Poľný Kesov: Thermal Park, Equestrian Sports and History

Poľný Kesov lies in the valley of the Cedron stream, between the Váh and Nitra rivers. When looking for a hotel in Poľný Kesov, you can consider whether thermal waters, equestrian sports, cycling or local history are especially important to your trip. These different themes bring out various facets of the town, from the seasonal water park to historic buildings and archaeological traces.

Thermal Park and Water Attractions

ThermalPark Nitrava has ten pools with thermal water and fresh water. The thermal water is natural, mineral-rich and highly mineralised; it contains bicarbonate and sodium and is slightly alkaline. Alongside the number of pools, the water’s composition is a distinctive feature of the thermal park.

The water park opened in August 2020 and operates during the summer season. Its facilities include a children’s water castle with slides and water attractions, a relaxation pool with a water bar, a lazy river and an activity pool with a climbing wall. The slide hall at ThermalPark Nitrava has four indoor slides with seven lanes and dedicated run-out pools. It operates seasonally; the water park’s facilities may also vary by season. Check the current facilities and seasonal opening before your visit.

Horse Riding and Horse Races

Jazdecký klub Poľný Kesov offers riding lessons and rides in the countryside. These are two different ways to include horses in your stay: lessons focus on learning to ride, while a ride in the countryside offers a different experience. As the club’s offerings may change, check before your trip whether the activity you want is currently available.

The Santiaga Cup, a regular public equestrian tournament, is also held at the Jazdecký klub. Dates and programmes may vary between editions, so check the event details if you would like to plan your visit around it. Horse races are also part of an older layer of the town’s history: from 1814 to 1822, the first horse races in what was then Hungary were held in Poľný Kesov.

Landscape and Cycling

Poľný Kesov’s location in the Cedron valley between the Váh and Nitra rivers describes the town’s geographical setting. The Štepnice area also has 35.5 hectares of secondary forest, mainly made up of acacias and ash trees. The riverside landscape and a specifically named area of woodland are distinct aspects of the local area.

Cycle route 2118 passes through Poľný Kesov and forms part of an easy, 43.1-kilometre mountain biking circuit for recreational cyclists. Its length, easy rating and circular route give you concrete points to consider when planning a bike ride. Route conditions and signage may change, so check them before setting out.

Buildings and Archaeological Traces

Buildings in Poľný Kesov include a Baroque manor house from the 18th century and a Neoclassical wayside cross dating from 1795. The Church of Christ the King is located in an old Baroque barn that was converted into a church in 1940. A 19th-century bell tower adds to these various historical landmarks.

The archaeological traces also span several eras: Poľný Kesov has a Slavic settlement from the period of Great Moravia and a 10th-century skeletal burial ground. These are joined by settlement finds from a Hungarian-influenced culture of the Early Bronze Age. Together, these finds provide a timeline that extends far beyond the town’s architectural history.

Discover more destinations: Jelenec, Nové Sady, Čab, Rišňovce, Ľudovítová, Nitra, Alekšince, Dolné Lefantovce

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