Settlements of East SLOVAKIA

Smolnik (Zemplen Szomolnak, Ujszomolnok)

Village was evacuated in 1980 as it was in the watershed area for the construction of the Starina Reservoir.  Only the church appears to remain.

Highlights

History

• The village contained 1447 hectares of land.

• The Greek Catholic church, baroque-class was built in 1819.  It is no longer present.

• The village was first mentioned in 1568, as a possession of the feudal dominion of Humenné. 

• In the 1914 fighting, 15 villagers were killed.

• In 1939 it became a territory of Hungary.

• It is reported by Gloria Kurbanick that the church and cemetery and much of the village was laid waste by German-Russian fighting in fall of 1944.

Source: Vlastivedný Slovník Obcí na Slovensku Bratislava 1977

"The cemetery is still there and the foundation of the G-C Church. There is a covering over the altar area and the do have a reunion there every June with Mass and picnic. The community well is still functional and the roads are very passable. I have spent hours in and around Smolnik, wandering up the creek and sitting by the cemetery and Church area. The former mayor has a hunting cabin there" - John Onda

1568 Zmolnyk, 1734 Szmolnik, 1773 Smolnik. The village always belonged to Humenné town. In 1715 a mill was built here.   Source: Roberto Cannoni, Italy

Resource:

"Horna Cirocha" Vlastivedna monografia zatopovej oblasti. Jan Podolak, 1985.

This village is now a part of the Poloniny National Park.

Photos

Smolnik Cemetery Copyright 2006, John Onda	Smolnik Church Cemetery Copyright 2006, John Onda	Smolnik Church Cemetery Copyright 2006, John Onda	Smolnik Church Site - Small Chapel is now extant Copyright 2006, John Onda	Smolnik - Cirocha Creek Copyright 2006, John Onda
Smolnik Creek Copyright 2006, John Onda	Smolnik - View from cemetery Copyright 2006, John Onda	Smolnik - View from cemetery Copyright 2006, John Onda	Smolnik - View from cemetery Copyright 2006, John Onda

Rusyns - Lost Homes - A picture essay of the land of the seven villages cleared to make way for the Starina Reservoir. 2006

Surnames

Surname (Researcher)

VONDA, HRICKO (John Onda, 2006)

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Last Update: 15 November 2020                                                    Copyright © 2003-2021, Bill Tarkulich