|
NicolasKL :
Town History
Komárno is a town at the cofluence
of the riversDanube and Waag
at the sea-level of 108-115 m. It is an ancient settlement of the Carpath basin
and a town of very rich historical past. The territory has been inhabited since early
Bronze-period. First the Celtes settled here and nearby bank on the
left of the river Danube the Romans established a
legion camp known under the name Brigetio - and so was the town itself established
by them.
In the migration period the Avars stayed here for a longer time. After
the conquest of the Magyars at the mounth of the rives
Danube and Waag a fortified castle was built.
Komarno became a country-residence following the governments organization. Beside
this fortified castle a settlement of identical nomination has been established, too.
Some privileges which belong to period towns, weracquired from King Adalbert IV. in 1265.
On the place of the midleaged fortress another fortress waserected against the Turks - the Old -Fortress.
Under the region of Lipot I. it was enlarged b ythe New - Fortress.
In the 18th century it was the centre of guild-industry, too. In 1745 Maria Teresia
raised Komarno for a royal privileged town. In years 1763-1783
the town was damaged by severe earthquakes. As an effect of the Napoleon-Wars
the Vienna Royal Court decided to rebuild the fortress to make it possible for
stationing 200 thousand soldiers. At that time it was a reliable strong fortress system.
The rebuilding of the fortress was interrupted by the Hungarrian Independent ars in
years 1848-49. In 1848 the great fire ruined two thirds of the town. Next year
the ravage contiuned by the empire's armies and canons.
The defender of the town was Klapka György who resisted the enemy, but after so many
battles the town was in ruines.
In the 1870's the building of the fortress was completed but the town, surrounded by chain of
fortification at the end of went into decline. Only at the end of the 19th century began
its development again.Újszöny was jioned to Komárno und being situated on the right
bank of the Danube gave space for expanding.
From 1919 part of the Komárno situated on the left side of the river was a border town
of Czechoslowakia.
In November 1938 according to the Vienna first decision the town Komárno was joined back to
Kingdom of Hungary and in 1945
again to Czechoslowakia.
Presently it is a district residence with 380000 inhabitants and remarkable engineering industry-, it
posseses a shipyard, bright tourist traffic and a vivid cultural life. Two third of the
inhabitants are Hungarian nationality and because of it has become a cultural centre of
Hungarians living in South-Slowakia.
|