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Extending from Bratislava to Korman in southwestern Slovakia, Zitny Ostrov (Rye Island) is Europe’s most sizable river island. It is so immense that most visitors are unaware of being on one. It lies between the Danube, and its slower running off-shoot the Little Danube, in the Danubian Plain.

Several rivers flow across it and the dark alluvial soil deposits make it the most fertile land in Slovakia. The island also contains central Europe’s largest reservoir of high quality potable water and it has the warmest and driest weather in Slovakia.

A beautiful area of marshes, natural and man-made lakes and rich farmland, the south has been designated a Protected Landscape. The calm waters of the Little Danube provide excellent boating through the alluvial forests. While on the water, the controversial hydroelectric dam at Gabcikovo may also be visited.

Zitny Ostrov has two main towns, both of which have deep Hungarian influences. DunajskA Streda has a majority Hungarian population, though the only reminder of a significant Jewish minority is a memorial erected in 1991. There is also evidence of Bronze Age settlement here.

In the late 1990s the town centre was rebuilt with unique white buildings capped by towers and elaborate tiled roofs. A large thermal park offers year-round bathing in geothermal heated water.

Komarno, Slovakia’s main port, lies on the Hungarian border — a bridge leads into Hungarian Komarom, which used to be part of Komarno. Here the majority of the population speak Hungarian and the street signs are bi-lingual.

Europe Place is a large shopping and leisure centre built in a variety of European architectural forms. A native son of Komamo, Franz Lehar, is honoured with a biennial music festival, whilst the annual Komarno Days Festival celebrates Slovak and Hungarian culture.

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