Nitra
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Nitra (in German: Neutra, in Hungarian: Nyitra [in the past frequently Nyitria]) is a city in western Slovakia (and the fourth largest urban settlement in Slovakia) situated at the foot of the Zobor Mountain in the Nitra river valley. It is the seat of a region (kraj) or Higher Territorial Unit (VÚC).
Nitra alongside with Bratislava are the oldest cities in Slovakia. Origins of Nitra as a town(city) and the first sure historical reference date back to the early 9th century.
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History
Nitra is a city of extraordinary historic importance. Inhabited since time immemorial, it was an important center of the Celts (last centuries B.C.), and later the seat of the first known rulers of what is today Slovak territory, i.e. of :
- the Germanic Quadi around 396? (disputed)
- the Slavic/Slovak Nitrian Principality:
- independent Nitrian principality (late 8th century - 833)
- Nitrian principality as part of Great Moravia (833 - ?907)
- Nitrian principality under Hungarian supremacy (?925/970 - 1107) [between 1000 and 1030 temporarily under Polish supremacy ]
Nitra is the site of the first known Christian church in central and eastern Europe, which was built in 828 during the time of the Nitrian Principality, and of the first known bishopric in present-day Slovakia (established 880). Methodius and St. Cyril, creators of the Glagolitic alphabet, an early precursor of the modern Cyrillic alphabet, participated actively in the formation of the Church and the first bishopric in Slovakia.
Important structures
Notable religious structures located in Nitra are the St. Emmeram Cathedral, a Piarist church, a Roman Catholic religious congregation founded by Saint Joseph of Calasanza and a monastery founded in 1701. The monastery church was completed in 1716, but was later destroyed by a fire and remodeled from 1742-1748 in baroque style. Two towers were also added onto the church. The interior was renovated in 1940 and three modern frescos depicting themes from Slavic history of Nitra were created.
The old town (Staré Mesto) is dominated by the "Castle" (Hrad), which is one of the most interesting ancient complexes of buildings in Slovakia. The castle currently serves as the seat of one of Roman-Catholic bishoprics in Slovakia.
The most powerful mediumwave transmitter of Slovakia, running on 1098 kHz, was situated in Nitra until recently. This transmitter could broadcast throughout all of Europe at night. Since 2003, however, it has operated on lower output to save energy cost, and has transmitted regional programming only.
See also
External link
- Homepage - City of Nitra (http://www.nitra.sk)de:Nitra