Martin City

.. The eighth largest city in
Slovakia, Martin!
 Situated at an altitude of 395
metres (1,296 ft), Martin is located in the northern region of Slovakia, in the
Turiec Basin. Its location makes Martin (population 60,000) an important access
point to travel in much of central Slovakia, and a centre of classic Slovak
folk culture. 
History
From the second half of the 10th
century until 1918, it was part of the Kingdom of Hungary. The first recorded
reference to Martin in written sources is dated to 1284 under the name of Vila
Sancti Martini.
In the turbulent 15th century,
Martin suffered from many disasters, for example from the attack of the
Hussites in 1433, when the town was burned down. Just 10 years later, it was
destroyed again by an earthquake and Martin started to be slowly degraded from
royal to the privileged town and under direct influence of the Révay family.
Since the 18th century, Martin
became centre of the Turóc county.
The town became the foremost Slovak
cultural center in the 19th century. Several cultural institutions (including
Slovak Matica and Slovak National Museum) were founded there. Most political
activities leading to the Slovak national emancipation in the 19th and early
20th centuries were organized in or from Martin. The town was also
industrialized at this time. The first printing works were established in 1869,
the furniture factory Tatra nábytok in 1890, and so on.
The town lost some of its importance
after Pressburg (today's Bratislava) became the capital of Slovakia in 1919.
Today, it is the seat of the Slovak National Library and Slovak Matica.
National Council of the Slovak
Republic declared the City of Martin the center of national culture of the
Slovaks on August 24, 1994.
City of Martin won the United
Nations Public Service Award in 2011 in category: Preventing and Combating
Corruption in the Public Service
How to get there?
By train, it is easiest to get to Martin by stopping at the
station in its suburb of Vrutky, which is on the main train line to Bratislava,
Kosice, Prague and Zvolen. Roads to Martin, though scheduled for upgrade to
express highway in coming years, are at present somewhat slow
What to do?
Aside from the stunning views, there
is plenty to do in Martin! Like visiting the Slovak National Museum, High Tatra
Mountain, Cicmany, Justice Palace and many more! And don’t forget the
nightlife!: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/slovakia/shopping-nightlife
Want to know more?
Visit: http://www.martin.sk/