Skalica
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Skalica | |
| Town | |
 City centre of Skalica
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| Country |  Slovakia |
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| Region | Trnava |
| District | Skalica |
| River | Morava |
| Elevation | 186 m (610 ft) |
| Coordinates | |
| Area | 60.007 km² (23 sq mi) |
| Population | 14,963 (31 December 2005) |
| Density | 249 /km² (645 /sq mi) |
| First mentioned | 1217 |
| Mayor | Stanislav Chovanec |
| Timezone | CET (UTC+1) |
| - summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
| Postal code | 909 01 |
| Phone prefix | 421-34 |
| Car plate | SI |
   Location of Skalica in Slovakia
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  Location of Skalica in the Trnava Region
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| Wikimedia Commons: Skalica | |
| Statistics: MOŠ/MIS | |
| Website: http://www.skalica.sk | |
Skalica (German: Skalitz, Hungarian: Szakolca, Latin: Sakolcium) is the largest city in Skalica District in western Slovakia in the Záhorie region. Located near the Czech border, Skalica has a population of 14,963 as of 2005.
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[edit] History
Although the site has been inhabited since 4000 BC and was part of the Great Moravian Empire, Skalica was first documented in 1218 as Zaculcza; the name refers the cliffs the inhabitants built their settlement over. The settlement developed around a triangular plaza, which was rare during the Middle Ages. Its town privileges were conferred in 1372 by King Louis I of Hungary. In 1428 Skalica became a bastion for the Hussites; during the Hussite Wars, the majority of its then predominantly German-speaking populace fled or was exiled. Many Habaners (adherents of a sect similar to Anabaptism) settled in Skalica in the 16th century. For eight days in 1918 Skalica was the seat of a Czechoslovak delegation which unsuccessfully tried to negotiate the removal of Hungarian troops from Slovakia.
After the World War II, the town tried to take advantage of its position as a district town, and many new works, schools and apartments blocks were built, while successfully preserving its city center. In 1960, Skalica became part of Senica district. It lasted until 1996, when Skalica became a separate district again.
Didaktik computers were produced in Skalica during the 1980s. The 2006 European Table Hockey Championships were held in the town.
Today, it is economically strongest town in the Záhorie region, bypassing its rival town Senica at this position, and is becoming a tourist destination thanks to its preserved city centre and monuments.
[edit] Sights
Near the remnants of one of Skalica's city walls is one of Slovakia's oldest works of construction, the Romanesque Rotunda of St. George. Although its exact date of origin is unknown, it was constructed by the 12th century at the latest. A Baroque dome was attached to it in the 17th century. The city has several churches, including a Jesuit church and monastery, the 15th century Parish Church of St. Michael, and the 15th century Franciscan church and monastery. Other sights are Skalica's Late Renaissance town hall and the 1905 Cultural House built in Art Nouveau.
[edit] Demographics
According to the 2001 census, the town had 15,013 inhabitants. 94.84% of inhabitants were Slovaks, 3.61% Czechs and 0.61% Roma.[1] The religious make-up was 70.15% Roman Catholics, 19.92% people with no religious affiliation and 6.67% Lutherans.[1]
[edit] Sports
- HK 36 Skalica, ice hockey club from the town
[edit] Famous people
- Ján Hollý, poet, studied in Skalica
- Žigmund Pálffy, ice hockey player
- Marián Varga, musician
- Miroslav Zálešák, ice hockey player
- János Csernoch, primate of Hungary
- Béla II of Hungary, king[2]
- Gyula Juhász, poet [3]
[edit] Partner towns
[edit] References
- ^ a b Municipal Statistics. Statistical Office of the Slovak republic. Retrieved on 2007-12-09.
- ^ Felvidek Ma (Hungarian). Szövetség a Közös Célokért (2008). Retrieved on 8 April 2008.
- ^ Kulturális enciklopédia (Hungarian). Osztovits Szabolcs (2008). Retrieved on 8 April 2008.
[edit] External links
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