|
|
|
Sopron - History |
The most ancient tribe which settled here were the Illyrians. Archeological excavations found their settlings defended by mounds. The Illyrians were followed by the Celts and from the 1st century A.D. this area was part of the Roman Empire. They founded the town named Scarbantia along the Borostyánkô (Amber) road. Veterans and tradesmen were settled here; they became the officals of custom stations and accountants of the Imperial estates. Scarbantia became a significant settlement through their activity the town had a Capitolium, and Amphitheatre and a Forum. Following the Romans, the area was occupied by the Avars, and then it became part of Charles the Great's Frank Empire. The Hungarians occupied the Sopron area in the 10th century. During the reign of King István I., a governorship of the castle was founded here. Its new name was given after its first governor, Suprun. In The 11th and 12th centuries there were presumably three settlements existing in the neighbourhood of one another. At the place of the old Roman city lied Sopron; a settlement northbound from here in the centre of the meetin point of large roads and the village of Lôvér southwards which was a place of royal archers. The three settlements were united in 1277 when King László IV. bestowed the right of a free royal town upon Sopron as reward for its loyalty. At this time the town got delivered from the influence of the feudal landowners. An economic upswing began at that time, its handicraft became more and more significant. The craftsmen of Sopron were famous also outside Hungary. The most skillful craftsmen of Sopron not only served for the Royal Court, but offered their skills also abroad. For instance, they were active in the construction of the St. Stephen church in Vienna. King Mátyás turned up here in 1482-83, while in 1523 King Louis II. visited the town. During the time of Turkish occupation in Hungary only the area of Sopron was looted by marauder troops; the town avoided both the siege and the occupation. Fearing from invasions, the walls of the fortress were fortified and defensive works were entrenched. In the 17th century parliament was held four times in the fortified town. The material and intellectual life of Sopron rose to a high level particularly under its renaissance-minded mayors. Kristóf Lackner devoted great care to the development of science and the arts, he founded a scientist's society and sent a number of Sopron students to universities abroad.
When war times passed, the town revived in the 18th century. This is when baroque style began to dominate in Sopron. the wall of the fortress slowly became needless, the moats were filled in and in the place of the defensive works a row of shops were built. The opening of the coal-mine at Brennberg in 1753 was an important stage in the ecanomic upswing of Sopron. Even in this century a sugar-refinery was set up. At the beginning of the 19th century French troops occupied Sopron. The burden afflicting the town, then devalvation following it and finally the Austrian economic oppression diminished inclination towards enterprises. By the beginning of the reformist movement, as a favourable impact of Széchenyi, trade was recovering and industrial undertakings re-started; the railways connecting Sopron with Vienna were also built at that time. Revolution was victorious here, too, however after the defeat at Schwechat the Imperials occupied Sopron and they did not leave before the War of Indepence was over. In 1921 the town again gave proof of its loyalty; a referendum was held to decide about its fate, and the population of Sopron decided that they wanted to continue to be a part of Hungary. The development of Sopron slowed down during the period between the two wars. In the last months of the Second World War it was afflicted by severe bomb attacks. The attrocities of the fascist terror also affected the town, there were many who devoted their lives here for liberty; the area of Sopron is a place of piety for the martyrs of the Hungarian resistance movement. Sopron was liberated on 1st April, 1945. Since the liberation it has been dynamically developing. Its monuments have been renewed; for the preserving and maintainance of its historic buildings Sopron was awarded with the Europe Prize. New schools have been set up. Its university, college, scientific and research institutes are well-known all over Europe. Today it is centre of light industry.The Carpet Factory, the Clothing Factory, the Timber Processing Plant just add to the fame of Sopron by their outstanding products. It is a resort place. Some tens of thousands people come to Sopron annually to have a pleasant relaxation. |
|
|
|
|
©
Copyright 2000 - 2004
Eurotravelling.net POWERED BY
wORLDTRAVELGATE.NET |
 Back to WTG |
