Zvolen

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Not to be confused with Zwoleń or Zwolle, Gelderland.
Zvolen
City
Zvolen (Zólyom, Altsohl) - city center.jpg
City centre of Zvolen
Coat of arms
Country Slovakia
District Zvolen
Rivers Hron, Slatina
Elevation 293 m (961 ft)
Coordinates Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Area 98.727 km2 (38.119 sq mi)
Population 43,006 (2006-12-31)
Density 436 / km2 (1,129 / sq mi)
First mentioned 1135
Mayor Lenka Balkovičová
Timezone CET (UTC+1)
 - summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 960 01
Area code +421-45
Car plate ZV
Location in Slovakia
Location in Slovakia
Location in the Banská Bystrica Region
Location in the Banská Bystrica Region
Wikimedia Commons: Zvolen, Slovakia
Statistics: MOŠ/MIS
Website: www.zvolen.net

Zvolen (<phonos file="Sk-Zvolen.ogg">pronunciation</phonos>; Hungarian: Zólyom, German: Altsohl) is a town in central Slovakia, situated on the confluence of Hron and Slatina rivers, close to Banská Bystrica. With its ancient castle, the town has a historical center, which represents the seat of an okres (Zvolen District). Zvolen, has many beautiful tourist attractions, especially in the city, such as statues and colorful sprinklers that work in the summer. During the winter, there is an ice-skating rink in the city.

History

Zvolen has been inhabited since the Paleolithic. In the 9th century, a Slavic settlement (today the Môťová neighborhood) became a regional center of what is now central Slovakia. Zvolen remained the capital of Zólyom county until the 1760s. In the 11th and 12th centuries, one of the largest medieval castles in Europe, Pustý hrad, was constructed. The town, originally built under the castle, lay on an important trade route (Via Magna) from Buda to Kraków. Zvolen was granted town privileges by King Béla IV in the 1230s - as one of the first towns in the Kingdom of Hungary. The privileges were confirmed on December 28, 1243, after the original document was destroyed in war. Later, King Louis I the Great built a new castle, which became a popular hunting resort of the Hungarian kings. The future queen regnant Mary of Hungary and emperor Sigismund celebrated their wedding there in 1385.

In the Rákóczi's War of Independence the Kuruc army in the battle of Zvolen defeated the enemy forces from Austria, Denmark, Vojvodina and Hungary.

In 1848-49, Ľudovít Štúr was a member of the Diet, with Zvolen as his constituency. In 1871-1872, two new railways were built and Zvolen became an important railroad hub and important industrial center. Zvolen played an important role during the Slovak National Uprising. Two of its armored trains, which were made in the local railway manufactory, Hurban and Štefánik can be seen near the Zvolen castle.

Zvolen is an important railroad, an important road hub and has a large timber factory and a technical university. An airport in nearby Sliač offers direct flights to Prague. The town square was modernized in 2002 and local businesses are popular with tourists. In wintertime an ice rink is constructed in the center and festive celebrations run throughout December.

Demographics

Zvolen has a population of 43,147 (as of December 31, 2005).[1] According to the 2001 census, 95.9% of inhabitants were Slovaks and 1.2% Czechs. The religious make-up was 52.5% Roman Catholics, 26.4% people with no religious affiliation, and 15% Lutherans.[1]

Sport

The local ice hockey team HKm Zvolen plays in the Slovak Extraliga.

Notable people

International relations

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See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Slovakia

Twin towns - Sister cities

Zvolen is a member of the Douzelage, a unique town twinning association of 24 towns across the European Union. This active town twinning began in 1991 and there are regular events, such as a produce market from each of the other countries and festivals.[2][3] Discussions regarding membership are also in hand with three further towns (Agros in Cyprus, Škofja Loka in Slovenia, and Tryavna in Bulgaria).

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Other twinnings

References

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Pictures

  • Zvolen Castle

  • Town center

  • Church in Zvolen

  • Armored train Hurban

  • Slatina river in Zvolen

  • Zvolen in 1596

  • Aerial photography of the Castle

  • Zolyom-felsovarcivertanlegi2.jpg

  • Aerial photography

  • Zolyomcivertanlegi2.jpg
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