Hlohovec /about 23 thousands inhanitants/ ranks among the most beautifully situated towns in West Slovakia. Its situation at the river Váh surrounded by the hills of the Považský Inovec and Nitrianska pahorkatina is really picturesque. The town forms a connection between the world-famous spa town of Piešťany and the ancient towns of Nitra, Bojnice and Bratislava. It is less than hour`s drive to Bratislava, capital of Slovak Republic, on the motorway.
The first recorded mention of the city is from 1113, but the territory of Hlohovec was settled already in Stone Age times. The town has interesting historical buildings and wonderful natural places, which attracts visitors of Hlohovec for a walk. One of them is a castle park with its French terraces and scarce planes. There is a castle, which was rebuilt from a medieval stronghold in 18th and 19th century, in the park. In the vicinity of the castle there is Empire theatre, a unique example of this type in central Europe. Equally important from a historical point of view is also the Saint Michael Square with a Baroque Church of Saint Michael and a burial chapel of Saint Ann, the memorial building of Little Church of the Holly Spirit and Little Hospital from the second half of the 14th century, monastery of the Franciscan order, built in 1492, and many others.
There are some industrial enterprises in Hlohovec, the significant agricultural branch of Hlohovec and surroundings is a grape-growing. It was also known as "The City of the Roses" for its beautiful rose gardens near the castle.
