Holíč

Holíč
Town
A Lutheran church in Holíč
Country Slovakia
Region Trnava
District Skalica
River Morava
Elevation 185 m (607 ft)
Coordinates SK 48°48′44″N 17°09′38″E / 48.81222°N 17.16056°E / 48.81222; 17.16056Coordinates: SK 48°48′44″N 17°09′38″E / 48.81222°N 17.16056°E / 48.81222; 17.16056
Area 34.787 km2 (13.431 sq mi)
Population 11,627 (31 December 2005)
Density 334/km2 (865/sq mi)
First mentioned 1208
Mayor Zdenko Čambal
Timezone CET (UTC+1)
 - summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 908 51
Phone prefix 421-34
Car plate SI
Location in Slovakia
Location in the Trnava Region
Wikimedia Commons: Holíč
Statistics: MOŠ/MIS
Website: http://www.holic.sk

Holíč (until 1946 "Holič", German: Weißkirchen (an der March) / Holitsch, Hungarian: Holics) is a town in western Slovakia.

History

The oldest archaeological findings are from the Neolithic, and there are findings from the Bronze Age, Iron Age and the Roman time. The town was first mentioned in 1205 as Wywar, meaning "New Castle". The Árpád dynasty built a stone castle after Mongol invasion in 1241. Holíč was in the 13th century until 1296 seat of a border comitatus. Among the owners of the town were Matthias Csák and Stibor of Stiborice. In the 15th century the town's development was slowed by the Hussite raids. In 1736 the town was bought by Franz I, Holy Roman Emperor, husband of Maria Theresa and manufactures were built, leading to the town's growth. Maria Theresa also rebuilt the Holíč Castle from a fortress into a summer château of the Habsburgs. Holíč's once thriving Jewish community was completely decimated by the Holocaust.

The name Holíč (also spelled Holitsch) also refers to a type of tin-glazed earthenware faience that was manufactured in the area. The Holitsch factory (Slovakia) was founded in 1743 by Francis of Lorain consort of Empress Maria Teresia. The factory concentrated on the production of richly adorned sets intended to emulate the wares used by the aristocracy in the large western European centers. The factory, which served as a revitalizing force against the decline of local potters in the 18th century, brought together experts from different countries in a co-operative effort to produce wares from which later central European factories derived their inspiration. Responding to an eager market and following patterns established at the Strasbourg factory, the Holitsch factory produced remarkably life like pieces imitating fruits and vegetables. These fine examples of modeling were further distinguished by the brightness of the colors used in their decorations. The potters also created sculpture vessels of human or animal shapes that were intended for a practical as well as decorative use such as salt dishes, parrot bottles and lidded containers.

Holic is also famed for its righteous banter.

Geography

Holíč lies at an altitude of 185 metres (607 ft) above sea level and covers an area of 34.784 square kilometres (13.4 sq mi).[1] It is located in the Záhorie region near the Morava River, 6 kilometres (4 mi) away from the Czech city of Hodonín and around 85 kilometres (53 mi) from Bratislava.

Sights

In the neighbouring village of Kopčany, the 9th century St. Margaret's Church from the time of Great Moravia, is located.

Demographics

According to the 2001 census, the town had 11,416 inhabitants. 93.82% of inhabitants were Slovaks, 3.68% Czechs, 0.99% Roma and 0.48% Ukrainians.[1] The religious make-up was 66.36% Roman Catholics, 23.20% people with no religious affiliation and 6.04% Lutherans.[1]

Partner towns

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Municipal Statistics". Statistical Office of the Slovak republic. Archived from the original on 2008-01-11. Retrieved 2008-02-07.

Genealogical resources

The records for genealogical research are available at the state archive "Statny Archiv in Bratislava, Slovakia"

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Holíč.
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