First published: 10/08/08.

Els Slots 0

Fortifications At Komárno

Fortifications at Komárno (On tentative list)

Fortifications at Komárno by Els Slots

I just read the ICOMOS review that denounced Komarno/Komarom quite severely. The authenticity of the fortifications has been partly lost, the integrity is damaged by a railway line and industrial zones, the comparative study was carried out inadequately and the current conservation is "patchy". Even the risk of earthquakes was mentioned, and the Management Plan was deemed "excessively" ambitious. So a clear Rejection.

Last May Komarno was my first overnight stop in Slovakia. Its city center is pleasant enough though quite small. The Danube divides Slovak Komarno from Hungarian Komarom since 1920. This is not a romantic Danube: Komarno is a main transport hub. The fortifications are located on the converge of the Danube and Váh rivers. They are hidden from sight behind large walls, and I couldn't find a way to get in. The immense fort withstood sieges during a 300 year period, keeping the Turks out of the Hungarian empire. I have seen impressive photos of the fort's layout taken from the air, and also thought its Siege history might get it in. But unfortunately for the Slovaks and Hungarians it wasn't enough.

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