Nová Baňa

Nová Baňa (German: Königsberg; Hungarian: Újbánya) is a small town in the west of central Slovakia and the largest town of the Žarnovica District, located in the Banská Bystrica Region.

Nová Baňa
Town
Town Hall in Nová Baňa
Coat of arms
Nová Baňa
Location of Nová Baňa in the Banská Bystrica Region
Nová Baňa
Nová Baňa (Slovakia)
Coordinates: 48°25′28″N 18°38′21″E
CountrySlovakia
RegionBanská Bystrica
DistrictŽarnovica
First mentioned1337
Government
 • MayorJan Havran
Area
 • Total61.25 km2 (23.65 sq mi)
Elevation
221 m (725 ft)
Population
 (2018-12-31[1])
 • Total7,319
 • Density120/km2 (310/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
96801
Area code(s)+421-45
Car plateZC
Websitewww.novabana.sk

Etymology

The original name of Nová Baňa was Štiavnica - derived from the still existing spring water (Slovak: šťava, štiavnica resp. ščevnica - "acid water").[2] The town was first mentioned as nova montanya Schewnyche (1337). The Slovak name was adopted also by German colonists (Schennych, Sewniche). Contemporary description noua montanya regis (new royal mine) became the basis of newer Slovak (Nová Baňa), German (Königsberg) and Hungarian name (Újbánya). In the mid-14th century, the new name became dominant probably to distinguish the town from Banská Štiavnica.[2]

Geography

Nová Baňa lies in right bank of Hron river. Nová Baňa region is surrounded by a ring of volcanic mountains (Štiavnica Mountains on the east, Pohronský Inovec on the south-west and Vtáčnik on the north-west). Seven kilometers from Nová Baňa, close by the village Tekovská Breznica, is the youngest volcano in Central Europe called Putikov vŕšok.

History

Early settlement of the area is documented by old Slavonic hillfort Zámčisko built on the place of older Hallstatt hillfort. In the late 13th century, there was probably not any more significant village but dispersed Slovak settlements.[3] Later, the burghers from Kremnica and Pukanec settled here, because gold was discovered in the area. In 1345 Nová Baňa became a "free royal mining town". The German "guests" had an important role in the development and administration of the town (almost all recorded names of mayors and members of the town council are exclusively German).[3] In the 15th century, the town became less attractive for German miners because of the decline of the mining activities. Thereafter, Slovaks strengthen their position in the town and began to participate in the administration. The mines were closed down in 1887.

Demographics

According to the 2001 census, the town had 7,505 inhabitants. 97.51% of inhabitants were Slovaks, 0.85 Ukrainians and 0.48% Czechs.[4] The religious makeup was 82.53% Roman Catholics, 11.50% people with no religious affiliation and 1.00% Orthodox.[4]

Twin towns — sister cities
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Slovakia

Nová Baňa is twinned with:[5]

References
  1. "Population and migration". Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. Retrieved 2019-04-16.
  2. Štefánik, Martin; Lukačka, Ján, eds. (2010). Lexikón stredovekých miest na Slovensku [Lexicon of Medieval Towns in Slovakia] (PDF) (in Slovak). Bratislava: Historický ústav SAV. p. 294. ISBN 978-80-89396-11-5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-03-02. Retrieved 2016-11-02.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  3. Štefánik & Lukačka 2010, p. 295.
  4. "Municipal Statistics". Statistical Office of the Slovak republic. Archived from the original on 2007-11-16. Retrieved 2007-12-15.
  5. "Partnerské mestá". bytca.sk (in Slovak). Nová Baňa. Retrieved 2019-09-08.
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