Košťany nad Turcom

Košťany nad Turcom (Hungarian: Kostyán) is a village and municipality in Martin District, in Turiec territory, and in Žilina Region of northern Slovakia.

In historical records of the village, a dwelling 'villa Coschan' was first mentioned in year 1323. Before the establishment of independent Czechoslovakia in 1918, it was part of Turóc County within the Kingdom of Hungary. From 1939 to 1945, it was part of the Slovak Republic.

Main occupation of locals has been focused on agriculture and seasonal food-harvests that were produced for various landlords who resided in Košťany nad Turcom ever since.

Abandoning feudal servitude Feudalism in 1848 and declaring basic freedom rights led residents to develop more commercial activities such crafts and trade. In the 20th century, especially during communist regime Joint agriculture and farming Collective farming remained major daily bread for locals.

Early years of new millennium have seen legislative support towards larger businesses, which led to few industrial factories growth in Košťany nad Turcom. In fact, most residents commute to Martin Martin, Slovakia, major workhub in Turiec.

The municipality lies at an altitude of 415 metres (1,362 ft)^[3] and covers an area of 6.43 km² (2.48 sq mi) (2024).^[4] It lies on Turiec river, Košťany nad Turcom as the whole Turiec basin (Turčianska kotlina) are surrounded by mountain range Greater Fatra (Veľká Fatra) on east-north and by mountain range Lesser Fatra (Malá Fatra) on west.

It has a population of 1473 people (31 December 2024).^[6]

In year 2021 was 1336 people by ethnicity 1267 as Slovak, 58 as Not found out, 12 as Czech, 3 as Romani, 3 as Hungarian, 2 as Ukrainian, 2 as Rusyn, 2 as Polish, 2 as Other, 1 as Romanian, 1 as German, 1 as Moravian and 1 as English.

Note on population

The difference between the population numbers above and in the census (here and below) is that the population numbers above are mostly made up of permanent residents, etc.; and the census should indicate the place where people actually mainly live. For example, a student is a citizen of a village because he has permanent residence there (he lived there as a child and has parents), but most of the time he studies at a university in the city.

In year 2021 was 1336 people by religion 542 from None, 411 from Roman Catholic Church, 298 from Evangelical Church, 55 from Not found out, 9 from Greek Catholic Church, 7 from Ad hoc movements, 5 from Jehovah's Witnesses, 4 from Other and not ascertained christian church, 2 from Buddhism, 1 from Old Catholic Church, 1 from Calvinist Church and 1 from Paganism and natural spirituality.

Košťany nad Turcom as other allied villages in Turiec lies in picturesque scenery. Near mountain ranges offer abundance of outdoor opportunities; from trekking or bouldering in summer, to cross-country skiing or kiteboarding in winter. Local castle ruins sightseeing, geocaching, mountain-biking etc.

Turiec region is also rich in precious mineral water sources, or you can visit few of the left sheep-farming chalets called 'salaš' scattered on the hill tops. If you are not that lucky to find them, then try ruins of ancient castles List of castles in Slovakia in few neighbor villages.

On the top of landscape beauty, 3 km north of the village sits forest area 'Jahodnícke Háje', with hidden 'skanzen'. Skanzen is another name in Slovakia for an open-air museum. From all open-air museums in Slovakia, Jahodnícke háje (or Martin) skanzen is the largest one and it's worth to pay a visit especially during Christian holidays (recommended are Christmas and Easter..) as presentations of life from ancient times, markets with historical items, marches, and dances occur regularly. Dwelling houses, barns, church, and even taverna have been carefully replaced from various parts of Slovakian rural areas, brought to skanzen grounds and rebuilt in original style. http://www.skanzenmartin.sk/ (see map in external links for directions)

• Belianka River, peaks of Veľká Fatra mountain range in behind
• View of Malá Fatra mountain range from neighbouring village Pribovce
• Košťany nad Turcom
• Church in Skanzen Martin
• River Turiec flowing through Košťany nad Turcom
• Eastern view of Turiec basin and Veľká Fatra in distance
• Street view

The records for genealogical research are available at the state archive "Statny Archiv in Bytca, Slovakia"

• Roman Catholic church records (births/marriages/deaths): 1773-1941 (parish B)
• Lutheran church records (births/marriages/deaths): 1783-1928 (parish B)

• List of municipalities and towns in Slovakia

• slovak web about hiking around Turiec: http://hiking.sk/hk/li/-mala_fatra.html
• Surnames of living people in Kostany nad Turcom