POPRAD
- the gateway to the High Tatras
- they wanted to host the 2006 Winter Olympics but lost to Turin (Italy)
Basic facts:
-10th biggest town in Slovakia
-3rd largest town of the Spiš region
-approximately 53.000 inhabitants
- represented by the mayor elected directly for a four-year period
- Tatra electric railway to get to the nearby mountain resort
-Poprad-Tatry International Airport is the highest located international airport within Europe
-the later name for Poprad was Deutschendorf
Poprad is a town of • Geographical importance
Location:
- on both sides of the Poprad River
- advantageous transport location:
A, by car and by bus
B, by train - a main railway route Košice-Bratislava
C, by plane – the connection provided by the international airport Poprad - Tatry
Climate and nature:
- mild climate which is influenced by the High Tatras and the Low Tatras
- strong winds appear from December to March
- national parks in the High and the Low Tatra Mountains, Slovak Paradise and Pieniny Mountains
History:
- dates back to the ancient times
- the 1st written mention from 1256
- the town was established by German incomers
- the town was named "Popradzaza"
- the other parts (the present urban parts): Matejovce (1251)
Spišská Sobota (1256)
Veľká (1268)
Stráže under the Tatras (1276)
- the town was self-governing, and independent on state or non-state authorities
- the town was and is multinational (the Slovak, German, Hungarian, Polish and other nationalities)
- the Tatra electric railway began to operate in the beginning of the 20th century
Mayor of Poprad
- elected for 4-year period
- responsibilities:
a, leads the Municipal Council
b, signs their decisions
c, represents the town
d, decides about all town administration matters
Poprad municipal parts
Matejovce
- Production of washing machines and other electrical appliances
- Important employer in the region
- Renaissance bell tower from the17th century
- The church of St. Štefan
Spišská Sobota
- Trading as main business because of advantageous location
- For centuries it was the wealthiest of five Upper Spiš towns
Square (triangle-shaped)
- houses in the Renaissance style have attracted film directors (suitable for historical scenes in movies)
- the Church of St. Juraj (George) with a Gothic altar by Master Paul of Levoča
Kvetnica
- The least populated municipal part
- Recreation and relaxation zone
- Known for its climatic spa
- Lungs and respiration diseases are treated here
- In Zámčisko nad Kvetnicou there are ruins of Poprad castle from the 15th century
Stráže
- Burgher´s habitation and church of St. John the Baptist (Ján Krstiteľ)
- In the past agriculture
Poprad
- St Egidius Square
- Church of St. Egidius - gothic Catholic chrch
- Podtatranské múzeum Poprad – the exposition of the Neanderthal man (Gánovce)
- Aqua City Poprad
Veľká
- The 2nd most populated municipal part of Poprad
- The Church of St. John the Evangelist (Ján Evanjelista)
Galleries in Poprad
Museums
Sport facilities
Well-known personalities
Andrej Kiska, Daniela Hantuchová, Miroslav Lajčák, Peter Bondra
THE TATRAS
- offer various outdoor activities for all age categories
- possible activities: hiking, rock climbing, skiing, mountain cycling, horse riding, paragliding, swimming and rafting along local rivers
- safety provided by the well trained and skilled Mountain Rescue Service
- professional services: the Tatras Guides Association, Ski Schools, Travel Agencies and the Tatra Information Board
- one of the largest cities in the Slovak republic
- located in the central part of the High Tatras mountain range
- consisting of the 15 original independent settlements
- Štrbské pleso is the highest settlement in the High Tatras
- with the second largest lake on the Slovak side of the High Tatras
- a starting point for many attractive excursions and trips in the mountains
- a lot of European and world skiing events are held here, including ski-jumping and cross-country events
- from Štrbské Pleso to Mengusovska dolina (valley), the chalet at Popradské pleso (tarn) and to the nearby Symbolic Cemetery