Tvrdošín is a city in Central Slovakia.

Wooden church of Tvrdošín

Understand

Tvrdošín is the district town on the North of Slovakia. It is located at the confluence of the rivers Orava and Oravica.The borough of Tvrdošín includes the communities Krasna Hôrka, Medzvedzie and Oravice, lying 22 km from the town. The population of the town is about 9 337.

History

The name Tvrdosin is of ancient Slavic origin and dates back to the prehistoric era. The word itself stands for a fortified settlement, a fortress or a stronghold. The territory of Tvrdošín was colonized since prehistory. As a proof of that are the mass findings of objects which had been discovered in the last century in Medvedzie, Krasna Hôrka and Nizna. Thanks to a favorable location, the town had a role of an important water-way, road and later also rail-way transportation junction. The Zobor Charter, dating back to the year 1111, records Tvrdošín under the names Toarsin and Doardi. The Charter of the King Belo IV dated 11 August 1265, unmistakedly identifies the town as Toardosina. In 1361, the town was given privileges by the King Ludovit pertaining to royal towns. This was an important turning point in the history of Tvrdosin. Tvrdosin got the privilege of voting a reeve and pastor, organizing a market. Also, the town was exempted from paying duty. In spite of a busy trade in the second half of the 16th century the custom-station started to decline. It was caused by the instability of the overall political situation. The second half of the 17th century was the hardest period in the history of Tvrdošín and its neighboring villages. Frequent transportation of foreign armies due to the anti-Habsburg uprisings had caused a lot of problems for the town. The town was completely destroyed by fire. In the 18th century, the inhabitants of Tvrdošín obtained their livelihood from agriculture and cattle breeding and in this century, the town was considered to be a town of linen-makers. In 1777 Tvrdošín became the centre of a district. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were efforts to establish industrial enterprises. In 1909, a plant for making buttons was built there. At the end of 1922 the district of Tvrdošín had been abolished, consequently, bad development the town. But in 1965, the town acquired the character of town. In 1967, Medvedzie became part of Tvrdosin and in 1974, Krasna Hôrska merged with Tvrdošin.

See

• 1 Wooden church. The most significant and the oldest cultural sight in Tvrdosin. It was built in the Gothic style in the mid of the 15th century. This church is the valuable sight for the altar with a picture with all the apostles, which has Baroque style, Renaissance pulpit, and figures of Evangelists from the year 1654. The church initially was built without using the nail but after the reconstruction is not current. The church was reconstructed at about 1560, decorated in 1653–5, the following restorations were in 1899, 1921 and the last restoration was finished in 1993. As a result of its complex restoration, the church won the heritage plaquette and diploma of the Europe Nostra Award for “conservation and outstanding restoration of the significant wooden architecture construction and for its traditional wood-carved furnishing”  
• 2 Mária Medvecká Gallery. Displays an autobiographic outline of Maria's work with a selection of photographs capturing her life.  
• 3 Orava castle (nearby Dolný Kubín).  
• 4 Orava village museum (Nearby Zuberec). A reconstruction of a historical village. (updated Nov 2016)
• 5 Smelter of František. A technical monument, the ruin of the factory hall of the ironworks (iron smelter ) from 1836. Originally a classicist factory building with a three-axis plan. (updated Dec 2023)
• 6 Slanický island (Art island). Surrounded by the Orava dam, it's leftover of the former Slanica village. A preserved church now acts as a national art gallery (with expositions from Orava Gallery) - hence the island name. (updated Dec 2023)

Do

• Sport activities - tennis, table-tennis and athletic hall, artificial ice-hockey ground, football playground, playfield, and sports fields
• The Tvrdosin area has very good conditions for swimming, tourism and skiing.
  • 1 Oravice. Attracts the visitor with beautiful scenery, Ski Park and geothermal water that has positive effect on mental health and stress. In Oravice, there are open air pools and Meander Park with thermal water. The meander Park is water world which offers to visitors two pools, whirlpool bath with the water attraction. For example, water attraction includes bubbly seats and benches, a water mushroom, a geyser, massaging beds and many others.  
  • The complex also includes a new skiing resort called 2 Oravice Meander Ski Park. It has 3 skiing slopes, technical snow facilities, a children's ski-tow, a 4-seater cable way.
• A good place for relaxation is 3 Orava Dam   Lake. It attracts many tourists every year. The tourists can chose here from many water sports, such as water cycling, windsurfing, and diving under water, yachting, water skiing, view boat trip, fishing, and many others.
• 4 Studená Dolina (Cold valley). The valley is crossed by several marked trails.  
• 5 Educational trail Forest Transformations. (updated Dec 2023)

Eat

In Tvrdosin, there are several good restaurants, such as Synagoga, Natali, Koruna, and U Optula. There you can find different delicious food for reasonable prices, pleasant services and nice environment.

Drink

ABBA coke bar – it is the clean, pleasant bar with the fire-place and good music.

Synagoga – it is a disco bar in the centre of the town

Duo Bar – it is a disco bar near to Synagoga. Except from good music, you can play billiard.

Zona – it is a bar with good people for good people

Senator – it is a pub that has a terrace.

Sleep

In Tvrdošín, there is one large hotel, Limba and several smaller hotels.

Go next

• Central Liptov
• Chochołów
• Liptovský Mikuláš