The natural wealth of Zobor hidden in the springs
Part of the city of Nitra Zobor, where ours is also located hotel Zlatý Klucik, is known, among other things, for its natural wealth in the form of water sources. There are many abundant springs or wells that were the main source of drinking water in the past. Today, however, the vast majority of them no longer meet the requirements of regular drinking water control. This does not change the fact that it is still refreshing to look at them at least, and it is all connected by a pleasant walk.
Svorad's spring
This spring is located on the hiking trail marked in blue, which leads to Svorado's cave. It is the highest spring that once served as a source of drinking water for the nearby monastery. The outlet of the spring has been modified several times and has kept its form since 1994, which was designed by the academic painter Marián Žilík. Water quality changes throughout the year and is regularly monitored, but the best time to drink it is during the winter months.
Spring of St. Martina
The spring located in Martinská dolina is already mentioned in the document of the Hungarian king Štefan I from 1006. Before the First World War, the Wachal family began to use the spring commercially. They filled water in glass bottles, saturated it with carbon dioxide and sold it in inns under the name Zoborská kristáľová voda, or Zoborka as it is popularly known. The spring was last modified in 1990. A shelter with a bench and a mosaic of St. was built around the spring. Martin on horseback, as well as at the Svorad spring, by the painter Marián Žilík. The water from the spring is currently not drinkable.
Buganka spring
In the past, this spring was an important source of drinking water. It springs from the winery of the same name and is named after the valley in which it is located, which is now renamed Panska dolina. Currently, its quality no longer meets the requirements of drinking water. Despite the fact that the spring is located on private property, it is open to the public.
Spring of Shindolka
Perhaps the most famous spring in Zobor is also the lowest spring. It is located at the end of Oravská Street. In the past, it was mainly used for watering horses. Its existence is mentioned already in 1006 in the charter of the Hungarian king St. Štefana as Ďurkova studňa and the well-known Matej Bel mentioned it in his work. The first chemical analysis could be done in 1915, which confirmed the drinkability of the water and even the presence of minerals. The spring is currently covered and maintained. It is the most plentiful of all the springs in Zobor, but even so it is no longer suitable for drinking.
Peony spring
On the edge of the forest above Pivonková street there is a small spring, popularly named Pivonka. It is not easy to find, as it is located in the forest and is only accessible via a footpath, which is also not marked in any way. The water from the spring has been undrinkable for a long time, and despite the fact that the area around the spring has been modified several times, it has a run-down impression.
Bende spring
You can find this spring just a little further down by the bishop's vineyards on Kláštorská Street, from where a short flight of stairs leads to it. Familiarly, it was also called Studnička, but in fact it is named after the former bishop of Nitra, Imrich Bende. He even had it modified. A shelter was built around it, as evidenced by the commemorative plaque placed on its facade. Currently, the spring is only very little abundant.
