| My Hometown |
Topolcany
is one of the oldest and the most important locations in the valley of the Nitra
river. The first reliable, written mention referring to Topolcany as a royal
property comes from the "Gift Certificate" from Bela III by which
Topolcany was presented to Dionyz and this certificate was mentioned in the deed
by Bela IV in the year 1235.
Topolcany became a town probably in the second half of the 13th century, in the
year 1342 it was referred to as a free royal town. In the 15th century it became
a seat of a Hussite garrison. During the Turkish invasions the town was more
times robbed and burnt down.
In the beginning of the 18th century the town obtained some important privileges
of the free towns, especially the right to hold markets. In the half of the 18th
century 116 craftsmen of the town were united in guilds /tailors, shoemakers,
boot-makers, furriers, hatters, saddlers and strap-makers, joiners, butchers,
locksmiths etc./
In the year 1850 Topolcany became the seat of the district in the Region of
Nitra. At that time the town was busy with life of craftsmen and businessmen.
The guilds were abolished, but the enterprising population of Topolcany changed
the town into a strong production and business centre. The advantageous
location, the right of stock and the right to collect tolls and since the year
1881 the railway were a predetermination of it. All this provided for the good
conditions for the trade with agricultural products, especially trade with
cattle, wool and leather. The town was famous for its wool markets which
attracted merchants from abroad and the prices of wool, determined at the
markets in Topolcany were valid for the whole Upper Hungary. /During these
markets men helped to carry big sacks full of wool - "zochy" what can
probably be the explanation of the famous nickname "zochari"./
Although there has always been very well developed agricultural production in
the surroundings of Topolcany, the first factory for manufacturing of
agricultural products was founded only in the year 1890. It was a refinery where
margarines, liqueurs, baking powder and yeast were manufactured. The second
industrial factory was a steam saw - mill, founded before the First World War
which produced mainly parquets. After the Second World War it has been rebuilt
into a furniture factory /today the furniture factory MIER a.s./
Until the origin of the Czechoslovak Republic Topolcany was a considerably
backward town. Only an amateurish theatre played an important role in the public
instruction. Education was on a quite good niveau in the town. The first school
was mentioned in the first half of the 14th century. The existence of Evangelic
school is supported by written, references. Education of Jewish children was
secured by the Talmud School. The first civic school /town real grammar-school/
was founded in the year 1936.
After the war Topolcany has started changing from a business - workmanlike town
into an industrial centre. The flow of population gave rise to building houses,
schools, hospitals and the building of culture and sports facilities.