Happy TravellerWelcome to Prievidza, a vibrant city located in the central-western region of Slovakia. With a population of approximately 46,000, it is the second largest municipality in the Trenčín Region and the 11th largest city in Slovakia. Prievidza is a city with a rich history, beautiful landscapes, and a thriving cultural scene. Join us as we explore the many features that make Prievidza a must-visit destination.
Prievidza is believed to have derived its name from a personal name Previd with a possessive suffix -ja, meaning Previd’s village. Another theory suggests that the name comes from the Slovak word ‘vidieť’ which means ‘to see’, thus the village which can be seen from all directions.
As the central city of Prievidza District and Upper Nitra Basin, Prievidza is home to many institutions of regional importance, both governmental and commercial. The city is also known for its high percentage of planted trees, earning it the nickname ‘the green city’. Prievidza is divided into six boroughs: Staré mesto (Old Town), Píly, Necpaly, Kopanice, Zápotôčky, and Žabník. Additionally, there are three adjoining villages that are an administrative part of Prievidza: Hradec, Malá Lehôtka, and Veľká Lehôtka.
Prievidza has a rich history that dates back to the middle of the Paleolithic period. The Upper Nitra Basin was inhabited during this time, as evidenced by the rich paleontological findings in Bojnice and Prievidza. The first written mention of Prievidza was in 1113, as ‘Preuigan’. It was promoted to a royal free town in 1383, which meant that the town obtained privileges such as paying benefits to hold markets, choice of pastor and mayor, building mills, catching fish, the free development of crafts, and sale of produce. During the Kuruc uprising in 1673, Prievidza was burned down, with fire burning a part of the town’s archives. Since the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, industry started to grow, as the railways to Prievidza were constructed. During World War II, the city was one of the centers of partisans. Since the end of the war, the population has grown enormously from 5,000 inhabitants to around 53,000 inhabitants, as industry grew.
Prievidza is located in the valley of the Nitra River and is surrounded by mountain ranges on all sides. The city lies at an altitude of 280 meters above sea level and covers an area of 43.06 square kilometers. Prievidza is situated very near the smaller but more famous town of Bojnice, actually sharing the public transport system. The city is the eleventh largest in Slovakia and is located around 60 kilometers south of Žilina, 69 kilometers east of the regional capital Trenčín, and 158 kilometers from Bratislava by road.
Prievidza has a continental climate with four distinct seasons. It is characterized by a significant variation between hot summers and cold, snowy winters. On 21 July 2022, a maximum temperature of 38.6 °C (101.5 °F) was registered in Prievidza. According to the 2001 census, the town had 53,097 inhabitants. 96.65% of inhabitants were Slovaks, 0.95% Czechs, 0.48% Hungarian and 0.29% Roma and Germans. The religious make-up was 61.91% Roman Catholics, 29.01% people with no religious affiliation, and 2.29% Lutherans.
Prievidza has a strong educational system, with 12 kindergartens, 8 primary schools or elementary schools, and 8 middle schools or high schools consisting of two gymnasiums, one commercial/business academy, and five secondary professional schools. The Faculty of Management Science & Informatics at the University of Žilina has a branch in Prievidza providing bachelor’s degree study.
Sports are an important part of life in Prievidza, with basketball being the most popular and successful sport in the city. BC Prievidza has won 2 titles in the former men’s Czechoslovak Basketball League (1989, 1993) and after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, 4 titles in the men’s Slovak Basketball League (1994, 1995, 2012, 2016). The volleyball club VK Prievidza has won 2 titles (2018, 2019) in the top Slovakia Men’s Volleyball League. Football also has a long tradition in the city, with footballers such as Martin Škrtel, Juraj Kucka, Patrik Hrošovský, or Dávid Hancko being raised in the local football club Baník. From Prievidza, there are also ice hockey players such as Andrej Sekera or Martin Štajnoch.
Prievidza is twinned with several cities, including Kiskunfélegyháza in Hungary, Kroměříž in the Czech Republic, and Sabinov in Slovakia. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, or sports, Prievidza has something to offer everyone. Come and discover this hidden gem for yourself!
