In the southernmost and warmest regions of Slovakia is the picturesque town of Komárno, home to approximately 36 thousand inhabitants.

On the eastern cape of the island of Zhitny, at the confluence of rivers Danube And Vag, the city is standing Komarno, famous not only historically, but also due to their picturesque nature and peace that spreads in the city and its surroundings. The only drawback that can be found here is Hungarian heard here more often than Slovak. And most of the signs on shops and institutions are either bilingual, or sometimes only in Hungarian. But Slovaks and Hungarians live here in peace and friendship, so you will quickly get used to this ethnographic peculiarity of the local region.

On the left bank of the Danube stands the Slovak city of Komárno, and on the right, very close, stands the Hungarian city of the same name. Locals to distinguish the two cities for Slovak use the name Észak Komárom or Northern Komarno. Both cities are connected by bridges - railway and road.

A couple of historical facts

Komárno boasts a very convenient strategic position. Although the settlement of this bank of the Danube was not easy. Frequent floods, fluctuations in the water level in the Danube bed, instability of the river bank - all these difficulties the local settlers had to overcome in order to win a place to live. Archaeological excavations confirm the fact of settlement of these territories back in Bronze Age. The Celts lived here, then the Romans; during the Great Migration of Peoples, the Avars stayed here. After the collapse of the Avar Empire, the Moravian-Slovak tribes tried to spread throughout the territories free from the Franks. At the end of the 9th century, the Hungarians came to the Carpathian Basin. The first written mention of a settlement on the territory of modern Komárno dates back to 1037. Then King Stefan donated the tax from fairs and ferry services to the monastery in Bakonybel.
Another important written source was the charter of King Béla IV, issued in 1265. With this document, the king granted Komárno city rights. The privilege of a free royal city appeared in Komárno with light hand Maria Theresa. This happened in 1745. At this time the city was the fifth largest in Hungary. In 1763, a terrible earthquake occurred in the city, destroying 300 houses and seriously damaging 800 others. Since then, the earth has shaken here more than once, but never has it been such a devastating catastrophe.

After the collapse of Austria-Hungary and the emergence Czechoslovak Republic The state border divided the historical district of Komárno along the Danube. The city itself did not escape division. According to the protocol of the Vienna Arbitration Court, the city was reunited for several years. During World War II, Komárno was bombed many times. Since 1945, the city has become a border town. The economic importance of the city increased thanks to the newly built shipyards.

Today in Komárno you can admire numerous historical sites: buildings, statues, monuments. Of the largest and best preserved, it is worth mentioning the fortress complex, considered one of the most famous in Slovakia. It symbolizes the close interrelation of all peoples of the European continent.
We will tell you where to go in Komarno in our further articles.

Text and photo: O. Manyakova
Translation: Irina Kalinina

Articles on the topic

Komarno

The city of Komarno by the number of inhabitants (approximately 40 thousand) is among the top twenty most big cities Slovakia. Among its monuments, a fortress preserved from the time of the Turkish yoke in Europe is noteworthy.

Slovakia, Gurbanovo II - walk around the city

Is there anyone in Slovakia who has not yet heard of Gurbanovo? This city is famous for its weather forecasts or the golden drink that has been produced here for years. We also paid attention to him. After visiting the observatory, we will take you today through its streets.

This time we will visit a town whose name is mentioned in the weather forecast every day. In addition to forecasts, it is also famous for its observatory, the oldest in Slovakia, which allows you to discover the secrets of the night sky.

Slovakia, Gabcikovo - a city famous for its dam

In the Dunajska Streda area (approximately 40 kilometers southeast of Bratislava) is the town of Gabcikovo, whose history dates back to 1102. As you enter the city, you can admire the castle with bastions or the Roman Catholic Church of St. Margaret from 1397.

SK, Nitra V – Nitra Castle Complex II

Last week we entered the castle complex together and stopped at Pribina Square at the statue of Tsorghon, which many consider the symbol of the city. Who it actually was and how our journey through Nitra continued - you will learn from the following lines.

SK, Nitra III – path to the castle II

Last week we went for a walk along the pedestrian area leading to Nitra Castle. We stopped near various works of art that reminded us of the city's illustrious Great Moravian past. Among the architectural treasures, we visited the synagogue, and today we will continue our journey.

In the 14th century, Emperor Ferdinand I ordered the demolition of the old citadel and the erection of a new one, according to the latest fortification data of that time. Ferdinand did this for good reason - a threat from the Turks hung over the state. In 1546-1592. Italian architects, who were innovators of fortification of that time, built the last armory bastions in this place according to the plans of P. Ferrabosco. They did their job brilliantly - the Turks were never able to capture it, and about a thousand of them died in this place. A curious detail is that the city of Komarno, which at one time was called Komorno, had its own fortress, isolated from this, by a deep ditch in which there was water. This can be seen in ancient engravings - two citadels located opposite each other. In 1594 The Turks managed to break through the fortifications of the city and capture it, but they were never able to capture the fortress.

When the Turks captured Buda, the Austrian Emperor Leopold gave the order to build a powerful New Fortress, which was completed only in 1673. and moved away from the Old One by exactly the same another ditch that had a bridge. When Napoleon's great army invaded, Emperor Franz II had to flee here with his entire family, and he had to sit there until Napoleon left Vienna with his army. The citadel, which is located not so far from the capital, was able to make a lasting impression on him, and after that he wanted to make it the last refuge for the Austrian court if an invasion occurred. According to the new project, it was strengthened with new fortresses - three were located on the right side of the bank, and one on the left, at the same time strengthening the fortress itself. Work began in 1810, the very first new serf-type barracks appeared.

The southernmost Slovak city, one of the most important river ports, is located on the border with Hungary. The Danube divides the once single settlement into two parts - Slovak and Hungarian. The bus and train stations are located in the northern part of the city, about 15 minutes. walk from the center. To get to the central square. Stefanikovo, you need to go through the unit. Petyofi to the intersection with Gazdovska Street and further along the street. Zahradnitska. The landmarks are the two towers of the Church of St. Andrew. The Slovak and Hungarian border services and checkpoint are located on a peninsula formed by the confluence of the Danube and the Váh River.

How to get there

Bratislava (Main Railway Station): 6 times a day. Bratislava (Main Bus Station) 8 times a day. From Nitra 2-3 times a day (about 1.5 hours on the way). From Trencin once a day. From Komárno 5 times a day to the Hungarian part of the city - Komárom.

From history

In the 16th century Komarno was the most important fortified point designed to restrain the Turkish advance into Europe. Long enemy sieges and a series of earthquakes led to the fact that in the 18th century. many buildings have collapsed (a small part of the ruins in the central part has been preserved for tourists). At the turn of the XVIII-XIX aa. Almost all city buildings underwent a thorough reconstruction, many were built anew. After the end of the First World War, the city, which was previously part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was divided into two parts according to the peace treaty: one part became part of Slovakia, the other - Komárom (Koglagot) - remained part of the Hungarian state. Today's Slovak Komárno is a border town, two-thirds of whose population are ethnic Hungarians. For this reason, all signs and plates on city streets are duplicated in Hungarian.

Attractions

One of the city's main attractions is Church of St. Andrew(1734) with two high towers, located on the street. Palatinova. Opposite the church in house No. 32 is the Danube Museum (visit: May-Oct. Tue-Sun 10.00 - 12.00 and 14.00-16.00), which houses small archaeological and ethnographic half-lectures.

One of the city squares is named after General Georgy Klapka, the leader of the anti-Habsburg movement in 1848. Worthy of attention city ​​hall(1875). In the center of the square in front of the town hall there is a bronze monument to Hungarian patriots. There is a branch in house No. 9 Danube Museum(May-Oct. Tue-Sun 10.00-12.00 and 14.00-16.00), the exhibition of which is dedicated to ancient photographs of the 19th-20th centuries, reflecting the past of the city.

IN fortresses(XVIII century), located near the confluence of the Danube and Vaga, a military unit is located, so the fortress is closed to the public.

In the 1st century, the Roman settlement of Brigetio arose on the site of Komárno. In the 4th century, the Romans were driven out by barbarians. In the 6th century, Avars and Slavs penetrated here; in the 8th century, the territory probably became part of Great Moravia. In the 9th century, the Hungarians appeared here, and already in the 10th century, the first Hungarian fortress Kamarum, the capital of the county of the same name, appeared here. The first mention of it occurs in 1075.

In 1265, Béla IV gave Komárno city rights. In the 16th century, during the wars with Ottoman Empire A powerful fortress is being built in Komarno - the Old Fortress. In the 17th century, the New Fortress was built. Komárno was never taken by the Turks. After the end of wars in the 18th century, Komarno became one of the most prosperous cities in Austria. In 1745, Maria Theresa gave Komárno the rights of a free royal city. In 1870, a modern fortress was built here, one of the most important in Austria-Hungary.

After the collapse of Austria-Hungary, the city is divided into two parts. The larger one falls into Czechoslovakia, the smaller one into Komarom, into Hungary. At the Narodny Podnik Skoda Komarno (Slovenske Lodenice n.p. Komarno) shipyard, the Soviet Union ordered river ships. The most famous ships built at this shipbuilding enterprise: Project 26-37 (year of construction of the lead ship and name - 1957," October Revolution", 14 vessels of this project were built); Project 92-016 (1976, “Valerian Kuibyshev”, 9 units were built, they are the largest river vessels in the world of this class).

Famous personalities
Franz Lehar, born here in 1870.
Ladislaus Postumus, born here in 1440.
Ivan Reitman, born here in 1946.

Attractions
Remains of the ancient Roman military camp of Kalamantia
Komarno Fortress
Church of St. Andrey
Church of St. Rosalia
College of Benedictines
Lutheran Church
Calvinist Church
Orthodox Church
Synagogue
Historic houses and palaces

International organizations

The base is located in Komarno International Academy San Marino (AIS San-Marino).

Komárno (Slovakian: Komárno, German: Komorn, Hungarian: Komárom), a city on the territory of Žitnoy Island in southwestern Slovakia on the Danube. The population is about 37 thousand people, most of whom are Hungarians (60.1%), Slovaks (34.5%).

In the 1st century, the Roman settlement of Brigetio arose on the site of Komárno. In the 4th century, the Romans were driven out by barbarians. In the 6th century, Avars and Slavs penetrated here; in the 8th century, the territory probably became part of Great Moravia. In the 9th century, the Hungarians appeared here, and already in the 10th century, the first Hungarian fortress Kamarum, the capital of the county of the same name, appeared here. The first mention of it occurs in 1075. In 1265, Béla IV gave Komárno city rights. In the 16th century, during the wars with the Ottoman Empire, a powerful fortress was built in Komarno - the Old Fortress. In the 17th century, the New Fortress was built. Komárno was never taken by the Turks. After the end of wars in the 18th century, Komarno became one of the most prosperous cities in Austria. In 1745, Maria Theresa gave Komárno the rights of a free royal city. In 1870, a modern fortress was completed here, one of the most important in Austria-Hungary. In 1898, a shipbuilding plant was founded in the city. In 1918, after the collapse of Austria-Hungary, the city was divided into two parts. The larger one falls into Czechoslovakia, the smaller one - under the Magyarized name Komárom - into Hungary. In 1938, before the outbreak of World War II, Czechoslovak Komárno, as well as adjacent territories on the northern bank of the Danube, were transferred from Czechoslovakia to Hungary (see Munich Agreement and First Vienna Arbitration). On March 28, 1945, the city was liberated by the Red Army.

History of economic cooperation

During the existence of the Eastern Bloc at the Komarno shipyard "Narodny Podnik Skoda Komarno (Slovenske Lodenice n.p. Komarno)" Soviet Union ordered river boats. The most famous ships built at this shipbuilding enterprise: project 26-37 (year of construction of the lead ship and name - 1957, “October Revolution”, 14 ships of this project were built); project 92-016 (1976, “Valerian Kuibyshev”, 9 units were built, they are the largest river vessels in the world of this class). The dock is currently used for ship repairs.

Famous personalities

Franz Lehar, born here in 1870. Ladislaus Postum, born here in 1440. Ivan Reitman, born here in 1946. Hans Selye

Attractions

Remains of the ancient Roman military camp Kalamantia Komarno Fortress Church of St. Andrew's Church of St. Rosalia Collegium of Benedictines Lutheran Church Calvinist Church Orthodox Church Synagogue Historic houses and palaces

International organizations

The base of the International Academy of San Marino (AIS San-Marino) is located in Komárno.

Twin Cities

Blansko (Czech Blansko), Czech Republic Weissenfels (German Weißenfels), Germany Komárom, Hungary Kralupi nad Vlatvou, Czech Republic Lieto (Finnish Lieto, Swedish Lundo), Finland Nizhny Novgorod, Russia…