Oravská Magura - Slovakia
Extent: 176 km²
This sandstone mountain range is located in north-west part of Slovakia in districts of Námestovo, Tvrdošín and Dolný Kubín. It belongs to Central Beskydy Mountails, forming part of West Carpathian Mountain Range.
Highest peak: Minčol (1392 m).
Surface: very afforested, mostly with fir-wood and beech-wood forests, partially with pine-woods. In upper localities, there are appearing overgrowns of blueberries and meadow plants.
From climatic point of view, the area belongs to colder belt, characterictic with cold winters and hard rains.
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Articles
SK, Orava: Dolný Kubín – A Town of Poetic Beauty I
The history of this Orava town dates back to the Lusatian culture (Bronze Age). Finds of Roman pottery were even found here. The original inhabitants subsisted on cattle breeding and the cultivation of grain or legumes. During the pre-Great Moravian period, there was an important trade route connecting the Adriatic with the Baltic and there were also several fortifications.
However, the first written mention of Kubín as such dates back to 1314. Kubín was from the beginning a serf settlement and royal property belonging to the Orava Castle. Gradually (from the 14th century) other settlements were established in the vicinity of Kubín, which over time became suburban parts. The town gradually formed as a spiritual center for a wide area, crafts developed here (mainly stonemasonry and agriculture).
After the Reformation of the Turz family in 1558, Kubín became their property, which led to a relatively large development of this place, but it did not take long and in 1604 the settlement was completely destroyed. However, the tenacious inhabitants did not give up and rebuilt their dwellings. In 1632, Count Gašpar Illesházy elevated the then settlement to a town that allowed him to hold weekly markets and two annual fairs. This started the further development of Kubín. Subsequently, the town experienced a period of reformation and counter-reformation, until in the 18th century came politically (religiously) quieter times. However, Kubín began to suffer from famine and plague epidemics..
The other decades were marked by changes in social, cultural and industrial spirit. Various associations were founded, newspapers were published, and after the end of the Second World War, the industry also began to develop significantly. Suddenly, Dolní Kubín became a unique town abounding in unique buildings, sports grounds, and artistic renderings, not only in the material sense of the word. After all, who would not know perhaps the most famous national competition in the recitation of poetry and prose - Hviezdoslavův Kubín.
Many personalities of the Slovak nation are also connected with Dolní Kubín. For example, Janko Matuška, Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav, Ladislav Nádaši Jége or Andrej Ľudovít Radlinský. In a relatively small area of the city you will discover a fairytale landscape, the linden of the confluences of the world, sacral architectural gems, folk architecture, a modern ski resort or an aqua park. There is also a mini zoo, one of the best ice creams in Slovakia or great cycling routes.
GPS: 49°12'25.5"N 19°17'49.6"E
Text and photos: Oskár Mažgút
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SK, Orava: Dolný Kubín – A Town of Poetic Beauty II.
SK, Orava: Dolný Kubín – A Town of Poetic Beauty III
SK, Orava: Dolný Kubín – ATown of Poetic Beauty IV
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Mountains / Europe / Slovakia
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