Tekov (-Slovak, in Latin: comitatus Barsiensis, in German: Barsch, in Hungarian: Bars) is the name of a historic administrative county (comitatus) of the Kingdom of Hungary. Its territory is presently in central and southern Slovakia. Today in Slovakia, Tekov is only an informal designation of the corresponding territory.

Geography

Tekov/Bars county shared borders with the Hungarian counties Nyitra (Nitra), Turóc (Turiec), Zólyom (Zvolen), Hont, Esztergom and Komárom. Situated along the Hron river between Hont in the east, (including) Kremnica and Hronská Dúbrava in the north, the Žitava river in the west, and Bešeňov and (excluding) Biňa in the south. The rivers Hron and Žitava flowed through the county. Characterised by mining activities, especially in the past. Its area was 2724 km² around 1910.

Capitals

The capital of the county was the Tekov Castle, then Levice Castle, then from the late 16th century Topoľčianky and since the late 18th century Zlaté Moravce.

History

The county arose in the 11th century. In 1918 (confirmed by the Treaty of Trianon 1920), Tekov county became part of newly formed Czechoslovakia.

During World War II, when Czechoslovakia was split temporarily, the southern part was occupied by Hungary under the First Vienna Award. This was merged with the southern part of former Hont county to form Bars-Hont county, with capital Levice (Hungarian: Léva).

After World War II Tekov county was completely in Czechoslovakia again. In 1993, Czechoslovakia was split and Tekov became part of Slovakia.

Districts

In the early 20th century, the districts and their capitals were:

• Zlaté Moravce (Hungarian: Aranyosmarót)
• Vráble (Hungarian: Verebély)
• Levice (Hungarian: Léva)
• Oslany (Hungarian: Oszlány)
• Žiar nad Hronom (Hungarian: Garamszentkereszt)

Besides, there were three urban districts:

• Levice (Hungarian: Léva)
• Kremnica (Hungarian: Körmöcbánya)
• Nová Baňa (Hungarian: Újbánya)