Benches in Valč

Benches in Valč. Under the outcrops of the Lúčanská Mala Fatra mountains, at the mouth of the Valčianská and Slovianská valleys, at the foot of the Kriváň hill, the village of Valča is situated. The proximity of the mighty mountain was in the past an important source of raw materials, without which everyday life would not be possible. People used to obtain not only wood, but also stone - especially limestone and dolomite, which they used in the construction of their dwellings. Two hillforts have been preserved from the prehistoric period in the Valčany district. Both are still visible in the terrain. One of them is located on the prominent hill Hrádok, which rises directly above the village. It is surrounded on three sides by steep slopes, and the easiest access is from the northeast. This is probably where the entrance to the hillfort was located. A remnant of the former defensive rampart has been preserved here. Small fragments of pottery have been found on the site, suggesting that the hillfort was inhabited in the Late Latin period, around the first century BC. However, it is possible that it was also used in the younger Middle Ages or in the modern period. The second important archaeological site is the hillfort in the Slovianská valley, above the Brčná ponds. The discovery of a bronze buckle and sherds from the time of the Púchov culture makes it possible to date the settlement of this hillfort to the first century BC. There are several versions about the origin of the name of the village Valča. One of them says that the name comes from the activity that the locals used to do in the past - it was the weaving of cloth. Another version claims that the name derives from the name Volko - a man who owned the land on which the village now stands. According to this, Valča was originally supposed to be "Volko's land". The third possibility is based on the legend of Kozma and Bana. According to it, the village is named after Volko, the grandson of Radon, a commissar from nearby Príbovice. The village is mentioned in historical records as early as 1252 as 'Wolka', in 1262 as 'Volcsa' or 'Wolcha' and in 1534 as 'Walcha'. In Hungarian, the name of the village is given as 'Valcsa'. Valca was also known for its oil and saffron growers. The manor house still stands in the village, as do the original oil houses in its vicinity. The Valcea oilers were famous far beyond the borders - they even sold their products in Tsarist Russia, in Persia, in Spain and in Istanbul. They were known throughout Europe. The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is the dominant feature of Valcea. It is an early Renaissance church with later Baroque modifications. It was built on the site of an older church from the 16th century. In the 17th century another part was added and in the first half of the 18th century the church was repaired. It is a three-nave church with a segmental cap of the presbytery. On the northern side, the original church with a straight cap is incorporated. It is vaulted with a cross and net vault. The newer central aisle has a cross vault with cresting and the south aisle has a net vault. The façade is plain and there are supporting pillars at the corner of the tower. The baptistery in the church dates from the second half of the 18th century and is made in Baroque-Classical style. The patron saints of the church - and also of the whole village - are the Holy Cross and St Helena. Her crown is also depicted in the municipal coat of arms. In 2001, the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes was built and consecrated in the park in front of the church. From the church, the new Bench above the church - a large wooden bench with a view - can be clearly seen. It stands on Kriváň Hill and was built by Mr. Milan Tomčány and his nephew Martin. The bench offers a beautiful view - in the west we can see a large part of the village and the mountains of Malá Fatra. In the east we can see the impressive panorama of the Turčianska basin, which is bordered by the Veľká Fatra mountains. Access to the bench is easy. Just park next to the church and you can reach it on foot in about five minutes. Megalavička nad Valčou has all the prerequisites to become a popular tourist attraction.