Štúrovo
Encyclopedia
Štúrovo is a town in Slovakia
, situated on the River Danube
. Its population in 2005 was 11,172.
The town is situated opposite the Hungarian city of Esztergom
. The Mária Valéria bridge
connects the settlements. The bridge was destroyed in 1944 during World War II, but reconstructed in 2001.
and is named after the 19th century Slovak national leader, Ľudovít Štúr
. There was an attempt to return the old name in a 1991 referendum; however, despite its validity, the government refused to rename the town.
The town was inhabited in the prehistoric ages, thanks to its favourable location. At one time, it was an important river crossing, and part of the Limes Romanus system named as Avanum during Roman rule
. The first written record of the town is from 1075 under the name Kakath. In the 16th century, after the Turks conquered Buda
in 1541, the town, along with Esztergom, came under the Ottoman rule. Many attempts to retake the town from the Turks followed, but they were unsuccessful except 1595–1605 period, until 1683, when the Turks lost a battle near Párkány which became referred to as Ciğerdelen ("Liver driller" in Turkish) during the Ottoman rule.
During the reign of Maria Theresa
, the town regained its rights and became a district town.
In 1850, Párkány became a station on the railway track from as Pozsony ( Pressburg, now:Bratislava
)to Budapest
. In 1895, the Mária Valéria bridge to Esztergom was opened.
After World War I
, the town became a border town of Czechoslovakia. In 1938, as a result of the First Vienna Award
, Párkány became again part of Hungary. It was occupied in the years 1944/1945 by Soviet troops. The Mária Valéria bridge was destroyed for a second time (first time in 1920) by retreating German forces.
After World War II
, the town was ceded Czechoslovakia. It was renamed to Štúrovo in 1948. The formerly independent villages of Nána and Obid
were annexed to Štúrovo (in 1960 and 1972, respectively). Štúrovo ceased to be a district in 1960 and merged into Nové Zámky District
.
After WWII it began to began to industrialize. The biggest factory called Juhoslovenské celulózky a papierne (South Slovakian pulpwood and paper works) was opened in 1968, employing some 4,000 people. A new thermal swimming resort Vadaš was built in 1978. The local railway station became the second biggest in Slovakia (1975).
After the Velvet Revolution
, Nána (1990) and Obid (1998) became separate villages again and the Mária Valéria bridge was opened for the third time in 2001, boosting the local economy.
, Štúrovo was a major border crossing between Slovakia and Hungary, with Esztergom
located on the Hungarian side of the River Danube. The two citiesare linked by the Mária Valéria bridge
. The road bridge is some 500 metres in length and is named after Archduchess Marie Valerie of Austria
, (1868 - 1924), the fourth child of Emperor
Franz Josef, and Elisabeth
.
The bridge was originally opened on 28 September 1895 but was destroyed twice. On 22 July 1919 the bridge was destroyed by a detonation at its first pier on its western side but the bridge was renovated in 1922 and completely reconstructed in 1926. During World War II
, retreating German troops blew up the bridge on 26 December 1944 along with other bridges near Esztergom.
Decades of intransigence between the Communist governments of Hungary and Czechoslovakia
meant that the bridge was not rebuilt until the new millennium, finally reopening on 11 October 2001. Half the costs of the project were covered by a 10 million Euro
grant from the European Union
, as part of the EU PHARE
project to assist applicant countries in their preparations to join the EU.
Štúrovo was also a major railway border crossing between Slovakia and Hungary as it was on the main Bratislava-Budapest railway line. The main station across the border in Hungary was Szob
which is located to the east on the same side of the River Danube.
.
The religious make-up was as follows: Roman Catholic 77.18%, without denomination or not specified 16.45%, Evangelic 1.36%.
, Hungary Bruntál
, Czech Republic Castellarano
, Italy Baraolt
, Romania Novi Bečej
, Serbia Kłobuck, Poland
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...
, situated on the River Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
. Its population in 2005 was 11,172.
The town is situated opposite the Hungarian city of Esztergom
Esztergom
Esztergom , is a city in northern Hungary, 46 km north-west of the capital Budapest. It lies in Komárom-Esztergom county, on the right bank of the river Danube, which forms the border with Slovakia there....
. The Mária Valéria bridge
Mária Valéria bridge
The Mária Valéria bridge joins Esztergom in Hungary and Štúrovo in Slovakia, across the River Danube. The bridge is some 500 metres in length...
connects the settlements. The bridge was destroyed in 1944 during World War II, but reconstructed in 2001.
Name
Until 1948, the town was known as Parkan in Slovak. It was given its current name after World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and is named after the 19th century Slovak national leader, Ľudovít Štúr
Ludovít Štúr
Ľudovít Štúr , known in his era as Ludevít Velislav Štúr, was the leader of the Slovak national revival in the 19th century, the author of the Slovak language standard eventually leading to the contemporary Slovak literary language...
. There was an attempt to return the old name in a 1991 referendum; however, despite its validity, the government refused to rename the town.
History
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
. The first written record of the town is from 1075 under the name Kakath. In the 16th century, after the Turks conquered Buda
Buda
For detailed information see: History of Buda CastleBuda is the western part of the Hungarian capital Budapest on the west bank of the Danube. The name Buda takes its name from the name of Bleda the Hun ruler, whose name is also Buda in Hungarian.Buda comprises about one-third of Budapest's...
in 1541, the town, along with Esztergom, came under the Ottoman rule. Many attempts to retake the town from the Turks followed, but they were unsuccessful except 1595–1605 period, until 1683, when the Turks lost a battle near Párkány which became referred to as Ciğerdelen ("Liver driller" in Turkish) during the Ottoman rule.
During the reign of Maria Theresa
Maria Theresa of Austria
Maria Theresa Walburga Amalia Christina was the only female ruler of the Habsburg dominions and the last of the House of Habsburg. She was the sovereign of Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Bohemia, Mantua, Milan, Lodomeria and Galicia, the Austrian Netherlands and Parma...
, the town regained its rights and became a district town.
In 1850, Párkány became a station on the railway track from as Pozsony ( Pressburg, now:Bratislava
Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...
)to Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
. In 1895, the Mária Valéria bridge to Esztergom was opened.
After World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, the town became a border town of Czechoslovakia. In 1938, as a result of the First Vienna Award
First Vienna Award
The First Vienna Award was the result of the First Vienna Arbitration, which took place at Vienna's Belvedere Palace on November 2, 1938. The Arbitration and Award were direct consequences of the Munich Agreement...
, Párkány became again part of Hungary. It was occupied in the years 1944/1945 by Soviet troops. The Mária Valéria bridge was destroyed for a second time (first time in 1920) by retreating German forces.
After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the town was ceded Czechoslovakia. It was renamed to Štúrovo in 1948. The formerly independent villages of Nána and Obid
Obid
Obid is a village and municipality in the Nové Zámky District in the Nitra Region of south-west Slovakia.-Geography:The municipality lies at an altitude of 116 metres and covers an area of 24.095 km². It has a population of about 1150 people.-Facilities:...
were annexed to Štúrovo (in 1960 and 1972, respectively). Štúrovo ceased to be a district in 1960 and merged into Nové Zámky District
Nové Zámky District
Nové Zámky District is a district inthe Nitra Region of western Slovakia.Until 1918, the area of the district was split between several Hungarian counties: the largest area in the north formed part of Nitra; an area in the south between Dvory nad Žitavou and Strekovformed part of Komárno; an area...
.
After WWII it began to began to industrialize. The biggest factory called Juhoslovenské celulózky a papierne (South Slovakian pulpwood and paper works) was opened in 1968, employing some 4,000 people. A new thermal swimming resort Vadaš was built in 1978. The local railway station became the second biggest in Slovakia (1975).
After the Velvet Revolution
Velvet Revolution
The Velvet Revolution or Gentle Revolution was a non-violent revolution in Czechoslovakia that took place from November 17 – December 29, 1989...
, Nána (1990) and Obid (1998) became separate villages again and the Mária Valéria bridge was opened for the third time in 2001, boosting the local economy.
Border crossing
Until 21 December 2007 when both Slovakia and Hungary became part of the Schengen AreaSchengen Area
The Schengen Area comprises the territories of twenty-five European countries that have implemented the Schengen Agreement signed in the town of Schengen, Luxembourg, in 1985...
, Štúrovo was a major border crossing between Slovakia and Hungary, with Esztergom
Esztergom
Esztergom , is a city in northern Hungary, 46 km north-west of the capital Budapest. It lies in Komárom-Esztergom county, on the right bank of the river Danube, which forms the border with Slovakia there....
located on the Hungarian side of the River Danube. The two citiesare linked by the Mária Valéria bridge
Mária Valéria bridge
The Mária Valéria bridge joins Esztergom in Hungary and Štúrovo in Slovakia, across the River Danube. The bridge is some 500 metres in length...
. The road bridge is some 500 metres in length and is named after Archduchess Marie Valerie of Austria
Archduchess Marie Valerie of Austria
Archduchess Marie Valerie of Austria was the fourth and last child of Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria and Elisabeth of Bavaria . Her given name was Marie Valerie Mathilde Amalie, but she was usually called Valerie.-Early life:Princess Marie Valerie was born at Ofen in Hungary...
, (1868 - 1924), the fourth child of Emperor
Emperor of Austria
The Emperor of Austria was a hereditary imperial title and position proclaimed in 1804 by the Holy Roman Emperor Francis II, a member of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine, and continually held by him and his heirs until the last emperor relinquished power in 1918. The emperors retained the title of...
Franz Josef, and Elisabeth
Elisabeth of Bavaria
Elisabeth of Austria was the spouse of Franz Joseph I, and therefore both Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary. She also held the titles of Queen of Bohemia and Croatia, among others...
.
The bridge was originally opened on 28 September 1895 but was destroyed twice. On 22 July 1919 the bridge was destroyed by a detonation at its first pier on its western side but the bridge was renovated in 1922 and completely reconstructed in 1926. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, retreating German troops blew up the bridge on 26 December 1944 along with other bridges near Esztergom.
Decades of intransigence between the Communist governments of Hungary and Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
meant that the bridge was not rebuilt until the new millennium, finally reopening on 11 October 2001. Half the costs of the project were covered by a 10 million Euro
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
grant from the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, as part of the EU PHARE
Phare
The Phare programme is one of the three pre-accession instruments financed by the European Union to assist the applicant countries of Central and Eastern Europe in their preparations for joining the European Union....
project to assist applicant countries in their preparations to join the EU.
Štúrovo was also a major railway border crossing between Slovakia and Hungary as it was on the main Bratislava-Budapest railway line. The main station across the border in Hungary was Szob
Szob
Szob is a town in Pest county, Hungary. It is just South and East of the Slovak border on the North Bank of the Danube. Szob is on a major electrified rail connection from Bratislava ands a major railway border crossing into Hungary. The border is located between Szob and Štúrovo...
which is located to the east on the same side of the River Danube.
Demographics
According to the 2001 census, there were 11,708 people living in the town with 68.7% of the inhabitants being ethnic Hungarian, as opposed to 28.1% ethnic SlovakSlovaks
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...
.
The religious make-up was as follows: Roman Catholic 77.18%, without denomination or not specified 16.45%, Evangelic 1.36%.
Partner towns
EsztergomEsztergom
Esztergom , is a city in northern Hungary, 46 km north-west of the capital Budapest. It lies in Komárom-Esztergom county, on the right bank of the river Danube, which forms the border with Slovakia there....
, Hungary Bruntál
Bruntál
Bruntál is a town located near the western boundary of Moravian-Silesian Region, in Czech Silesia. A suitable position in the middle of the Jeseníky Mountains provides an ample number of touristic opportunities to the town...
, Czech Republic Castellarano
Castellarano
Castellarano is a comune in the Province of Reggio Emilia in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, located about 45 km west of Bologna and about 20 km southeast of Reggio Emilia...
, Italy Baraolt
Baraolt
Baraolt is a town and administrative district in Covasna County, Romania. It lies in the Székely Land, an ethno-cultural region in eastern Transylvania. The town was mentioned for the first time as a settlement in 1224...
, Romania Novi Bečej
Novi Becej
Novi Bečej , is a town and municipality in Central Banat District of Vojvodina, Serbia. The town has a population of 14,406, while Novi Bečej municipality has 26,881 inhabitants.-Name:Its name means "new Bečej"...
, Serbia Kłobuck, Poland