Piest'any Things to Do

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There has been a spa in Piest'any for centuries (probably millennia) . It's worth wandering around the exterior of the spa buildings themselves, because there are helpful signboards (in English) explaining bits of its history.

And, of course, you'll get the best 'smell' in this area (other than inside the spa itself), especially if you walk near the open pools. :-)

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I really enjoyed wandering the grounds in which the spa, its hotel and its clinics are set.

There are hundreds of mature trees, flowerbeds, shrubs and bushes (many of which I did not recognise), all flourishing because (I think) of the slightly warmer soil.

I especially liked the warm water pools, first built in the mid-1930s and full of various species of water-lily as well as hundreds of tiny fishes (and some terrapins too). The pools are kept at a year-round temperature of 10-22C so plants can survive all year.

Even if you have no desire whatsoever to be bathed in mud or spa waters you really must enjoy a stroll through these lovely grounds.

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Kolonadovy Most, the Colonnade Bridge, leads from the old part of Piest'any to 'Spa Island' (Kupelny Ostrov).

It was designed and built in 1932, although damaged during the Second World War, and is apparently 'Functionalist' in architectural style.

The spa 'trademark' sculpture of a man breaking his crutch (Robert Kumeyer, 1934) stands at the western end of the bridge, along with a Latin inscription 'the healing Piest'any spa'. At the other, spa, end a Latin inscription reads 'Get up and walk'.

Although it was not built as a pedestrian bridge, there is better road access to the spa elsewhere...so it is, in effect, pedestrianised. I imagine it is filled with stalls in season, and busy with visitors. But on my October Sunday visit there was just one stall, just one street performer and very few people around.

There are a couple of glass etchings towards the centre of the bridge, scenes of pastoral Slovak life created by Slovak artist Martin Benka.

There are good views of the river Vah from the bridge, in both directions.

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The historical heart of Piest'any is not very large but it does have some rather lovely buildings, many of which have been recently renovated and/or restored (it seemed to me).

It's worth spending an hour or so just wandering and looking, perhaps ending with a walk through the lovely, tree-crowded City Park.

Here are a few lovely buildings I spotted as I wandered.

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The river Vah is a broad sweep of a river, and must be quite a sight when it is in full flow...the town does still get flooded on occasion.

Walking along it (I only managed a short walk on either side) provides lovely views of the river, the trees, and the surrounding hillsides (unfortunately shrouded in mist for much of my visit).

You could do far worse than take a gentle stroll along one side or the other, especially on a sunny day (whether cold or warm). It's a lovely place to wander.

The river Vah runs very close to the historical centre of Piest'any and is easy to access.. A little way outside the town it has been dammed to create the Slnava Lake, a large expanse of water upon which you can take a boat cruise in the summer months. Boats depart from just south of the Colonnade Bridge (the bridge to 'Spa Island').

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I learned about his place at scholl as a 9-10 years old child.
I live only 100 kms from there, but I was there a week ago in my 46.
A really great experience! A 7,5 km long nature trail starts as a usual walking (well, a steep walking :-) in woods, but one can see interesting elements soon. Various shaped conglomerate rocks - holes, towers, waves, gates, animals - you can choose just let your fantasy flowing. I am going to return there this very Autumn! I can imagine the colours of leaves, amazing gray towers, green pine trees and grass which I must see.

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The castle with a bloody history. The owner Countess Elizabeth Bathory called "Bloody Lady of Čachticeis" is said she killed hudreds of young girls. She was lifered and arrested in her castle, where she died on 21 August 1614.
Some sources argue that Elizabeth Bathory was a victim of politically motivated conspiracy. Who knows what is truth?
Today The Cachtice castle is a beautiful hiking or cycling destination. Views from the hill are amazing.

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A monumental castle captivates your attention driving by D1 highway from Piešťany to Trenčín. The medieval castle Beckov was built more than 800 years ago on a steep 30 meters high limestone rock.