Tatabánya
Tatabánya [] is a city of approximately 73,500 inhabitants in north-western
Hungary, in the Northern Transdanubian region. It is the capital of the county
Komárom-Esztergom.
|
The Turul monument, which towers over the town from Gerecse mountain |
The city is located in the valley between the
Gerecse and
Vértes Mountains, some 55 km from the
capital. By virtue of its location, the city is a railway and road junction. The M1 (E60, E75) motorway from
Vienna to
Budapest passes through the outer city limits, and the Vienna-Budapest railway line also passes through the city.
Archaeological findings prove that humans have been living here since the
Stone Age. The three historic predecessor settlements of Tatabánya are Alsógalla, Felsőgalla and Bánhida. Bánhida is the earliest settlement, it was first mentioned in
1288.
 |
Communist housing developments in Tatabánya |
In the
16th century the
Ottomans occupied the area. Around this time the inhabitants became
Protestants. Later its
feudal lords, the
Esterházys populated the area with
Roman Catholic German and
Slovak settlers.
According to the
1787 census Alsógalla had 580, Felsőgalla had 842 inhabitants. The
coal resources of the area were discovered around this time. Population began to grow, and a new mining colony was formed, later developing into the village of Tatabánya.
During the industrialization wave which took over the country after
World War II several Hungarian towns were developed into large industrial cities. The four villages were united on
October 1,
1947 under the name Tatabánya and it was elevated to town status. In
1950 it became the county capital of Komárom-Esztergom county (then called Komárom county.) In the
1980s it already had more than 80.000 inhabitants.
The industrial character of the city was significant until the fall of the Socialist government and the following political changes of
1989. After that the importance of
heavy industry and
mining decreased and the economic structure of the city has changed remarkably.
According to the
2001 census Tatabánya has more than 30.000 households. 60% of them have central heating and telephone. Almost all households have access to the cable TV network. 98% of the city roads are paved, mass transport is well organized.Vértes Volán provides local and nearby coach services (http://www.vertesvolan.hu/).
Until the
mid-20th century, educational standards in the city were average, but in the second half of the century they deteriorated to below average, mostly because the local mines did not require their employees to have a high level of education. By the end of the 20th century though, this trend had reversed again. The city currently has two colleges, ten secondary schools, 16 primary schools, 18 kindergartens and 5 créches.
The most important cultural institution is the Mari Jászai Theatre. The city has several other institutions (museums, libraries.)
Tatabánya has a football team called TBSC, founded in
1910. The town also has a successful handball team, Tatabánya Carbonex KC.
* The
Turul monument, above the city on the top of Gerecse Mountain, is the largest bird statue in
Central Europe.
* The
Szelim Cave and the forest park of Gerecse Mountain are popular tourist attractions.
* Nearby mountains (Vértes, Gerecse) and villages are a great place to spend time; neighbouring
Tata has a beautiful lake and a medieval castle.
Image:Szelim-bg-upper-Cave.jpg|Selim cave, view from aboveImage:Szelim-bg-north-Cave.jpg|Selim cave, northern entranceImage:Szelim-barlang-Cave.jpg|Selim cave, view from insideImage:Szelim-bg-west-Cave.jpg|Selim cave, western entranceTatabánya is currently divided into the following 6 districts:
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The Turul monument in Tatabánya, which towers over the town from Mount Gerecse |
*Alsógalla
*Újváros
*Bánhida
*Kertváros
*Dózsakert
*Felsőgalla
*
Gyermely*
Héreg*
Környe*
Szárliget*
Szomor*
Tarján*
Várgesztes*
Vértessomló*
VértesszőlősTatabánya is
twinned with:
* -
Aalen,
Germany* -
Bedzin,
Poland* -
Christchurch,
England,
United Kingdom* -
Fairfield,
Connecticut,
USA* -
Izhevsk,
Russia* -
Odorheiu Secuiesc,
RomaniaTatabánya also maintains partnerships with the following towns:
*
Arad (
Romania)
*
Nové Zámky (
Slovakia)
*
Saint-Ghislain (
Belgium)
*
Saint-Lô (
France)
*
Hoogezand-Sappemeer (the
Netherlands)
*
Municipal website*
Aerial photography: Tatabánya
