
Dolný Kubín (;
also known by other names) is a town in northern
Slovakia
Slovakia, officially the Slovak Republic, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, Austria to the west, and the Czech Republic to the northwest. Slovakia's m ...
in the
Žilina Region
The Žilina Region (; ; ) is one of the eight Regions of Slovakia, Slovak administrative regions and consists of 11 districts (okresy) and 315 municipalities, from which 18 have a town status. The region was established in 1923, however, in its p ...
. It is the historical capital and the largest settlement of the
Orava region.
Names
The name is derived from the archaic Slovak word meaning a "glade covered by smoke after burnt roots".
[.] ''Dolný Kubín'' means "Lower Kubín", in contrast with to
Vyšný ("Upper") Kubín. The location and the settlement was known also as ''Kublen'' (1314), ''Clbin'' (1393), ''Culbyn'' (1408), ''Kubyn Nysny'' (1547), ''Dolny Kubin'' (1773). Other names in the past include , .
Geography
Dolný Kubín lies at an altitude of
above sea level
Height above mean sea level is a measure of a location's vertical distance (height, elevation or altitude) in reference to a vertical datum based on a historic mean sea level. In geodesy, it is formalized as orthometric height. The zero level ...
and covers an area of .
It is located in northern Slovakia on the
Orava River
The Orava () is a river in north-western Slovakia passing through a picturesque country, in the Orava county. Its source is nowadays the Orava water reservoir whose waters flooded the confluence of Biela (White) Orava and Čierna (Black) Orava i ...
, between the
Lesser Fatra Lesser, from Eliezer (, "Help/Court of my God"), is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
* Adolf Lesser (1851–1926), German physician
* Aleksander Lesser (1814–1884), Polish painter and art critic
* Anton Lesser (born 1952), Bri ...
,
Oravská Magura
The Orava Magura (, ) is a mountain range in the Žilina Region of northern central Slovakia. The range is part of the Central Beskids, which are themselves part of the Outer Western Carpathians.
The Orava Magura is a sandstone massif, densely ...
and
Chočské vrchy mountains. It is located around from
Ružomberok
Ružomberok (; ; ; ) is a town in northern Slovakia, in the historical Liptov region. It has a population of approximately 27,000.
Etymology
The name of the initial settlement located on today's Makovický street was ''Revúca'' ( Slovak "roaring ...
, from the
Polish
Polish may refer to:
* Anything from or related to Poland, a country in Europe
* Polish language
* Polish people, people from Poland or of Polish descent
* Polish chicken
* Polish brothers (Mark Polish and Michael Polish, born 1970), American twin ...
border and from
Bratislava
Bratislava (German: ''Pressburg'', Hungarian: ''Pozsony'') is the Capital city, capital and largest city of the Slovakia, Slovak Republic and the fourth largest of all List of cities and towns on the river Danube, cities on the river Danube. ...
. The town is composed of the following boroughs: ''Banisko'', ''Beňova Lehota'', ''Brezovec'', ''Kňažia'', ''Malý Bysterec'', ''Medzihradné'', ''Mokraď'', ''Srňacie'', ''Staré mesto'', ''Veľký Bysterec'' and ''Záskalie''. The city limits also encompass the settlement of ''Jelšava''.
Climate
The
Köppen Climate Classification
The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...
subtype for this climate is "
Dfb DFB may refer to: Music
* Dem Franchize Boyz, an Atlanta hip hop group
* Dysfunctional Family BBQ, a New York festival
Sport
* DFB-Pokal, a football cup competition in Germany
Organisations
* Furka Steam Railway (), Switzerland
* German Footbal ...
" (Warm Summer Continental Climate).
History

The first written reference of the location dates from 1314 and is about the land (not the settlement yet) Kubín. In 1325, the existence of "Superior Kolbyn" (Vyšný Kubín) was recorded what could indicate also the existence of Dolný Kubín, more detailed information about the settlement are from 1380s. The settlement belonged to the
Orava Castle
Orava Castle (, ) is a castle situated on a high rock above Orava (river), Orava river in the village of Oravský Podzámok, Slovakia. The castle was built in the Kingdom of Hungary, with the oldest parts being built in the thirteenth century an ...
and was the center for the neighboring settlements. The citizens lived by animal husbandry and hunting, but also by
quarry
A quarry is a type of open-pit mining, open-pit mine in which dimension stone, rock (geology), rock, construction aggregate, riprap, sand, gravel, or slate is excavated from the ground. The operation of quarries is regulated in some juri ...
ing.
It was granted town privileges (town status, town charter) in 1632, and its importance was further strengthened in 1633 when the town was granted the right to hold markets. In 1683 the town became the seat of the
Orava county
A county () is a geographic region of a country used for administrative or other purposesL. Brookes (ed.) '' Chambers Dictionary''. Edinburgh: Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd, 2005. in some nations. The term is derived from the Old French denoti ...
and in 1776 also the seat of a
processus district. In the 19th century Dolný Kubín was a centre of Slovak national life and the poet
Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav
Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav (2 February 1849 – 8 November 1921) was a Slovak poet, dramatist, translator, and for a short time, member of the Czechoslovak parliament. Originally, he wrote in a traditional style, but later became influenced by ...
and other Slovak national revivalists were active in the town.
After
World War I
World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
, Dolný Kubín remained the seat of the Orava County until 1923, when Orava became a part of
Váh County
The Váh (; , ; ; Wag
w Słowniku geograficznym Królestwa Polskiego i innych krajów słowiańskich (''in Geograph ...
and it became the seat of its district. During
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, the local garrison actively participated in preparation of
Slovak National Uprising
Slovak National Uprising ( Slovak: ''Slovenské národné povstanie'', abbreviated SNP; alternatively also ''Povstanie roku 1944'', English: ''The Uprising of 1944'') was organised by the Slovak resistance during the Second World War, directed ag ...
. Between December 1944 and January 1945, the town suffered from retaliatory actions and mass arrests.
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, often shortened to the Red Army, was the army and air force of the Russian Soviet Republic and, from 1922, the Soviet Union. The army was established in January 1918 by a decree of the Council of People ...
arrived to the town in the night from 4 to 5 April 1945, warmly welcomed by the local population.
The town experienced major developments mainly after
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, when electrical works as well as other enterprises were established.
Landmarks and culture
The
Gothic
Gothic or Gothics may refer to:
People and languages
*Goths or Gothic people, a Germanic people
**Gothic language, an extinct East Germanic language spoken by the Goths
**Gothic alphabet, an alphabet used to write the Gothic language
** Gothic ( ...
St. Catherine church was built in the 14th century. The
Čaplovič Library, containing collection of newspapers, books, maps and other printed works from 15th to the 19th century, along with the P. O. Hviezdoslav Museum, is located in the town. The Orava Gallery focuses on the art works from the 15th century to the 20th century and is seated in the former County House from the 17th century. The premier Slovak competition in poetry and prose recitation, called ''Hviezdoslavov Kubín (Hviezdoslav's Kubín)'', has taken place in the town since 1954.
Orava Castle
Orava Castle (, ) is a castle situated on a high rock above Orava (river), Orava river in the village of Oravský Podzámok, Slovakia. The castle was built in the Kingdom of Hungary, with the oldest parts being built in the thirteenth century an ...
is located a few kilometres north-east of the town, in the village of
Oravský Podzámok
Oravský Podzámok () is a village and municipality in Dolný Kubín District in the Zilina Region of northern Slovakia. Orava Castle is located in the village.
The village is located at 508 m (1677 ft) and has a population of 1331 i ...
.
Demographics
According to the 2001
census
A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...
, the town had 19,948 inhabitants. 97.03% of inhabitants were
Slovaks
The Slovaks ( (historical Sloveni ), singular: ''Slovák'' (historical: ''Sloven'' ), feminine: ''Slovenka'' , plural: ''Slovenky'') are a West Slavic ethnic group and nation native to Slovakia who share a common ancestry, culture, history ...
, 1.07%
Czechs
The Czechs (, ; singular Czech, masculine: ''Čech'' , singular feminine: ''Češka'' ), or the Czech people (), are a West Slavs, West Slavic ethnic group and a nation native to the Czech Republic in Central Europe, who share a common Bohemia ...
and 0.28%
Roma
Roma or ROMA may refer to:
People, characters, figures, names
* Roma or Romani people, an ethnic group living mostly in Europe and the Americas.
* Roma called Roy, ancient Egyptian High Priest of Amun
* Roma (footballer, born 1979), born ''Paul ...
.
The religious make-up was 65.11%
Roman Catholics
The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institut ...
, 16.62%
Lutherans
Lutheranism is a major branch of Protestantism that emerged under the work of Martin Luther, the 16th-century German friar and reformer whose efforts to reform the theology and practices of the Catholic Church launched the Reformation in 15 ...
and 14.55% people with no religious affiliation.
Twin towns — sister cities
Dolný Kubín is
twinned with:
*
Braunau am Inn
Braunau am Inn (; ) is a town in Upper Austria on the border with Germany. It is known for being the birthplace of Adolf Hitler.
Geography
The town is on the lower river Inn below its confluence with the Salzach, where it forms the border with ...
, Austria
*
Eger
Eger ( , ; ; also known by other #Names and etymology, alternative names) is the county seat of Heves County, and the second largest city in Northern Hungary (after Miskolc). A city with county rights, Eger is best known for Castle of Eger, its ...
, Hungary
*
Kamianets-Podilskyi
Kamianets-Podilskyi (, ; ) is a city on the Smotrych River in western Ukraine, western Ukraine, to the north-east of Chernivtsi. Formerly the administrative center of Khmelnytskyi Oblast, the city is now the administrative center of Kamianets ...
, Ukraine
*
Limanowa
Limanowa is a town in southern Poland, in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. It is the capital of Limanowa County and had a population of 15,132 in 2012.
History
Mentions of the town date back to 1496, when it was documented as Ilmanowa, a rural es ...
, Poland
*
Pakrac
Pakrac is a town in western Slavonia, Croatia, population 4,842, total municipality population 8,460 (census 2011). Pakrac is located on the road and railroad connecting the regions of Posavina and Podravina.
Name
In Croatian the town is known ...
, Croatia
*
Pelhřimov
Pelhřimov () is a town in the Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 16,000 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected as an Cultural monument (Czech Republic)#Monument reservations, urban monument reser ...
, Czech Republic
*
Svendborg
Svendborg () is a town on the island of Funen in south-central Denmark, and the seat of Svendborg Municipality. With a population of 27,616 (1 January 2025), Svendborg is Funen's second largest city.[Truskavets
Truskavets (, ; ) is a city in Drohobych Raion, western Ukraine's Lviv Oblast (region), near the border with Poland. It hosts the administration of Truskavets urban hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine. The population is approximately
Tru ...]
, Ukraine
*
Zawiercie
Zawiercie () () is a town in southern Poland located in the Silesian Voivodeship with 49,334 inhabitants (2019). It is situated in the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland near the source of the Warta River. The town lies near the historical region of Sil ...
, Poland
Personalities
*
Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav
Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav (2 February 1849 – 8 November 1921) was a Slovak poet, dramatist, translator, and for a short time, member of the Czechoslovak parliament. Originally, he wrote in a traditional style, but later became influenced by ...
(1849–1921), Slovak poet, born in nearby
Vyšný Kubín
Vyšný Kubín is a village and municipality in Dolný Kubín District in the Žilina Region of northern Slovakia.
History
Before the establishment of independent Czechoslovakia in 1918, Vyšný Kubín was part of Árva County within the Kingdom ...
, but lived and died in Dolný Kubín.
*
Ladislav Nádaši-Jégé
Dr Ján Ladislav Nádaši-Jégé (12 February 1866, in Dolný Kubín – 2 July 1940, in Dolný Kubín) was a Slovak writer, literary critic and doctor.
Life
He was born into a lawyer's family in Dolný Kubín, and studied in Kežmarok, Ružo ...
(1866–1940), Slovak author, born, lived and died in Dolný Kubín.
*
Janko Matúška
Janko Matúška (10 January 1821 – 11 January 1877) was an ethnic Slovak poet, activist, occasional playwright, and clerk of the court in the Kingdom of Hungary. He is best known as the author of the Slovak national anthem, "Nad Tatrou sa blý ...
(1821–1877), author of
Slovakia's national anthem, was born, became clerk of the district court, and died in Dolný Kubín.
*
Juraj Laštík (b. 1987), Slovakian ski mountaineer
*
Soňa Stanovská
Soňa Stanovská (born 27 February 2000) is a Slovak slalom canoeist who has competed at the international level since 2015. She competes in C1, K1 and kayak cross. She also competed in Mixed C2 with Ján Bátik in the 2018 season.
She won a br ...
,
slalom canoeist, born 27 February 2000 in Dolný Kubín.
See also
*
List of municipalities and towns in Slovakia
This is an alphabetical list of the 2,891 (singular , "municipality") in Slovakia. They are grouped into 79 Districts of Slovakia, districts (, singular ), in turn grouped into 8 Regions of Slovakia, regions (, singular ); articles on individu ...
References
Genealogical resources
The records for genealogical research are available at the state archive "Statny Archiv in Bytca, Slovakia"
* Roman Catholic church records (births/marriages/deaths): 1672-1898 (parish A)
* Lutheran church records (births/marriages/deaths): 1787-1897 (parish A)
External links
Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dolny Kubin
Cities and towns in Slovakia
Orava (region)