Prešov (Slovak pronunciation:[ˈpreʂɔw]ⓘ)[f] is a city in easternSlovakia. It is the seat of administrativePrešov Region (Slovak:Prešovský kraj) andŠariš. With a population of approximately 85,000 for the city, and in total more than 100,000 with theurban area, it is the second-largest city ineastern Slovakia and thethird-largest city in all of Slovakia, after the nearby city ofKošice. It belongs to theKošice-Prešov agglomeration and is the natural cultural, economic, transport, and administrative center of the Prešov Region. It lends its name to the Eperjes-Tokaj Hill-Chain, which was considered the geographic entity on the first map ofHungary from 1528.[5] There are many tourist attractions in Prešov, such as castles (e.g.Šariš Castle), pools, and the old town.
The first written mention is from 1247 (Theutonici de Epuryes).[6] Several authors derived the name fromHungarianeper (strawberry).
Other alternative names of the city includePreschau(inGerman),Eperjes(in Hungarian),Preszów(inPolish),Peryeshis(inRomani),Пряшев (Pryashev)(inRussian),Пряшово (Pryashovo)(inRusyn)[g] andПряшів (Priashiv)(inUkrainian).
People from Prešov are traditionally known askoňare which means "horse keepers".[h]
The old town is a showcase ofBaroque,Rococo, andGothic architecture. The historical center is lined with buildings built in these styles. On the outskirts, however, the Soviet influence is clearly evident through the massive concretepanel buildings (paneláky) of thehousing estates (sídliská) and specifically the Sekčov housing estate, the largest housing estate in Prešov. MoreSoviet-style architecture is seen in the government buildings near the city center.
Many concerts, operas, operettas, and stage plays are performed at the new building of theJonáš Záborský Theatre (Divadlo Jonáša Záborského), as well as at the older theatre premises.
Prešov lies in the eastern part of Slovakia at the confluence of the riversTorysa andSekčov in the Košice Basin. It is surrounded bySlanské vrchy from the east and Šarišská vrchovina from the west. Roads I / 18 (Poprad –Michalovce), I / 68 (directionStará Ľubovňa), I / 20 (directionKošice) intersect in the town and the south-western connection of theD1 motorway (Poprad –Košice) is being built.[needs update?] TheKošice –Muszyna railway line leads through Prešov, to which the lines toHumenné andBardejov connect. Košice lies 36 km (22 mi) south, Poprad 75 km (47 mi) west, Bardejov 41 km (25 mi) north andVranov nad Topľou 46 km (29 mi) east.
Previous city districts:Haniska (1970–1990),Ľubotice (1970–1990),Šarišské Lúky (1970–1990, since 1990 it's a part of the village Ľubotice)
In the last few years and today, the construction of new residential areas andsatellite towns in Prešov is being realized, especially in the districts Šidlovec, Solivar, Šalgovík, Tichá dolina, and Surdok.
The historic center with the tower of theCo-Cathedral of St. Nicholas. In the background building is the University Hospital
Habitation in the area around Prešov dates as far back as thePaleolithic period. The oldest discovered tools andmammoth bones are 28,000 years old. Continuous settlement dates back to the 8th century.
In 1412, Prešov helped to create thePentapolitana, the league of five towns, a trading group. The first record of a school dates from 1429. After the collapse of the old Kingdom of Hungary after the Ottoman invasion of 1526, Prešov became a border city and changed hands several times between two usually rivalrous domains, HabsburgRoyal Hungary and Hungarian states normally backed by the Ottomans: theEastern Hungarian Kingdom, thePrincipality of Transylvania, and thePrincipality of Upper Hungary.
Still, Prešov went through an economic boom thanks to trade with thePolish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. In the 16th century, it brought in grape vines from the nearbyTokaj wine region, and was home to German-Hungarian, Polish, and Greek wine merchants. Some of the first books on Tokaj wine were written in German in Prešov.[5]
In 1572,salt mining began in Solivar (at that time a nearby town, now a part of Prešov).
Prešov, named here asEperjes, shown close to the border with Transylvania in 1606.
Wolfgang Schustel, aLutheran reformer during theReformation, who adopted an uncompromising position on public piety, worked in Prešov and other towns. In 1667, the important Evangelical Lutheran College of Eperjes was established by Lutherans in the town.
Map ofSáros County showing Prešov, named here asEperjes.
Imre Thököly, the Protestant Hungarian rebel and Ottoman ally, studied at the Protestant college here. In 1685, he was defeated here by the Habsburgs at theBattle of Eperjes. In 1687, twenty-four prominent citizens and noblemen were executed, under a tribunal instituted by the Austrian generalAntonio Caraffa,[8] for supporting the uprising ofImre Thököly:
"The city particularly suffered during the religious conflicts of the seventeenth century, when it had a reputation for Protestant anti-Habsburg sentiment. In 1687, General Carafa, an emissary of the Austrian emperor, imprisoned a group of local noblemen suspected of insurrection in a former wine warehouse off the square now known as Caraffa's Prison. He subsequently, and notoriously, had 24 of them tortured, executed, and their heads placed on spikes around the town, after what we would now call a show trial."[10]
At the beginning of the 18th century, the population was decimated by theBubonic plague and fires and was reduced to a mere 2,000 inhabitants. By the second half of the century, however, the town had recovered; crafts and trade improved, and new factories were built. In 1752, the salt mine in Solivar was flooded. Since then, salt has been extracted from salt brine through boiling.
The English authorJohn Paget visited Prešov and describes it in his 1839 book,Hungary and Transylvania.[11] In 1870 the first railway line was built, connecting the town to Košice. At the end of the 19th century, the town introduced electricity, telephone, telegraph, and sewage systems. In 1887, fire destroyed a large part of the town.[12]
In 1918, Czechoslovak troops began occupying eastern Slovakia, along with Prešov. On 16 June 1919, Hungarian troops entered the city and the very briefSlovak Soviet Republic was declared here with the support of theHungarian Soviet Republic.[13] The short-lived republic collapsed on 7 July 1919, and Czechoslovak troops re-entered Prešov. In 1920, after theTreaty of Trianon, Prešov definitively became part of the newly createdCzechoslovakia. DuringWorld War II, the nearby town of Košice again became part of theKingdom of Hungary as a result of theFirst Vienna Award. As a result, many institutions moved from Košice to Prešov, thus increasing the town's importance. In 1944, a professional Slovak Theatre was established in Prešov. The city is a site in theHolocaust:
"In 1940, on the eve of the Holocaust, Prešov contained five synagogues and more than one in six of the city's population—4,308 people—was Jewish. Three of the synagogues are still standing, but the Jewish community now numbers fewer than 60. Outside the sole functioning synagogue, on Švermova just off the main square, is a memorial to the 6,400 Jews from Prešov and the surrounding region who died in the Holocaust. The broad path leading to the tombstone-shaped monument, surrounded by prison-like bars, is intended to represent the Jewish pre-war population; the narrow path that leads on from it to the synagogue, those who survived."[14]
On 19 January 1945, Prešov was taken bySoviet troops of the1st Guards Army. After 1948, during theCommunist era inCzechoslovakia, Prešov became an industrial center. Due toWorld War II, Prešov lost the majority of its Jewish population. Nonetheless, the population of the city increased rapidly from 28,000 in 1950 to 52,000 in 1970 and 89,000 in 1990.
1703 – the beginning of the most powerful anti-Habsburg uprising led byFrancis II Rákóczi
End of the 18th century – arrival of the first Jews in Prešov
1816 – Prešov becomes the seat of an independent Greek Catholic diocese
1848 – construction of the 1st Jewish synagogue
1886–1887 – big devastating fires affect Prešov
1 November 1918 – in the afternoon, 41 soldiers and 2 civilians were executed in the city square. This event is also known as the Prešov Uprising (Prešovská vzbura)
16 June 1919 – from the balcony of the town hall, theSlovak Soviet Republic (SSR) was declared
1923–1924 – construction of the Art Nouveau building of the Bosáková bank
20 December 1944 – the bombing of the city is reminiscent of a small monument on Konštantínova Street
19 January 1945 – liberation of Prešov by theRed Army, the end of World War II, is reminiscent of the Liberators Memorial
1950 – the center becomes a city monument reserve
1972 – The Solivary is becoming a national cultural monument
By granting city privileges in 1299, the people of Prešov gained the right to elect theirVogt. Such a Vogt embodied the highest executive and judicial power in the city. He was elected among the esteemed burghers, usually for one year. The first Vogt in the city of Prešov, whose name has been preserved, was Hanus called Ogh, who is mentioned in historical sources as early as 1314. However, historians have not been able to complete the list of all the Vogts of Prešov until 1497.[16] For the first time, a woman became the highest representative of Prešov in 2014, whenAndrea Turčanová became the winner of the election. In the elections of 2018, she strengthened her position and won the elections to be the mayor of Prešov.
Prešov already had an important geographical position in theMiddle Ages, because it was located at the crossroads of trade routes and also belonged to the important defense system of the emerging Hungarian state. The beginnings of the army in Prešov date back to this area, as Hungarian tribes and their allies, which were military-guard groups of Asian ethnic groups, came to these areas to establish guard settlements and fortresses to defend the emergingKingdom of Hungary from enemy attacks. To this day, the names of the nearby hills Veľká and Lysá stráž have been preserved.[17]
The city had its own garrison probably since 1374, when it was given the right to build defensive walls with bastions and towers byKing Louis I. The importance of the military garrison certainly increased because the city of Prešov became afree royal town in the 14th century. At the end of the 16th century, during the 15-year war withTurkey, the city had to sustain a large imperial army. From 1604, when the first of several anti-Habsburg uprisings of the Hungarian estates broke out, until 1710, when the city capitulated to a strong Habsburg army, Prešov was besieged many times by various insurgent troops, even by imperial troops. For example:Bocskai uprising, General Bast's troops,George I Rákóczi's insurgents, Veshelini's conspiracy, Kuruk's insurgents, Tököli's uprising, General Caraffa's Prešov slaughterhouses, and the insurgents led byFrancis II Rákóczi. Prešov then flourished until 1848, because it did not experience any war.[18]
The revolutionary years of 1848–49 pulled not only the free royal city of Prešov, but the whole country into the whirlwind of events. Due to its strategic location, Prešov experienced several changes of military forces during this period. For example, General Schlick's imperial army was replaced by Görgey's Hungarian army, which was soon replaced by Austrian and Slovak volunteer units, which in turn were replaced by imperial soldiers together with the Russian army. The fact that the military importance of Prešov continued to grow is also evidenced by the data from the census of 1900, when out of 14,447 inhabitants of Prešov, there were up to 1,349 soldiers. The local military garrison consisted of several units of the joint army and militia, the largest of which was the 67th Imperial and Royal Infantry Regiment. The hardships ofWorld War I and especially its end tragically affected the life of Prešov, because on 1 November 1918, under the influence of the revolution inBudapest, soldiers of the 67th Regiment and some other smaller units in Prešov refused to obey their commanders and looted some shops in Prešov. After the arrival of military reinforcements, the insurgents were arrested, and even though there were no casualties during the riots, the statistical court sentenced the participants in the uprising to death. On the same day, 1 November 1918, 41 soldiers and 2 civilians were executed in the square. This event is also known as the Prešov Uprising (Prešovská vzbura).[19] The bombing of the city on 20 December 1944 was also devastating for the city of Prešov.
From 4 July 1945, shortly after the end ofWorld War II, military units in the territory ofCzechoslovakia were reorganized according to the model of theRed Army. Since then, the following military headquarters have been located in the city of Prešov: infantry regiment headquarters, rifle division headquarters, tank division headquarters, motorized rifle division headquarters, mechanized division headquarters, army corps headquarters, and mechanized brigade headquarters.
From 1918 to 2019, these soldiers, who were born in Prešov,brigadier general František Bartko,major general Vojtech Gejza Danielovič,lieutenant general Alexander Mucha, brigadier general Ing. Karol Navrátil, brigadier general Ing. Ivan Pach,[20] major general Emil Perko, major general Jozef Zadžora.[21][22][clarification needed]
Prešov lies at an altitude of 250 m (820 ft)above sea level and covers an area of 70.4 km2 (27.2 sq mi).[23] It is located in north-eastern Slovakia, at the northern reaches of theKošice Basin, at the confluence of theTorysa river with its tributarySekčov. Mountain ranges nearby includeSlanské vrchy (south-east),Šarišská vrchovina (south-west), Bachureň (west), and Čergov (north). The neighbouring city ofKošice is 34 km (21 mi) to the south. Prešov is about 50 km (31 mi) south of the Polish border, 60 km (37 mi) north of the Hungarian border and is some 410 km (250 mi) northeast ofBratislava (by road).
Prešov has a warmhumid continental climate, bordering anoceanic climate. Prešov has four distinct seasons and is characterized by a significant variation between somewhat warm summers and slightly cold, snowy winters.
Before World War II, Prešov was home to a large Jewish population of 4,300 and housed a major Jewish museum. During 1939 and 1940, the Jewish community absorbed a flow of Jewish refugees fromGerman Nazi-occupied Poland, and in 1941, additional deportees from Bratislava. In 1942, a series of deportations of Prešov's Jews to the German Nazideath camps in Poland began. Plaques in the town hall and a memorial in the surviving synagogue record that 6,400 Jews were deported from the town under theTiso government of theFirst Slovak Republic. Only 716 Jewish survivors were found in the city and its surroundings when it was liberated by the SovietRed Army in January 1945.[citation needed]
This section needs to beupdated. The reason given is: The census provided is from 2011, 14 years ago. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(January 2025)
According to the 2011 census, Prešov had 91,782 inhabitants, 81.14% declaredSlovak nationality, 1.70%Romani, 1.59%Rusyn, 0,7%Ukrainian, 0.48%Czech, 0.14%Hungarian, 13.8% did not declare any nationality.[29]
ThePrešov Orthodox Diocese was established after World War II by the division of theMukachevo-Prešov Orthodox Diocese. The Cathedral of St. Prince Alexander Nevsky was built between 1946 and 1950 in the traditional Russian style.
There are two theological faculties in the city – the Greek Catholic Theological Faculty and the Orthodox Theological Faculty. Both are part of theUniversity of Prešov.
This section needs to beupdated. The reason given is: The census provided is from 2011, 14 years ago. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(January 2025)
The religious makeup in 2011 was 55.8%Roman Catholics, 12.44% people with no religious affiliation, 8.15%Greek Catholics, 4.05%Lutherans, 1.55%Orthodox, 17.16% did not declare any religious affiliation.[30] On the contrary, there was an increase in the number ofatheists, Greek Catholics and the unidentified.
Barkányova zbierka judaík – expozícia Múzea židovskej kultúry v Prešovskej synagoge (Barkány's collection of Judaica – exposition of theMuseum of Jewish Culture in thePrešov Synagogue)
Thanks to the lively musical life and the success of Prešov's music production, the city of Prešov has earned the nickname "SlovakSeattle" (Slovenský Seattle)[31][32][33][34] or "City of Music" (Mesto hudby) long ago, mainly through the media. However, many musicians from Prešov work not only within their hometown or region, but also reap success in the whole of Slovakia, neighboring countries, or evenEurope.
However, not only the number of mainstream successful musicians contributed to the musical life of the city, in the past and today, but also more or less (un)known groups and musical subcultures, steadily operating in the city foothills (genres:metal,punk,alternative,hip-hop,R&B,gospel,rock,pop-rock,folk,jazz,country, and possibly others), concert rooms and clubs (Véčko, Bizarre, Christiania, City Club, Stromoradie, Za siedmimi oknami, Wave, Ester rock club, Netopier, Staré Mexiko, Insomnia, Ponorka, ENCORE), rock shows of bands with a long tradition (Rocková liga, vyše 20. ročníkov, Prešovský študentský Liverpool, 6. ročníkov, Rebrík) but also festivals (Sigortus, Dobrý festival, (t)urbanfest, ImROCK FEST, East Side Music Festival, Festival zlej hudby, Farfest, Jazz Prešov).
This paragraph aboutDni mesta Prešovis missing information about other non-alternative scene guests. Please expand the paragraph aboutDni mesta Prešov to include this information. Further details may exist on thetalk page.(January 2025)
Important events include the Dni mesta Prešov (Days of the City of Prešov), which are held annually on the occasion of the celebrations of the first written mention of the city (as of 2021[update], 774th anniversary). The celebrations usually include open-air concerts right in the center of Hlavná street, whereas several guests from the domestic and European alternative scene have taken turns throughout the years. That includes: Deti Picasso (Russia), Myster Möbius (France/Hungary), Masfél (Hungary),Prague Selection II.;Laura a její tygři (Czech Republic), Srečna Mladina (Slovenia), Squartet (Italy), but also Slovak groups Heľenine Oči, Chiki liki tu-a, Arzén, Mango Molas, Alter Ego, Kapátske chrbáty, and Komajota.
Part of the city's celebrations are also side stages, where young bands can also try their luck.
In 2009, the first Prešov film festival, the Bastion film festival, was established. The festival takes place on the historic wall behind the Franciscan Church. The organizers are PKO Prešov and Prešov composer and guitaristDavid Kollar.
After many years, the constant influx and modification of music groups, which are often enforced throughout Slovakia, required documentation, which took place through the internet database of Prešov bands and performers under the name Frenky's Music Encyclopedia. Historically and currently, the ever-growing database of Prešov musicians is run by Michal Frank, a journalist and editor-in-chief of the Prešov Korzár.
Bosák's houseHistoric houses and St. Nicolaus ChurchChurch ofSt. Joseph (Franciscan)Orthodox synagogue on Okružná streetFloriánova streetNeptune Fountain on Hlavná ulica (Main Street)Memorial – Prešovská Sloboda (Prešov Freedom)
Štátna vedecká knižnica (State Scientific Library)
Park kultúry a oddychu (Culture and Recreation Park)
Hvezdáreň a planetárium (Observatory and planetarium)
Fontány a fontánky (Fountains and small fountains)
Nové Divadlo Jonáša Záborského (New Jonáš Záborský Theater)
Historické Divadlo Jonáša Záborského (Historical Jonáš Záborský Theater)
Biely dom (sídlo PSK) (White House (PSK headquarters))
Vyhliadková veža (Lesopark Prešov) (Observation tower (Prešov Forest Park))
Evanjelický a.v. chrám Svätej Trojice (Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession)
Františkánsky kostol svätého Jozefa a františkánsky kláštor (Church ofSt. Joseph)
Gréckokatolícky biskupský palác (Greek Catholic Episcopal Palace)
Rákócziho palác - sídlo Krajského múzea (Rákóczi Palace – the seat of the Regional Museum)
Palác Klobušických - sídlo Krajského súdu (Klobušický Palace – seat of the Regional Court)
Tauthov dom (Tauth's house)
Weberov dom (Weber's house)
De Rossiho dom (De Rossi's House)
Szyrmayiova kúria - sídlo Pravoslávnej bohosloveckej fakulty Prešovskej univerzity (Szyrmayi Curia – the seat of the Orthodox Theological Faculty ofUniversity of Prešov)
Stará mestská škola (Old town school)
Wierdtov dom - sídlo krajského pamiatkového úradu (Wierdt House – the seat of the regional monument office)
Prešovská kalvária (Prešov Calvary – an important monument from the first half of the 18th century. Construction began in 1721 and was completed around 1752. The construction was led by theJesuits, who administered the Roman Catholic parish. Calvary consists of 16 baroque chapels and a church in honor of St. Cross, which is built on the highest point)
Historická radnica (Historic town hall)
Židovská synagóga (Jewish Synagogue – it houses the Judaica Museum of the Jewish Culture of theSlovak National Museum in Bratislava (one of the most beautiful synagogues in Slovakia))
Neologická synagóga na Konštantínovej ulici (Neological synagogue on Konštantínova street)
Ústav Sancta Maria - sídlo gymnázia na Konštantínovej ulici (Sancta Maria Institute – the seat of thegymnasium on Konštantínova Street)
Kumšt – originally a bastion, rebuilt into the Vodárenská bastion, Jewish Museum (1929–1939), since 1947 under the administration of the Regional Museum in Prešov
Mlynský náhon a historická mestská elektráreň (Mill drive and historic city power plant)
Kováčska bašta (Blacksmith's bastion)
Františkánska bašta (Franciscan Bastion)
Zvyšky mestského opevnenia (Remains of the city fortifications)
Prešov has the largest number of preserved castle ruins among all the regional towns in its vicinity, which led to the creation of the Prešov Castle Road project in 2019. The aim was to connect these castles with an imaginary tourist line and thus support the development of tourism in Prešov and its surroundings. 6 castles took part in the Prešov Castle Road project, namely:
Cemjata Lesopark – Fermented water (Kvašná voda)Borkút lesopark
The construction of a central city park, situated between the Sekčov housing estate and Táborisko, is being prepared.[needs update?] In addition to the planned central city park, there are several parks and parks in Prešov:
Severný park (Northern Park – near Trojica, there is a sculpture of the Immaculate Conception)
Južný park (South Park – Main (Hlavná) Street, includes a monument to the liberators and the Neptune Fountain)
Garden of Art (Záhrada umenia) – Svätoplukova street
Manor garden (Panská záhrada) – Nižná Šebastová
Kolmanova záhrada (Kolman's garden)
Sochársky park pri amfiteátri (Sculpture park by the amphitheater)
The city's ice hockey club isHC Prešov. The home arena of Prešov is the ICE Arena, and it has a capacity of 3600 visitors. Prešov had a hockey team since 1928 (HC Prešov Penguins), but in 2019 it folded.
The city's handball club isHT Tatran Prešov, which is Slovakia's most popular and currently most successful club. The handball team of Prešov is taking part not only in the Slovak league (where it is dominating[needs update?]), but also in the internationalSEHA League with the best handball teams from the region. Many handball players from this team are also members of theSlovak national handball team.
Soľnobanský jarmok spojený s Medzinárodným dňom múzeí (Salt Fair, connected with the International Museum Day)
Festival paličkovanej čipky (The bobbin lace festival – the international participation of bobbins – lasts 1 week. The first days are the courses of bobbin lace and by the end of the week, the event itself is connected with the demonstration of bobbin and the sale of everything related to this technique)
Dobrý festival (Good festival)
Festival zlej hudby (Bad music festival)
Dni mesta Prešov (Days of the city of Prešov)
Objavovanie Prešova (Exploring Prešov)
Prešovský trojičný jarmok a festival skupín historického šermu a remesiel (Prešov Trinity Fair and festival of historical fencing and craft groups)
Prešovské kultúrne leto (Prešov Cultural Summer)
Pivný festival – jazdecký areál na Sídlisku III (Beer Festival – equestrian complex in Sídlisko III)
Muvina – prehliadka vín (Muvina – wine show)
Noc kostolov (Church Night)
Prešovské trhy a parkúrové preteky (Prešov markets and parkour races)
Prešovská hudobná jeseň (koncerty vážnej hudby) (Prešov Music Autumn (classical music concerts))
JAZZ Prešov – Medzinárodný jazzový festival (JAZZ Prešov – International Jazz Festival)
Jazz rock festival
Súťaž mladých barmanov a čašníkov – EUROCUP (Young bartenders and waiters competition – EUROCUP)
IMAGE – Módna prehliadka (IMAGE – Fashion Show)
Opálové zrnko – súťaž podnikateľov (Opal grain – Entrepreneurs' Competition)
Gorazdov literárny Prešov (Gorazd's literary Prešov)
Farmárske trhy (Farmers markets)
Prešovský študentský Liverpool – mladé hudobné talenty (Prešov Student Liverpool – Young musical talents)
Vianočný salón – výstava prešovských výtvarníkov (Christmas Salon – exhibition of Prešov artists)
The inner bypass of Prešov, the so-called Waterfront communication
Today, Prešov has a southwestern motorwaybypass, which has been under construction since 2017 and was officially opened on 28 October 2021. The southwestern bypass of Prešov forms part of the D1 motorway in the section Prešov – west and Prešov – south. Since 2019, the 1st stage of the northern bypass from the Prešov – West (Vydumanec) junction to the Prešov – North (Dúbrava) junction, which will be part of the R4 expressway, has been under construction. After the overall construction, the Prešov motorway bypass will bypass the whole city, divert transit traffic in all directions, and connect the D1 with the R4. It will start at D1 Prešov – South junction, continue towards the northwest, to the Prešov – West junction, where it will connect to the already completed parts of the D1 motorway. At this junction, the R4 will connect to D1. Completion of the construction of the 1st stage (PO west-PO north) of the northern bypass R4 is planned for the summer of 2023[needs update], and the 2nd stage (PO north-PO east) is now under the tender with planned opening in 2027.
International routes of European importance E50 and E371, first-class roads I/18, I/68, and I/20, and second-class road 546 pass through Prešov. In 2017, the last stage of the so-called Embankment communication (Nábrežná komunikácia) was finished, including the reconstruction of the intersection at ZVL, which relieved the city center of transit traffic.
Urban public transport is provided by the Transport Company of the City of Prešov (Dopravný podnik mesta Prešov, a. s.), which operates a total of 45 regular public transport lines by the following means of transport:
One of the newest types of trolleybuses in Prešov – Trolleybus Škoda 30Tr SOR
Today, the following vehicles are operated in MHD (Metská hromadná doprava – Public transport) Prešov:
trolleybuses: Škoda 24 Tr Irisbus, Škoda 31 Tr SOR, Škoda 30 Tr SOR, SOR TNS 12, Škoda 27 Tr Solaris
buses: Solaris Urbino 12, Irisbus Citelis 12M, Irisbus Citelis 18M, Iveco First FCLLI, SOR NB 12 City, SOR NB 18 City, Solaris Urbino 18, Irisbus Crossway LE 12M, SOR BN 10.5 (leased fromDPB[35]), SOR EBN 8
Trolleybus Škoda 31Tr SORLow-floor trolleybuses have been running in Prešov since 2006. The Škoda 24Tr on Hlavná Street on line 1 goes on the oldest section of the track to the town of Solivar
The history of public transport in Prešov began in 1949, when Local Transport was established, a municipal enterprise of the city of Prešov, as the operator of regular public transport in the territory of Prešov. After the end of World War II, it was not possible to start public transport with a new vehicle fleet, so an offer was accepted for the purchase of older Tatra vehicles from public transport facilities inPrague,Plzeň, andBratislava. The vehicles were initially parked in the courtyard of the old prison on Konštantínova street, where the company was also located.
On 4 September 1949, the traffic on the first lines was ceremoniously opened. Already in the first year of operation, the Prešov public transport buses went beyond the city limits to the municipalities of Šarišské Lúky, Nižná Šebastová,Haniska, andSolivar. The following year, the development of public transport continued with the introduction of additional bus lines. The state hospital, Záhrady, Sídlisko II, Budovateľská and Čapajevova street were all gradually connected to the public transport network in the 1950s, as well as other municipalities: the town ofVeľký Šariš and its partKanaš,Malý Šariš,Ľubotice,Fintice,Teriakovce andZáborské.
In 1959, the first night line began operating, and the company was located on its own premises on Petrovanská street, where it moved in 1951. In 1958, when the construction of the trolleybus network in the city was approved, it brought a new stage in the development of urban transport. All high-capacity intra-city lines were to be electrified, while bus transport was to remain ancillary. Line 1 was the first to be electrified, which led from Nižná Šebastová through Šarišské Lúky to Solivar. Although its construction was delayed by several technical problems, on 13 May 1962, passengers got to experience trolleybuses. A new depot for trolleybuses and buses was completed in Šarišské Lúky, where the entire vehicle fleet as well as the company's administration moved. Work on other sections soon began, so in 1966, trolleybuses were already running on Košická, Sabinovská, Budovateľská streets, and Gottwald, the present-day 17 November Street.
In the first half of the 1970s, the track along Sabinovská street was extended to Dúbrava, and trolleybuses also began to serve industrial Širpo. Other projects of lines to Sídlisko III, Šváby, Haniska, and Delňa could no longer be carried out. Under the influence of cheap oil, buses also began to gain ground in Prešov. Bus transport recorded a quantitative development, when buses also started to run to Táborisko, Šidlovec, Cemjata, Pod Kamennou baňou street, and Sídlisko III. In terms of quality, however, this mode of transport has struggled with constant difficulties such as the lack of vehicles, their low capacity, and breakdowns. These shortcomings were not gradually overcome until the late 1970s. Nevertheless, due to the non-construction of the trolleybus line to Sídlisko III, the service of which was crucial at that time, the buses fully prevailed.
The period of the turn of the 1970s and 1980s, when the possibilities of public transport were significantly limited by the lack of fuel, pointed to the suitability of trolleybus transport. Following a review at the government level, the electrification program was re-launched. Sídlisko III was the first to be connected to the trolleybus transport network in 1985. Trolleybuses achieved a majority share in public transport in the city of Prešov after 1992, when trolleybus transport was introduced to the largest housing estate, Sekčov. The issue of the tariff in Prešov has always been characterized by an ever-changing number of tariff bands, based on which the rates for individual journeys were set. In 1949, there were three fare zones, and it was possible to change to another vehicle on one ticket. In 1969, single-ticket transfers were canceled, and the number of bands was reduced to two. Since 1984, the government has simplified the tariff, and there has been no division of the network into bands.
Different fares for travel to neighboring municipalities were reintroduced in 1993 and existed until 1996. Special rates also applied in 1997 – 99 and again in 2000. Tickets were originally bought from the guide directly in the vehicle, later sold by the driver, respectively a ticketing machine was installed in the vehicle. In 1977, the sale of tickets outside the vehicle was introduced. Since 1995, it has again been possible to buy a ticket from the driver, but at an increased price. Public transport is improved by the gradual renewal of the vehicle fleet, focused on low-floor vehicles, the introduction of computer technology into traffic management, as well as the reconstruction of track sections of the trolleybus track and overhauls of vehicles. In the future, it is planned to expand ecological trolleybus transport to the Šváby housing estate and the second connection of the city center and the Sekčov housing estate along Rusínská Street.[needs update?]
Three railway lines, Košice –Muszyna with a connection to Poland, the line Prešov – Humenné and Prešov – Bardejov pass through the city. The length of the railway network in the city is 16.7 km (10.4 mi). In 2007, the main railway station in Prešov was modernized, and in 2019, the pre-station area was reconstructed, including the underpass under Masarykova street, as well as MHD (Public transport) stops.
The following railway stations and stops are located in Prešov:
The main bus transport operator in the Prešov self-governing region is the company SAD Prešov, a.s., which provides suburban, long-distance, and international transport. Suburban transport is performed on 63 bus lines serving the districts of Prešov, Bardejov, Sabinov,Svidník, Košice-okolie, Košice, Vranov nad Topľou,Stropkov,Stará Ľubovňa, andLevoča. The main transport terminal in Prešov for the bus service is the Prešov Bus Station. SAD Prešov, a.s., in addition to the performance of suburban, long-distance, and international transport, also ensures the performance of public transport in Bardejov.
The international cycle route of European significance EuroVelo 11 leads through the functional territory of the city of Prešov, which passes through the cadastres of the municipalities of Veľký Šariš, Prešov,Haniska, andKendice. The route is a part of the General Cycling Route as branch H1 – the main cycling route and belongs to the strategic goals of the Prešov self-governing region, as the main axis of the region. Currently, within the framework of EuroVelo 11, a continuous cycle route is in operation on the route Wilec hórka – City Hall – Sídlisko II – Sídlisko III – Veľký Šariš – Šarišské Michaľany. A part of this route is also a bicycle bridge under the Šariš Castle with a historical look, which has become a new sought-after attraction. Another important cycling route is the so-called cycle railway leading from Solivar in Prešov to theSigord recreational area.
Bicycle bridge under Šariš Castle
In addition to these important cycle routes, there are several other local cycle routes in Prešov in various parts of the city. So far, the newest cycle routes in Prešov are the cycle route on Masarykova street, completed in 2019, and the Mlynský náhon cycle route, completed in 2020. Their completion was ensured by the cycling connection of Sídlisko III with the city center and with the Sekčov and Šváby housing estates. In 2020, a new cycle route was also completed in the Sekčov housing estate on the route from Laca Novomeského street to Šalgovík. For lovers of mountain biking, there are Prešov singletracks available in the Prešov forests, which together form eight routes of varying difficulty with a total length of approximately 20 km (12 mi). Prešov singletracks are one of the most attractive cycling areas in Prešov and its surroundings. They are well-marked and maintained in excellent condition. The routes lead through Malkovská hôrka, to the recreation center Cemjata (Kyslá and Kvašná voda), to Borkút, and it is also possible to get to the Calvary in Prešov.
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There are 15 public primary schools, six private primary schools and two religious primary schools.[38] Overall, they enroll 9,079 pupils.[38] The city's system of secondary education consists of 10gymnasiums with 3,675 students,[39] 4 specialized high schools with 5,251 students[40] and 11 vocational schools with 5,028 students.[41][42]
There are several business (shopping) centers in Prešov. EPERIA Shopping Mall[43] has taken its name according to the historic city name Eperies. It is located at the river bankSekčov, between the "Hobby park"[44] at the west side (with DIY chain store HORNBACH[45]) and STOP SHOP point[46] from south side. Total shopping area of all three units is approximately 140.000 m2 (1,506.95 sq ft).[47] ZOC MAX[48] is also located in Sekčov. NOVUM Shopping Mall[49] in the very heart of city centre with 33.000 m2 (355.21 sq ft) is the second largest. There are also ZOC Koral,[50] Solivaria SC[51] and the nearby Ľubotice Retail Park,[52] with an additional area together ofc. 40.000 m2 (430.56 sq ft).[citation needed]
One of the most popular locations in Prešov is Plaza Beach Resort.[53] It is an exotic place in a cozy and calm city area, consisting of a luxury hotel with a restaurant and outside swimming pools. The resort has been built in aMediterranean style.
^Reference to the fact that many people in Slovakshow business are from Prešov.Pre means "for" inSlovak, so Pre show = For show.
^The Prešov District has reserved additional abbreviations marked in italics for the purposes of assigning license plates in the future. This, however, became obsolete from 2023 when a new state-wide numbering scheme was introduced, preserving the same layout, but replacing the initial two-letter district code with arbitrary letters of the alphabet (assigned alphabetically, starting with AA).
^Public horse breeding stud was built in 1859 in Prešov on Sabinovská street, it was a stop for horses on their way toBudapest and gained popularity quickly, so citizens of Prešov were called horse keepers after this famous spot ofAustria-Hungary. Horses are also depicted on the jerseys of Prešov's football team,1. FC Tatran Prešov, which is the very first official football team in Slovakia, was founded on 25 May 1898 asEperjesi Torna és Vívó Egyesület(inHungarian).
^Štefánik, Martin; Lukačka, Ján, eds. (2010).Lexikón stredovekých miest na Slovensku [Lexicon of Medieval Towns in Slovakia](PDF) (in Slovak and English). Bratislava: Historický ústav SAV. pp. 331, 352.ISBN978-80-89396-11-5. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 2 March 2014. Retrieved29 December 2016.
^Setton, Kenneth Meyer (1984).The Papacy and the Levant, 1204–1571: The Sixteenth Century. Vol. IV. Philadelphia: The American Philosophical Society. p. 921.ISBN0-87169-162-0.
^"Presov Vojsko Climate Normals 1991–2020".World Meteorological Organization Climatological Standard Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived fromthe original on 20 August 2023. Retrieved20 August 2023.
^Majo, Juraj (2012).Historicko-demografický lexikón obcí Slovenska. Bratislava: Štatistický úrad SR.ISBN978-80-8121-222-2.
^Antl, Radek (24 December 2005)."S optimismem nejdál dojdeš" [You'll go the furthest with optimism].musicserver.cz (in Czech). Retrieved21 December 2021.
^"Prešov".presov.info (in Slovak). Archived fromthe original on 17 February 2017. Retrieved21 December 2021.
^folk.sk (15 January 2002)."Predstavujeme skupinu Hrdza" [Introducing the group Hrdza] (in Slovak). Retrieved21 December 2021.
Horváth, Tibor (1999).Szlovákia (in Hungarian) (1st ed.). Budapest: Cartographia.ISBN963-353-180-2.
Javor, Martin (2010).Heraldika na východnom Slovensku [Heraldry in Eastern Slovakia](PDF) (in Slovak). Prešov: Metodicko-pedagogické centrum v Prešove. p. 38. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 20 September 2008. Retrieved29 December 2016.
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