Koš: Lakes, Golf and History

Koš offers several distinct reasons to visit: lakes formed after mining, archaeological traces and golf. There is also the Gothic Chapel of St. Andrew and a protected winter lime tree. If you are looking for a hotel in Koš, it helps to decide first whether nature, cultural history or sporting activities should be your main focus.

Waterscape near Koš

Koš, also known as Laskár Koš, refers to a group of bodies of water and lakes in the area of Koš near Laskár in the Prievidza District. Ground subsidence and the flooding of former mining sites created this landscape. The Laskár lakes form a natural habitat in the Horná Nitra basin. Bodies of water, shores and wetlands thus shape the area’s natural character.

The surrounding area is suitable for easy hikes and walks along the lakeshores and wetlands. The lakes also offer opportunities for birdwatching and fishing. If you plan to fish, check the local permits. The range of options makes a stay appealing both to nature lovers and to travelers who want to combine an easy hike with time by the water.

A notable natural landmark in Koš is the lime tree “Lipa na Šajbách”: it is a protected winter lime and is cared for by the Ponitrie Protected Landscape Area administration. The tree adds a single, named natural monument to the lakeside landscape.

Chapel, archaeological traces and theatre history

The Gothic Chapel of St. Andrew dates from 1410. In 2000, it was separated from the former Church of St. Andrew in Koš. On December 6 of the same year, it was moved to a site about 1,700 meters from the church’s original location. Its history thus connects a medieval structure with a specific change of location in 2000.

On the right side of the church in Koš is an annex that recalls the sacred space of the old church and contains valuable furnishings from the former church. This connection to the former church adds another perspective on the preserved furnishings to the history of the Chapel of St. Andrew.

Settlement in the area dates back to the Eneolithic period, between 3,000 and 1,900 BC. A copper stone hammer found in Koš attests to this early settlement. Archaeological sites reveal further traces from different periods: at the Koš–Katkej kopec site are tar kilns broadly dated to the 9th to 11th centuries. Twenty-seven production facilities for tar making have been documented there. Settlement features at the same site belong to a settlement dating from the 12th century to the mid-14th century.

Another archaeological site, Stvacipalej kopec in Koš, lies on a so-called Slavic burial mound. Settlement areas with economic structures have been identified there. Together with the finds at Koš–Katkej kopec, these provide a differentiated picture: the archaeological evidence ranges from early settlement and tar production to later settlement areas.

Theatre history also has a specific early connection: in 1919, amateur actors from Koš rehearsed and performed “Kamenný chodníček od Ferka Urbánka” as their first play.

Golf and other activities

The golf grounds in Koš offer a publicly accessible driving range and a publicly available 9-hole course. The municipality describes it as the first golf course in the Trenčín Region. Footgolf is also open to the general public. The grounds also include an equestrian facility and the “Golf from the Saddle” offer.

If golf or one of these activities is central to your travel plans, confirm current operating and opening arrangements before you arrive. You may need to make prior inquiries about the details of the “Golf from the Saddle” offer. This way, you can distinguish between the activities available at the golf grounds without assuming that they all follow the same arrangements.

Choose a focus for your hotel search

Koš’s attractions are easy to distinguish when planning your trip: lakes, shores and wetlands are all about nature; the chapel, church annex, archaeological sites and theatre connection are part of its cultural history; and the golf grounds and Footgolf offer activities. Decide which focus matters to you. When you review hotel offers, compare their specific locations with your personal travel plans. This lets you tailor your search for Koš to the interests that will shape your stay.

Discover more destinations: Tužina, Lehota Pod Vtáčnikom, Kamenec Pod Vtáčnikom, Dolné Vestenice, Liešťany, Malinová, Pravenec, Nitrica.

For the broader travel overview: Prievidza.