Piešťany

Location– Piešťany are located in the south-western part of the Slowak Republic,in the nothern extremity of the warm Danube Lowland,in the broad valley of the Váh-river,under the western slopes oh the Považský Inovec,in the altitude of 162 metres.


The municipal part of Piešťany with its thirty-five thousand inhabitants,the shopping network and services,hotels and cafés,several significant spa buildings,recreational,cultural and social facilities,an extensive municipal park,sports grounds and playgrounds are situated on the right bank of the Váh river.



History– Historians have established that sometime between the 11th and 12th centuries already was existed than „Old apaiešťany“.The name Piešťany is derived from the Latin „paskan“ ( sand ).



It was in 1889 that Alexander Winter and his sons obtained a contract to take over the spa.This Jewish family wanted to put Piešťany on the map as one of the world´s foremost spas and in 1912 the facility´s largest and most luxurious hotel,the Thermia Palace,was completed.



One of the firstguests at this fine complex was the Bulgarian Czar Ferdinand I.,who stated that such a hotal couldn´t found elsewhere in all of Europe.In 1917 three monarchs-Austrian Emperor Charles I.,German –Wilhem II. and the Bulgarian Czar Ferdinand I.-met here to discus the further course of the world war.



At the beginning world war II. in 1939,the Winter family was forced to sell all their investments in Piešťany to a German consortium.Ľudovít Winter then moved to Bratislava,where he was rounded up and sent to the Terezin concentration camp north of Prague.



He was lucky to survive and after the war returnedas an old and broken man to Piešťany.



Sports– The more than four hundred hectar surface on the Sĺňava water reservoir may be used for all kinds of water sports.Near by mountains of Považský Inovec are suitable for not too demanding recreational hiking in the beauftiful environment.On the nearby mountain of Bezovec there are suitable skiing.



The most favourite is the thermal swimming pool Eva.In some hotels are sauna,solárium and fitness-centre.



Climate– Piešťany belongs among the places in the warmest region of Slowakia.The climate is typically the lowland one here,and slightly dry.The averrage annual air temperature of 9,4 st.C is comparatively high.The annual average of sunshine are 2,084 hours and from that more than 9 hour per day in summer.Only 75 days in a year are sunshine.



Cultural facilities and social life– The modern Arts Centre of the Slowak Philharmonic Orchestra and Social Centre are venues of cultural events organized during all time.



During the summer season there is already traditionally organized by Piešťany city at the Piešťany´s Parks.



At piešťany there are many coffee-houses,bars,night clubs,pubs,...