Kazincbarcika

Kazincbarcika is the third largest city of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county, Northern Hungary. It lies in the valley of the river Sajó, 20 km away from county capital Miskolc.

History

Kazincbarcika was created during the Socialist industrialization, when several villages were unified with the aim to create an industrial city. The village Sajókazinc was first mentioned in 1240, it was a mainly agricultural village until 1850, when the first coal mine was opened. The village Barcika came into existence with the unification of two villages, Upper- and Lower-Barcika. Although a mine was opened nearby, agriculture remained the villagers' main occupation until the 1920s, when a large power plant was built.

After World War II, Sajókazinc and Barcika were united under the name Kazincbarcika. In 1954 it was granted town status, and the nearby village Berente was annexed. The town already had 11.000 residents. The new factory took an active role in developing the town, and its job opportunities drew people from all over the country.

In the 1970s Kazincbarcika already had 30.000 residents. In the 1980s mining and heavy industry faced a crisis, the rate of unemployment was high. The district Berente separated from the city and became an independent village.

It seems that by now Kazincbarcika got through the crisis.

Tourist sights

• City Gallery
• Small gallery (with photo exhibitions)
• Protestant church of Felsőbarcika (Baroque, 18th century)
• Orthodox church (1995)
• John Lennon monument

Famous people

• Béni Egressy composer (was born in 1814, as son of the pastor of the church of Sajókazinc)

Twin towns

• Burgkirchen, Germany
• Dimitrovgrad, Bulgaria
• Knurow, Poland
• Revúca, Slovakia
• Sânnicolau Mare, Romania
• Swidnica, Poland
• Tyachiv (Тячів), Ukraine

External links

• Official site
• Pictures of the history of the city

<font size="1">*The area of 36,4 km² is an approximate data only, as the territory disputes with Berente were still going on at the time of the 2001 census.</font>

Cities, towns and villages in HungaryCities, towns and villages in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county