Bojnice
Encyclopedia
Bojnice is a small town in central Slovakia
at the upper Nitra
river, near the city of Prievidza
. It has population of 4,983 (2005). Bojnice is best known for its tourist attractions: the oldest zoo
in Slovakia, the most visited castle
, and one of the oldest spa town
s in Slovakia. The town is situated below the Bojnice Castle
, which is built on travertine
rock with a natural cave. The castle has appeared in many international films and a well-known international festival of spectres
takes place there every year.
river valley, under the Strážov Mountains
. It is very close to Prievidza (4 km), sharing the public transport system. Other major cities nearby include Žilina
to the north (60 km) and Trenčín
to the west (65 km).
, first mentioned in 1113 and originally built as a wooden fort, it was over time built as a stone castle and in the 20th century in the Romantic style. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction.
The zoo
(one of only three in Slovakia) was founded in 1955. In 2006 it had 355 different species and more than 1,800 animals.
It is also known for its spa. The therapeutic springs were mentioned in 1549 for the first time. Today they treat patients with disorders of the locomotor system
, with rheumatic diseases, post traumatic conditions, conditions after orthopaedic disturbances of the spine of adolescents, neurological diseases and occupational disease
s.
, the town had 5,006 inhabitants. 97.06% of inhabitants were Slovaks
, 0.68% Czechs
and 0.24% Germans
. The religious make-up was 74.55% Roman Catholics, 19% people with no religious affiliation and 2% Lutherans.
, Czech Republic
Bad Krozingen
, Germany
Rosta
, Italy
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
at the upper Nitra
Nitra River
The Nitra is a 197 km long river in western Slovakia. It flows into the Váh river close to its confluence with the Danube in Komárno. Its source is in the Malá Fatra mountains north of Prievidza. The river Nitra passes through the towns of Bojnice, Topoľčany, Nitra and Nové Zámky....
river, near the city of Prievidza
Prievidza
Prievidza is a city in the central-western Slovakia. With 51,200 inhabitants it is one of the biggest municipalities in the Trenčín Region.-Features:...
. It has population of 4,983 (2005). Bojnice is best known for its tourist attractions: the oldest zoo
Zoo
A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
in Slovakia, the most visited castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
, and one of the oldest spa town
Spa town
A spa town is a town situated around a mineral spa . Patrons resorted to spas to "take the waters" for their purported health benefits. The word comes from the Belgian town Spa. In continental Europe a spa was known as a ville d'eau...
s in Slovakia. The town is situated below the Bojnice Castle
Bojnice Castle
Bojnice Castle is a castle in Bojnice, Slovakia. It hosts the single most popular museum in Slovakia and has featured in many movies....
, which is built on travertine
Travertine
Travertine is a form of limestone deposited by mineral springs, especially hot springs. Travertine often has a fibrous or concentric appearance and exists in white, tan, and cream-colored varieties. It is formed by a process of rapid precipitation of calcium carbonate, often at the mouth of a hot...
rock with a natural cave. The castle has appeared in many international films and a well-known international festival of spectres
Ghost
In traditional belief and fiction, a ghost is the soul or spirit of a deceased person or animal that can appear, in visible form or other manifestation, to the living. Descriptions of the apparition of ghosts vary widely from an invisible presence to translucent or barely visible wispy shapes, to...
takes place there every year.
Geography
The town lies at the upper NitraNitra River
The Nitra is a 197 km long river in western Slovakia. It flows into the Váh river close to its confluence with the Danube in Komárno. Its source is in the Malá Fatra mountains north of Prievidza. The river Nitra passes through the towns of Bojnice, Topoľčany, Nitra and Nové Zámky....
river valley, under the Strážov Mountains
Strážov Mountains
The Strážov Mountains are a mountain range in northwestern Slovakia, being part of Inner Western Carpathians, and of the Fatra-Tatra Area. They are situated between the towns of Trenčín, Považská Bystrica, Rajec, Prievidza and Bánovce nad Bebravou, bordering White Carpathians and the Váh river in...
. It is very close to Prievidza (4 km), sharing the public transport system. Other major cities nearby include Žilina
Žilina
Žilina is a city in north-western Slovakia, around from the capital Bratislava, close to both the Czech and Polish borders. It is the fourth largest city of Slovakia with a population of approximately 85,000, an important industrial center, the largest city on the Váh river, and the seat of a...
to the north (60 km) and Trenčín
Trencín
Trenčín is a city in western Slovakia of the central Váh River valley near the Czech border, around from Bratislava. It has a population of more than 56,000, which makes it the ninth largest municipality of the country and is the seat of the Trenčín Region and the Trenčín District...
to the west (65 km).
History
The town's history is closely connected to that of Bojnice Castle. It was first mentioned in 1113, when it was mentioned as a settlement under the castle. It has town privileges since 1966.Landmarks
The town is most known for its tourist attractions: the Bojnice CastleBojnice Castle
Bojnice Castle is a castle in Bojnice, Slovakia. It hosts the single most popular museum in Slovakia and has featured in many movies....
, first mentioned in 1113 and originally built as a wooden fort, it was over time built as a stone castle and in the 20th century in the Romantic style. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction.
The zoo
Bojnice Zoo
The Bojnice Zoo is a zoo near the town of Bojnice, Slovakia. It is the oldest of the Slovak zoos, being established in 1955. , it had 355 species of animals, with a total of 1826 specimens, such as the Royal Condor, Mandarin Ducks, African Military Monkeys, Chimpanzees, Barbary Apes, Polar Bears,...
(one of only three in Slovakia) was founded in 1955. In 2006 it had 355 different species and more than 1,800 animals.
It is also known for its spa. The therapeutic springs were mentioned in 1549 for the first time. Today they treat patients with disorders of the locomotor system
Locomotor system
Locomotor system may mean:* Animal locomotion system* Human musculoskeletal system, also known simply as "the locomotor system"...
, with rheumatic diseases, post traumatic conditions, conditions after orthopaedic disturbances of the spine of adolescents, neurological diseases and occupational disease
Occupational disease
An occupational disease is any chronic ailment that occurs as a result of work or occupational activity. It is an aspect of occupational safety and health. An occupational disease is typically identified when it is shown that it is more prevalent in a given body of workers than in the general...
s.
Demographics
According to the 2001 censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, the town had 5,006 inhabitants. 97.06% of inhabitants were Slovaks
Slovaks
The Slovaks, Slovak people, or Slovakians are a West Slavic people that primarily inhabit Slovakia and speak the Slovak language, which is closely related to the Czech language.Most Slovaks today live within the borders of the independent Slovakia...
, 0.68% Czechs
Czech people
Czechs, or Czech people are a western Slavic people of Central Europe, living predominantly in the Czech Republic. Small populations of Czechs also live in Slovakia, Austria, the United States, the United Kingdom, Chile, Argentina, Canada, Germany, Russia and other countries...
and 0.24% Germans
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
. The religious make-up was 74.55% Roman Catholics, 19% people with no religious affiliation and 2% Lutherans.
Famous people
- Karina HabšudováKarina HabšudováKarina Habšudová is a former Slovak female professional tennis player. She has been ranked as high as 10 in the world . Together with Karol Kučera she won the Hopman Cup in 1998....
, tennis player - Miloslav MečířMiloslav MecírMiloslav Mečíř is a former professional tennis player from Slovakia. He won the men's singles gold medal at the 1988 Olympic Games where he represented Czechoslovakia and played in two Grand Slam singles finals...
, tennis player, Olympic winner - Andrej SekeraAndrej SekeraAndrej Sekera is a Slovak ice hockey defenceman. He was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the third round, 71st overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.-Playing career:...
, Buffalo SabresBuffalo SabresThe Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
(National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
) defenseman - Miroslava VavrinecMiroslava VavrinecMiroslava "Mirka" Federer is a former professional tennis player from Switzerland. She reached her current career-high WTA singles ranking of no. 76 on 10 September 2001 and a doubles ranking of no. 215 on 24 August 1998...
, tennis player - Zuzana Paulechová, classical pianist
- Antonia LiskovaAntonia LiskovaAntonia Liskova is a Slovak-Italian actress.-Career:Liskova lived in Slovakia until her 17th birthday...
, Italian actress
Partner towns
JeseníkJeseník
Jeseník , Frývaldov until 1948 is a city and a district in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic.- Districts :* Bukovice * Dětřichov * Jeseník * Lázně Jeseník - History :...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
Bad Krozingen
Bad Krozingen
Bad Krozingen is a spa town in the district Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated 15 km southwest of Freiburg....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Rosta
Rosta, Italy
Rosta is a comune in the Province of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 20 km west of Turin.-References:...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...