ZVOLEN
History
The traces of settlement of Zvolen territory go back
to the young Stone age. First Slavnian tribes began to settle
the territory in the 6th century. The original settlement had
been founded at the confluence of Slatina and Hron. On the top
of a steep hill dominates the Pustý castle, which took under its
protection the MAGNA VIA – the important medieval route. Here
was also the administrative centre of the vast Zvolen county.
However strong the Zvolen’s walls were, they could not resist
the invasion of the Tartars in 1241. In 1243, the King Belo IV
renewed the Zvolen’s town privileges, and Zvolen was involved
among the “royal” towns.
Zvolen castle, the preserved monument dominating the town was
built by the Hungarian King Ľudovit I as his hunting castle in
style of Italian castles. In the middle of 15th century it
became this seat of Jan Jiskra of Brandýs. In the second half of
15th century the castle is said to have been visited by the King
Matej Korvín. At the beginning of the 16th century, the castle
passed into the hands of the rich mining entrepreneur Jan Thurzo,
who has it fortified and modernised.
The original unfortified one-story building has a square ground
plan with four wings around the courtyard. The outer
fortification from the beginning of the 16th century is defended
by an entrance tower and four corner bastions. After 1548 the
castle was changed into a mighty renaissance fortress. Four
corner towers have been connected to the city walls. The royal
hall serves for chamber music and the courtyard for Zvolen
Festivals and the castle rooms house the exhibitions of the
Slovak National gallery.
Zvolen was a centre of agriculture and crafts. It became the
privilege to hold fairs. During the revolutionary years in the
middle of 19th century the town has special deputy in the
Hungarian parliament – Ľudovít Štúr. At the end of 19th century
Zvolen became an important railway junction with big repair
workshops.
Zvolen occupies an important place mostly in the time of Slovak
National Uprising. at the end of the World War II. The town
housed insurgent headquarters and military hospitals. At the
railway workshops 3 military armoured trains had been
constructed and the Zvolen printing factory was printing several
thousand copies of insurgent journals.
Location, size, population
Zvolen is located in the “heart” of
Slovakia. In the basin of the Hron river is located whole Zvolen
basin. This basin is surrounded by Štiavnické vrchy, Kremnické
vrchy and Pliešovská kotlina. Near Zvolen is located the centre
of the Middle Europe. With its size, Zvolen come not under the
big towns in Slovakia, but with its population (about 50000
inhabitants) is Zvolen the 12th biggest town in Slovakia.
Cultural and social facilities
Zvolen has many cultural places.
For example the theatre of Jozef Gregor Tajovský, the cinema
Mier, Slovak national gallery, local National History museum and
many more. Every year take in Zvolen place the Castle plays of
Zvolen. Then in Zvolen is held the Academic Zvolen and in Detva
near Zvolen are situated the Folk festival under Poľana.
The visitors can also go to the indoor swimming pool, they
should go skating, playing tennis, go fishing and skiing. Zvolen
has also many outdoor swimming pools – for example Neresnica,
Kováčová and Sliač (thermal swimming pools).
Industries, institution
Zvolen has many industries. The biggest
concern in Zvolen is Bučina. This wood factory is very famous
all over Slovakia and middle Europe. In Zvolen are also food
factories - the meal factory and milk dairy. They are the best
concerns in the middle Slovakia. The factory Doprastav is famous
for his very good roads and highways all over Slovakia. Then in
Zvolen are many other factories: for example Tyčinkáreň Dru,
then railway junction, car factory Liaz and many more.
The town tour
The best place to start a visit of Zvolen is the
town centre. There is a very big square, called the square of
the Slovak national uprising. First we can visit the north part
of this square. This side is dominated by the Gothic
Roman-catholic church of St. Elisabeth. Then we continue our
town tour to the centre of square. There are many shops with
clothes, shoes and food. In the centre is also the Geographical
museum and the library of Ľudovít Štúr. Then, if we go southward
we can see the Evangelic church and the Slovak national uprising
monument – the hatchet. Thene we can visit the Zvolen castle.
This building is very old and has a very important history. At
the end of our town tour we can go visit the Pustý castle. It is
only a ruin but it is very interesting to see the basement of
the castle.
Environment
Zvolen has a very important and beautiful
environment which is also provide very good opportunities for
relaxing, tourism and recreations and. For example Poľana is a
protected territory with many beautiful places – for example
waterfalls Bystrô. In top of hill Poľana is a hotel Poľana with
ski lifts and ski run tracks.
Then, very nice are typical country-houses called “lazy”. They
are near Detva and Hriňová.
If you want to relax and see beautiful nature, you will go to
the thermal springs areas in Dudince, Sliač or in Kováčová.
There you can also taste very good mineral water called
“medokýš”.
I think that Zvolen is a very beautiful town with many
opportunities to live a good life, although it is not very big.
Stanislav Matoušek
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