Iža

www.iza.sk

Iža is a village in Slovakia in the district of Komárno. It lies on the Danube Plain, on the left bank of the Danube, 7 km east of Komárno. The village is easily accessible from Komárno with suburban services. The nearest railway station is in Komárno, 7 km away.

Neolithic settlement, cremation graves of the North Pannonian culture from the Bronze age, unique bronze objects from the Younger Bronze Age and above all the Roman military camp, (kastel), from the 1st to 4th centuries are the landmarks of this village. In the past couple of years locals managed to realize the old plan and adjust the area of the castle partly into a natural museum. Partial reconstruction of the excavated remains in architecture, filled with sketches and texts in four languages offer basic information about the main stages of development of the Roman fortress. The castle was appointed a national cultural monument in 1991.

The first reference to Iža is from 1172. Originally it was property of the monastery of Pannonhalma and after 1268 it was owned by Komárno Castle. The Turkish wars also affected Iža and the raids lasting 150 years eventually caused the people to flee and it fell in decay. Repopulation of Iža took place in the late 17th century.

Small beaches on the Danube bank invite the lovers of bathing. The recreation area of an Artesian well is also worth visiting. The village is the venue of annual Equestrian days.

Sights:

-      Roman military camp (kastel)

-      The Roman Catholic church of St. Michael the Archangel, the original Gothic church mentioned in 1599 disappeared and in 1763 was rebuilt in the Baroque style.

-      The Late Neo-Classical Reformed church was built in 1871. In its interior the wooden pulpit made in taste of the romantic Neo-Gothic style is interesting.

-      Turkish bridge – curved bridge from the Turkish times, even today it is operational

-      In the administrative territory of Iža is the Nature Reserve of Bokrošské slanisko saline area. The saline area contains a large saliferous „window“ surrounded by fields.

There are pubs and general stores in the village.