Dekýš – Hiking, Forests and Local History

Dekýš combines a hiking landscape with a rich local history. The village lies in the southern part of the Štiavnické vrchy, in a depression formed by erosion at the source of the Dekýšsky potok. It retains a peaceful character throughout the year and is well situated for hiking. For planning your trip, the topics can be distinguished as follows: hiking trails, lakes and the reserve relate to the landscape around Dekýš; churches, crafts and traces of settlement reflect the village’s history.

Hiking Trails and Landscape

Hiking trails run through Dekýš towards Sitno, Počúvadlo and the surrounding lakes. Three quarters of the cadastral area is forested; oak and beech stands are typical of the forests. The landscape also includes a mix of mountain plants and heat-loving species.

The Jabloňovský Roháč state forest reserve, also known as Almášsky Roháč, lies four kilometres southwest of the village. Red deer are found around Dekýš; the Sitno roe deer (Capreolus sitnensis) lives in the Sitno Nature Reserve. These two animal records therefore refer to different geographical areas.

Lakes and Mining History

Most of the lakes around Dekýš were artificially created for ore mining and have historical and technical value. Their history can be dated: Počúvadlianske Lake was created according to plans by S. Mikovíny between 1738 and 1740 and is the largest lake in the Štiavnické vrchy. The lakes thus link the landscape with the history of ore mining.

Local History and Crafts

Dekýš was first mentioned in writing in 1270, when it bore the name Gukes. The settlement history goes back further: a Stone Age settlement of the Linear Pottery culture, with Želiezovce-type pottery and an idol find, is known from the area. A Roman-period settlement is also known. The written mention and the archaeological traces offer two distinct ways of dating the village’s history: a medieval place name, and finds or settlements from earlier periods.

Traditional folk art in Dekýš included making agricultural tools and furniture from locally available wood. Wood was used to make practical objects, while embroidery was a different form of craft expression. Embroidery initially used small cross, lattice and dot motifs; after the First World War, plant ornaments were added. The patterns thus reveal a change over time in textile design.

Churches and Architectural History

The Roman Catholic Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary was built in 1805 and extended with a transept in 1924. A transept is a part of a church arranged across the nave; the term clarifies the nature of the extension. The Evangelical church was also built in 1924, in a neoclassical style influenced by the Secession. The dates mark two building histories: the extension of the older Catholic church and the construction of the Evangelical church in 1924. Both churches are in good condition and are used for religious purposes.

Discover more destinations: Ilija, Svätý Anton, Vysoká, Banska Stiavnica, Banska Bela, Banský Studenec, Kozelník, Podhorie.

For the overarching travel guide: Okres Banská Štiavnica.