SLOVAK COMPANIES DATABASE

The Town Šamorín

Town, Municipality

Hlavná 37
931 01 Šamorín
Tel.: +421 31 5900 412
Tel.: +421 31 5900 418
Tel.: +421 31 5900 425
Fax: +421 31 5900 400
E-mail: info@samorin.sk
Web: www.samorin.sk

IČO: 00305723
IČ DPH / DIČ: 2020370121

The Town Šamorín

The exact time of the town’s beginning is not known. According to Matthew Bél and other well-known historians the town was named after the church erected in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was first mentioned as Villa Sancta Maria in records dating from 1238. Its later name was Zenthmaria (1287), later Samaria which is the basis of the present name. The symbol of Virgin Mary is often depicted in the emblems of Šamorín: in its coat of arms, flag or on the town seal from 1405.

In 1405 King Sigismund granted the town with the right of a Royal Free Town. Šamorín enjoyed all the same rights as Bratislava at that time.

Battles with the Turks in the second part of the 6th century put an end to the town’s steady development. In 1465 it lost its Royal Free Town status and was demoted to be a Market Town. Only later in the beginning of the 17th century Šamorín regained its role as an agricultural and trade center of the Upper Rye Island.

Towards the end of the 19th century Šamorín has grown to a middle-class town. Several educational and cultural institutions were established: a state-funded school in 1872, the Volunteer Fire Brigade in 1873 or its Brass orchestra in 1875.

During and after the World War I. there was a prison camp for captured Italian and Russian prisoners of war. Memorials pay honor to them in the local cemetery.

About 70–80 Jewish families lived in the town until the World War II. They had their own rabbi, chorister, school and teacher too. Nearly all Jews were deported and killed in 1944.

The town’s landscape was drastically transformed during the Communism. Vast portion of the historical town center was demolished to make room for high-rise buildings with hundreds of apartments.

Until 1960 Šamorín was a district seat, and then it became the part of the Dunajská Streda district and Trnava county. The town’s population is currently over 13 000 with majority of Hungarian nationality.

450 various firms and nearly 50 non-profit organizations are located in Šamorín employing people and contributing to the town’s further development. Since 2004 an Italian industrial park has being built with 15–20 investors participating (Calearo, Eltra …).

Cultural, ecclesiastical and secular heritage

The Reformed Church: one of the oldest and most beautiful Gothic churches in the Rye Island Region. It was built in the 13th century in late-roman style and still has original frescos.

The Roman Catholic Church and Monastery: they were built according to the plan of J. G. Altenburger between 1722 and 1778 by Minims (Paulinians) and are significant monuments of the late-baroque style. It was the only Minim monastery in the Hungarian Kingdom. The organ of the church was built by the most famous organ maker at that time Ludwig Mooser in 1866.

The Evangelical Church was built in 1875 in classicistic style. The Slovak statesman, diplomat and scientist Milan Rastislav Štefánik was a student in the local Evangelical school in 1889–90.

The Roman Church in Šámot: it was built around 1260 in roman style and bears the name of St. Margaret.

The Synagogue was built in 1912. In the years of socialism it was disgracefully used as a warehouse. Today it gives a home to the multi-art foundation called At Home Gallery. The center has acquired national and international publicity in areas of contemporary fine arts, music and eurhythmics. The Gallery was visited by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in 2000.

The Town Hall is situated on the Main Square of the Town. The original roof and tower were destroyed in a fire in 1836. There was a known and unhealthy prison under the building.

Recreation and other local sights

The river Danube is visited mainly for recreational activities. A brand new aqua park, wellness, sport and congress center will be opened in 2015.

One of the most significant European bicycle routes can be found on the levee of the river and gives easy access to the nearby villages, Bratislava, Vienna or to Hungary.

Culture and sports in the town

Several folk and art groups work in the town. E.g. the Csalló folk art group, the Csali and Prvosienka children folk dance groups, the HID (Bridge) choir and different bands play modern music.

The first soccer match was played in 1912. The STK (Local Association of Exercisers) was established in 1914.

Other clubs: tennis, kayak-canoe club (the best club in Slovakia), the famous fencing club, Gladiator Club for wrestlers, basketball team – the local women team plays in the Slovak First League Championship.

From the 1970s Šamorín is also famous for its horse racing which drew many visitors to town.

Twin cities:

• Mosonmagyaróvár – Hungary
• Hainburg – Austria
• Leiderdorp – The Netherlands
• Gheorgheni (Gyergyószentmi­klós) – Romania

Published: 26. 1. 2016