Szolnok.
Szolnok Coat of Arms Inhabited since the neolithic ages, the city (and its predecessors) have served as transportation hubs at the confluence of the Tisza and Zagyva rivers. Unfortunately its “crossroads” location also made it a battleground for invaders. In 1030, under the rule of St.Stephen, thecity was named county seat and had many historical mentions since. In 1241, as the Mongols crossed the Tisza, it was thoroughly looted and burned, but by 1249 King Béla had sent recolonizers into the area.. In 1380 Louis the Great (Nagy Lajos) declared “Zolnok” a royal possession. In 1429 it was declared a safe haven for liberated serfs.
Fort “Zolnock” During the Turkish invasion,the city was heavily fortified (1550-51), including a surrounding moat. Unfortunately it could not escape Turkish rule, after it was surrounded and cut off. The Turks however continued fortifying it with 3600 parapets. After the Turkish defeat, Szolnok became a rampart of the Rákóczi forces. However under the reign of Joseph II, the fortifications were dismantled, using the salvaged building materials for public buildings and churches.
Damjanich memorialIn 1847 Szolnok became the Eastern terminus of Hungary’s second rail line, connecting it with Pest. Szolnok thence became an important freight transfer center between Tisza river transport and rail, a role that has not changed. When the revolutionary government moved from Pest to Debrecen in January 1849, Szolnok served as transfer point from rail to horsedrawn wagons and had a strong role to play in the revolutionary war. Its role is keenly remembered today.
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Source: Andrew Vadász’s Kossuth & 1848-49 Collection.
