Vác | |
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 .jpg) .jpg)  Vác Cathedral (upper left) and other locations in Vác | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
  Vác Location of Vác Show map of Hungary Vác Vác (Europe) Show map of Europe | |
| Coordinates:47°46′31″N19°07′52″E / 47.77518°N 19.13102°E /47.77518; 19.13102 | |
| Country |  Hungary |
| County | Pest |
| District | Vác |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Ilona Matkovich (Independent) |
| Area | |
• Total | 61.60 km2 (23.78 sq mi) |
| Population (2013) | |
• Total | 33,475 |
| • Density | 543/km2 (1,410/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 2600 |
| Area code | 27 |
Vác (Hungarian pronunciation:[ˈvaːt͡s];German:Waitzen;Slovak:Vacov;Yiddish:ווייצען) is a thousand-year old city inPest county inHungary with approximately 35,000 inhabitants. The archaic spelling of the name isVácz.
Vác is located 35 kilometres (22 miles) north ofBudapest on the eastern bank of theDanube river, below the bend where the river changes course and flows south. The town is seated at the foot of the Naszály Mountain in the foothills of theCarpathians.[1]
Vác is a commercial center as well as a popular summer resort for citizens of Budapest. TheVác Cathedral, built 1761–1777, was modelled afterSt. Peter's Basilica inRome.[1] Theepiscopal palace houses a museum for Roman and medieval artifacts.[1] The city is also known for its 18th-century arch of triumph and for its beautiful baroque city center.
Settlement in Vác dating as far back as theRoman Empire has been found. The origin of its name is debated. One hypothesis says that the name comes from a Hungarian tribal name "Vath".[2]
It has been the seat of aRoman Catholic bishopric since the 11th century.[1] Bishops from theRoman Catholic Diocese of Vác were influential within theKingdom of Hungary, with many serving as chancellors or later becoming archbishops.
On 17 March 1241, due to the attack of Mongols the population was slaughtered and Mongols set up camp there.[3][4][5] After the departure of the Mongols, Vác was rebuilt andGerman colonists were invited to the town.[2] The town was conquered by theOttoman Empire in 1541. During theHabsburg monarchy's wars against the Ottomans, theAustrians won victories against theTurks at Vác in 1597 andin 1684.[1] After theGreat Turkish War, Vác was rebuilt and repopulated. This re-population was both spontaneous and planned.[2] According to the Truce of Zsitvatörök, Habsburg control of the fortress at Vác (also known as Vacz) was maintained, and its repair was sanctioned.
During theHungarian Revolution and War of Independence of 1848-49, theHonvédség routed the Austrian forces stationed in the city after a major battle (April 10, 1849); the Second Battle of Vác ended in Russian victory (July 17).
DuringWorld War II, Vác was captured on 8 December 1944 bySoviet troops of the2nd Ukrainian Front in the course of theBudapest Offensive.
According to the 1910 census,the religious make-up of thetown was the following:
Deuil-la-Barre, France
Donaueschingen, Germany
Dubnica nad Váhom, Slovakia
Givatayim, Israel
Järvenpää, Finland
Odorheiu Secuiesc, Romania
Otrokovice, Czech RepublicŠahy, Slovakia
Sarıyer, Turkey
Tiachiv, Ukraine
Zawadzkie, Poland.jpg)
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| Villages (16) | ||
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