Betlér

Betliar
Village
Betliar Manor House
Country	Slovakia
Region	Košice
District	Rožňava
Coordinates	48°42′N 20°31′E / 48.700°N 20.517°E / 48.700; 20.517Coordinates: 48°42′N 20°31′E / 48.700°N 20.517°E / 48.700; 20.517
Area	25.07 km2 (9.68 sq mi)
Population	931 (2010-12-31)
Density	37/km2 (96/sq mi)
First mentioned	1330
Postal code	049 21
Area code	+421-58
Car plate	RV
Location of Betliar in Slovakia
Statistics: MOŠ/MIS
Website: www.betliar.ocu.sk

Betliar (Hungarian: Betlér) is a village and municipality in the Rožňava District in the Košice Region of eastern Slovakia, known for its manor house. It belongs to the most beautiful manor houses in the country.

The village of Betliar lies in a valley of the river Slaná, 5 km northwest of Rožňava. The first written description of the village is from the year 1330, when it is mentioned under the name Bethler (the term is of German origin meaning a cart used in copper mining). It belonged to the Bebek family and later the Andrássy family. The inhabitants lived on mining, agriculture and forestry.

The mining heritage of the village, historically interesting places and the beauty of the Volovské vrchy (hills) has turned Betliar into a destination that is popular with tourists.

The most well-known place in the village is the manor house, built on the site of a small Bebek’s castle from the 15th century. It is situated in the beautiful surroundings of an English park, designed by the famous architect H. Nebbiem. The mansion has been rebuilt many times, most recently by the Andrassy family in the year 1880. Since that time its appearance has been preserved with minor changes and renovations; currently it serves as an exposition of the Slovak National Museum.

In the year 1985 it was declared a national cultural monument. Of particular interest among sacral sights is a classicist evangelical church from the year 1794. Originally it was built without a tower, which was later added in the year 1834.

The Roman-Catholic church of Saint Elisabeth has an even older history. It was built in the first half of the 14th century in a Gothic style. In the 17th and 19th century it was reconstructed.

The history of Betliar is also connected with many people, such as the writer Johan Fabricius.