Šariš (in Latin: "comitatus Sarossiensis", in German: Scharosch, in Hungarian: Sáros) is a historic administrative county (comitatus) of the Kingdom of Hungary. Its territory is presently in north-eastern Slovakia. Today Šariš is only an informal designation of the corresponding territory.

Geography

Šariš county shared borders with the Austrian crownland Galicia and the Hungarian counties Szepes (Spiš), Abaúj-Torna (Abov-Turňa) and Zemplén (Zemplín). It was situated between Levočské vrchy (i.e. Spiš), Košice and Svidník. The river Torysa flowed through the county. Its area was 3652 km² around 1910.

Capitals

The capital of Šariš county was the Šariš Castle, then there were various capitals, and since 1647 the capital was Prešov (in Hungarian: Eperjes).

History

Šariš county arose before the 13th century from the comitatus Novi Castri (named after Novum Castrum, today Abaújvár), which also included the later counties Abov and Heves.

In 1918 (confirmed by the Treaty of Trianon 1920), the county became part of newly formed Czechoslovakia. During World War II, when Czechoslovakia was split temporarily, Šariš was part of independent Slovakia. After World War II, the pre-war situation was restored. Since 1993, when Czechoslovakia was split, Šariš is part of Slovakia, Prešov region. Historically a prosperous region, nowadays a rather poor region.

Districts

In the early 20th century, the districts and their capitals were:

• Prešov (Hungarian: Eperjes)
• Bardejov (Hungarian: Bártfa)
• Svidník (Hungarian: Felsővízköz)
• Giraltovce (Hungarian: Girált)
• Lipany (Hungarian: Héthárs)
• Sabinov (Hungarian: Kisszeben)
• Lemešany (Hungarian: Lemes)

Urban districts:

• Prešov (Hungarian: Eperjes)
• Bardejov (Hungarian: Bártfa)
• Sabinov (Hungarian: Kisszeben)