Ružomberok
Encyclopedia
Ružomberok is a town in northern Slovakia
, in the historical Liptov
region. It has a population of around 30,000(45,000 with nearby villages)
, more exactly its subdivision Liptov Basin, surrounded by the mountain ranges of Chočské vrchy, Greater Fatra
and Low Tatras. Rivers flowing through the town are Váh
, from east to west, Revúca, a left tributary from the south, on the way to Banská Bystrica
and Likavka brook from the north, on the way to Dolný Kubín
. The town is located around 65 km from Žilina
, 190 km from Košice
and 260 km from Bratislava
(by road). Besides the main settlement, it also has "city parts" of Biely Potok, Černová, Hrboltová and Vlkolínec.
. The first written mention about settlement was in 1233 as terra Reuche. The town was established by Germans
. It got its town rights in 1318. In 1340, Hungarian King Charles Robert
confirmed its town rights and extended more. However, its growth was interrupted as it was placed under Likavka
rule.
In the 19th century, it was one of the centres of Slovak national movement. It slowly became one of the industrial and financial centres of the Kingdom of Hungary
, particularly after the Kassa Oderberg Railway
was completed in 1871, when many new factories emerged - paper and pulpwood works, but also brick works (1871) or the textile industry.
In 1907, in Černová, which was rather a street than part of the town that is today, happened an event known as the Černová tragedy
.
After the break-up of Austria–Hungary in 1918, Ruzomberok became a part of Czechoslovakia
. However, when Czechoslovakia was broken up in 1939, it was incorporated into the first Slovak Republic and was a capital of one of the counties, the Tatra county (Tatranská župa). It became part of Czechoslovakia again in 1945 and after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia
in 1993, it became part of Slovakia. In 1995, Ruzomberok became a district town.
, the town had 30,417 inhabitants. 96.64% of inhabitants were Slovaks
, 0.95% Roma and 0.87% Czech. The religious make-up was 75.47% Roman Catholics
, 14.65% people with no religious affiliation, and 5.46% Lutherans
.
Ružomberok is nowadays also considered as a good shopping town, with almost all supermarket brands. These include Billa, Tesco
, Lidl
, Kaufland
, Jednota, Hypernova
, Verex and Kinekus. Aupark
and Aldi
are also planned.
is based in Ružomberok and the University of Žilina has a branch in the town. From September 2007 it is not possible to study at detached workplace of University of Žilina.
Cultural institutions in the towns include the Liptov Museum, established in 1912 which also has exhibitions outside the town. These include the Likava Castle, which is just outside the town in the Likavka
village; and the Museum of the Liptov Village in Pribylina
. The Ľudovít Fulla
Gallery is a branch of the Slovak National Gallery
and is dedicated to Fulla's works of art. The town also has the only scout museum in Slovakia.
Other sights within the town include the Evangelic church from 1923–1926, a historic building of the railway station from 1871, now protected as a national historic monument; Calvary above the town in the Classicist style, built in 1858; synagogue from 1880; and the church in Černová, where the tragedy
in 1907 happened.
Attractions in the surroundings include the Čebrať mountain (1,054 m), Vlkolínec
village, inscribed in 1993 to the UNESCO
World Heritage Site
list, and the skiing area of Malinô Brdo (also called Malinô Brdo).
is the most successful Slovak basketball team in the history with 2 EuroLeague Women
victories. Ružomberok also has a successful football team, MFK Ružomberok
, playing the highest division of the Slovak League - Slovak Superliga. In 2006, it won the Corgoň liga and also the Slovak FA Cup
.
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...
, in the historical Liptov
Liptov
Liptó is the name of a historic administrative county of the Kingdom of Hungary. Its territory is presently in northern Slovakia.-Geography:...
region. It has a population of around 30,000(45,000 with nearby villages)
Geography
It is situated at the westernmost reaches of the Sub-Tatra BasinPodtatranská kotlina
The Podtatranská kotlina is a basin in northern Slovakia, part of the Fatra-Tatra Area, which belongs to the Inner Western Carpathians....
, more exactly its subdivision Liptov Basin, surrounded by the mountain ranges of Chočské vrchy, Greater Fatra
Greater Fatra
Greater Fatra or Veľká Fatra is a mountain range in the Western Carpathians in Slovakia. In the geomorphological system, it is a part of the Fatra-Tatra Area. It is situated approximately among the towns of Ružomberok, Harmanec, Turčianske Teplice and Martin...
and Low Tatras. Rivers flowing through the town are Váh
Váh
The Váh is the longest river in entire Slovakia. A left tributary of the Danube river, the Váh is 406 km long, including its Čierny Váh branch...
, from east to west, Revúca, a left tributary from the south, on the way to Banská Bystrica
Banská Bystrica
Banská Bystrica is a key city in central Slovakia located on the Hron River in a long and wide valley encircled by the mountain chains of the Low Tatras, the Veľká Fatra, and the Kremnica Mountains. With 81,281 inhabitants, Banská Bystrica is the sixth most populous municipality in Slovakia...
and Likavka brook from the north, on the way to Dolný Kubín
Dolný Kubín
Dolný Kubín is a town in northern Slovakia in the Žilina Region. It is the historical capital of the Orava region.-Geography:Dolný Kubín lies at an altitude of above sea level and covers an area of ....
. The town is located around 65 km from Žilina
Žilina
Žilina is a city in north-western Slovakia, around from the capital Bratislava, close to both the Czech and Polish borders. It is the fourth largest city of Slovakia with a population of approximately 85,000, an important industrial center, the largest city on the Váh river, and the seat of a...
, 190 km from Košice
Košice
Košice is a city in eastern Slovakia. It is situated on the river Hornád at the eastern reaches of the Slovak Ore Mountains, near the border with Hungary...
and 260 km from Bratislava
Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...
(by road). Besides the main settlement, it also has "city parts" of Biely Potok, Černová, Hrboltová and Vlkolínec.
Climate
Climate is moderate, varies from hot in summer, to very cold in winter. There are four distinct seasons: spring (wet, moderate warm), summer (hot, very wet), autumn (dry) and winter (very cold). Ružomberok is located in the rain shadow of the mountain ranges of Greater Fatra and Chočské vrchy. Total annual precipitation is 727 mm. Annual average of days with snow cover is 68. The highest snow cover ever recorded was 92 cm. Extreme temperatures: high: 37 °C (99 °F) (2007), low: -38 °C (1949, 1986).History
From the second half of the 10th century until 1918, it was part of the Kingdom of HungaryKingdom of Hungary
The Kingdom of Hungary comprised present-day Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia , Transylvania , Carpatho Ruthenia , Vojvodina , Burgenland , and other smaller territories surrounding present-day Hungary's borders...
. The first written mention about settlement was in 1233 as terra Reuche. The town was established by Germans
Carpathian Germans
Carpathian Germans , sometimes simply called Slovak Germans , are a group of German language speakers on the territory of present-day Slovakia...
. It got its town rights in 1318. In 1340, Hungarian King Charles Robert
Charles I of Hungary
Charles I , also known as Charles Robert , was the first King of Hungary and Croatia of the House of Anjou. He was also descended from the old Hungarian Árpád dynasty. His claim to the throne of Hungary was contested by several pretenders...
confirmed its town rights and extended more. However, its growth was interrupted as it was placed under Likavka
Likavka
Likavka is a village and municipality in Ružomberok District in the Žilina Region of northern Slovakia.-Geography:The municipality lies at an altitude of 520 metres and covers an area of 18.261km². It has a population of about 3012 people.-External links:...
rule.
In the 19th century, it was one of the centres of Slovak national movement. It slowly became one of the industrial and financial centres of the Kingdom of Hungary
Kingdom of Hungary
The Kingdom of Hungary comprised present-day Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia , Transylvania , Carpatho Ruthenia , Vojvodina , Burgenland , and other smaller territories surrounding present-day Hungary's borders...
, particularly after the Kassa Oderberg Railway
Košice-Bohumín Railway
The Košice–Bohumín Railway can refer to:*originally: A private railway company established in 1869 in Austria-Hungary. In 1924 the company was nationalised and put under the Czechoslovak State Railways....
was completed in 1871, when many new factories emerged - paper and pulpwood works, but also brick works (1871) or the textile industry.
In 1907, in Černová, which was rather a street than part of the town that is today, happened an event known as the Černová tragedy
Cernová tragedy
The Černová massacre was a shooting that happened in Csernova on 27 October 1907 in which 15 people were killed and many were wounded after gendarmes fired into a crowd of people gathering for the consecration of a church...
.
After the break-up of Austria–Hungary in 1918, Ruzomberok became a part of Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
. However, when Czechoslovakia was broken up in 1939, it was incorporated into the first Slovak Republic and was a capital of one of the counties, the Tatra county (Tatranská župa). It became part of Czechoslovakia again in 1945 and after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia
Dissolution of Czechoslovakia
The dissolution of Czechoslovakia, which took effect on 1 January 1993, was an event that saw the self-determined separation of the federal state of Czechoslovakia. The Czech Republic and Slovakia, entities which had arisen in 1969 within the framework of Czechoslovak federalisation, became...
in 1993, it became part of Slovakia. In 1995, Ruzomberok became a district town.
Demographics
According to the 2001 censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, the town had 30,417 inhabitants. 96.64% of inhabitants were Slovaks
Slovaks
The Slovaks, Slovak people, or Slovakians are a West Slavic people that primarily inhabit Slovakia and speak the Slovak language, which is closely related to the Czech language.Most Slovaks today live within the borders of the independent Slovakia...
, 0.95% Roma and 0.87% Czech. The religious make-up was 75.47% Roman Catholics
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, 14.65% people with no religious affiliation, and 5.46% Lutherans
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
.
Industry and Commerce
Ruzomberok was famous in the 20th century as an industrial town. The resulting pollution has remained one of the biggest challenges facing the town. It had the biggest cotton mill in Slovakia - BZVIL or Texicom - and still has one of the biggest Slovak exporter businesses - Mondi SCP, formerly known as SCP - Severoslovenske celulozky a papierne. Texicom went bankrupt in 2006. Mondi SCP is a paper and pulp factory and is the biggest employer in the Ruzomberok district and the Liptov region. The town also has a brick factory located in the south.Ružomberok is nowadays also considered as a good shopping town, with almost all supermarket brands. These include Billa, Tesco
Tesco
Tesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits...
, Lidl
Lidl
Lidl is a discount supermarket chain based in Germany that operates over 7,200 stores across Europe. The company's full name is Lidl Stiftung & Co. KG...
, Kaufland
Kaufland
Kaufland is a German hypermarket chain part of the same group as Lidl and Handelshof. It opened its first store in 1984 in Neckarsulm and quickly expanded to become a leader in what was formerly East Germany...
, Jednota, Hypernova
Hypernova
Hypernova , also known as a type 1c Supernova, refers to an incredibly large star that collapses at the end of its lifespan...
, Verex and Kinekus. Aupark
Aupark
Aupark is a shopping centre in the Petržalka borough of Bratislava, Slovakia. It was the second modern shopping centre in Bratislava, built a few years after Polus City Center...
and Aldi
ALDI
ALDI Einkauf GmbH & Co. oHG, doing business as ', short for "Albrecht Discount", is a discount supermarket chain based in Germany...
are also planned.
Schools
Apart from its numerous primary and secondary school, the town also has 2 grammar schools and 2 universities. The Catholic UniversityCatholic University in Ružomberok
The Catholic University in Ružomberok is a university in the town of Ružomberok in northern Slovakia. It was established by law from 2000 and officially was established on 10 July 2000.The university has four faculties:*Faculty of Theology...
is based in Ružomberok and the University of Žilina has a branch in the town. From September 2007 it is not possible to study at detached workplace of University of Žilina.
Landmarks and culture
The centre of the town is located at the Andrej Hlinka Square (Námestie Andreja Hlinku). Among the sights in or around the Square are the Roman Catholic Church of St. Andrew, first mentioned in 1318 and originally built as a Gothic, but now is in a Renaissance-Baroque style; town hall, built in 1895 in the neo-Baroque style and the church and monastery of the Holy Cross (built 1806 and 1730 respectively).Cultural institutions in the towns include the Liptov Museum, established in 1912 which also has exhibitions outside the town. These include the Likava Castle, which is just outside the town in the Likavka
Likavka
Likavka is a village and municipality in Ružomberok District in the Žilina Region of northern Slovakia.-Geography:The municipality lies at an altitude of 520 metres and covers an area of 18.261km². It has a population of about 3012 people.-External links:...
village; and the Museum of the Liptov Village in Pribylina
Pribylina
Pribylina is a village in Liptovský Mikuláš District in the Žilina Region of northern Slovakia, at the foot of Kriváň, Slovakia's symbolic and often considered most beautiful mountain.-Geography:...
. The Ľudovít Fulla
Ludovít Fulla
Ľudovít Fulla was a Slovak painter, graphic artist, illustrator, stage designer and art teacher. He is considered one of the most important figures of Slovakian Creative Art in the 20th century....
Gallery is a branch of the Slovak National Gallery
Slovak National Gallery
The Slovak National Gallery is a network of galleries in Slovakia. It has its headquarters in Bratislava.The gallery was established by law on 29 July 1949. In Bratislava, it has its displays situated in Esterházy Palace and the Water Barracks which are adjacent to each other...
and is dedicated to Fulla's works of art. The town also has the only scout museum in Slovakia.
Other sights within the town include the Evangelic church from 1923–1926, a historic building of the railway station from 1871, now protected as a national historic monument; Calvary above the town in the Classicist style, built in 1858; synagogue from 1880; and the church in Černová, where the tragedy
Cernová tragedy
The Černová massacre was a shooting that happened in Csernova on 27 October 1907 in which 15 people were killed and many were wounded after gendarmes fired into a crowd of people gathering for the consecration of a church...
in 1907 happened.
Attractions in the surroundings include the Čebrať mountain (1,054 m), Vlkolínec
Vlkolínec
Vlkolínec, Slovakia, is a picturesque village under the administration of the town of Ružomberok. Historically, however, it was a separate village. The first written mention of the village came from 1376 and after 1882 it became part of Ružomberok. Its name is probably derived from the Slovak word...
village, inscribed in 1993 to the UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
list, and the skiing area of Malinô Brdo (also called Malinô Brdo).
Sport
The women's basketball team MBK RužomberokMBK Ružomberok
MBK Ružomberok is a women's basketball club in Ružomberok. It was established in 1941 and plays in the elite leagues since 1979 . It is the most successful female basketball team in Slovak history...
is the most successful Slovak basketball team in the history with 2 EuroLeague Women
EuroLeague Women
The EuroLeague Women is the highest professional basketball league in Europe for women’s clubs.Unlike Euroleague for men, the competition is entirely organized by FIBA Europe.-Between 2004-2011:...
victories. Ružomberok also has a successful football team, MFK Ružomberok
MFK Ružomberok
MFK Ružomberok is a Slovak football club, playing in the city of Ružomberok.-History:Established in 1906, the club's colours have been traditionally white, yellow and red, which are also featured on the town's flag...
, playing the highest division of the Slovak League - Slovak Superliga. In 2006, it won the Corgoň liga and also the Slovak FA Cup
Slovak Cup
The Slovak Cup is the main knockout cup competition in Slovak football.The competition was first disputed in 1961. Until 1993, the winner of the Slovak Cup would face the winner of the Czech Cup in the Czechoslovak Cup final, the winner of which would be Czechoslovakia's representative in the Cup...
.
Famous people
- Ľudovít FullaLudovít FullaĽudovít Fulla was a Slovak painter, graphic artist, illustrator, stage designer and art teacher. He is considered one of the most important figures of Slovakian Creative Art in the 20th century....
, painterPaintingPainting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
, graphic artistGraphic designerA graphic designer is a professional within the graphic design and graphic arts industry who assembles together images, typography or motion graphics to create a piece of design. A graphic designer creates the graphics primarily for published, printed or electronic media, such as brochures and...
, illustratorIllustratorAn Illustrator is a narrative artist who specializes in enhancing writing by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text...
, stage designerScenic designScenic design is the creation of theatrical, as well as film or television scenery. Scenic designers have traditionally come from a variety of artistic backgrounds, but nowadays, generally speaking, they are trained professionals, often with M.F.A...
and art teacherArt educationArt education is the area of learning that is based upon the visual, tangible arts—drawing, painting, sculpture, and design in jewelry, pottery, weaving, fabrics, etc. and design applied to more practical fields such as commercial graphics and home furnishings... - Dušan GalisDušan GalisDušan Galis is a Slovak politician, a football trainer and a former Czechoslovak football player. In Czechoslovak league he played 226 matches and with 89 goals. He was capped 8 times for Czechoslovakia, scored 1 goal...
, football coach and former football player - Andrej HlinkaAndrej HlinkaAndrej Hlinka was a Slovak politician and Catholic priest, one of the most important Slovak public activists in Czechoslovakia before Second World War...
, politician, priest, and activist - Peter LorrePeter LorrePeter Lorre was an Austrian-American actor frequently typecast as a sinister foreigner.He caused an international sensation in 1931 with his portrayal of a serial killer who preys on little girls in the German film M...
, Hollywood actorActorAn actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity... - Dušan Makovický, personal physician of Leo TolstoyLeo TolstoyLev Nikolayevich Tolstoy was a Russian writer who primarily wrote novels and short stories. Later in life, he also wrote plays and essays. His two most famous works, the novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina, are acknowledged as two of the greatest novels of all time and a pinnacle of realist...
- Elo RomančíkElo RomančíkEmanuel "Elo" Romančík is a Slovak actor. He starred in the 1969/1970 film Witchhammer under director Otakar Vávra.-References:...
, actor - Dárius RusnákDárius RusnákDárius Rusnák is a retired Slovak professional ice hockey forward who played in the Czechoslovak Extraliga for HC Slovan Bratislava. He was a member of the Czechoslovak 1981 Canada Cup team and was a silver medalist at the 1984 Winter Olympics...
, ice hockeyIce hockeyIce hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player - Karol SidorKarol SidorKarol Sidor was a far right Slovak nationalist politician.A devout Roman Catholic, he was born in Ružomberok and came to politics early as a low-level supporter of Andrej Hlinka. After finishing his education he joined the Slovak People's Party and became one of its leading members on the...
, politician and journalist - Silvia ŠuvadováSilvia ŠuvadováSilvia Šuvadová is a Slovak actress.She was born in Ružomberok and studied at Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava. After finishing her studies she appeared in several theater plays. She worked as a presenter and played in TV ads and TV movies...
, actress - Jozef VenglošJozef VenglošDr. Jozef Vengloš is a former Czechoslovak football player and coach. He has a Doctorate in Physical Education, as well as specialising in Psychology...
, former footballer, managerCoach (sport)In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
, and FIFAFIFAThe Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
football expert - Leo Kestenberg, politician for culture and education, pianist and music educator
Trivia
- Ružomberok is by many Slovaks still regarded as being rather "stinky". This is due to its industrial past when the pollution was extremely bad. The river Váh, for example, used to be biologically dead until the fall of Communism.
- The town has a very catholic status. Andrej HlinkaAndrej HlinkaAndrej Hlinka was a Slovak politician and Catholic priest, one of the most important Slovak public activists in Czechoslovakia before Second World War...
spent his life in Ružomberok. The town also gives a chance to acquire a complete Catholic education. It has a catholic primary school, a catholic grammar school and the Catholic University.
- The woods around the town are rich in wild animals, mainly deers and bears. There have been numerous encounters with the animals in some
- Peter LorrePeter LorrePeter Lorre was an Austrian-American actor frequently typecast as a sinister foreigner.He caused an international sensation in 1931 with his portrayal of a serial killer who preys on little girls in the German film M...
, the famous Hollywood actor was born in the town and is probably the town's most famous person to be born here. However, hardly any Ružomberok's inhabitants know about him. There is also missing any landmark or statue dedicated to him.
- The town is also known as the "town of roses". This is due to its name: "Ruzomberok" comes from the German "Rosenberg", which means "rose hill". The town also has a rose in its crestCrest (heraldry)A crest is a component of an heraldic display, so called because it stands on top of a helmet, as the crest of a jay stands on the bird's head....
.
- The only scout museum in Slovakia is located in the town.
- A great historical rivalry exists between Ružomberok and its neighbour - Liptovský MikulášLiptovský MikulášLiptovský Mikuláš is a town in northern Slovakia, on the Váh River. It lies in the Liptov region, in Liptov Basin near the Low Tatra and Tatra mountains...
. Ružomberok had traditionally been more catholic whereas Liptovský Mikuláš more evangelic.
See also
- Černová tragedyCernová tragedyThe Černová massacre was a shooting that happened in Csernova on 27 October 1907 in which 15 people were killed and many were wounded after gendarmes fired into a crowd of people gathering for the consecration of a church...
- VlkolínecVlkolínecVlkolínec, Slovakia, is a picturesque village under the administration of the town of Ružomberok. Historically, however, it was a separate village. The first written mention of the village came from 1376 and after 1882 it became part of Ružomberok. Its name is probably derived from the Slovak word...
- Catholic University in RužomberokCatholic University in RužomberokThe Catholic University in Ružomberok is a university in the town of Ružomberok in northern Slovakia. It was established by law from 2000 and officially was established on 10 July 2000.The university has four faculties:*Faculty of Theology...
- MFK RužomberokMFK RužomberokMFK Ružomberok is a Slovak football club, playing in the city of Ružomberok.-History:Established in 1906, the club's colours have been traditionally white, yellow and red, which are also featured on the town's flag...
- MBK RužomberokMBK RužomberokMBK Ružomberok is a women's basketball club in Ružomberok. It was established in 1941 and plays in the elite leagues since 1979 . It is the most successful female basketball team in Slovak history...