Partizánske Municipal Government
Partizánske town (48ْ۫ 37´ northern latitude, 18ْ 20´ eastern longitude), covers an area where the Nitra loessial downs, Tríbeč mountains and the southern spur of Strážov highlands meet, where the Nitra and Nitrica rivers flow together. It represents the gateway to the Horné Ponitrie (Upper Nitra valley).
The town has a relatively short history, having been established in 1938 when the MAS company - Moravské a slovenské strojírny (Moravian and Slovak engineering plants), which was part of the Baťa business concern - started to build a settlement called Baťovany in the area of Šimovany municipality. Together with the settlement, they established a shoe factory which distributed the first pairs of shoes to the distribution chain on 15 July 1939. After 1939 the construction of the factory and other parts of the new-established settlement was undertaken smoothly in the spirit of 'Baťa architecture' in Slovakia, which was represented by Vladimír Karfík, an important representative of functional architecture.
With the rapid development of the factory the settlement of Baťovany also grew quickly, so in 1948 it was granted city status. In appreciation of the participation of its citizens in the Slovak National Uprising, the city accepted the name Partizánske ('City of Guerrillas') on 9 February 1948, and also became the county seat. Gradually the town became an important centre of shoe production in Slovakia and top governing bodies of the footwear, leather and rubber industries established their seats there.
Modern Partizánske city covers an area of 22.4 square kilometres and with its integrated parts of Veľké Bielice, Malé Bielice and Návojovce it has a total of 24,052 inhabitants (15 March 2009).
Industrial production is characterised particularly by footwear production, which remains the main industry in the town. Other important industries include agriculture, and to a lesser extent also engineering, manufacturing and wood-processing.
However, particular attention has been paid to ensuring that this comprehensive industrial production is balanced by a green environment, the development of which has given Partizánske the nickname 'garden city'.
Through the construction of an industrial park the city gained a major foreign investor, VELUX Slovensko, which plans to build a factory there for the manufacture of roof windows. This investor will help the city and the region by increasing employment, enhancing opportunities for other investors and the entrenching the 'further development of the Partizánske region.'
Where touring and tourism is concerned, Partizánske city itself is an important attraction, built on the basis of an outstanding urbanistic plan by J Voženílk which has survived to a great extent until today. The extensive central square was formed partly by a park and partly by paved areas, around which the community centre, town hall, shopping centre, schools, boarding and residential houses were established. Here visitors can find not only 'Red Street' with its typical masonry-built houses, but also streets of houses with the rational design typical of Baťa, with roughcast sloping roofs and the characteristic žudr - which protected the entrance against bad weather and was usually place of chatting with neighbours as well as providing a space above for grain storage - taken from the folk architecture of the region.
The town enjoys active international relations with the French town of Firminy. Both cities are linked by the heritage and conservation of modern functionalist architecture which was confirmed when they organised the French-Slovak symposium and exhibition called 'Revitalisation of the Functionalist City of Partizánske' at the Biennale of International Design in Saint-Etienne in 2004.
From a historical point of view the Gothic-Renaissance 'Water Castle' building is remarkable. It dates back to the 13th century and during its existence it has undergone several reconstructions, with the different construction stages preserved in almost pristine condition. Another important historical building is the Roman Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Nanebovzatie Panny Márie), originally built as a chapel in the Romanesque style and rebuilt in the 18th century in Baroque style. Both buildings are typical examples of a mixture of several styles which combine into one harmonised architectural whole. City attractions include the Roman Catholic Church of the Divine Jesus Heartland (Božské Srdce Ježišovo), which has been declared a cultural monument. It is an example of pure functionalism and architectural constructivism where the interior is a unique, coherent and artistically impressive work of art by the academic sculptor, national artist Tibor Bártfay. In Veľké Bielice there is the interesting Church of St Elizabeth of Hungary from the 18th century. There, in the local cemetery, is the grave of Catholic priest Eliáš Pravotický, a member of Slovenské učené tovaryšstvo (Slovak Educated Brotherhood). His tomb is decorated by a spectacular tombstone of Our Lady of Seven, where an inscription 'chronogram' appears.
A unique and significant cultural and educational venue in the field of astronomy, space and related natural sciences and technical sciences in the wider surroundings is the Partizánske Observatory in the city part of Malé Bielice. The observatory provides opportunities for day and night surveillance, organising lectures and discussions, films, slide presentations and its own audio-visual programme projections.
The Báger ('excavator') water reservoir helps to further develop cognitive-educational and sport-recreational activities with a focus on fishing. It is a valuable example of species composition of flora and fauna.
The natural value and attractiveness of the city is increased by the protected landscape area of Ponitrie, which lies on the city outskirts.
In Malé Bielice there is a remedial centre with accommodation facilities, where therapeutic treatments are offered using mineralised, hydro-carbonated, hypotonic thermal water with a temperature of 30-40 degrees, rich in calcium and magnesium. It positively affects the kinetic system, vegetative nervous system and the overall somatic regeneration of an organism.
In the vicinity of the spa there is a small airport in Malé Bielice, which operates the General M R Štefánik Slovak National Aeroclub, providing the possibility of sightseeing flights.
The surroundings of Partizánske also abound in cultural-historical monuments and touristic attractions. In the nearby village of Brodzany there is a Renaissance Mansion dating from the 17th century, with adjoining English park and water cascades of the Geradza creek. In the mansion there is a Slavic museum of A S Pushkin. In the nearby village of Bošany there is a Renaissance château from the 16th century with a preserved attic. Tourists can also admire the beautiful countryside in Klížska valley and visit the Romanesque church from the 11th century in Sádok, the Romanesque rotunda in Klížske Hradište, the Renaissance residence from the 16th century and the Renaissance castle with a park in Klátova Nová Ves. In the nearby village of Veľké Uherce there is a Gothic church from the 14th century and a Renaissance castle, which was rebuilt according to the Romantic Neo-Gothic in the 19th century. Behind Veľké Uherce there is a water reservoir situated in a beautiful forest environment, providing the possibility of swimming, water sports and fishing. Visitors can also go to the Lomská Valley to experience the beauty of nature there. This village is situated not far from Horná Ves, where it is possible to practise summer and winter tourism and accommodation - boarding is provided too.
Partizánske city may not have a long history; however its short history abounds in interesting content. What was naturally developed in other cities over several generations has been artificially created in Partizánske in just several decades.
