The surroundings of Riazanská and Hálkova streets are often associated with the unmistakable smell of chocolate from the Figaro chocolate factory, the proximity of the now legendary OD Slimák and the park on Ľudové námestie (Folk square). But have you ever thought about how Riazanská Street got its name and where does the history of the residential zone in which it is located go?
History of the residential zone
The residential zone known as the Folk Quarter was built during the Second World War in the years 1941 to 1943 by the General Building Cooperative in the area of the streets which today bear the names Riazanská, Hálkova, Za kasárňou, Letecká and Úradnícka.
In the years 1959-1964, in the area of Kukučínová, Riazanská and Hálková streets, the construction of the so-called Hostinský housing estate was implemented. The project was designed by Slovak architect Ivan Matušík. The style in which the housing estate was built is usually referred to as “Brussels”. Panel construction uses the BA construction system, there are two types of houses, namely 7-storey townhouses and 12-storey point houses.
For the origin of the name Riazanska Street to the Russian Federation
Today’s name was given to Riazanska Street after the city of Ryazan which is the capital of the Ryazan region in the Central Federal District in the Russian Federation. With more than 530,000 inhabitants and 224 km2, the city is one of the 30 largest cities in the Russian Federation. It is located on the banks of the river Oka.
The area where today’s Riazaň is located was inhabited by Slavic tribes in the sixth century and since the 12th century it has been part of the independent Ryazan principality. The centre of the principality was located 50 to 60 km from today’s Ryazan and is currently known as the Old Ryazan. There is controversy about the date of the city’s founding. Since the 19th century, the year of the city’s founding was considered to be 1095 but the Perejaslavľ-Riazanskij fortified settlement itself, the predecessor of today’s Ryazan is younger according to some indications.
Ryazan’s economy is closely linked to the refinery but is also known as one of the leading centres for development and technological innovation. The fact that thousands of students study mathematics and mechanical engineering at the universities of Ryazan also contributes to this trend. The city also has a lot to offer for tourists who often visit it for its diverse architecture.
School, fire brigade and ice cream parlor
However, let’s return from a short visit to Russia back to Bratislava on Riazanská Street. On Riazanská Street, in the immediate vicinity of the Hálkova stop, we can find a fire station. As a result, firefighters are often seen or heard in the area which is especially interesting for children.
Insufficient civic amenities, whether shops, schools or opportunities for cultural or sports activities, were considered a negative feature of the construction of the Folk Quarter. Proof that a lot has changed since then are not only the shops in the immediate vicinity of the street but also the legendary ice cream parlor and the Primary School with the Riazanská Kindergarten.