Bojnice

Bojnice (German: Weinitz; Hungarian: Bajmóc) is a historical town in western Slovakia located on the Nitra river, near the city of Prievidza. The town is situated just below the Bojnice Castle. It has a population of around 5,000.

Bojnice
Municipality
Town of Bojnice and Bojnice Castle
Flag Coat of arms
Bojnice Location of Bojnice in the Trenčín Region Show map of Trenčín Region Bojnice Location of Bojnice in Slovakia Show map of Slovakia
Coordinates: 48.78°N 18.58°E / 48.78; 18.58
Country	Slovakia
Region	Trenčín Region
District	Prievidza District
First mentioned	1113
Government
• Mayor	Ladislav Smatana
Area [1]
• Total	19.92 km2 (7.69 sq mi)
Elevation [2]	291 m (955 ft)
Population  (2024)[3]
• Total	5,073
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	972 01[2]
Area code	+421 46[2]
Vehicle registration plate (until 2022)	PD
Website	www.bojnice.sk

Bojnice is best known for its popular tourist attractions, among them being the largest zoo in Slovakia and the Bojnice castle, and generally for being one of the oldest spa towns in Slovakia.

Geography

The municipality lies at an altitude of 291 metres (955 ft)^[2] and covers an area of 19.92 km² (7.69 sq mi) (2024).^[4]

Bojnice lies in the upper Nitra River valley, under the Strážov Mountains. It is located very near the city of Prievidza, with which it shares a common public transport system.^{[citation needed]} Other major cities nearby include Žilina 60 kilometres to the north and Trenčín 65 kilometres to the west.

History

The town's history is closely connected to that of Bojnice Castle. The town was first mentioned in writing in 1113, when it was mentioned as a settlement under the castle. Bojnice was granted town privileges in 1366.

Landmarks

View of Bojnice from the Castle

Bojnice Castle, as seen from the castle park

The town is most known for the Bojnice Castle, first mentioned in 1113 and originally built as a wooden fort, it was over time built as a stone castle and in the 20th century, in the Romantic style. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction. The castle has appeared in many international films, and a well-known international festival of spectres takes place there every year. It is built on travertine rock with a natural cave.

The Bojnice zoo was founded in 1955. In 2006, it had 355 different species and more than 1,800 animals.

Bojnice is also known for its spa. The therapeutic springs were mentioned 1549 for the first time. Today they treat patients with disorders of the locomotor system, with rheumatic diseases, post-traumatic conditions, orthopaedic disturbances of the spine, neurological diseases and occupational diseases.

Population

Population statistic (10 years)^[5]

Year	1994	2004	2014	2024
Count	4984	4996	4900	5073
Difference		+0.24%	−1.92%	+3.53%

Population statistic^[5]

Year	2023	2024
Count	5013	5073
Difference		+1.19%

It has a population of 5073 people (31 December 2024).^[6]

Ethnicity

Census 2021 (1+ %)^[7][8]

Ethnicity	Number	Fraction
Slovak	4582	92.04%
Not found out	317	6.36%
Total	4978

In year 2021 was 4978 people by ethnicity 4582 as Slovak, 317 as Not found out, 47 as Czech, 41 as Other, 28 as German, 24 as Hungarian, 19 as Ukrainian, 14 as Russian, 9 as Italian, 6 as Chinese, 5 as Polish, 4 as Turkish, 3 as Jewish, 3 as Irish, 3 as Moravian, 2 as Romani, 2 as Rusyn, 2 as French, 2 as Croatian, 1 as Romanian, 1 as Austrian, 1 as Canadian and 1 as Bulgarian.

Note on population

The difference between the population numbers above and in the census (here and below) is that the population numbers above are mostly made up of permanent residents, etc.; and the census should indicate the place where people actually mainly live. For example, a student is a citizen of a village because he has permanent residence there (he lived there as a child and has parents), but most of the time he studies at a university in the city.

Religion

Census 2021 (1+ %)^[9]

Religion	Number	Fraction
Roman Catholic Church	2643	53.09%
None	1788	35.92%
Not found out	321	6.45%
Evangelical Church	64	1.29%
Total	4978

In year 2021 was 4978 people by religion 2643 from Roman Catholic Church, 1788 from None, 321 from Not found out, 64 from Evangelical Church, 24 from Other, 22 from Christian Congregations in Slovakia, 20 from Ad hoc movements, 15 from Jehovah's Witnesses, 15 from Greek Catholic Church, 13 from Eastern Orthodox Church, 12 from Other and not ascertained christian church, 12 from Islam, 10 from Buddhism, 8 from Paganism and natural spirituality, 3 from Jewish community, 3 from Calvinist Church, 2 from Baptists Church, 2 from Apostolic Church and 1 from Hinduism.

According to the 2001 census, the town had 5,006 inhabitants. 97.06% of inhabitants were Slovaks, 0.68% Czechs and 0.24% Germans (Carpathian Germans).^[10] The religious make-up was 74.55% Roman Catholics, 19% people with no religious affiliation and 2% Lutherans.^[10]

Notable people

• Karina Habšudová, tennis player
• Miloslav Mečíř, tennis player, Olympic winner
• Andrej Sekera, Dallas Stars (National Hockey League) defenseman
• Mirka Vavrinec, tennis player
• Zuzana Paulechová (sk), classical pianist
• Antonia Liskova, Italian actress
• Erika Pochybova Johnson (sk), artist
• Juraj Kucka, footballer
• Anna Záborská, Member of the European Parliament
• Ján Vlasko, slovak footballer

Twin towns — sister cities

Bojnice is twinned with:^[11]

• Jeseník, Czech Republic
• Bad Krozingen, Germany
• Rosta, Italy
• Zator, Poland

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Slovakia

See also

• List of municipalities and towns in Slovakia