Malé Karpaty (Small Carpathian Mountains) - Slovakia

Extent: 820 square kilometres.

This mountain range is located in west part of Slovakia and divide - similarly as fortification - Záhorská plainland from  Danube plainland. The complex belongs to Fatra-Tatra area, which forms a part of West Carpathian Mountains. It is divided into four next parts, such as: Devínské, Pezinské, Brezovské and Čachtické.

Highest peak: Záruby (768 m).

Surface: afforested, including beech-wood and oak forests.

Climatic area: rather warm, in higher localities moderately warm area.

The territory was declared as Preserved Countryside Area in 1976.

Articles

SK, Buková: A Nice Village in Nature - VIDEO

Published: 18.10.2021

We will not leave the Trnava region even this Monday and visit the village of Buková, whose buildings are at the bottom of the distinctive Bukovská basin. In the eastern part of the village, the area narrows into a deep gorge surrounded by limestone hills. In the cadastre of this village there are up to five cottage areas - Závršie, Hrnčeková dolina, U Maruše, Bílá Hora and Hrudky, so it is clear at first glance that it is a popular cottage, tourist and mushroom locality.

Before we go to the village itself, we can not forget the local Buková Reservoir, situated in the cottage area Hrudky, which was artificially built to irrigate the area in 1965, but during the summer months is a popular recreational area. In addition, several hiking trails lead from the water area, for example to the ruins of the Ostrý Kámen castle or to the highest peak of the Little Carpathians - Záruba.

The village of Buková is bordered on the north by the villages of Prievaly, Rozbehy (part of the village of Cerová), on the west by Plavecký Petr, on the south by Smolenice and on the east by Trstín. In the village itself there is a church, chapels and several statues or crosses. The location of these sights is not only in the built-up part of the village, but also outside the area.

We start our walk at Boží muka at the end of the village towards Prievaly and Plavecký Peter. Stone Torment is a small religious building in which a statue of the Virgin Mary is located in Nice. It is a relatively common work of folk architecture. We move to the center of the village and in front of house number 140 we find the Statue of St. Florian from 1857 located in a metal enclosure and in front of house No. 134 again the Statue of St. Vendelin from 1899. A little further in front of house number 68 stands the Stone Cross with the Crucified Christ stocking 1797.

In a relatively inaccessible terrain on a hill, we observe the Iron Cross, which was built around 1945 to commemorate the end of World War II. As in other villages we have visited, Buková does not lack the Statue of St. John of Nepomuk (house no. 160) dating from 1832. The secular work is proof that in Slovakia, as well as in the whole of Central Europe, belongs to St. John of Nepomuk among the most revered saints.

In front of the house No. 154 you can stop at the Statue of the Virgin Mary from 1758, which is built on a cylindrical column mounted in a prismatic pedestal. The dominant feature of the village is the parish church, which can be seen from afar and dedicated to the Honor of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary. It stands on one of the highest points of the village. It is a late Baroque building built in the last third of the 18th century, partly on the site and using the masonry of the originally older church. The original tower was rebuilt and modified over time, along with the completion of the church. The interior design is more or less modern. The Stone Cross from 1906 rises near the church.

.

Another sacral jewel of the village is the Chapel of the Divine Heart of Jesus, which was built in 1999 according to the idea of Jozef Ondruš, a parishioner from the village of Buková, in honor of the end of the 20th century and the 2nd millennium. There is a statue of the Divine Heart in the nice chapel. 

We will not miss a visit to the local cemetery, which is dominated by the Central Stone Cross from 1801. In the newer part of the place of worship is also situated Wooden Cross.. 

The village of Buková offers ideal conditions for a trip to the sacral and medieval monuments (Ostrý Kameň Castle) with the possibility of hiking or biking in the Protected Landscape Area of the Little Carpathians or recreation by the water, so we can highly recommend a visit.

GPS: 48°32'32.7"N 17°23'47.9"E

Text, photos, video: Pavol Jemala, Slovensko zdola 

Music: Pixabay.com, Battle of the Dragons - 8037

Related Articles

SK, Small Carpathians – Vysoka Hill

Published: 6.4.2014

As every mountain range, even Small Carpathians has its dominant peaks. They are above the surrounding lands. Peaks of these several giants make characteristic panorama of the Small Carpathians. They create visible dominants, they are orientation spots and give beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. One of these impressive titans of the Small Carpathians is Vysoka.

SK, Small Carpathians – Vapenna Hill

Published: 12.2.2015

Many interesting places not frequented by holidaymakers are in the Small Carpathians. These are mostly hills with beautiful vistas to the surroundings that lure tourists to climb them. Vapenna Hill is one of the three highest peaks in the Small Carpathians and it offers beautiful vistas as well.

SK, Small Carpathian Mountains: Rostun – Extraordinarily Beautiful Nature

Published: 11.2.2022

At the end of winter we set off to see the Natural Reservation of Rostun, in the Small Carpathian Mountain. We entered through the town of Plavecke Podhradi. All what we have seen is on the lines below.

SK, Cerova – Korlatka Castle

Published: 4.1.2017

Last week, we set off from Jablonica town, crossed the locality of Dubrava, climbed Lipovy Hill and reach Cerova-Rozbehy district. There we visited a beautiful observation tower. Then we traveled into the Middle-Ages because we visited Castle Korlatka.

SK, Small Carpathians: Trek to Krslenice and Cerna Skala – VIDEO

Published: 24.4.2022

If you like tourism and beautiful trips come and join us for one easy walk to the Small Carpathian mountains. We start at Plavecky Mikulas village. There are several marked tourist trails going on into the landscape.

SK, Ostry Kamen: The Guardian of the Male Karpaty – VIDEO

Published: 10.11.2015

The ruin of Ostry Kamen castle stood once as a guardian of the so called Bohemian Road. The ruin is near Bukova, Trnava country. Its history isn’t as deep and as rich as in case of other castles nevertheless it is a popular place for tourists to see. And we went there as well.

SK, Small Carpathians – Unique Tourist Guide

Published: 6.6.2021

If you like wandering around the Little Carpathians, you should definitely get new tourist guides, you will visit the south and north of this picturesque mountain range with them. The 20 most beautiful tours around Bratislava and Trnava, together with map cut-outs, a profile of routes and tips or attractions on the routes, will surely delight all lovers of mountains and nature.

SK, Smolenice – Hlbociansky Fall – VIDEO

Published: 24.3.2015

After a short break yet again we went for a walk the Small Carpathian Mountains. This time we visited Hlbocianska valley near he town of Smolenice.

SR: Smolenice – Castle Of Smolenice And Beautiful Surroundings

Published: 17.5.2012

Fabulously beautiful Smolenice castle now serves as the congress centre of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, and so many people think it is closed to the public. It is not like that.

SK, Boleráz, Klčovany: Sacral Beauty – VIDEO

Published: 24.5.2021

Slovakia is a country that is characterized not only by beautiful nature, but also by a number of sacred monuments. It is a pity that they are overlooked by the number of tourists who come here. Therefore, I decided that at least in this form I will acquaint visitors to the villages of Boleráz and Klčovany with these monuments, their significance and the reason for the settlement.