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Nové Zámky is a town in Nové Zámky District in the Nitra Region, located in the southern part of western Slovakia. The area of the city is approximately 7,256 ha, lying only 100 km from the capital city of Slovakia, Bratislava. The city is an important crossroads in southern Slovakia. The town is located in the middle of the Danubian Lowland, at an altitude of 119 meters. Nitra river, which later flows into the Danube river (the second-longest river in Europe), flows through the city. The recorded population of Nové Zámky city adds up to 37,321 people, with 69.67% of them being Slovaks, and 27.52% Hungarians. [3] The Nové Zámky District is one of the seven districts that are part of the Nitra Region in western Slovakia. The Nové Zámky District is surrounded by Komárno, Levice, Nitra, and Sala districts, however, in the south the Nové Zámky District borders the Republic of Hungary.[1]
Presumably one of the most famous attractions in the Nové Zámky district is the Podhájska spa resort, which consists of 10 pools with water temperatures from 18 °C to 40 °C, including swimming pools, two large pools, one sitting pool, a children's pool, and a toboggan pool. One part of the resort has an Aquamarin wellness center. The spa also offers other services, such as massages or electrotherapy. [4] However, the main reason for the Podhájska's great popularity is said to come from the rich concentration of sulfates, silicic acids, and boric acids in the water that significantly help and cure eczema diseases, including psoriasis. Children with asthma are treated in Podhájska, and the effects of this thermal water are also used for regeneration by a number of athletes in various fields.[5]
Historical and cultural attractions include the Nitriansky Hrádok, otherwise also known as Slovak Troy, which prides itself on being an archeological site in Central Europe. This relatively small town is situated in the center of the Nitra Region. Archeological findings include a prehistoric settlement back to 3,000 B.C. The most significant discovery is the statue of the fertility goddess called Hrádok Venus.[6] Another notable cultural sight is the Calvary in Nové Zámky. It was built in the late Baroque style in 1779.
The entrance represents a double-winged gate, built-in 1923. The Calvary of Nové Zámky consists of twelve symmetrically arranged chapels, a cross, and statues, which are also built in the late Baroque style. Sandstone sculptures are depictions of Christ's cross, thieves, Mary, and St. John. The chapel of the Holy Sepulcher is partially sunk into the ground.[7]
Besides historical and cultural attractions, the Nové Zámky District is also defined through its natural attractions, as well. One example can be Forest-park Berek, where trees of various kinds can be found, the most common being maple, horse chestnut, and summer oak trees. However, the actual reason for the high touristic popularity of this park presumably is the unique, more than 200-year-old summer oak. This oak is a legally protected tree. The circumference of the trunk is 460 cm and the height is 30 m. There are several relatively extra-large oaks in this area, three of which are protected, and 10 others are designed for protection.[8]
Another interesting attraction in the Nové Zámky territory is the Farm court Branovo complex, located near the village of Dvory nad Žitavou. This interactive farmhouse is focused on agritourism, which is a narrower form of rural tourism. It offers local gastronomic specialties and agricultural products such as natural goat and sheep cheese. The farmhouse also offers horseback riding, walks in the countryside, guiding riding, or a demonstration of pets with the option of participating in the farm.[9]
The Nové Zámky Region lies on the Danubian Lowland at an altitude of 119 m. The Danubian Lowland can be divided into the Danubian Plain and the Danubian Uplands. The Danubian Plain is located in the southwestern part of the region, this area doesn't consist of any forests. The plain and uplands are considered to have a favorable climate. The territory is one of the driest and warmest areas in Slovakia, which also makes it one of the most fertile lands. The rivers Danube, Hron, Nitra, Žitava, and Ipeľ flow through the Nové Zámky region.[10]
The average annual temperature in this region is 9.7 ° C. The warmest month of the year is July with an average temperature of 20.1 ° C, whereas the coldest month is January, with an average temperature of -1.8 ° C. On average, there is a yearly average of 556 mm of precipitation, with the May being the wettest month having 2.56 inches (65.0 mm) of precipitation. On the contrary, February is the driest month with only 1.54 inches (39.0 mm) of precipitation. The average amount of sunshine is on 2,200 hours per year.[11]
The composition of flora and fauna is influenced by the latitude and climate of the region. Typical for this area are swamps, peat bogs, sands, forest steppes, and floodplain forests. Numerous rare species of invertebrates, mollusks, reptiles, and birds inhabit this territory, as well as rare species of salt-loving, warm, and arid plants. There are 48 species of legally protected plants in the district. Probably the most important among them is the Gmelin's Lime (Limonium Gmelinii), which doesn't grow anywhere else in Slovakia, except in this area. [10]
The Nové Zámky area contains a relatively large amount of protected areas including six national nature reserves, eight nature reserves, eight natural monuments, 11 protected areas, and 16 protected trees. One example of such a protected area can be the Zúgov nature reserve, which is located on the north-eastern edge of the town of Nové Zámky. The occurrence of water cascades is a characteristic of this area. [10]
The very first archeological findings in the Nové Zámky district date back to a prehistoric settlement established in approximately 3,000 B.C. The settlement is located in the town Nitriansky Hrádok. The most significant discovery is the statue of the fertility goddess called Hrádok Venus.[6]
The history of the Nové Zámky city itself is often associated with the Middle Ages from when there were four medieval villages in today's Nové Zámky territory. The very origin of the Nové Zámky city comes from the construction of the first Nové Zámky fortress. This first fortress was built on the left bank of the Nitra River in 1545 and later continued to be the origin of the Nové Zámky city. The city eventually became the center of anti-Turkish defense in the 16th and early 17th centuries. After its completion, the Nové Zámky fortress was considered one of the best fortresses of the Habsburg monarchy. That is presumably the reason for the name of this city, which translates to "New Castle". Until the 14th century, the Nové Zámky District was part of the Kingdom of Hungary, later transforming into Austria-Hungary. In the 18th century, economic development started to become prominent. The importance of trade and craft increased. In 1843, erbium was issued to the town. In 1850, railway transport began to operate on the Vienna - Bratislava - Nové Zámky - Budín line. [12]
As goes for the rest of Slovakia, after World War I, Czechoslovakia came into being. However, the southernmost parts of the Nové Zámky District remained under the rule of Hungary. Only after World War II were the borders established the way they are today.[12]
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