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THE VILLAGE of Kostolište in the Záhorie region is better known to many people by its old name, Kiripolec. Because of its location along the Hungarian border, it was often the victim of invasions. But military attacks were not the only plagues it had to confront. In 1866, an epidemic of typhus and cholera broke out after battling Austrian and Prussian soldiers took refuge in a monastery in nearby Malacky. The diseases killed off 160 of Kostolište's inhabitants.
Kostolište is also the birthplace of one of Slovakia's most famous painters, Martin Benka, who became enchanted with depicting central Slovakia's mountains. This is interesting, considering Kostolište is surrounded by flat terrain.
This postcard of Kostolište in 1935 shows a car parked on its streets. The photographer included the car because it was a great attraction at that time.
