Betliar
Encyclopedia
Betliar is a village
and municipality
in the Rožňava District
in the Košice Region
of eastern Slovakia
, known for its manor house built by the Andrássy family.
. The first written description of the village is from the year 1330, when it is mentioned under the name Bethler. It belonged to the Bebek family and later the Andrássy
family. The inhabitants lived on mining, agriculture and forestry.
The mining heritage of the village, historically interesting places and the beauty of the Volovské vrchy (hills) has turned Betliar into a destination that is popular with tourists.
The most well-known place in the village is the manor house, built on the site of a small Bebek’s castle from the 15th century. It is situated in the beautiful surroundings of an English park, designed by the famous architect H. Nebbiem. The mansion has been rebuilt many times, most recently by the Andrassy family in the year 1880. Since that time its appearance has been preserved with minor changes and renovations; currently it serves as an exposition of the Slovak National Museum
.
In the year 1985 it was declared a national cultural monument. Of particular interest among sacral sights is a classicist evangelical church from the year 1794. Originally it was built without a tower, which was later added in the year 1834.
The Roman-Catholic church of Saint Elisabeth
has an even older history. It was built in the first half of the 14th century in a Gothic
style. In the 17th and 19th century it was reconstructed.
The history of Betliar is also connected with many people, such as the writer Johan Fabricius
.
In the village
there is accommodation available in hotels, pensions, lodging houses and private homes.
Village was appeared like mining colony in the late 13th century. The first written mention about village is from year 1330. Colony was belond to family Bebekovci and later family Andrássyovci. There were mined gold, iron and copper. In 15th century there came Walachian people. In 18th century was rise of mining and in Betliar was blast-furnace and rolling mill. The heraldry of village appeared in 16th century and on this heraldry depicts renaissance shield with two ploughshares, share and vomer. Nowadays in actual heraldry is historical heraldry situated above manor house.
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
and municipality
Municipality
A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
in the Rožňava District
Rožnava District
Rožňava District is a district in the Košice Region of eastern Slovakia.Until 1918, the district was mostly part of the Hungarian county of Gömör és Kishont, apart from the area in the south-east around the municipalities of Silická Jablonica, Hrušov, Jablonov nad Turňou and Hrhov which formed...
in the Košice Region
Košice Region
The Košice Region is one of the eight Slovak administrative regions. It consists of 11 districts .-Geography:It is located in the southern part of eastern Slovakia and covers an area of 6,752 km²...
of eastern Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
, known for its manor house built by the Andrássy family.
Basic information
- Location: Slovak republic, Betliar is situated in South-East part of Slovenské rudohorie in valley of river Slaná, 5 km north of town Rožňava.
- Height above sea level: 311 meters.
- Number of inhabitants: about one thousand.
History
The village of Betliar lies in a valley of the river Slaná, 5 km northwest of RožňavaRožnava
Rožňava is a town in Slovakia, approximately 71 km by road from Košice in the Košice Region, and has a population of 19,120.The town is an economic and tourist center of the Gemer. Rožňava is now a popular tourist attraction with a beautiful historic town centre. The town is an episcopal seat...
. The first written description of the village is from the year 1330, when it is mentioned under the name Bethler. It belonged to the Bebek family and later the Andrássy
Andrássy
Andrássy is the name of an aristocratic family of very ancient lineage prominent in Hungarian history.The full family name is "Andrássy de Csíkszentkirály et Krasznahorka"; "Csíkszentkirály" is a town in modern-day Romania now called Sâncrăieni, while Krásna Hôrka is a castle in Slovakia.The...
family. The inhabitants lived on mining, agriculture and forestry.
The mining heritage of the village, historically interesting places and the beauty of the Volovské vrchy (hills) has turned Betliar into a destination that is popular with tourists.
The most well-known place in the village is the manor house, built on the site of a small Bebek’s castle from the 15th century. It is situated in the beautiful surroundings of an English park, designed by the famous architect H. Nebbiem. The mansion has been rebuilt many times, most recently by the Andrassy family in the year 1880. Since that time its appearance has been preserved with minor changes and renovations; currently it serves as an exposition of the Slovak National Museum
Slovak National Museum
The Slovak National Museum is the most important institution focusing on scientific research and cultural education in the field of museological activity in Slovakia...
.
In the year 1985 it was declared a national cultural monument. Of particular interest among sacral sights is a classicist evangelical church from the year 1794. Originally it was built without a tower, which was later added in the year 1834.
The Roman-Catholic church of Saint Elisabeth
Elizabeth (Biblical person)
Elizabeth is also spelled Elisabeth or Elisheva...
has an even older history. It was built in the first half of the 14th century in a Gothic
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
style. In the 17th and 19th century it was reconstructed.
The history of Betliar is also connected with many people, such as the writer Johan Fabricius
Johan Fabricius
Johan Fabricius was a Dutch writer, journalist and adventurer.Fabricius was born in Bandung, Java. He wrote approximately 60 books, among them many books for children. He is well known for writing the historical children's book "De scheepsjongens van Bontekoe" , which was reprinted 28 times as of...
.
In the village
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
there is accommodation available in hotels, pensions, lodging houses and private homes.
Village was appeared like mining colony in the late 13th century. The first written mention about village is from year 1330. Colony was belond to family Bebekovci and later family Andrássyovci. There were mined gold, iron and copper. In 15th century there came Walachian people. In 18th century was rise of mining and in Betliar was blast-furnace and rolling mill. The heraldry of village appeared in 16th century and on this heraldry depicts renaissance shield with two ploughshares, share and vomer. Nowadays in actual heraldry is historical heraldry situated above manor house.
Monuments
- Manor house: It was appeared like forward fortification of Krásna Hôrka castle. Core of manor house was built in 15th century. Štefan Andrássy began a change of this building on luxury formal residence. Manor house was rebuilt on three- storey hunter manor house and today is his appearance relatively similar. Exposition of manor house create: collection of works of art, historical furniture, unique library, weapons, precious ceramics, glass and porcelain. There are also hunting trophies from huntings from home and in foreign countries and various objects like eskimo clothes, armament of samurai and Egyptian mummy brought from far journeys. In 1985 manor house in Betliar was promulgated on national cultural monument. Around the manor house is a unique natural park, which was in a 1978 write-in list of important historical gardens of the world. In this park are infrequent woody plants from foreign countries and also native oaks and spruces.
- Roman Catholic church: Is the oldest monument in Betliar. It is from first half of 14th century and in 17th and 19th century was customized. The church have gothic origin, tower of church was built in 17th century. From barogue period there are wood pulpit from 18 th century with sculptures Evangelists and wood sculpture of Madonna Queen from 18th century. On great altar from 19 th ventury is painting of saint Alžbeta.
- Evangelic church: Was built in 1786, classicistic tower of church was built in 1826. Church have brick column altar with painting Christ and Samaritan by the water well from 1838. Church affected fires and in 1856 burn out. Immediately after was again built up.
People of consequence
- Andráši Emanuel (Andrássy) (3.3.1821 - 23.4.1891): Politician, entrepreneur, count, Gemer district administrator. He managed family enterprises, he traveled on Europe and he was in some countries in Asia. He liked hunting, trophies from his hunting voyages are part of exposition of manor house.
- Fabricius Ján (1672–1734): Was distinguished Slovak intellectual. He was born in Betliar. He studie in Štítnik, Rožňava, Bratislava. After he studied theology, philosophy, history and languages in Wittenberg.
- Kazamek Juraj (1882–1956): Violinist, chapel-master, music composer. For difficult live condition left his family to USA. In Pittsburg he worked with his father in mine. Like fourteen he became member of mining band. After he studied violin on New York's School of Music, in France and Germany.
- Koššuth Július (1882–1953): Was establisher of funeral supporting association in Slovakia. In 1928 appeared in Betliar funeral supporting association, were accredited program, statutes. In 1929 the Department of Home Affairs in Prague accredited statutes of this association. He was the first clerk of funeral supporting association.