Štúrovo

Being the most southern town in the country it attracts a lot of tourists with its fascinating natural surroundings. This is where the most spectacular part of the Curve of the Danube begins with a picturesque view to the classic basilica in Esztergom. The Hron river flows into the Danube near the town which also offers a great opportunity for those enjoying adventure trips and audacious walks in the nature. The town is surrounded by the Kováčovské Hills, the highest peak of which, the Burda, reaches 395 meters above the sea level.

First and foremost Štúrovo is a spa town. The Thermal Spa-Bath VADAŠ is justly famous not only in Slovakia but also abroad. It has a capacity for 10,000 visitors and with its reconstructed pools of different sizes, indoor swimming pool, reconstructed row of snack-bars, cafeterias, sanitary and sport facilities, it offers an ideal recreational opportunity for the sun and water lovers.

Spectacles offered by town are historical monuments, museums, sport centres, festivals. Amongst other activites are cycle tourism, hiking, fishing, hunting, horse riding, paintball, golf, summer bobsleigh track and boating on Danube.

History of the town

The city and surrounding area was first settled in the stone age. During the Roman period it was the site of the 'Anavum' military garrison. At he beginning the city was comprised possibly of the settlements of Nána and Kakath. Kakathvár was built as a summer residence by the son of the Magyar tribal chieftain Árpád in the 10th century. Through the middle ages the settlement Kakath gradually grew in its significance, and had become a marketplace for merchants coming from southern and western Europe. During the Tatar invasions the settlement was fortified. It was in this period that the city's new name 'Párkány' was introduced.

In 1724 the settlement was promoted to town status with the rights to hold markets. King Charles IV awarded the town market rights and the most significant was the Simon - Juda market, held on the days of St. Simon and St. Jude. This traditional market continues to be held annually even today! After the establishment of Czechoslovakia in 1918 the city of Párkány, formerly and in-land city of the Austro-Hungarian Emire, became a Czechoslovakian border city. The change of the name from Párkány to Štúrovo occured in 1948.

The city is famous for its tolerance where throughout the centuries people of different nationalities and religions have lived together in peaceful harmony. This diversity gives the city a special atmosphere and flavour.