Szőny facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Szőny Szőny
Szőny Location in Hungary
Country	Hungary
Elevation	377 ft (115 m)

Szőny was once a town in Hungary. Since 1977, it has become a part of the larger city of Komárom.

A Look Back in Time

Roman Times: A Stronghold

Long ago, from 86 AD until the mid-5th century, a powerful Roman army group called Legio I Adiutrix was based in Szőny. They even fought in some wars against the Parthians.

The Romans called the town Brigetio [hu]. It was an important place. A Roman Emperor named Valentinian I died here. Also, a very old and important Roman document, called a Roman military diploma, was found in Szőny. You can see it today in the British Museum.

Medieval Szőny: Changing Names

During the Middle Ages, the town was known as Camarum. It is also famous for one of the earliest records of conjoined twins, named Helen and Judith.

The name Szőny itself appeared in records for the first time in 1211 as Sun. Later, in 1249, it was called Sceun. At that time, it belonged to the Archbishop of Esztergom. King Béla IV traded it for another village.

In 1269, it was mentioned as terra Sceun. By 1397, it was possessio Zyun, and in 1422, villa Zwn. This meant it was a village that was part of the Komárom castle's land. By 1460, it had grown into a town, called oppidum Zwny. Its taxes and income went to the Komárom castle.

Battles and Peace Treaties

Sadly, the town was destroyed by the Ottomans in 1592. Later, on September 12, 1627, a peace agreement was signed here. It was called the Peace of Szőny. This treaty was made between Ferdinand II and the Turkish Sultan. The document was written in three languages: Hungarian, Latin, and Turkish.

During the Hungarian Revolution and War of Independence in 1848-49, several big battles happened near Szőny. Even at the start of the 1900s, you could still see pieces of cannonballs in the wall of the Catholic church. These were from the time Komárom was under siege.

World War II: A Target

In World War II, the oil refinery in Szőny was a very important target. Air forces tried to bomb it because oil was crucial for the war.