Mošovce
History
Mošovce is one of the largest villages in the Turiec Region. Many preserved historical buildings are the evidence of the 770 years of its existence. It was mentioned for the first time in the deed of donation by King Andrew II. Originally, Mošovce was made up of two settlements: The first one, Machyuch, was located in the area of today’s Starý Rad, and the second one, Terra Moys, which gave the village its current name, occupied the place of the present day Vidrmoch. And it is the name of the second settlement meaning The Land of Mojš, which makes us believe that the whole village once belonged to certain Mr. Mojš, whose name might have been an abbreviation of a compound Slavic name Mojtech, similar to the names Vojtech or Mojmír. Throughout the history the name of the village has undergone many variations ranging from Mossovych, Mosocz, Mossowecz, villa regia Mayos alio nomine Mossovych, oppidioum Mayus sue Mosocz, Mosocz olim Mayus to the present-day Mošovce. The name of a separate ancient part of Mošovce, a former settlement Chornukov, has been preserved in the modern form of Čerňakov.
Sights
One of the most remarkable monuments is a Rococo-Classical Manor House from the 2nd half of the 18th century with an extensive English park. Other sites in the town include: The birthplace of Ján Kollár, a Neo-gothic Catholic church with a valuable altar built on the spot of its ancient predecessor, a Lutheran church built in 1784, a Mausoleum now hosting the Museum of Crafts, and an Art-nouveau greenhouse from 1800.
Nature
The surroundings of Mošovce is truly unique. A complex of historic tree lanes and groves creates an aesthetic and impressive landscape, which works as an extention to the woodland scenery of the Veľká Fatra Mountains. This mountain range belongs to the most attractive ones in Slovakia. Limestone and dolomites of fantastic shapes, as well as the beautiful nature in the nearby Blatnická Valley and Gaderská Valley attract people from all parts of the world.
Culture and Traditions
Mošovce has produced many important personalities. The greatest ones are Frico Kafenda (1883-1963), composer; Anna Lacková-Zora (1899-1988), writer; Štefan Krčméry (1892-1955), literary critic, historian, and poet; Júr Tesák Mošovský, Baroque playwright; and Miloslav Schmidt, the founder of the amateur fire brigades in Slovakia.
However, probably the most important person born in Mošovce, is the great Slavic poet, philosopher, and lutheran preacher, Ján Kollár (1793-1852), who greately influenced the literature of at least two nations with his poetic composition Slávy Dcera. His work is deemed to be the basis and a motive for the contemporary patriots and national activists. It has been translated into various Slavic, as well as non-Slavic languages.
External links
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Rococo-Classical Manor House in Mošovce -
Lutheran Church in Mošovce -
Catholic Church in Mošovce -
The winter panorama of Mošovce
