The name of this small ancient town, nestled at the very foot of the Ukrainian Carpathians, is well known to tourists from all over the country and abroad. Why? Because vacation in Kosovo leaves the most vivid impressions — it is a land of fabulous nature, the center of Hutsul folk arts and crafts, one of the most colorful, original and amazing cities of the Carpathian region, the heart of the Hutsul land.
Kosov originated in the picturesque valley of the Ribnica River, a tributary of the Prut, back in the early XV century. The founders of the first settlement on its place were representatives of the Polish-Lithuanian authorities, who decided to make good use of the valuable salt deposits discovered here. Due to the wonderful climate and good working conditions, which were created here by the representatives of the king, workers and craftsmen — Jews and Poles, together with Hutsuls — the indigenous local inhabitants, who made up the multinational face of the city, willingly came to Kosov, already mentioned in the documents as a city in 1579. After the collapse of the Polish kingdom, Kosov belonged to the Austrians, who turned salt mining from a private endeavor into a public one and made a great contribution to the development of the town. In 1867 Kosov received the status of a county town, administrative and political power was concentrated here, and thanks to the development of artistic crafts — carving, embroidery, ceramics, weaving and other Hutsul crafts, it became the main administrative and commercial center of Galicia Hutsulshchina.
Recreation in Kosovo and tourism have been developing in the city since the XIX century. Guests from all over the country and abroad are attracted to this small town by the opportunity to really feel the flavor of Gutsulshchina. The traditions and customs of the Carpathian mountaineers have been carefully preserved here for centuries. To touch them, you can not only visit museums (there are as many as 17 of them here!) and try delicious dishes of Ukrainian and Hutsul cuisine in numerous cafes and restaurants, but also live the life of a real mountaineer in the homes of local residents, who welcome all guests, to get acquainted with the life of the Hutsuls. Also in Kosovo you can attend lessons of carving, embroidery, weaving, pottery and other crafts in the workshops of local craftsmen. Kosovo Bazaar is also famous throughout the country, where you can buy souvenirs created by local craftsmen, leather goods, woodwork and much more. But it is not only the national flavor that this amazing town is famous for.
Kosov is located at an altitude of 450 meters above sea level in a beautiful area on the territory of one of the most picturesque Ukrainian national parks «Gutsulshchina», where the rarest animals, herbs and plants are protected. In the city and its surroundings there are 37 natural monuments, 30 tourist and excursion routes. It is a famous low-altitude climatic resort, famous for its purest air and healing mineral waters that cure many ailments. There is a unique mineral spring near Sopka Mountain, the waters of which have a beneficial effect on the immune and digestive systems. Tourists came here for contemplation of natural beauties and treatment in the early XIX century, and today there are 15 tourist and health centers in Kosovo, one of which (the former Nature Healing Institution of Dr. A. Tarnavskiy) is the oldest medical sanatorium in the region.
Magnificent nature, healing waters, invigorating mountain air, amazing atmosphere — and this is not all the riches of Kosovo. This town, originally multinational, has its own special flavor, seems both as close to nature as possible, and, at the same time, radiates the romance inherent in old European towns. Here you can see picturesque streets, walk along centuries-old sidewalks, see interesting architectural attractions of the Carpathians — wooden Hutsul Vasilievskaya Church of 1895 and other religious buildings, visit the ruins of the ancient castle on the Town Mountain.
Kosovo will be interesting not only for lovers of eco- and ethno-tourism, but also for supporters of active recreation — in winter it turns into a real mountain ski resort, and in summer you can go horseback riding, learn rock climbing and even airplane driving.