Lendava

Lendava
Občina Lendava
Town and Municipality
Lendava

Location of the Town of Lendava in Slovenia

Coordinates: 46°34′N 16°27′E / 46.567°N 16.450°E / 46.567; 16.450
Country  Slovenia
Government
 • Mayor Anton Balažek
Area
 • Total 123.0 km2 (47.5 sq mi)
Population (2002)[1]
 • Total 11,151
 • Density 91/km2 (230/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+01)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+02)

Lendava (pronounced [ˈleːndaʋa]; formerly Dolnja Lendava, in older sources also Dolenja Lendava; Hungarian: Lendva, formerly Alsólendva; German: Lindau, formerly Unter-Limbach) is a town and a municipality in Slovenia in the region of Prekmurje. The name of the settlement was changed from Dolnja Lendava to Lendava in 1955.[2] It is close to the border crossing with Hungary at Dolga Vas-Rédics, and Hungarian is one of the official languages of the municipality, along with Slovene.

The town is the centre of the Hungarian minority in Slovenia. It is also known for the monumental theater and Hungarian Community Centre designed by the architect Imre Makovecz.

Demographics

The population by native language according to the 2002 census was:[3]

History

Hungarian stamp and name still in use in 1925

Alsólendva was a district (Hungarian: járás) of the Zala comitat in the Kingdom of Hungary[4] until 1918. It was part of Hungary again from 1941 to 1945.[5]

Jewish community

Lendava Synagogue

The first census of the population in the beginning of the 18th century mentions two Jewish merchants, and the following censuses showed an increasing Jewish population composed of merchants, inkeepers, distillers, mead producers, lawyers, and physicians. They played an important role in the economy of Lendava, owning a local hotel, a few pubs, and stores. Local Jews also started the first bank in Lendava. A Jewish school opened in 1850 and it was active until 1921. The last rabbi in Lendava was Mor Lowy.[6]

The synagogue in Lendava is one of only two synagogues left in Slovenia.

Landmarks

Church

Parish church in Lendava

The parish church in the settlement is dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria and belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Murska Sobota.[7] There is also an Lutheran church in the town. It was built in 1931.

Castle

Lendava Castle is a former property of the Esterházy family. The mainly 18th-century building stands on a hill above the town centre and contains a museum and a gallery.[8]

International relations

Twin towns – Sister cities

Lendava is twinned with:

References

  1. ↑ Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, census of 2002
  2. ↑ Spremembe naselij 1948–95. 1996. Database. Ljubljana: Geografski inštitut ZRC SAZU, DZS.
  3. ↑ Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia
  4. ↑ Handbook of Austria and Lombardy-Venetia Cancellations on the Postage Stamp Issues 1850-1864, by Edwin Mueller, 1961.
  5. ↑ Lendava municipal site
  6. ↑ Jews of Lendava
  7. ↑ Družina RC Church in Slovenia site
  8. ↑ Lendava Museum Gallery official site
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