: Nové Sady, Nová Ves Nad Žitavou, Dolné Lefantovce, Hruboňovo, Cabaj - Čápor, Nitra, Veľká Dolina, Jelšovce.

See the higher-level travel overview: Nitra.