Spectacular Slovakia - Western Slovakia 2

Includes pull-out map slovakiatravel guide SPECTACULAR SLOVAKIA content advisor

Bojnice Castle The annual coronation ceremony Hronsek Štiavnické vrchy Banská Bystrica How to use this guide 2 Seven day itinerary 4 Slovakia’sTOP 10 5 History 6 Changing Slovakia 12 Personalities 16 UNESCO 20 Sight by sight Bratislava 26 Bratislava Region 45 Western Slovakia 60 Central Slovakia 96 Northern Slovakia 118 Eastern Slovakia 166 Feature section Castles 200 Slovak art 204 Folklore 209 Gothic architecture 212 Religion 214 Wooden churches 216 Jewish heritage 220 Spas 223 Wine 228 Beer & Spirits 232 Food 234 Agritourism 238 Animal watching 240 Horses 242 Cycling 245 Rafting 249 Hiking 252 Caves 256 Skiing 259 Aqua 262 Best deals 265 Extreme - heights 268 Speed, army 270 Out of the city 272 Luxury 274 Golf 276 Genealogy 280 War 282 Mines, technical monuments 285 Industrial tours 288 Economy 290 Basics for tourists Language (inside front cover) Souvenirs 294 Events 294 Travellers’ needs 300 Restaurants 302 Index (inside back cover) Pull-out map (inside back cover) CONTENTS

Live your own story of Slovakia Top Slovak sights 32 travel feature stories Pull-out map of Slovakia Suggested seven day itinerary Information and contact details for more than 450 tourist spots Drawings of 28 historical monuments 3D aerial drawings of 7 major city centres 17 maps of city centres and major mountains More than 1,000 photos Calendar of events Selection of top hotels and restaurants ISBN 978-80-971719-0-2 The Slovak Spectator Slovak news you can trust since 1995 sPecTAcULAR sLOVAKiA

Western Slovakia Western Slovakia boasts both hilly regions and lowlands including Slovakia’s agricultural heartland in the south-central region. This area is the least forested part of the country with the largest proportion of ethnic Hungarian residents. The area around cities such asTrenčín andTrnava is relatively wealthy making it one of the most heavily industrialised parts of the country after Bratislava. The presence of the car maker PSA Citroën-Peugeot or electronics giant Samsung is a good illustration of this industrial character.The area offers a number of curative mineral springs, and a couple of notable spas built around these springs, such as Piešťany andTrenčianskeTeplice. The Žitný ostrov river-island area has been surrounded by the Danube, Malý Dunaj andVáh rivers while extending from Bratislava to Štúrovo, is rich in thermal water springs and offers a number of thermal parks including Thermal Corvinus inVeľký Meder, Thermalpark in Dunajská Streda orVadaš in Štúrovo. The Žitný ostrov area is also home of the largest drinking water reservoirs in the country.Thanks to its geography, the region features castles and fortresses built as part of the network of anti-Ottoman fortresses to protect the northern territories of the Kingdom of Hungary. Europe’s largest fortresses is in Komárno.Trenčín Castle and the country’s popular fairy-tale castle in Bojnice are among western Slovakia’s architectural landmarks. Besides being the home of the oldest city, Nitra, western Slovakia also features Skalica, another old Slovak town, which is notable not only for its historical beauties but also for its delicacies like trdelník, and the dark red and thick wine Skalický Rubín.Wineries are also prospering well in a number of other towns in western Slovakia. There is also a captive breeding population of the European bison.  pages 62-63  pages 84-85 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 33 34 35 36 3 3 39 43 44 45 47 46 48 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 23 Podhájs 60 introduction to western slovakia

1 Skalica W (town, food, wine, golf) pg 62-63, 263-264, 276 2 Holíč (castle) pg 64, 271 3 Kopčany (church, horses) pg 64, 242 4 Šaštín-Stráže (religion) pg 64-65 5 Šajdíkove Humence (golf) pg 65, 276 6 Smrdáky (spa) pg 223 7 Senica (car racing) pg 270, 276, 238, 271 8 Branč (castle - ruins) pg 66 9 Myjava (distilleries) pg 233 10 Mohyla M. R. Štefánika (monument) pg 66 11 Kláštor Katarínka (Dechtice) (monastery - ruins) pg 66, 273 12 Smolenice (castle, cave) pg 66-67 13 Dolná Krupá (manor house) pg 67 14 Trnava W (city, churches) pg 67-69, 214, 206, 230, 232, 242, 265, 271 15 Jaslovské Bohunice (nuclear power plant) pg 288-289 16 Piešťany W (town, spa, golf) pg 69-70, 274-275, 224, 263, 277 17 Krakovany (wine) pg 230 18 Podolie (castle models) pg 70 19 Tematín (castle - ruins) pg 70, 273 20 Čachtice (castle - ruins) pg 70-71, 202 21 Lubina (farm) pg 71 22 Beckov (castle - ruins) pg 71 23 Trenčín W (city, castle, flights) pg 72-74, 206, 265, 268-269, 271, 288 24 Skalka nad Váhom (monastery) pg 71, 214 25 Trenčianske Teplice (spa) pg 74-75, 225 26 Lednické Rovne (museum) pg 75, 273 27 Považská Bystrica (city) pg 75, 273 28 Manínska tiesňava (hiking) pg 75 29 Bojnice W (castle, spa, zoo) pg 76-78, 201, 226 30 Prievidza (city, flights) pg 78, 268 31 Cigeľ (mine) pg 285 32 Oslany (car racing) pg 270 33 Bojná (museum) pg 80, 238, 242 34 Oponice (manor house) pg 80 35 Dražovce (church) pg 80-81 36 Nitra W (city, castle, flights) pg 84-85, 270-271, 211, 238, 242, 265-266, 268 37 Hrušov (castle - ruins) pg 81 38 Topoľčianky W (castle, horses, bisons) pg 81-82, 243, 230 39 Tesárske Mlyňany (arboretum) pg 82-83 40 Mochovce (nuclear power plant) pg 288 41 Levice (town, castle) pg 83, 262, 271 42 Brhlovce (cave dwellings) pg 83 43 Podhájska (aqua) pg 262 44 Nové Zámky (town, aqua) pg 87-89, 220, 262, 266, 271 45 Kolárovo (water mill) pg 89 46 Komárno W (town, fortress) pg 90-92, 284, 201, 207, 220, 262 47 Iža (military camp) pg 92 48 Patince (aqua) pg 262-263 49 Belá (manor house) pg 274-275, 251, 230, 231 50 Štúrovo (aqua) pg 262 51 Veľký Meder (aqua) pg 262, 265 52 Gabčíkovo (dam) pg 288, 263 53 Dunajská Streda (town, aqua) pg 93-94, 265 54 Orechová Potôň (car racing) pg 270 55 Báč (golf) pg 277 56 Šamorín (horses, church) pg 242-244, 212, 221, 281 57 Jelka (water mill, golf) pg 92, 277 58 Galanta (town, aqua) pg 93, 238, 242, 262, 272 59 Tomášikovo (water mill) pg 93  page 262  pages 69-70  pages 76-78  pages 81-82  pages 72-74  pages 90-92  page 75 28 29 30 31 32 37 38 40 41 42 49 50 Cígeľ ska introduction to western slovakia 61

80 western slovakia 31 ciGeľ (mine)  page 285 32 oSlany (car racing)  page 270 33 Bojná map C 4  100 km / 62 miles (78 min) NE of Bratislava  2,013 www.bojna.sk  Archeologické múzeum Veľkej Moravy (Archaeological Museum of Great Moravia)  Bojná 201 - in the building of the municipal office +421 (0)903 211-785   Mon-Sun 10:00- 12:00, 12:30-16:00 €1   WC Bojná is a small village close to Topoľčany and home to priceless findings of the oldest Christian relics in Slovakia. Those relics prove the existence of a Slavic fortified settlement on the site and have re-written the earliest history of what is now Slovakia. Systematic archaeological excavations of Valy, as the settlement is known because of still visible fortification walls, started in 2007 and continue to this day, uncovering precious findings each year. The most valuable are six bronze gold-plated hammered plaques dating from between 780- 820 AD. It is believed that they were part of a movable altar and along with the still ringing bronze bell found with an iron hearth, prove that Christianity existed on this territory even before the arrival of Ss Cyril and Methodius. The settlement existed here from the 8th century until around 920, when it was destroyed and never rebuilt. Archaeologists have uncovered objects for daily usage as well as jewels and decorations proving that Valy was the home of the local Slavic elite. The site, about 7 km from the village, with some of the former simple housings as well as a reconstructed bread oven, is open to the public while the museum in Bojná presents more precious findings including copies of the plaques and the recorded sounds of the bell. 34 oponice map C 4  112 km / 70 miles (73 min) NE of Bratislava  879 www.oponice.sk  Kaštieľ Oponice (Château Appony)  Oponice 271, Oponice +421 (0)38 323-8111 www.chateauappony.sk  historical library: Tue-Fri 9:00–6:00 (entry every hour) Sat-Sun 10:00-16:00 (entry every hour) €6    WC Situated betweenTopoľčany and Nitra, the small village of Oponice was run by the Appony family from 1392 until 1940. The first Appony residence became the Appony Castle, undoubtedly the most famous landmark in the region. Appony Castle, standing atop Tribeč hill, was built in the 13th century. It was inhabited until 1645, after which it was abandoned because of a property dispute between brothers in the Appony family.Today, a fortification tower and the remains of castle palaces and outbuilding constructions are still recognisable. The best- preserved part of the ruins is the western fortification, with a massive bastion. Nearby is another significant building belonging to the Appony family, a 16th - century Renaissance chateau, later rebuilt in the neo-gothic style, in an English park. The building houses a unique baroque library containing about 20,000 volumes. After a recent extensive reconstruction, it now serves as a luxurious hotel with a wellness centre and saunas, a swimming pool and hot tub. Apart from the chateau, the area offers visitors numerous other places of interest, such as the hunting and ethnography museum, with artefacts from American bomber planes. It is also possible to visit the wine cellars near the castle and taste the finest wine from the local vineyards. 35 dražovce mapC496km/60miles(60min)EofBratisla- va147 www.drazovce.ocu.sk Románskykostolíksv.MichalaArchanjela (RomanesqueChurchofStMichaelthe Archangel) onarockyhillaboveDražovce Pekná(- publictransportNo.4,2)+421(0)903249-879 bookingnecessarySep29voluntary (partly;callinadvancenecessary) Dražovce, a small village at the foot of the Zobor hill, has been part of the city of Nitra since 1975. It is a significant archaeological site, where a Great-Moravian fortress and graves from the 11th century were found. But the village is known especially for the romanesque Church of St Michael the Archangel, which dates back to the 11th century. It sits atop the hill above the village, providing a view over the surrounding area. The church’s importance is proven by the fact that it was Photo:VieraŠramková Photo:VieraŠramková

western slovakia 81 destroyed several times but always reconstructed. The present church is a result of several reconstructions, but it has retained its romanesque appearance. According to a legend connected to the church, the Virgin Mary once revealed herself to a shepherd at this site and pointed to the dilapidated condition of the church. The locals suddenly became aware of the church’s poor state, and from then on began reconstructing it, and they have put considerable care into preserving it to this day. The church stopped offering regular services after a new church was built down in the village in 1803. Its existence was threatened during the communist regime when the rocky area nearby was used for quarrying. This explains why the building stands near the edge of a steep cliff today. The church is open during the festival of its patron, St Michael, on September 29, but masses are held irregularly, as well as weddings. It is possible to make arrangements with the local vicar to see the interior. 36 nitra (city,castle)  page 84 37 Hrad HruŠov (Hrušov Castle - ruins) map C 4  137 km / 85 miles (90 min) SE of Bratislava Skýcov, Hrušov hrad  www. regionnitra.sk  4 km / 2.7 miles NW of the bus stop (from the bus stop follow the red tourist sign) non-stop South of the village Skýcov are ruins of the Hrušov Castle. From the main road, near the sign, go on foot for 15 to 20 minutes along the forest road to find ruins of the gothic castle dating back to the 13th century. It is situated on the top of the hill providing a beautiful view over the surrounding country. During its history the castle had many owners until it was destroyed in 1708. Nowadays a group of volunteers that call themselves Leustachs are fixing the ruins, and have been doing so for more than nine years. Leustach, one of the early owners of the castle, was one of the best known, powerful and wealthy men of the Hungarian Kingdom during the second half of the 14th century. Near the ruins is a shelter for tourists, where they can stay the night in sleeping bags under the stars. 38 topoľčianky X map C 4  127 km / 79 miles NE of Bratislava (82 min)  2,747 www. topolcianky.sk   Zámok Topoľčianky (Chateau Topoľčianky)  Parková 1, Topoľčianky +421 (0)37 777- 7555  www.zamok-topolcianky.sk Oct-Apr: Tue-Fri 9:00, 10:30, 12:30, 14:00 Sat-Sun 12:00, 13:30, 15:00; May-Sep: Tue-Fri 9:00-15:00 (entran- ce every hour except 12:00) Sat-Sun 13:00-17:00 (entrance every hour) €3.8   WC Nearly 3,000 people live in the village of Topoľčianky, but none have had quite the same impact as one of its temporary guests. The town is best-known for its majestic manor house which, in the 1920s, became the summer retreat of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, the first president of the Czechoslovak Republic. The village retains the charms that led the leader here in the first place, including 400 years of history before Masaryk arrived. The manor, which was also once a summer residence of the Habsburgs, stands proudly at the centre of a vast and sumptuous estate, comprising two vast game reserves, hectares of landscaped, woody gardens and a number of outbuildings that are mansions in themselves. The main manor house was first constructed in the 15th century, although most of what visitors see now was rebuilt in Renaissance, baroque and classicist designs, including a splendid galleried courtyard and a towering cupola. Inside, a stern statue of Masaryk welcomes visitors to what, in addition to a hotel, doubles as a venue for weddings and conferences and a museum of historical furniture. The museum is where restoration work is most required: the furniture dates through about 300 years and was collected from across the world, but some of the upholstery is dull and dirty and paint is peeling from doors and walls. Nevertheless, it is a sizeable collection with some amusing curiosities among the more standard pieces: a tea cup with a moustache protector, for example, and a table inlaid with a portrait of Louis XVI surrounded by pictures of his and his predecessors’ 17 mistresses. Most tours will finish in Masaryk’s former office, which is arranged as though he had just popped out for a quick stroll. His tiny desk sits beneath the window, with a pen and a telephone poised. Photo:JanaVašašová

82 western slovakia Národný žrebčín (National Stud Farm)  Parková 13, Topoľčianky +421 (0)37 630- 1613 www.nztopolcianky.sk  Tue–Fri 9:00-14:00, Sat 14:00-16:00 (entrance every hour except 12:00) from €1.50    WC No estate worth its salt should be without a stud farm, and Topoľčianky has one of the best. It is run by a state-owned company with one branch of its huge operation based in a complex of stables and paddocks that neighbour the main manor house. The entire organisation has around 500 thoroughbred horses and is the only centre in the whole of Europe that focuses on four breeds: the Arabian, Lipizzaner, Hucul, and sport horses. The stud farm is open to visitors year round, and a tour offers plenty of chances to examine these proud beasts being put through their paces by lone riders in the outdoor show arena, or being drilled in the fine art of dressage in a dusty exhibition hall. The centre also offers the chance for visitors to climb aboard – either the horse itself or in a horse-drawn carriage – for some fun in the fields. For all the frivolity, this is, of course, a place of business and is likely to be of most interest to serious horse breeders. Zubria zvernica Topoľčianky (Bison Park Topoľčianky)  To reach the park turn left in Topoľčianky’s main square and head through two villages which both con- tain signs to the Bison Park. It is situated in the woods near the village Lovce. +421 (0)915 899-911 www.zubor.topolcianky.sk  Mon-Sun 9:00- 17:00 (feeding time: 9:00, 14:00) €2   WC The European bison, or wisent, is Europe’s largest mammal but, it has been hunted almost to extinction. That it has survived at all is something of an achievement for which the Topoľčianky Bison Reserve is due some of the credit. By the 1930s only a handful of wisents remained, mostly in Poland. A captive breeding population was established and at the time the Topoľčianky reserve was established in 1958, there were 150. The reserve opened with the donation of a pair of wisents from Belarus, but most fondly remembered by staff at the reserve are a Polish pair, Putifár and Pumarka, who arrived in 1963. The 1,230-kilogram Putifár, described as having been among the mightiest specimens of his kind, wasted no time and he and his fellow wisents contributed to the Topoľčianky reserve’s total output of almost 150 calves, of which some were sent to zoos and other reserves. The global population is now more than 3,000, and in 2004 the reserve started releasing small groups into the Poloniny National Park in eastern Slovakia, where they appear to be thriving. Putifár is no longer with us, though visitors can visit his final resting place, which is part of a 2.5-kilometre trail encircling the bison enclosure. The dozen or so resident adults and adolescent wisents line up along a fence near the visitor centre twice a day to be fed. 39 teSárSke mlyňany map C 4  119 km / 74 miles NE of Bratislava (69 min)  1,683 www.tesarskemlynany.sk   Arborétum Mlyňany (Arboretum Mlyňany)  Vieska nad Žitavou 178, Vieska nad Žitavou (on a gentle hill in the village confines Tesárske Mlyňany and Vieska nad Žitavou) +421 (0)37 633-4211 www.arboretum.sav.sk  Nov-Mar: Mon-Sun 8:00-16:00; Apr-Oct: Mon-Sun 8:00-18:00 €3.5    WC The small village of Tesárske Mlyňany is mostly known for the 67-hectare arboretum, which was formed in 1892 by lawyer Štefan Ambrózy-Migazzi as an evergreen park. Today the arboretum is administered by the Slovak Academy of Sciences, InsideoftheChateauTopoľčianky Chateau Topoľčianky

western slovakia 83 which continues in Ambrózy’s work, introducing and acclimatising evergreen trees by importing as many non-native species as is possible to grow in Slovakia. There are now more than 2,000 deciduous and coniferous plants from around the world. While the character of Ambrózy’s original park of 40 hectares, in which the trees were grouped together regardless of their origin, has been preserved, more recent areas of planting are divided and named according to areas from which their trees and plants come. These include sections dedicated to East Asia, North America, Korea and plants native to Slovakia. In the arboretum there is a highly specialised library focusing on dendrology and dendrobiology. 40 mocHovce (nuclear power plant)  page 288 41 levice map D 5  149 km / 93 miles (93 min) E of Bratislava  34,844  Holubyho 6, Levice +421 (0)36 631-8037 www.levice.sk   1.8 km / 1.1 miles SW of centre Levický hrad (Levice Castle - ruins)  Sv. Michala, Levice (near the Jewish synagogue) +421 (0)36 631-2112  www.muzeumlevice.sk  Jun-Sep: Mon-Fri 9:00-18:00 Sat-Sun 10:00-18:00  Apr, May, Oct: Mon-Fri 9:00-16:00 Sat-Sun 10:00- 16:00; Nov-Mar: Mon-Fri 9:00-16:00 Sun 10:00-16:00 €1    (partly) WC Židovská synagóga (Jewish synagogue)  Kalmána Kittenbergera 2281, Levice  +421 (0)36 381-2211   www.mskslevice. sk  May-Oct: Tue-Sun 10:00-13:30, 14:00- 18:00  Mon-Fri 9:00-13:00, 13:30-17:00 Sat-Sun 10:00-12:00, 14:00-17:00 €0.5   WC When you say Levice, the capital of the Tekov region, almost everybody thinks about Hungary. It is because the town Levice was in the past a part of Hungary and the most important history belongs to the Levice Castle built in the 13th century. The castle protected against Ottoman invaders, but was finally conquered in 1663. The last owners were the Eszterházy family in the 18th century. Currently the castle consists of the inner castle with ruins of the gothic palace and the watchtower originally protected by bastions (one now houses a tea house) and the lower castle with the Dobó’s manor house and the so-called Captain’s House. The castle houses the Tekov Museum and cultural events take place here, too. Near the castle is another notable building – the Jewish synagogue built in 1853 and rebuilt in 1883. The synagogue, built in an eclectic style, underwent extensive reconstruction in 2010-2012 and now serves as a place for marriages, exhibitions and other cultural events. 42 BrHlovce map D 5  161 km / 100 miles (105 min) E of Bratislava  310 www.brhlovce.sk  Skalné obydlia (cliff dwellings)  Brhlovce 142, Brhlovce +421 (0)36 631-2112 www.muzeumlevice.sk  Nov-Mar: booking nece- ssary; Apr-Oct: Mon-Sun 09:00-12:00, 12:45-16:00 €0.66  Brhlovce is famous in Slovakia for its cliff dwellings. Despite the name, these are not the remains of a prehistoric civilisation, though some are pretty old, but the product of some ingenuity in exploiting local geography. The rock hereabouts is largely volcanic tuff: light but strong and easily worked. In Brhlovce it emerges from the ground as a cliff, into which several houses have been cut over the years. The downsides of this approach (no chimney; no windows on three sides; every extra inch of headspace requires a lot of extra chiselling) were outweighed by the cheap real estate (just find a patch of rock and start digging) and the inside temperature (the rooms are a constant 17-18 degree Celsius, winter or summer). There is also the security aspect: the caves are popularly believed to have provided protection from marauding Ottomans in the 16th and 17th centuries. Each cave-house in the village now has a more conventional dwelling in front of it, though several of the caves are reportedly still inhabited. One has been turned into a museum. Its rooms, and especially the open-air workshop, have very low ceilings. But they are south-facing and so not as dingy as they may sound. There is even a moderately pleasant first-floor terrace. Inside plumbing was never really an option, and a deep well in the courtyard provides water. Outgoing traffic is left to the imagination. 43 podHájSka (thermal park)  page 262

1 Hrad,Bazilikasv.Emeráma (Castle,StEmeram’sCathedral) NámestieJánaPavlaII.7,Nitra +421(0)37772- 1724www.biskupstvo-nitra.skMon-Sat9:00-12:00, 13:00-18:00;Sun10:00-12:00,14:00-17:00 Mon-Sat9:00-12:00,13:00-16:00Sun10:00-12:00, 14:00-16:00bookingnecessaryMon-Sat7:00Sun 7:00,9:00€0.3    WC The castle hill is part of the upper town and is the most significant sight in the city centre. This fortified complex consists of the cathedral, the bishop’s residence and a seminary. St Emeram’s Cathedral dominates the complex and actually consists of three churches: the 11th - century romanesque St Emeram church; the originally gothic, 14th -century upper church; and the lower church from the 17th century. The oldest church contains relics of St Andrew-Svorad, St Emeram and St Benedict. The complex is dedicated to these three saints, who were very significant in Slovak history. The reliquary of St Cyril, the missionary who brought the first Slavic script to the current territory of Slovakia, was a gift from Pope Paul VI. The building’s history can be seen in the rich decorations, which span centuries. A recent reconstruction uncovered a unique fresco of high artistic value and technical quality from around 1400, showing that the church may still contain hidden treasures. The Diocesan Museum in the bishop’s residence offers insight into the history of the place as well as the Nitra Bishopric. Many of the buildings surrounding the cathedral are either private residences or administrative offices and are off limits to the public. But it is possible to explore some areas of the former fortifications, including star-shaped, single- man watchtowers, and also to look at the imposing statues of Ss Cyril and Methodius, the trailblazers who brought Christianity and literacy to Slovakia. 2 Pribinovo námestie (Pribina Square) Down the hill, but still in “upper” Nitra, the small Staré Mesto (OldTown) is essentially defined by a tranquil, grassed square featuring two notable statues and a church, hemmed in by a series of elegant buildings, most of which are protected cultural sites. The two statues are of the proud Prince Pribina, the first ruler of Nitra, who stands haughtily in the centre of the square that bears his name, and the crumbling, legendary Corgoň, Nitra’s very own Atlas character, who single- handedly repelled an Ottoman invasion and is now forever cast holding something heavy above his head. In this case, it is the corner of the Canon House. Corgoň’s toes are also slightly the worse for wear, the result of generations of superstitious passers-by attempting to absorb some of the strongman’s might by touching his feet. 84 western slovakia - nitra 36 nitra X map C 4  95 km / 59.3 miles (60 min) NE of Bratislava  78,916 Štefánikova trieda 1, Nitra +421 (0)37 741-0906 www.nitra.sk   1.8 km / 1.1 miles SW of centre  June: Musica Sacra; May: Adrenaline weekend; July: Days of Slavs; August: Agrokomplex; September: Theatre Nitra; December: Christmas market Called the mother of Slovak towns, Nitra is Slovakia’s fifth largest city, and the country’s oldest. The first mention of Nitra was in 828, but the region was settled thousands of years earlier. Nitra was at the centre of events that formed the history of Slovakia, and also became one of the significant centres of the once huge Great Moravian Empire. The city is directly linked with the first Slavic, Glagolitic, script, and the first Christian church was built here in 828. The next milestone in the city’s history came in 1248, when Nitra became a free royal town. Several centuries and battles later, the uprising of Francis II Rákóczi in the 18th century devastated the city, which had to be rebuilt. Today the city is the regional capital, bubbling over with university, cultural and industrial life. Nitra hosts numerous events throughout the year, including theatre and music festivals. Perhaps the most popular is the international Divadelná Nitra theatre festival, held in the modern building of the Andrej Bagar Theatre. One of the symbols of Nitra is the noted beer Corgoň, dating back to 1896, and named after a legendary blacksmith who saved the city from the Ottomans. The city centre is divided in half: the old “upper” town which includes the cathedral and historic Pribina Square, with the bronze statue of Prince Pribina; and the distinctly 20th -century “lower” town. For those fancying a hike, Nitra’s seven hills (like in Rome) are ideal and plenty of energetic visitors opt for Zobor, easily recognised by the eye-scarring television tower at its summit. It’s about an hour’s trudge from the outskirts of the town. Walkers with a more religious purpose are drawn to the calvary, the destination for pilgrims since the 18th century, which occupies a limestone hillock south of the centre. Bishop’s palace Statue of Prince Pribina Tourist train in Nitra

3 Kostol sv. Petra a Pavla (Church of Ss Peter and Paul)  Samova 2, Nitra +421 (0)37 651-3091  before the service and for performances  Mon-Sat 6:30, 18:30 Sun 7:00, 8:30, 10:00, 11:30 (H), 18:30  voluntary The Franciscan monastery with the Church of Ss Peter and Paul is one of the upper town’s dominant structures. The complex was built in 1624-1634 in the Renaissance style and given a baroque facelift in the 18th century. The most valuable features of the church’s interior include 33 wooden reliefs depicting the life of St Francis of Assisi, the patron of the order. It is the work of Austrian sculptor Franz Xaver Seegen. Like many churches, this one has an organ, but it also allows visitors to go upstairs to get a closer look at it, as well as to take in the attractive view of the church below. 4 Nitrianska galéria (Nitra Gallery)  Župné námestie 3, Nitra +421 (0)37 657-9641  www.nitrianskagaleria.skTue-Fri 10:00-18:00 Sat-Sun 13:00-18:00 €3  WC At the foot of the upper town, within the ornate regional government building, is the Nitra Gallery. Aside from traditional exhibition spaces, a former Cold War bunker under the building has been converted to house art installations. 5 Ponitrianske múzeum (Nitra Museum)  Štefánikova trieda 1, Nitra +421 (0)37 651-0000  www.muzeumnitra.sk  Mon 9:00-15:00; Thu-Fri 9:00-17:00; Sat-Sun 10:00-17:00 €1   WC The regional museum documents the development of nature and society in the districts of Nitra, Zlaté Moravce and Šaľa, covering archaeology, ethnography, history, numismatics, botany, geology and zoology. Its history dates back to the second half of the 19th century, when the founders and first collectors of artefacts were professors and students of the Piaristic secondary school in Nitra. The museum sits in the former town hall building, constructed in the neo-renaissance style, designed by architect Ján Lyka. 6 Synagóga (synagogue)  Pri synagóge 3, Nitra +421 (0)37 652-5320     Tue 13:00-18:00 Wed-Thu 9:00-12:00, 13:00-18:00 Sat-Sun: 13:00-18:00 open also for performances €1   (partly) WC One of the biggest Jewish communities in Slovakia could be found in Nitra at the turn of the 19th and the 20th centuries, and Nitra was an important centre of Jewish life in the country. There were two synagogues in the city, as well as a famous yeshiva of Rabbi Samuel Unger. Most of the Jewish community, which made up about one-quarter of the city’s population in 1942, perished during the Holocaust.Today, the Neolog synagogue, built in 1908- 1911 according to the design of Budapest-based architect Leopold Baumhorn, is the most visible reminder of the former Jewish presence in the city. The twin-tower synagogue, which fuses Moorish, Byzantine and art nouveau styles, no longer functions as a place of worship, and is now the property of the municipality and used to host cultural and social events. It also holds the permanent exhibition, the Destiny of the Slovak Jews, and a permanent display of paintings by prominent Israeli artist Shraga Weil, a native and an honorary citizen of Nitra. For information about Slovak Agricultural Museum in Nitra see page 211 and forTourist flights in Nitra see page 268. western slovakia - nitra 85 Sládkovičova Trainstation19min FraňaMojtu Župné nám. Na vŕšku Podzámska Sládkovičova Mariánska Farská JesenskéhoFarská AndrejaŠulgana JozefaVuruma FraňaMojtu Štefánikovatrieda Samova Sládkovičova Podzámska Parkovénábrežie Nábrežiem Jesenského Farská Kmeťkov Podzámska Kmeťkova Piaristická Mostná BoženyNemcovej Kúpeľná Radlinského Pri synagóge Kupecká Wilsonovonábrežie Napredmostí Podzámska Ďurková Kúpeľná Mostná Kráľovskácesta Svätoplukovo nám. Samova NámestieJánaPavlaII. Východná NámestieJána PavlaII. SamovaPribinovonám. Mapka_Nitra.indd 1 20. 8. N i 5 6 1 3 4 2 Entrance to the castle Diocesan Museum St Emeram’s Cathedral

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44 nové zámky map C 5  115 km / 71.5 miles (89 min) SE of Bratislava  39,646  Hlavné námestie 7, Nové Zámky +421 (0)35 644-5303 www.novezamky.sk    June: Countryfest; June/September: Aviation Day In the centre of Slovakia’s agricultural heartland and near the Nitra River stands Nové Zámky. The area was already inhabited in the early Stone Age – archaeological discoveries revealed that these prehistoric people, just like the civilised people later on, took advantage of this fertile soil. There are also some discoveries of cemeteries from the 6th century located around the town, which indicate the presence of Slavic people in this area. But the most important event for this town was the inglorious battle near the Hungarian town of Mohács in 1526, in which armed forces of the Kingdom of Hungary were defeated by armies of the Ottoman Empire led by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. This was a decisive event for the history of eastern and central Europe for several centuries. The Ottoman victory led to the partition of Hungary between the Ottoman Empire, the Habsburg Monarchy, and the Principality ofTransylvania. The southern part of what is now Slovakia became a kind of a buffer zone, with many anti-Ottoman fortresses being built. The first fortress in Nové Zámky was completed in 1546, but it was a later version on adjacent grounds called Nové Zámky Castle that played the most important role in the city’s history. Somewhat smaller than the fortress in Komárno, this fort was hexagonal in shape with six bastions and two gates. The town it encircled was laid out with rectangular streets with an oblong square in the middle. The fortress was enclosed with up to a 35-metre wide and 4.5-metre deep moat. The architects of this fortification, considered at the time one of the most modern Renaissance fortresses in Europe, were the Italian military engineers and brothers Ottavio and Giulio Baldigara. The fortress withstood several Ottoman attacks and it was not until the invasion in 1663 that the Ottomans were able to overrun it. The fall of Nové Zámky had serious consequences for the entire region – opening the way for the Ottomans to occupy the regions of Nitra, Levice, Hlohovec and more. Nové Zámky was the northernmost fortress controlled by the Ottomans, who ruled town for 22 years. The town was liberated from Ottoman rule in 1685. The fortress was restored and played a significant role during the anti-Habsburg rebellion. Francis II Rákóczi, the leader of the rebels, stayed there for a time in 1706. After the rebellion was suppressed, Emperor Charles III ordered the fortress demolished in 1724. This marked the end of Nové Zámky’s strategic importance. DuringWorldWar II, Nové Zámky belonged to Hungary based on theVienna Arbitrage, and was seriously damaged by bombing by the Allies. Now reconstructed, the town is proud of its cultural and natural landmarks. western slovakia - nové zámky 87Photo:courtesyoftheErnestZmetákArtGalleryinNovéZámky Sculpture of the Holy Trinity CourtesyofthetheErnestZmetákArtGalleryinNovéZámky

Kostol Povýšenia Svätého kríža (Church of the Holy Cross Elevation)  Hlavné námestie, Nové Zámky +421 (0)35 640-0435  exterior views only  Mon-Fri 16:30, 17:00,17:30,18:00; Sat 7:00, 17:30, 18:00; Sun 7:00, 8:30, 10:00, 11:30, 18:00 The tallest building of the main square, standing directly in front of the sculpture of the HolyTrinity, is the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Cross Elevation. It was built between 1584 and 1585 and originally it was a late- gothic church. However, it was reconstructed so many times that it eventually lost these features. During the times of the Ottoman occupation, it was rebuilt into a mosque. In 1810, the church was completely destroyed in a fire and in 1877 it was rebuilt into the neo- classicist church that is seen today. Súsošie svätej Trojice (Sculpture of the Holy Trinity)  Hlavné námestie, Nové Zámky The baroque Sculpture of the Holy Trinity includes some rococo features and was created in 1749 to mark the end of the plague. It now dominates the main square of Nové Zámky, where it was relocated in 1993. This is actually a copy of a masterpiece by an unknown sculptor. This version is thought to be the work of several Italian artists. Remains of the original sculpture are in the local Museum of Ján Thain devoted to the history of Nové Zámky. Kalvária (Calvary)  Forgáchova bašta / Pod kalváriou, Nové Zámky  open for visitors only on Easter and during the town market The baroque Calvary was built in 1779 based on the initiative of the local parish priest Martin Predmerský. It sits on a hill, which is actually the remains of the Forgách bastion in the southeastern part of the town fortress. It consists of 12 late-baroque chapels of the Stations of the Cross. The main chapel is from the early 19th century. It can be reached by stone stairs leading up to the sandstone Calvary and chapels. Františkánsky kostol a katakomby (Franciscan Church and catacombs)  Kostolná 1, Nové Zámky +421 (0)35 640-0435  exterior views only  Mon-Fri: 6:45, 17:00 Sun: 6:45, 8:00, 10:00, 17:00 (the catacombs under the church are not open to the public, it is necessary to call the monastery before visiting to make an appointment) Nové Zámky is a notable centre of the Franciscan Order in Slovakia – not only because it is a magnificent church built between 1626 and 1631 but also because of the catacombs. The church has always stood among the most important churches in the southern part of the country and was consecrated by Archbishop of Esztergom Péter Pázmány. During the Ottoman occupation, the monastery served as accommodation for Ottoman officers. The church was turned into a warehouse and its tower into a minaret. After the Ottomans were pushed away from the city, it was rebuilt into its current shape. The catacombs were built at the same time as the Franciscan monastery and the church. Originally, they were used as a sacred burial site for monks, but during World War II, they served as a hiding place for thousands of people. Afterwards, the catacombs were used to store groceries. With the fall of the communist regime, the monastery returned to the Franciscans, who will open the catacombs for visitors upon request. Galéria umenia Ernesta Zmetáka (Art Gallery of Ernest Zmeták)  Björnsonova 1, Nové Zámky +421 (0)35 640- 8440  www.galerianz.eu  Tue-Fri 8:00-17:00; Sat 9:00-13:00 €1.5 The art gallery was launched in 1979 at the impetus of Nové Zámky artist Ernest Zmeták (1919- 2004). The permanent exhibition focuses on central-European visual art of the 18th and 19th centuries as well as 19th and 20th century art in Slovakia and Hungary. Most of the exhibited artworks were donated by Zmeták and his wife Danica. 88 western slovakia - nové zámky St Helena Catacombs in the Franciscan Church CollectionoftheErnestZmetákArtGalleryinNovéZámky

western slovakia - nové zámky 89 Their collection is considered to be one of the most important private collections in Slovakia. Zmeták, a painter, graphic artist and illustrator, is one of the most prominent Slovak artists of the second half of the 20th century. In Slovakia, Zmeták joined the movement begun by the most significant representative of Slovak modernism, Ľudovít Fulla, and drew inspiration from Slovakia’s traditional and folk-art heritage. Between 1946 and 1949 he systematically devoted his attention to graphic art, especially wood- printing. With this technique, Zmeták illustrated several books, mainly collections of ballads, poems, and fairy tales. His oeuvre included landscapes, simple rural motifs, still-lifes, portraits, and self-portraits. Letisko (airport)  Komárňanská cesta 94, Nové Zámky +421 (0)948 822-966 www.aeroklub- novezamky.sk  booking necessary: aeroklub.nz@ mail.telekom.sk  from €15 Coming on the road from Komárno near Nové Zámky, there is a small airport with a somewhat surprising history. It was founded in 1931 by the well-known Slovak businessman Tomáš Baťa, who was an early aficionado of air travel. Sadly, after Baťa’s death in an airplane accident in 1932, the airport fell into disuse until the end of World War II. Since then a group of flying buffs has formed a club (Aeroklub Nové Zámky) and taken over the airport which has become a haven for non- commercial fliers. It also rents hangar space for private planes and offers aviation lessons for would-be pilots. Zúgov (water cascades)  4.9 km / 3 miles NE of centre of Nové Zámky; located at the northeast edge of the town of Nové Zámky The waterfalls called Zúgov are part of a natural reserve located in the north-east corner of the city. The Nitra River separates into two different flows, thus creating two different waterfalls. When driving from Komárno, visitors have to cross the town and then turn left. Residents willingly point visitors in the right direction if they want to check out this hidden natural beauty. Termálne kúpalisko Štrand Emila Tatárika (thermal swimming pool)  Bezručova 21, Nové Zámky (3 km / 2 miles NE of centre of Nové Zámky) +421 (0)35 691-1310 www.novovital.sk  Jun, Sep: Mon-Sun 10:00- 18:00; Jul-Aug: Mon-Sun 9:00-19:00  from €3 45 kolárovo map C 5  88 km / 55 miles (91 min) SE of Bratislava  10,696 www.kolarovo.sk  Vodný mlyn Kolárovo (Kolárovo Mill)  Petõfiho rad 23, Kolárovo +421 (0)908 781-146   www.vodnymlyn.sk  Sat-Sun 10:00-17:00 Mon-Fri booking necessary €2    WC  20 min The water mill in Kolárovo stands on two anchored boats on the arm of the Little Danube River. It is 500 metres from town and accessible via an 86-metre-long wooden bridge, which is said to be the longest wooden bridge in Europe. The mill is a functional copy of a historical mill, which originally operated on the Danube near Radvaň. Such floating mills, which are called shipboard or river mills, were actually at one time built on boats that were able to travel up and down the river. These floating mills sometimes combined together to create small floating settlements. Their largest concentration was on the rivers of the Danube and Váh. They disappeared in the 20th century. The area around the water mill in Kolárovo includes an open-air museum exhibiting historical agricultural machinery, an oven for baking bread and a restaurant. FromtheprivatecollectionofErnestandDanicaZmeták

46 komárno W map C 6  127 km / 79 miles (79 min) SE of Bratislava  34,349  Nám. gen. Klapku (next to Town Hall), Komárno +421 (0)948 830-202   1.4 km / 0.9 mile (17 min) N of centre  April/May: Komárno Days; July: Komárno Summer Festival; November: St Andrew’s Fair Komárno is one of the oldest permanently inhabited regions of Slovakia. Situated at the confluence of the Váh and Danube rivers, it is one of the oldest settlements in the Carpathian basin. Its dominant feature is the Komárno fortress, which gives it a worldwide reputation as a city that cannot be conquered. The town is the birthplace of many artists, military leaders and rulers. A visitor can have a look at the old historic town, where tall aristocratic buildings contrast with the rough façades and thick walls of defensive structures. Komárno today is a border town divided by the Danube, with one part in Slovakia and the other in Hungary. The Hungarian town is called Komárom. Komárno has many Hungarian influences going back hundreds of years and many of its inhabitants speak Hungarian. There is even a Hungarian college, J. Selye University. A bridge and a 10-minute walk are all that separate the two countries. 1 Fortress  Hradná 1, Komárno (place to buy tickets and from here you will go with guide to fortress) +421 (0)910 366-659 www.pevnost-komarno.sk Tue-Fri 9:00, 11:00, 14:00; Sat-Sun (only in Jul, Aug) 11:00, 13:00 booking necessary €2 One of the Europe’s largest fortresses, Komárno, lies at the confluence of the Danube and Váh Rivers. Through its 500-year history it has never been conquered. The full boundary of the city fortification comprises 10 bastions standing in a circle around the old town of Komárno, the old and new fort, a few stand-alone bastions by the river and three forts on the Hungarian side of the Danube. The old and new fortresses are the core of an extensive defence system. 2 Old Fortress The old pentagon-shaped fortress was modelled on the best designs of the time. It was constructed on the site of a mediaeval castle during the years 1546-1557, after a loss to the Ottomans in the Battle of Mohács (1526) and was one of a network of anti-Ottoman fortresses built to protect the northern territories of the Kingdom of Hungary. 3 New Fortress After 50 years renewed Ottoman incursions forced a strengthening of defences. A new fortress was built between 1663 and 1673. Again, it was able to withstand the Ottoman attacks. Later, the fortification of the city was extended by the so-called Palatine line, which was designed as an answer to the development of new weapons and strategies. It encircled the fortress and the 90 western slovakia - komárno Europe‘s largest fortress Leopold‘s Gate Military barracks Some parts of the fortress were reconstructed The yard of the Old Fortress Old Fortress New Fortress Atunnelunderthefortress Thefortressisdilapidated

western slovakia - komárno 91 city and consisted of defensive walls, ramparts and bastions.To better protect the city, three other fortresses were built on what is now the Hungarian bank of the Danube River and another fort was built on the Váh River’s embankment. The complex of new and old fortresses has stood for many centuries, defending against Tartars, Ottomans and even the empire’s armies. It was built to house 200,000 soldiers, and was the largest fortress of the Austro- Hungarian Empire. It even had the capacity to house large numbers of civilians inside its walls. This ability came into play a number of times when Vienna and other large cities were besieged. At one point the entire royal court moved into Komárno. All the parts of the fort are connected with tunnels which are still not completely charted. The whole fortification system, thanks to its gradual growth, is now an excellent example of the evolution of war architecture. Visitors might be surprised by the current condition of the main fortress as soldiers were stationed there as late as 2003. The fortress became badly rundown during its occupation by Soviet forces who only left in 1991. 4 Kostol sv. Ondreja apoštola (Church of St Andrew the Apostle)  Palatínova 11, Komárno +421 (0)35 773-0036  exterior views only  Sat 17:00; Sun 9:00, 11:00, 17:00 (due to the reconstruction masses are held only during weekends) The dominant feature of the town of Komárno is the double-tower single-nave Church of St Andrew the Apostle on Palatínova Street. This baroque building was constructed between 1768 and 1771, but it was not the first church on this site. The church has a rocky history, to say the least. Around 1674, Jesuits completed a church in the same space. It was an impressive building with a two-metre statue of St Andrew on its tower which also served as the town’s watchtower. But as the local population grew, the church became too small to suit the town’s needs and the councillors decided they needed a larger building. The new church, dedicated to the same saint, was finished in 1734. However, it was constructed with faulty building materials from the fortress of the nearby town of Nové Zámky and part of the church collapsed in 1738. The church was reconstructed once more only to be damaged again, first by a major earthquake in 1763 and later by a devastating fire in 1848. The church had to be repaired after each event. At present, the church in undergoing yet another reconstruction. 5 Podunajské múzeum (Museum of the Danube Region)  Palatínova 13, Komárno +421 (0)35 773-1476  www.muzeumkn.sk Apr 15–Sep 30: Tue-Sat 9:00–17:00; Oct 1–Apr 14: Mon-Fri 9:00–16:00  €1.5  WC 6 Nádvorie Európy (Courtyard of Europe)  Nádvorie Európy, Komárno  non-stop Some time back, the town of Komárno decided to collect architectural examples from across Europe and display them in one place. They stand in a ring around a fountain named Millennium in the Courtyard of Europe. The display consists of more than 40 buildings, each representing architecture of a different European state, including English, Spanish, Irish and Turkish styles. The square was built between 1999 and 2000 to symbolise European integration and togetherness. The fountain is a copy of one that stood on this square in front of the town hall beginning in 1848. It was removed in the late 20th century. The square offers a relaxed atmosphere with cafés, shops, restaurants and benches. 7 Mestská radnica (town hall)  Nám. gen. Klapku, Komárno  exterior views only Pevnostnýrad Train station 17min Svätoondrejská Valchovnícka M.Čáka Hradná Nám.gen.Klapku Strieborná JánaHollého Letná NádvorieEU Športová Palatínova Nám.sv.Trojice Pohraničná Župná Jókaiho Nám.M.R. Štefánika Parná Elektrárenskácesta Hradná Dunajskénábrežie Vnútornáokružná Františkánov BastionVI (30min) Hradná Župná Dunajská Elektrárenskácesta Zámoryho Školská Vnútornáokružná Tabaková Palatínova Vnútornáokružná Mapka_Komarno.indd 1 20. 8. 2014 N 8 9 65 4 7 1 2 3 i ThemainentrancetotheNewFortress

92 western slovakia 8 Dôstojnícky pavilón (Officer Pavilion)  Palatínova and Pevnostný Rad streets, Komárno +421 (0)35 771-3439  booking necessary The Officer Pavilion in Komárno, a magnificent neo-gothic structure, was built between 1858 and 1863. It brings to mind aristocratic English architecture and the façade bears the inscription VIRIBVS VNITIS, a slogan used by Emperor Franz Joseph I, which means ‘with united forces’. The building was primarily used as living space for the families of the Komárno fortress officers. It also included a casino. Today, the pavilion is used for various cultural and social purposes. The attached park includes an open-air amphitheatre. 9 Limes Gallery  page 207 Rímske lapidárium – Bašta VI (Roman Lapidarium – Bastion VI)  Okružná cesta 272, Komárno (3.4 km / 2.1 miles N of the new fortress) +421 (0)35 771-0066  €1.5 WC  Jun-Aug: Tue-Sat 9:00–17:00; Sep-May: Tue-Sat 9:00-16:00 booking necessary Bastion VI houses an exposition of stone relics from the Roman times. There is also a restaurant and a private gallery. While some bastions and part of the main fortress have been repaired, the city is looking for money to do more renovations. 47 iža map C 6  134 km / 85 miles (87 min) SE of Bratislava Rímsky vojenský tábor Kelemantia (Celemantia Roman Military Camp)  the camp is located next to the river out of town, can be easily reached on bicycles on a bike route leading from Komárno to Iža near the Danube  1 km / 0.6 mile NE of camp Iža  free +421 (0)35 778-3153  non-stop (open air) The excavated and partly- reconstructed Roman camp is accessible via a rough, narrow, road from Iža. It was the second camp built on the left bank of the Danube River in the late 2nd century in a place known as Leányvár, which means Virgin Castle. It was part of the fortifications known as Limes Romanus set up to protect the borders of the Roman Empire. The fort, once called Celemantia, contained barracks, stables and a bathhouse. It was surrounded by a stone wall two metres thick and up to five metres high. The camp was a bridgehead of the legionnaires’ fortress in Brigetio, built on the opposite bank at the confluence of the rivers Danube and Váh and it was probably abandoned at the end of the 4th century. Parts of these structures are now visible and described in information boards in four languages, including English. 48 patince (wellness)  pages 262-263 49 Belá (luxury,wine)  pages 274-275 50 Štúrovo (aquapark)  page 262 51 veľký meder (thermal park)  page 262 52 GaBčíkovo (dam)  page 288 53 dunajSká Streda  page 93 54 orecHová potôň (car racing)  page 270 55 Báč (golf)  page 277 56 Šamorín (horses)  pages 242-244 57 jelka map B 5  37 km / 23 miles (40 min) E of Bratislava  3,906  Mierová 959/17, Jelka +421 (0)31 787-6182 www.jelka.sk  Mlyn Jelka (Jelka mill)  +421 (0)905 133-095  www.maly-dunaj.sk  Mon-Sun 8:00-18:00  Mon-Sun 8:00-15:00 €1  WC A central European rarity can be found in a small village not far from Slovakia’s capital. The Németh Water Edge-Runner Mill in Jelka is unique for its relatively modern machinery. The mill, whose first written mention dates back to 1894, was originally built as a floating mill, also known as a shipboard or river mill. These were built on boats that would float up and down the river. It was only later rebuilt into a water edge-runner mill, standing on wooden poles that harnessed it to the waters of the Little Danube or Malý Dunaj. After the mill stopped serving its purpose, it underwent reconstruction and since 1993 it has served as a museum to demonstrate how such mills used to work. Those who would like detailed information about the mill can also visit Galanta’s Homeland Museum. Children can learn from the museum’s commentary and test their knowledge with a booklet offering simple questions and interesting exercises – though only in Slovak or Hungarian. Near the mill is an area where it is possible to camp, fish or canoe on the Little Danube. Part of Roman Military Camp is still visible

western slovakia 93 58 Galanta map B 5  57 km / 35 miles (44 min) E of Bratis- lava  15,138  Sídlisko Jas 936/5, Galanta  +421 (0)911 266-246 www.galantsko.eu   0.8 km / 0.5 mile (9 min) S of centre Neogotický kaštieľ (Neo-gothic Mansion)  Parková, Galanta  +421 (0)903 459- 878   www.nkga.sk  Mar-Nov: Sat 9:00-14:00 free  WC  Vlastivedné múzeum (Homeland Museum) Hlavná976/8,Galanta +421(0)31780-5535  www.galanta.skhasrecentlybeenreconstruc- tedandisduetobereopenedbyendof2014 Renesančný kaštieľ (Renaissance mansion)  Ulica Eszterházyovcov, Galanta  +421 (0)31 780-4731  www.galanta.sk Tue-Fri 8:00–17:00 Sat 13:00–18:00 from €1  WC Galandia (thermal park)  Kapitána Nálepku 43, Galanta (1.5 km / 0.9 mile from city centre) www.galandia.aquapark. skMon-Sun 10:00–22:00 from €6 The oldest written document referencing Galanta dates to the 13th century and its history is closely connected to the Eszterházy family, which owned estates here since 1421. Descendants of the family still use the name Eszterházy von Galanta. The Eszterházys built two manor houses in Galanta dating to the 17th century, originally designed in the Renaissance style. The older manor house was rebuilt in baroque style in the 18th century, and nowadays stands in the middle of a panelák housing estate. It presents the history of Galanta, as part of Galanta’s Homeland Museum. The Homeland Museum also explores the history of water mills along the Little Danube, in a former bank on Hlavná Street. The younger manor house was given a neo-gothic update in 1861 and stands in a park recallingTudor castles in England. After years of neglect, this expansive estate is undergoing reconstruction. Of the sacral monuments, the most important are the twin-tower Roman Catholic Church of St Stephen, with the baroque- classicist façade and a valuable baroque altar, and a romanesque brick church from the 12th century in Gáň, now part of Galanta. The Jewish cemetery serves as the only remaining monument of Galanta’s once-strong Jewish community, to whom Count Ferdinand Eszterházy granted a room for praying and grounds for a cemetery in 1729. At the cemetery, which is still in operation, a commemoration to Holocaust victims is held every year. Foreign investors have had a hand in developing today’s Galanta. Korea’s Samsung Electronics Slovakia company in Galanta is the largest Samsung plant in Europe, and produces LCD televisions with LED technology. The Aquapark Galandia and the Silver Lake Ranch on the outskirts of Galanta offer recreational opportunities for the whole family. 59 tomáŠikovo  66 km / 41.5 miles (60 min) E of Bratislava 1,601 Hlavná 319, Tomášikovo  +421 (0)31 785-5231 www.tomasikovo.sk  Vodný kolový mlyn (Water Edge-Runner Mill)  Tomášikovo  +421 (0)31 780-5535  www.muzeum.sk  Sep-Jun: Wed-Sun 10:00-18:00; Jul–Aug: Mon-Sun 10:00-18:00€1  On the surface of the Little Danube is a golden boat with an oar and a harpoon presenting the symbol of the little village Tomášikovo, founded in the 16th century. The wooden mill is located nearly two kilometres from Tomášikovo in a tranquil natural setting, with only a few houses nearby. The mill, built in 1893, is still in its original condition, without having undergone any radical reconstruction, and is still functional. Its operation ceased in 1960 because of collectivisation, the communist regime’s consolidation of individual land and labour into collective farms.Today it serves as a museum managed by the Homeland Museum in Galanta, which itself presents the history of millers’ trades in the region of the Little Danube and the lower part of the Váh River, tracing its origins until the end of the 20th century. Fishing is also common in the area. 53 dunajSká Streda map B 5  46 km / 28.7 miles (40 min) E of Bratislava  22,477  Hlavná 50, Dunajská Streda +421 (0)31 555-2104 www.regionds.sk  0.9 km / 0.5 mile W of centre Dunajská Streda, located on the fertile Žitný Ostrov (Rye Island) created by the Danube and the Little Danube Rivers, used to be a significant ancient trade route crossroads. The town’s trading history is reflected in its name, as the word streda translates as Wednesday, which identifies the day on which the town can host a market. Kostol Nanebovzatia Panny Márie (Church of the Virgin Mary’s Assumption)  Námestie Ármina Vámberyho, Dunajská Streda +421 (0)31 552-4465  exterior views only  Mon-Tue 17:00 (HU), 18:00; Wed 7:00; Thu-Fri 17:00 (HU), 18:00; Sat 8:00; Sun 9:30 The oldest monument in the city is the Church of the Virgin Mary’s Assumption, originally devoted to St George, with gothic wall paintings inspired by Italian masters. The church was built in the gothic style in the first half of the 14th century, but rebuilt several times and today it retains a baroque appearance. Neo-gothicmansioninGalanta

Žitnoostrovné múzeum (Museum of Žitný Ostrov)  Múzejná 2, Dunajská Streda +421 (0)31 552-2402 www.muzeum.sk  Thu-Fri 9:00–17:00 Sat 10:00–16:00 €1  WC Visitors can explore the town’s history in the Museum of Žitný Ostrov, located in a yellow, 18th - century baroque manor house. The museum, founded in 1964, contains historical exhibitions divided into different sections, focused on the culture of housing, historical weapons, peasant cuisine, traditional furniture and hunting trophies. Vermes Villa - Contemporary Hungarian Gallery  Gyulu Szabóa 304/2, Dunajská Streda +421 (0)918 607-307  www. kmgaleria.eu  Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00; Sat 10:00-16:00 free  (only ground floor) WC The Vermes Villa, originally built as a one-storey construction for Ferenc Vermes, a landowner and supervising judge, has been the home of the Contemporary Hungarian Gallery since 2005. The villa took its current shape in 1909, when it was extended and small towers were added. During World War II, the villa served as the headquarters of both the German and the Soviet armies. Under the communist regime it hosted free-time activities of the Communist Party children’s organisations. Between 1988 and 2002, it was the home of a branch of the Slovak National Gallery. The mission of the Contemporary Hungarian Gallery is to display the works of contemporary artists of Hungarian origin regardless of their nation of residence. Židovský cintorín (Jewish cemetery)  Gyulu Szabóa 28, Dunajská Streda +421 (0)907 627-550  every day except Sat free The town’s history is preserved through several memorials. The Holocaust memorial in the city centre, unveiled in 2001, recalls the once 3,000-strong Jewish minority which used to reside in the city, but perished during World War II. There is also one of two memorials in Slovakia marking the Roma Holocaust, also called the Forgotten Holocaust. It was initiated by the Roma Institute located in Dunajská Streda and unveiled in 2006. The Orthodox Jewish cemetery, the oldest burial grounds in the town, was founded in 1740. The Jewish community had a significant impact on the development of the town and generations of Jewish families are buried there. Visitors can find tombs of several prominent rabbis, includ- ing Rabbi Yehuda Assad, which, according to the town’s official website, has become a place of pilgrimage. Radnica (Town Hall)  Hlavná 50, Dunajská Streda  exterior views only Of the newer architecture, it is worth mentioning the town hall and the commercial centre, designed by Imre Makovecz, a Hungarian architect renowned for his organic architectural designs. Hotelier Károly Pleyer sold the two-storey house, formerly a coffee house and hotel, to the municipality in 1901. The building, which during its history also housed also a pharmacy, city prison and a police station, has been reconstructed several times. However, its real transformation began in 1995 thanks to Makovecz and it is now one of the symbols of Dunajská Streda. Diving Centre Immersion  Tichá 707/75, Veľký Meder +421 (0)907 861-911 www.potapacskecentrum-ds. sk  Jun-Aug: Sat-Sun 9:00-16:00 (booking neces- sary) from €30 (diving with instructor) Thermal Park Dunajská Streda  Gabčíkovská cesta 237/38, Dunajská Streda  +421 (0)31 551-0096 www.thermalpark.sk  Mon- -Sun 9:00-21:00 from €7.5    WC Dunajská Streda also boasts a thermal water park offering 10 outdoor and indoor pools with mineral water, which the park operator claims have health benefits for muscles and joints. Regardless, the park is a good option for families with children. The more adventurous can sign up for a scuba diving course led by a professional instructor. 94 western slovakia - dunajská streda

This ancient settlement lies in the heart of the Žitný ostrov region in the south-western part of Slovakia, situated 45 km from the capital, Bratislava, and 35 km from the town of Győr in Hungary. Its name stems from the privilege of organising markets onWednesday (Dunaj means the Danube River and Streda means Wednesday) which is mentioned in deeds dating back to 1324.The town organises the annual Traditional Žitný Ostrov Market (Tradičnýžitnoostrovskýjarmok). Today, this dynamically developing town is an important cultural and tourist centre. Apart from its historical monuments, visitors can enjoy a thermal pool, accommodation facilities, a car camp and a park o ering culture and leisure activities. Thetown’smostimportantsitesare:theRoman-CatholicChurchofStGeorge,TheYellowMansion (Žltý kaštieľ - currently housing the Žitný Ostrov Museum) and the Vermeš Villa – currently the Gallery of Contemporary Hungarian Artists. Park is situated on an area of 18 hectares with 10 outdoor and indoor pools containing mineral therapeutic and thermal water with temperatures ranging from 24 °C to 40 °C.Thermal water emerges from the depth of 1600metersanditstemperaturereaches57°Conthesurface.Visitusandexperiencethatourthermalwateris suitablenotjustforswimmingbuthasbene ciale ectsonlocomotiveorgansandtheirdi cultiesanddiseases. THERMALPARKDunajskáStreda,Gabčíkovskácesta237/38,DunajskáStreda,Tel:+421(0)31551-0096 www.dunstreda.sk Let us invite you to spend a pleasant holiday inTHERMALPARK Dunajská Streda! www.thermalpark.sk Dunajská Streda SP013329/001