View source for Skalica

{{Infobox settlement
| name                    = Skalica
| native_name             =
| other_name              =
| settlement_type         = Town
<!-- images, nickname, motto -->
| image_skyline           = View from tower of church st michal during skalica days.JPG
| image_caption           = City centre of Skalica
| image_flag              =
| image_shield            = Coat of Arms of Skalica.svg
| motto                   =
| nickname                =
| etymology               =
<!-- location -->
| subdivision_type        = Country
| subdivision_name        = Slovakia
| subdivision_type1       =
| subdivision_name1       =
| subdivision_type2       = Region
| subdivision_name2       = [[Trnava Region|Trnava]]
| subdivision_type3       = District
| subdivision_name3       = [[Skalica District|Skalica]]
| subdivision_type4       =
| subdivision_name4       =
<!-- maps and coordinates -->
| image_map               =
| map_caption             =
| pushpin_map             = Slovakia Trnava Region#Slovakia
| pushpin_relief          = 1
| pushpin_map_caption     = Location of Skalica in the [[Trnava Region]]
| pushpin_label_position  = top
| coordinates             = {{coord|48|50|32|N|17|13|36|E|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes   =
<!-- government type, leaders -->
| leader_title            = Mayor
| leader_name             = Oľga Luptáková
<!-- established -->
| established_title       = First mentioned
| established_date        = 1217
<!-- area -->
| area_footnotes          =<ref>{{cite web |url=https://datacube.statistics.sk/#!/view/sk/VBD_DEM/om7014rr/v_om7014rr_00_00_00_sk |title=Hustota obyvateľstva - obce |author=Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (www.statistics.sk) |date= |website=www.statistics.sk |publisher= |access-date=2024-02-08}}</ref>
| area_total_km2          = 60.01
| area_total_sq_mi        =
| area_land_sq_mi         =
| area_water_sq_mi        =
<!-- elevation -->
| elevation_footnotes     =
| elevation_m             = 177<ref name="base_info">{{Cite web |url=http://datacube.statistics.sk/#!/view/sk/VBD_SK_WIN/om5001rr/v_om5001rr_00_00_00_sk |title=Základná charakteristika |language=sk |date=2015-04-17 |website=www.statistics.sk |publisher= Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic|access-date=2022-03-31}}</ref>
| elevation_ft            = 581<ref name="base_info"/>
| population_as_of        = {{Tooltip|2022|2022-12-31}}
| population_footnotes    =<ref>{{cite web |url=https://datacube.statistics.sk/#!/view/sk/VBD_DEM/om7101rr/v_om7101rr_00_00_00_sk |title=Počet obyvateľov podľa pohlavia - obce (ročne) |author=Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (www.statistics.sk) |date= |website=www.statistics.sk |publisher= |access-date=2024-02-08}}</ref>
| population_total        = 15471
| population_density_km2  = auto
| population_density_sq_mi=
| population_demonym      =
<!-- time zone(s) -->
| timezone1               = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset1             = +1
| timezone1_DST           = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset1_DST         = +2
<!-- postal codes, area code -->
| postal_code_type        = Postal code
| postal_code             = 909 01<ref name="base_info"/>
| area_code_type          =
| area_code               = +421 34<ref name="base_info"/>
| geocode                 =
| iso_code                =
| blank_name              = [[Slovak car registration plates|Car plate]]
| blank_info              = SI
<!-- website, footnotes -->
| website                 = [https://www.skalica.sk www.skalica.sk]
| footnotes               =
|area_note= ({{Tooltip|2022|2022-06-31/2022-07-01}})
}}
'''Skalica''' ({{langx|de|Skalitz}}, {{langx|hu|Szakolca}}, [[Latin]]: ''Sakolcium'') is the largest town in [[Skalica District]] in western [[Slovakia]] in the [[Záhorie]] region. Located near the [[Czech Republic|Czech]] border, Skalica has a population of around 15,000.
==Etymology==
The name is derived from Slovak word ''skala'' (a rock) referring to the cliffs the inhabitants built their settlement over.<ref name="lexicon">{{cite book | editor1-first = Martin | editor1-last = Štefánik | editor2-first = Ján | editor2-last = Lukačka | title = Lexikón stredovekých miest na Slovensku | trans-title = Lexicon of Medieval Towns in Slovakia | page = 43| publisher = Historický ústav SAV | location = Bratislava | year = 2010 | isbn = 978-80-89396-11-5 | language = sk | url = http://www.forumhistoriae.sk/e_kniznica/Lexikon-stredovekych-miest.pdf }}</ref>  The first written record of Skalica was made in 1217 as ''Szacholca''.<ref name="lexicon"/>
==History==
The site has been inhabited since 4000 BC and was part of the [[Great Moravian Empire]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zahorskemuzeum.sk/?q=page/155|title=Domov » Záhorské Múzeum Skalica|website=Záhorské Múzeum Skalica}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aHcvAAAAIAAJ&q=Skalica+velka+morava|title=Dejiny Slovenska: Od najstarších čas do roku 1848|first=L̕udovít|last=Holotík|date=2 May 1961|publisher=Vydavatel'stvo Slovenskej akadémie vied|via=Google Books}}</ref> From the second half of the 10th century until 1918, it was part of the [[Kingdom of Hungary]].  The settlement developed around a triangular [[plaza]], which was rare during the [[Middle Ages]]. Its [[town privileges]] were conferred in 1372 by King [[Louis I of Hungary]]. In 1428 Skalica became a [[bastion]] for the [[Hussites]]; during the [[Hussite Wars]], the majority of its then predominantly German-speaking populace fled or was exiled. Many [[Habaners]] (adherents of a sect similar to [[Anabaptism]]) settled in Skalica in the 16th century.
On 6 November 1918 Skalica became the seat of the Temporary Government of Slovakia, for ten days de facto capital of Slovakia. The Temporary Government led by [[Vavro Šrobár]] declared here a sovereignty of the Czechoslovak state, published a newspaper ''Sloboda'' (Liberty) and unsuccessfully tried to negotiate the removal of [[Hungary|Hungarian]] troops from [[Upper Hungary]] ''(today Slovakia)''.
After [[World War II]], the town tried to take advantage of its position as a district town, and many new works, schools and apartments blocks were built, while successfully preserving its historical city centre. In 1960, Skalica became part of [[Senica]] district. This lasted until 1996, when Skalica became a separate district again.
[[Didaktik]] computers were produced in Skalica during the 1980s. The 2006 [[Europe]]an [[Table hockey games|Table Hockey]] Championships were held in the town.
A popular pastry called [[trdelník]] is made in Skalica. Now sold all over Slovakia and Czechia, this unusual "stove-pipe" shaped pastry has its origins in [[Transylvania]].
Today, it is economically the strongest town in the [[Záhorie]] region, bypassing its rival town [[Senica]] for this position, and is becoming a tourist destination thanks to its preserved town centre and historical monuments.
==Sights==
Near the remnants of one of Skalica's [[city wall]]s is one of Slovakia's oldest works of construction, the [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] [[Rotunda (architecture)|Rotunda]] of [[St. George]]. Although its exact date of origin is unknown, it was constructed by the 12th century at the latest. <!--as per German wiki--> A [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]] dome was attached to it in the 17th century. The city has several churches, including a [[Jesuit]] church and [[monastery]], the 15th century Parish Church of [[St. Michael]], and the 15th century [[Franciscan]] church and monastery. Other sights are Skalica's Late [[Renaissance]] [[town hall]] and the [[Skalica Culture House]] built in the [[Art Nouveau]] with elements of Czech and Slovak folklore.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.radio.cz/en/section/curraffrs/famous-art-nouveau-gem-set-to-reopen|title=Famous Art Nouveau gem set to reopen {{!}} Radio Prague|last=Veinger|first=Jan|date=2011-03-16|work=Radio Praha|access-date=2018-05-02|language=en}}</ref>[[File:Skalica st george.jpg|thumb|The Romanesque St. George rotunda is the oldest building in the town|none]]
==Demographics==
{{historical population|1970|9637|1980|13833|1991|14748|2001|15013|2011|14441|2021|15573|align=right|cols=1|source=Censuses<ref>{{cite web |title=Statistical lexikon of municipalities 1970-2011|url=https://slovak.statistics.sk/wps/wcm/connect/cd33d897-7314-41d0-a12b-a95e537d7a39/Statisticky_lexikon_obci_Slovenskej_republiky_2011.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy&CVID=kRHTpsy|language=sk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Census 2021 - Population - Basic results|url=https://www.scitanie.sk/obyvatelia/zakladne-vysledky/pocet-obyvatelov/|publisher=Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic|date=2021-01-01}}</ref>}}According to the 2001 [[census]], the town had 15,013 inhabitants. 94.84% of inhabitants were [[Slovaks]], 3.61% [[Czech people|Czechs]] and 0.61% [[Romani people|Roma]].<ref name="statistics">{{cite web | title = Municipal Statistics | publisher = Statistical Office of the Slovak republic | url = http://www.statistics.sk/mosmis/eng/run.html | access-date = 2007-12-09 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071116010355/http://www.statistics.sk/mosmis/eng/run.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-11-16}}</ref> The religious make-up was 70.15% [[Roman Catholics]], 19.92% people with no religious affiliation and 6.67% [[Lutherans]].<ref name="statistics"/>
==Sports==
* [[HK 36 Skalica]], ice hockey club from the town and [[MFK Skalica]], football club in the [[Slovak Super Liga]].
* ŠK Bandy hokej Skalica is one of three [[bandy]] clubs in Slovakia. In 2019 it won the [[rink bandy]] league.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=sk&u=http://www.nazahori.sk/index.php/skalica/item/2423-skalicki-rinkbandysti-su-najlepsi-na-slovensku-individualne-ocenenia-putovali-takisto-do-skalice|title=Skalickí rinkbandysti sú najlepší na Slovensku, individuálne ocenenia putovali takisto do Skalice|date=23 May 2019}}</ref>
==Notable people==
*[[Béla II of Hungary]] (c.1109–1141), king of Hungary<ref>{{cite web | publisher =  Szövetség a Közös Célokért|url=http://www.felvidek.ma/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1100&Itemid=75 | title = Felvidek Ma| year = 2008 | access-date = 8 April 2008 | language = hu}}</ref>
*[[János Csernoch]] (1852–1927), [[primate of Hungary]]
*[[Ján Hollý]] (1785–1849), poet, studied in Skalica
*[[Gyula Juhász (poet)|Gyula Juhász]] (1883–1937), poet<ref>{{cite web | publisher =  Osztovits Szabolcs| url = http://enciklopedia.fazekas.hu/palyakep/magyar/Juhasz.htm | title = Kulturális enciklopédia| year = 2008 | access-date = 8 April 2008 | language = hu}}</ref>
*[[Miroslav Jureňa]] (born 1954), politician
*[[Radoslav Malenovský]] (born 1986), sport shooter
*[[Milan Mišík]], geologist, university professor
*[[Žigmund Pálffy]], ice hockey player
*[[Dobroslav Trnka]] (1963-2023), lawyer
*[[Marián Varga]], musician
*[[František Krištof Veselý]], actor and singer
*[[Miroslav Zálešák]], ice hockey player
==Twin towns — sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Slovakia}}
Skalica is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web |title=Úvodná strana|url=https://www.skalica.sk/|website=skalica.sk|publisher=Skalica|language=sk|access-date=2019-09-04}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|AUT}} [[Schwechat]], Austria
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Freyburg, Germany|Freyburg]], Germany
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Gladbeck]], Germany
*{{flagicon|CZE}} [[Strážnice]], Czech Republic
*{{flagicon|CZE}} [[Uherské Hradiště]], Czech Republic
*{{flagicon|CZE}} [[Slaný]], Czech Republic
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Arcueil]], France
{{div col end}}
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Skalica dom kultury 02.jpg|Culture house
File:Skalica main square 01.jpg|Main square
File:Skalica city walls 02.jpg|City walls
File:Skalica calvary 01.jpg|Calvary
File:Skalica jesuite church.jpg|Jesuit church
File:Skalica lutheran church 02.jpg|Lutheran church
File:Skalica pauline monastery 01.jpg|Pauline monastery
File:Skalica trinity church 02.jpg|Trinity church
File:Skalica franciscan monastery 02.jpg|Franciscan monastery
File:Skalic rotunda 01.jpg|Romanesque rotunda
File:Rotunda in skalica -1.JPG|Rotunda at night
File:Wineyeard in skalica -2.JPG|Garden in Skalica
</gallery>
==See also==
* [[List of municipalities and towns in Slovakia]]
== References ==
{{Reflist}} Portrayed in the Warhorse Studios '[[Kingdom Come Deliverance]]' as 'Skalitz' set in 1403
== External links ==
{{Commonscat|Skalica}}
* [https://www.skalica.sk Official page]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111002043841/http://www.skalica.sk/cest_ruch/index.en.php?lang=en Municipal website]
* [http://www.spectacularslovakia.sk/ss2002/skalica_churches_ascii.html Churches of Skalica] {{In lang|en}}
* [http://www.telecom.gov.sk/externe/znamky/2002/02278e.html Stamp of Rotunda of St. George]
{{Skalica District}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Cities and towns in Slovakia]]
[[Category:Skalica| ]]