Edita Krchová: The woman who shows Trenčín through its stories
She thought she would be helping out. Instead, she discovered a whole new side of Trenčín.
Edita Krchová is a volunteer for Trenčín 2026, a tour guide, and a woman who has spent years showing people the city through the lens of storytelling. She says she joined the project expecting to meet new people. Today, she knows she gained so much more.
When Trenčín became the European Capital of Culture, she didn’t want to remain just a spectator. “I wanted to be part of the action. To get involved and lend a hand,” recalls Edita Krchová. She expected to meet new people—and she did. But she hadn’t expected to discover something even more powerful: just how many people are willing to give their time and energy completely selflessly.
“I used to feel that everyone was mainly concerned with their own interests. Volunteering showed me otherwise.”
The best tours can’t be planned
Volunteering taught her that the best stories emerge precisely when things don’t go according to plan.
Once, she and Gabika H., the hospitality manager for the Považie Region Tourism Board, were guiding a group of Danish visitors. Part of the itinerary involved a walk up a hill, but some visitors didn’t feel up to the trek. A new tour took shape in a matter of seconds. Instead of the original program, they began exploring the landmarks of Mierové Square—without a script, relying instead on improvisation and enthusiasm. “You can’t plan for situations like that in advance.”
Another powerful moment occurred during a volunteer conference. It was the first time she had guided a group that included a visitor in a wheelchair. Her concerns quickly vanished. The entire group cooperated naturally and without complications, and, according to Edita, the woman in the wheelchair was one of the most positive people she had ever met. It was this very experience that led her to pursue further training focused on communication and assisting people with disabilities.
And then came the Japanese visitors. “The chance to guide a group of Japanese visitors and work with an interpreter? That was something I hadn’t even dreamed of before Trenčín 2026.”
Sharing Stories of Trenčín Long Before the European Capital of Culture
For Edita, however, guiding tours didn’t begin with the European Capital of Culture initiative. Since 2022, she has been organizing themed walking tours for a seniors’ club under the banner “Discovering Trenčín.” She prepares every route herself. Sometimes she talks about notable figures who lived in the city; other times, she focuses on the history of M. R. Štefánik Park or the architect Silberstein. Anywhere from twenty to sixty people attend these walks. And sometimes, something happens that pleases her most: “They ask for a repeat tour—because they were sick or had a doctor’s appointment.” It is precisely these moments that motivate her to seek out new themes and stories.
Today, as an official tour guide, she combines her years of experience with volunteer work.
One Walk Isn’t Enough
Edita has noticed a recurring pattern. Many visitors arrive in Trenčín thinking they can see the city center in an hour or two. Then, they discover the wealth of stories hidden behind the castle, the churches, the narrow streets, and the scenic views—and they start planning a return visit. “One lady told me: ‘I was here a month ago, and two weeks ago, and I’m coming back for the Christmas markets, too.’” The city also makes a strong impression on seniors who knew Trenčín from their days of military service or university studies. When they walk today from the new bus station, across the renovated Mierové Square, and up to Hviezdoslavova Street, they often remark on how much the city has changed. A City Where History Walked
If she had to choose just one place, she would hesitate for a long time. Ultimately, she always returns to Mierové Square. “I tell visitors that this is a place where history walked—the Romans, at the very least.” The Piarist Church remains closest to her heart; she considers it a gem of Slovak religious architecture. And when showing the city to her grandchildren, she loves taking them to the new park in the Váh River floodplain. “They say they haven’t found play features like that anywhere else.”
Perhaps that is precisely the magic of a good guide.
They don’t just show the sights.
They show the reasons why it is worth coming back.
Discover the city through the eyes of its people
Edita is one of the volunteers proving that the best way to get to know a city is through its locals and their stories. You can have this same experience, too.
Join specially trained volunteers from Trenčín 2026 for an “Urban Walk”—a guided tour that reveals Trenčín from a slightly different perspective. You will discover places you might already know well, but this time you will see them more closely and within a broader context.
It is not just about listening to a commentary; the Urban Walk offers space for questions, conversation, and your own exploration of the city. For visitors, it is an opportunity to get to know Trenčín more deeply, while locals have the chance to see familiar streets with fresh eyes.
Dates:
- Saturdays in September: Sept 5 | Sept 12 | Sept 19 | Sept 26
- Bonus date in October: Oct 3
Time: 10:30 AM and 4:30 PM
Meeting point: Trenčín Cultural and Information Centre, Mierové námestie 9
Duration: 60–90 minutes
Price: Participation is free – registration required.
