óvár

Óvár is a historical region and formerly a county in the Kingdom of Hungary. Its territory is now divided between modern-day Slovakia and Austria. The name Óvár, meaning "old castle" in Hungarian, reflects its strategic importance and the presence of fortifications.

The county of Óvár was established in the early centuries of the Hungarian monarchy. It was situated in the western part of the kingdom, along the Danube River. Its administrative center was the town of Óvár, which later became known as Mosonmagyaróvár after its merger with the towns of Moson and Magyaróvár in modern-day Hungary. However, the historical county encompassed a broader area.

Throughout its history, Óvár was a significant frontier region, often experiencing conflict and changing hands. It played a role in the defense of the Hungarian kingdom. After the Treaty of Trianon in 1920, following World War I, much of the historical Óvár county was ceded to Czechoslovakia, while a smaller part remained within Hungary. The Austrian portion is sometimes referred to as Ungarisch-Altenburg. Today, the historical significance of Óvár is primarily studied in the context of Hungarian history and the geopolitical shifts in Central Europe.