Discover Horný Bar

On the left bank of the Danube, Horný Bar lies on Žitný ostrov, an island surrounded by the Great and Little Danube arms. Whether you are choosing between culture, cycling routes and nature, the area offers a range of themes to explore. Its architectural history spans churches in Šuľany and the parish church in Horný Bar; the EuroVelo 6 corridor and the water-shaped landscape also help you find your bearings. This gives you a way to weigh up whether historic buildings, cycling or the landscape of the Danube island best suits your trip.

The Danube Island and Its Water-Shaped Landscape

Horný Bar lies entirely within the protected Žitný ostrov water management area. The feeder canal of the Gabčíkovo Waterworks runs through the area, with seepage canals along its embankments. These waterways and the town’s location on the Danube island shape its geographical setting.

Ox-bow lakes, meanders and sand dunes have been preserved around Horný Bar. Botanically notable wetlands developed near these preserved ox-bow lakes, meanders and sand dunes; well-known plant species can be found around wet meadows and pools. Waterbirds are characteristic of the wildlife both around Horný Bar and across Žitný ostrov. Wetlands and birdlife thus add a landscape perspective to the cultural and cycling themes.

The Danube Cycle Route near Horný Bar

The International Danube Cycle Route along the feeder canal near Horný Bar is part of the EuroVelo 6 corridor. In the Horný Bar area, the route runs along two branches. A newly built bridge leads from the route near Horný Bar over the seepage canal into the municipality. The two route branches and this bridge are useful landmarks if you are including a cycling trip in your plans. Check the current condition of the route and bridge before setting out.

Regional buses are also an option for getting there: several lines connect Horný Bar directly with Bratislava, Šamorín, Dunajská Streda and Gabčíkovo, as well as with nearby municipalities. These connections can help you coordinate your choice of destination with your other plans. Check the timetables for your travel date before finalizing your journey.

Churches and Architectural History

The Parish Church of Saint Stephen of Hungary in Horný Bar is dedicated to Saint Stephen, the king. Built in 1778 in the Baroque-Classical style on the site of an earlier Gothic church, it incorporates parts of the older building. Two stone tombstones are set into the church walls. They date from 1584 and 1606, adding two considerably earlier dates to the building’s history.

The Church of Saint Anne stands in the village district of Šuľany. Its origins date to the early 14th century and the Gothic style; it was altered in the 15th and 17th centuries and given a Baroque design in the 18th century. The single-nave interior ends at the sacristy in a polygonal apse. Another distinctive historical detail can be found on the north side of the tower: an original keyhole-shaped loophole is preserved there. The church’s design, successive alterations and this detail make it a subject in its own right alongside the parish church in Horný Bar.

The history of the former castle in Šuľany can also be placed in context. The two-storey building had a square floor plan, dated from the late Renaissance period and was probably built in the 17th century. It was later used as a monastery and, in the 20th century, as a grain store; only its walls remain today. This should be distinguished from the former Amadé family castle in Horný Bar, which had four towers. According to some sources, Mátyás Bél wrote his historical works in Horný Bar.

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For the broader travel overview: Dunajská Streda District.