Handlová

Handlová
Municipality
Flag of Handlová
Flag
Coat of arms of Handlová
Coat of arms
Handlová is located in Trenčín Region
Handlová
Handlová
Location of Handlová in the Trenčín Region
Handlová is located in Slovakia
Handlová
Handlová
Location of Handlová in Slovakia
Coordinates: 48°44′N 18°46′E / 48.73°N 18.76°E / 48.73; 18.76
Country Slovakia
Region Trenčín Region
DistrictPrievidza District
First mentioned1367
Government
 • MayorSilvia Grúberová
Area
[1]
 • Total
85.55 km2 (33.03 sq mi)
Elevation
[3]
465 m (1,526 ft)
Population
 (2025)[2]
 • Total
15,289
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
972 51[3]
Area code+421 46[3]
Vehicle registration plate (until 2022)PD
Websitewww.handlova.sk

Handlová (German: Krickerhau, Hungarian: Nyitrabánya, before 1913 Handlova) is a town in the Prievidza District, Trenčín Region in the middle of Slovakia. It is made up of the three parts Handlová, Nová Lehota and Morovno.

Geography

The municipality lies at an altitude of 465 metres (1,526 ft)[3] and covers an area of 85.55 km2 (33.03 sq mi) (2025).[4]

It is located in the Handlovka brook valley, surrounded by the mountain ranges of Vtáčnik in the west and Žiar in the south, east and north, in the historical region of Hauerland. It is 15 kilometres (9 miles) away from Prievidza and 20 km (12 mi) from Žiar nad Hronom.

Besides the main settlement, it also has "parts" of Morovno (north-west) and Nová Lehota (south), both annexed 1976.

History

The town was established in 1376 and was inhabited by German settlers which were later known as the Carpathian Germans. The first known settler in Handlová was Peter Kricker from Kremnica, who came here together with 200 others to establish a settlement on a site called Krásny les (Beautiful Forest). At first the settlers lived just from crops and pastoral farming. Only much later, in the 18th century, did coal mining begin. Local miners at first worked mainly to supply the needs of nearby Bojnice Castle.

In 1945, after World War II, Handlová underwent the biggest upheaval in its centuries-long history. Most of its ethnic German inhabitants were expelled from the town due to the so-called Beneš decrees. Of the original 12,800 people who lived there as late as in 1943, only 4,000 remained in Handlová by 1945. As a result, Handlová's character changed completely.[5] It received town privileges in 1960.

In 2009, the town suffered a major disaster during the 2009 Handlová mine blast, in which 20 people were killed.

On 15 May 2024, Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico was shot in front of the House of Culture after a government meeting, in an assassination attempt. He was subsequently rushed to Handlová Hospital, before later being airlifted to F.D. Roosevelt Hospital in Banská Bystrica, where he underwent successful surgery.[6]

Population

Historical population
YearPop.±%
197017,111—    
198017,777+3.9%
199117,835+0.3%
200118,018+1.0%
201117,766−1.4%
202116,199−8.8%
Source: Censuses[7][8]
Population statistic (10 years)[9]
Year1995200520152025
Count18,19017,69817,38515,289
Difference −2.70% −1.76% −12.05%
Population statistic[9]
Year20242025
Count15,45715,289
Difference−1.08%

It has a population of 15,289 people (31 December 2025).[10]

Ethnicity

Census 2021 (1+ %)[11][12]
EthnicityNumberFraction
Slovak14,58990.06%
Not found out14699.06%
Total16,199

In year 2021 was 16,199 people by ethnicity 14,589 as Slovak, 1469 as Not found out, 96 as Czech, 87 as Romani, 76 as Hungarian, 46 as German, 28 as Other, 25 as Russian, 17 as Rusyn, 14 as Polish, 9 as Austrian, 8 as Romanian, 7 as Vietnamese, 5 as Ukrainian, 4 as Irish, 4 as Moravian, 3 as Chinese, 3 as English, 2 as Jewish, 2 as Greek, 2 as Croatian, 1 as Italian, 1 as Serbian, 1 as Silesian and 1 as French.

Note on population: The difference values of population numbers in the table "Population statistic" and in the sections "Ethnicity" & "Religion" is caused by the use of various statistical methods.

Religion

Census 2021 (1+ %)[13]
ReligionNumberFraction
None937257.86%
Roman Catholic Church401924.81%
Not found out209612.94%
Evangelical Church2261.4%
Total16,199

In year 2021 was 16,199 people by religion 9372 from None, 4019 from Roman Catholic Church, 2096 from Not found out, 226 from Evangelical Church, 93 from Jehovah's Witnesses, 91 from Christian Congregations in Slovakia, 88 from Greek Catholic Church, 54 from Ad hoc movements, 30 from Other, 26 from Other and not ascertained christian church, 21 from Calvinist Church, 16 from Eastern Orthodox Church, 16 from Buddhism, 10 from United Methodist Church, 9 from Paganism and natural spirituality, 6 from Baptists Church, 5 from Old Catholic Church, 5 from Hinduism, 4 from Jewish community, 4 from Islam, 4 from Apostolic Church, 2 from Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1 from Church of the Brethren and 1 from Seventh-day Adventist Church.

People

  • Jozef Lenč, political scientist, University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava
  • Peter Paliatka, designer, sculptor and university pedagogue
  • Martin Škrtel, Slovak footballer

Twin towns – sister cities

Handlová is twinned with:[14]

  • Poland Konopiska, Poland
  • Hungary Sárisáp, Hungary
  • Germany Voerde, Germany
  • Czech Republic Zábřeh, Czech Republic

See also

  • List of municipalities and towns in Slovakia

References

  1. ^ "Hustota obyvateľstva - obce [om7014rr_obc=AREAS_SK, v_om7014rr_ukaz=Rozloha (Štvorcový meter)]". Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. 2026-03-31. Retrieved 2026-03-31.
  2. ^ "Počet obyvateľov podľa pohlavia - obce (ročne) [om7101rr_obce=AREAS_SK]". Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. 2026-03-31. Retrieved 2026-03-31.
  3. ^ a b c d "Základná charakteristika". www.statistics.sk (in Slovak). Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. 2015-04-17. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  4. ^ "Hustota obyvateľstva - obce [om7014rr_obc=AREAS_SK, v_om7014rr_ukaz=Rozloha (Štvorcový meter)]". Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. 2026-03-31. Retrieved 2026-03-31.
  5. ^ "Handlová's changing fortunes". Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  6. ^ a.s, Petit Press (2024-05-15). "PM Fico shot as he speaks to supporters in Handlová". spectator.sme.sk. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  7. ^ "Statistical lexikon of municipalities 1970-2011" (PDF) (in Slovak).
  8. ^ "Census 2021 - Population - Basic results". Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. 2021-01-01.
  9. ^ a b "Počet obyvateľov podľa pohlavia - obce (ročne) [om7101rr_obce=AREAS_SK]". Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. 2026-03-31. Retrieved 2026-03-31.
  10. ^ "Počet obyvateľov podľa pohlavia - obce (ročne) [om7101rr_obce=AREAS_SK]". Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. 2026-03-31. Retrieved 2026-03-31.
  11. ^ "Population - Basic results". www.scitanie.sk. Statistical Office of the Slovak republic. Retrieved 2025-11-03.
  12. ^ "Population - Basic results". www.scitanie.sk. Statistical Office of the Slovak republic. Retrieved 2025-11-03.
  13. ^ "Population - Basic results". www.scitanie.sk. Statistical Office of the Slovak republic. Retrieved 2025-11-03.
  14. ^ "O našom meste" (in Slovak). Handlová. Retrieved 2021-03-23.

Genealogical resources

The records for genealogical research are available at the state archive "Statny Archiv in Nitra, Slovakia"

  • Roman Catholic church records (births/marriages/deaths): 1642-1939 (parish A)
  • Lutheran church records (births/marriages/deaths): 1735-1950 (parish B)

Wikimedia Commons logo Media related to Handlová at Wikimedia Commons

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