Trenčín

Trenčín (lat. Trentsinium/Trincinium or Laugaricio, German Trentschin, German Trencsén, Polish Trenczyn) is one of the three oldest Slovak cities and the largest city of the Trenčín region, of which it is the seat.

Trenčín is located in the north-western part of Slovakia, it is the natural geographical center of central Považia. The main stream in the city is the river Váh. The city is approximately 120 km northeast of Slovakia's capital, Bratislava. Thanks to the strategically advantageous location of the place, the Trenčín Castle was built here. Even today, Trenčín is an important center of trade, economy, culture and sports. Many institutions and companies have their headquarters and branches here. Exhibitions and fairs have a long-standing tradition in the city, the city is also known as a city of fashion.

According to the Slovak Statistical Office, Trenčín is the 8th largest Slovak city by population. From the point of view of the administrative division of Slovakia, it is the administrative center of the Trenčín region, which consists of 9 districts: Bánovce nad Bebravou, Ilava, Myjava, Nové Mesto nad Váhom, Partizánske, Považská Bystrica, Prievidza, Púchov and Trenčín itself.

At the same time, the Trenčín section of central Považia can be considered one of the most continuously urbanized agglomerations in Slovakia. It is mainly represented by the territory stretching 20 kilometers to the northeast of Trenčín, on which five towns lie in succession - Nemšová, Trenčianske Teplice, Nová Dubnica, Dubnica nad Váhom and Ilava.

 

Getting here

By plane
Trenčín Airport (near Biskupice) south of the city has military use only.

Nearest airports:
Bratislava
Brno
Vienna

By train
Trenčín is on the Bratislava-Košice railway line, all express trains stop here. Trenčín is also the end point of the regional railway line from Partizánske and Bánovce nad Bebravou.
The train station is about 500 m east of the city center.
Other stops:
Zlatovce
Opatova nad Vahom
Trenčín predmestie

In the street
D1 motorway (Bratislava-Košice), exit 124 Trenčín západ
Route 9 Uherské Hradiště - Trenčín - Prievidza
Parkovisko pod mostom, Rozmarínová, 911 01 Trenčín. Very cheap parking within walking distance to the most popular attractions. Open: daily 00:00 - 24:00. Price: €0.50/hour. Accepted payment methods: cash.

By boat
There is no passenger shipping on the Waag.

 

Sights

The Trenčín castle stands on a rocky hill, under which the river Váh originally flowed, the bed of which later moved further. Currently, the city center and the road are under the rock. It expanded from the 13th century. The castle was owned by several noble and royal families, the most famous owner was Matúš Čák Trenčiansky. After him, the castle was also owned by Ľudovít Veľký, Žigmund Luxemburg, Štefan and Ján Zápoľský, and from 1600 the Ilesházis. In 1790, the castle was destroyed by fire. In 1955, its gradual reconstruction and conservation began. On March 7, 2003, part of the western fortification collapsed.
The parish stairs leading from the square to the church were built in 1568 in order to enable the city defenders to move to the city walls near the parish church, also as a link to the armory built in 1565 near the parish church. The stairs were damaged by fire in 1708. After restoration in 1978 – 1981 the stairs acquired their present appearance.
Parish Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary
Church of St. Kozma and Damián in the Biskupice district is one of the oldest churches in Trenčín. It dates back to half 13th century
The funeral chapel and ossuary of St. Michael near the parish church is the only surviving Gothic building in Trenčín
The city gate is an original, but over time, tower-like building from the first half of the 15th century. Two gates were built, of which only the Lower Gate (Turkish) has been preserved. The gate is characterized by a Gothic arch above which there are two Latin inscriptions and the coat of arms of the city. One of the inscriptions states "If God does not guard the city, he who guards it watches in vain".
The Roman inscription on the castle rock dates from 179 as the most northerly evidence of the stay of Roman legions from the time of the Marcomannic Wars. They wintered here in the settlement of Laugaricio, which later became the basis for the city of Trenčín. The sign is currently located behind the Elizabeth Hotel.
The plague column with a statue of the Holy Trinity on top is located on Peace Square. It was created in 1712 as a memorial to the plague epidemic of 1710, at the initiative of Count Mikuláš Ilešházi.
The church and monastery of the Piarists (formerly Jesuits; also the Piarist Church of St. Francis Xavier) on the main square, built in the Baroque style. In May 2016, its external reconstruction took place.
Evangelical church built around 1795
Chapel of St. Anny is a chapel built in 1789 on us. St. Anna.
The neo-style Jewish synagogue was built in 1913 on the site of an older synagogue.
Executioner's house in Trenčín is the house where the city executioner resided. There is a torture chamber in the house. It is located right in the city center on Matúšová street.

 

Galleries

The Miloš Alexander Bazovský Gallery was founded in 1969, in 2001 it was moved to the premises of the Maršovský Palace on Palackého Street.
Trenčín City Gallery
New Wave Gallery
Dragonfly Gallery

 

Libraries

Michal Rešetka Public Library (4 branches)
Central Library of the Slovak Army
University Library of Trenčín University Alexander Dubček
College of Management Library / City University of Seattle

 

Theater

Trenčín Municipal Theater (former Trenčín Castle Theater)
Musical theater Trenčín
Normalka Theatre
Virtual Theater Trenčín

 

Museums

Trenčín Museum - several branches in the city
Aviation Museum Hangar X

 

Music

Metal goes to Jazz - Jazz goes to Metal
Gulliver's Band
Ľubor Martin Mikrostar
Without idleness and storage
Choir of Váž musicians

Cinemas
ARTKINO METRO
CINEMAX Trenčín
Kino Hviezda

 

Regular events

The city is home to the Expo Center Exhibition Center, formerly the TMM Exhibition Center (Trenčín City of Fashion).

Music events
Pohoda Festival at Trenčín Airport
Jazz under the castle
Runway international rock festival
Festivals
Theater festival Alone on stage
HoryZonty Film Festival
Exhibitions
Rock-Pop-Jazz... in photography
Exhibition center Expo center
Trenčín, the city of fashion
SATOT, Salon of textile and clothing technology
International Defense Technology Exhibition (IDEE)
Apprentice, exhibition of products by SOU and SPV students
Municipal technology, an international exhibition focused on the municipal sphere and the use of waste
Aqua, international exhibition of water management, hydropower and environmental protection
Zlatá Fatima, competitions of fashion and clothing producers
Elo sys, international trade fair for electrical engineering, electronics and energy
Gardener, Beekeeper, Healthy lifestyle, Hunting and fishing
Beauty Slovakia
Car, moto show - international car exhibition
Exhibition of horses
Exchange of antiques and collectibles

 

Parks

Brezina Forest Park
Záblatie Park protected area (4.50 ha)
Park M.R. Štefánik
Park Pod Juhom

 

Geography

Watercourses

The river Váh flows through the city, into which the Nosický canal flows above the center of the city via the Skalka power plant. Below the city, the Biskupický canal separates from the flow of the Váh.
On the territory of the city further near Sihoti, the Teplička stream flows into the Váh Nosické canal (Opatovský stream and Kubranský stream enter it from the left), the Orechovský stream flows into the Váh from the right.
The Zlatovský stream also flows through the western part of the city, which flows into Drietomice below the city. The Lavičkový potok, which is a right-hand tributary of the Soblahovského potok, also flows through the southern edge of the city.
A stream flows from Zábrania (near Kubra) and flows under the mountain, which flows into Sihoti IV. to Teplička and later to Váh.

 

Mountains

Trenčín is located in the western part of Slovakia. The flat Trenčín uplands, which slope along the river Váh, are closed in the east by the massifs of the Považské Inovec and Strážovské vrchy mountains, and in the west by the outcrops of the White Carpathians.
The character of the city is influenced by the massif of Kozie vrch (363 m a.s.l.). This terrain obstacle is the cause of the irregular shape of the city and increases the transport distances in it. The Kozie vrch massif is currently part of the Brezina forest park.

 

History

Thanks to its geographical and strategic location in the valley of the river Váh, Trenčín has been one of the most important cities in Slovakia since time immemorial. Several archeological findings testify to the settlement of the Trenčia locality already in the Stone Age.

When the Romans moved the borders of the empire to the Danube at the beginning of our era and built a system of fortresses - Limes Romanus, they gradually established fortified camps north of the Danube. In Trenčín, they left an original proof of their presence on the territory of Slovakia. A memorial inscription on the vertical wall of the castle rock commemorates the victory of the emperor Marcus Aurelius and his son Commodus over the Quadi in 179 AD in Laugaricium. According to the Latin text of the inscription, 855 soldiers of the Second World War fought in Trenčín at that time. legion under the leadership of the legate Maximian. The battles were part of a major military conflict that took place from 166 to 180 - the Marcomanni Wars.

During the Great Moravian Empire, Trenčín belonged to the Principality of Nitra. Most of central Považie became part of Hungary, probably around 1018. Trenčín was first the seat of the border county, later the center of the Trenčín royal estate county.

Chronicles from the 11th century mention the province of Vag, occupying a wider area around Trenčín. The center of the province was probably Trenčín Castle. Its oldest still standing part – the stone tower, also dated to the 11th century – is typologically related to the Danube region, where such towers are found in Swabian, Bavarian and Austrian castles. Hainburg in the eastern part of Austria, near the border with Slovakia, is geographically closest to Trenčín. The beginnings of the city under the massive castle can be traced back to the market settlement mentioned as early as 1111 on the old road from the Váž ford below the Brezina hill, above which the parish church still stands on the steep slope of the plateau. The bishop's court - Trenčianske Biskupice - was also part of a larger residential complex. The history of the castle and the fate of the city were very closely linked in the following centuries.

During the invasion of Slovakia in 1241, the city was ravaged by the Mongols. The castle under the command of župan Bohumír resisted the onslaught[5]. The new heyday of the seat occurred after 1275, when the castle came into the possession of the prominent noble Peter Čák, and especially at the end of the century, when his son Matúš Čák became the master of almost the entire territory of today's Slovakia.

During the Middle Ages, Trenčín received various privileges and rights. In 1324, the inhabitants were exempted from paying tolls. In 1412, King Sigismund elevated Trenčín to a free royal city with the same rights enjoyed by the inhabitants of Buda. The city did not escape many disasters and often suffered from wars. In the battles of Ferdinand Habsburg against John Zápoľský, the imperial general Katzianer conquered the city and the castle in 1528. In the middle of the 17th century, the city had to resist the raids of the Turks. Their biggest raid against Trenčín on October 2, 1663 was repulsed by the inhabitants.

Great suffering was experienced by the Kuruk Wars during the Kuruk blockade in the years 1704 – 1708. On August 3, 1708, near the town of Trenčín, near the village of Hámry, between the villages of Soblahov, Trenčianska Turná and Mníchova Lehota, a battle took place between the troops of Siegbert Heister and František II. Rákociho. Two years later, the city was hit by the plague, which killed almost 1,600 inhabitants. After Vešelény's conspiracy in 1670, a German army was stationed in Trenčín and remained there for 112 years. In 1790, the castle and the entire town burned down. Since then, the upper castle remained abandoned and slowly fell into disrepair.

In the second half of the 19th century, Trenčín became an important commercial and industrial center of central Považia, several businesses and financial institutions were established, and a railway was built. The construction of the Považská železínská did not begin until 1875 after many delays, but after reaching Nové Mesto nad Váhom (June 1, 1876) it was stopped due to lack of money. Two years later (April 29, 1879), the railway line was extended to Istebník, while the railway station in Istebník was officially called Trenčín. According to the contract, the line from Istebník to Žilina was to be built from January to October 1883. That is, in ten months. At the end of October, the track was finished, the trains took the future employees along the track; On October 28, 1883, special trains with the minister and hundreds of guests passed through to Žilina, where a banquet for 300 guests, organized by the Bratislava hotelier Palugyai, ended the celebration in a modified heating room. The economic importance of the Považ railway, connected in Žilina to the Košice-Bohumín line, was also increased by the fact that the Sereď - Galanta railway line was also built at the same time, and thus Trenčín had a direct connection with Vienna and Budapest, in the north with the entire territory of the county. Direct access to Silesian coal was important for the future. Five years later, on October 4, 1888, traffic also began on the railway line Trenčianska Teplá - Vlára - Uherský Brod, which also opened up the road to Brno. The railway connection between Považia and Ponitrí, that is, the railway from Trenčín to Topoľčiani was built in 1901. The construction of the railway was an important impetus for the development of industry. From the end of the 19th century, industry began to emerge (textile factories, distilleries, processing of rubber, wood, explosives, frames, roller mill). During the first Czecho-Slovak Republic, the clothing, food and engineering industries grew, and later (longer after the Second World War) the exhibition industry began to take shape.

In 1940, Trenčín had 13,647 inhabitants. After the beginning of the SNP, German troops occupied the city on August 30, 1944. The Sicherheitsdienst and Gestapo headquarters and a prison were established here. Two transports of prisoners were taken from the city to Mauthausen. During the Second World War, both the road and railway bridges over the Váh were destroyed in the city by the retreating Wehrmacht. The Romanian and Soviet troops, who occupied the left-bank part of the city on April 10, 1945, immediately built a new temporary wooden bridge, which in In 1946, it was replaced by a permanent wooden bridge, which in 1956 it replaced the current concrete road bridge over the Váh. The city was liberated by the troops of the 2nd Ukrainian Front in cooperation with Romanian troops. After the liberation, 7 mass graves with 69 murdered resistance fighters were discovered in Brezin. Today, two monuments stand in their memory: a smaller, more modest and older one at the place of their execution in Dušová dolina, a newer and larger monument at the place of their graves on the edge of the cherry orchard in Brezin. After 1948, the textile industry operating in the city was nationalized, creating enterprises such as Odevné závody, n.p., Merina, n.p., Kara, n.p. and other. The city of Trenčín became the seat of the Eastern Military District, which included the command over the whole of Slovakia and the North Moravian region. In the 1970s, new buildings of the OV KSS, ONV, the Center, the Gastrocenter and the Okruhového dom armády were built in the center, while considerable renovation of the historic core was necessary. Hollého streets, Ľudový hájik, one side of Hviezdoslavová, Sládkovičová and Jaselská streets have gone into the past. Large housing estates such as Juh, Soblahovská, Sihoť III-IV were built in the city, which rapidly increased the number of inhabitants. In the 1980s, a city bypass was built along the newly built Električná street. Also, Východná ulica was built on the Juh housing estate in a four-lane profile, which was supposed to be a continuation of the planned southeast bypass. At its current end, a second public transport depot was to be built, while trolleybuses were to be garaged here.

After 1989, the city got rid of some of the mistakes of the previous regime, especially the historical core revived. The majority of historical monuments have been reconstructed and adapted to the needs of modern times. Štúrov Square underwent reconstruction, the parking lot that existed here was canceled and replaced by a waterman's fountain that spits water onto the square. Trenčín, the seat of the district and region, is still one of the most important cities in Slovakia with a rich cultural and social life.

 

Symbols of the city

Coat of arms
The first known depiction of the coat of arms dates from 1324. The basis of the coat of arms of Trenčín is a blue shield on which there is a silver lamb looking behind itself. Above the lamb's head is a golden six-pointed star on a golden ribbon that comes from its lip. With one hoof, the lamb holds a golden pole topped by a cross with the red and white flag of the city. The symbol of the lamb was probably related to the presence of the Johannite order in the city. During socialism, the lamb was purposely referred to as a symbol of the textile industry in Trenčín (wool).

In the 1970s, MsNV Trenčín considered changing the city's coat of arms to a gear wheel in front of the walls. However, this idea was not implemented.

Flag
The city's red-white flag consists of four squares arranged in a checkerboard pattern. At the top of the flag, near the pole, there is a red square-shaped field, next to it is a white rectangular field, into which a triangular cut-out extends.

 

Politics

City officials
Burghers and mayors
1887 – 1918 – Ernest Ucsnay (burgher)
1918 – 1919 – Alexander Zeleny (townsman)
1919 – 1920 – Jozef Laco (burgher)
1920 – 1922 – Cyril Svoboda (townsman)
1923 – 1924 – Ing. Gustáv Dohnányi (mayor)
1924 – 1928 – Rudolf Misz (mayor)
1928 – 1939 – Jozef Reihel (mayor)
1939 – 1945 – Dr. Ján Zaťko (mayor, later government commissioner and burgomaster)
1945 – Štefan Markovič (townsman)

Chairmen of MsNV
1945 – Ján Zeman
1945 – 1946 – Ján Barták
1946 – 1948 – Dr. Jozef Baar
1948 – Ján Mikula
1948 – 1949 – Eduard Klčo
1949 – 1951 – Štefan Ondruška
1952 – 1954 – Vojtech Kianička
1954 – 1971 – Anton Tomáš
1971 – 1977 – Rudolf Pajtina
1977 – 1990 – Štefan Rehák

Mayors of the city
1990 – 1994 – Štefan Rehák (independent)
1994 – 2002 – Ing. Jozef Žiška (independent, later SOP)
2002 – 2003 – Ing. Juraj Liška (SDKÚ) (relinquished his position after being appointed Minister of Defense)
2004 – 2010 – Ing. Branislav Celler (SDKÚ-DS)
2010 – M.Sc. Richard Rybníček (independent)

 

Sport

football – the highest Slovak football competition is played in Trenčín thanks to the club AS Trenčín
ice hockey – the Slovak extra league hockey is played in Trenčín thanks to the club Dukla Trenčín
bandy hockey:
canoeing - AŠK Dukla Trenčín, speed sports section, TTS Trenčín Canoe Club, TJ Slávia Sports School Trenčín, canoe club
handball – HK Start Trenčín – Joint Slovak-Czech handball competition (WHIL) – (season 2007/2008 – 5th place/12)
floorball – ŠK 1. FBC Trenčín, a club founded in 2005, won seven (until 2023) Slovak championship titles in the men's extra league during its existence, once second and once third place, making it the most successful club in Slovakia

Sports fields in Trenčín
Winter stadiums
Pavla Demitru winter stadium - Dukla Trenčín's home stadium, located on Považská street
Marián Gáborík Winter Stadium (formerly J&T Arena) – a smaller winter stadium in the neighborhood of Dukla
Football stadiums
Stadium at Sihoti - home stadium of AS Trenčín
Ozeta Stadium - cancelled
Pod Sokolicami Stadium - cancelled
Sports halls
Municipal sports hall - located on Mládežnícká street
Sports hall of AŠK Dukla Trenčín - located on Štefániková street
Swimming pools and swimming pools
Municipal swimming pool
Swimming pool at ZŠ Lac Novomeského
Swimming pool at SPŠ stavebná
The swimming pool at ZŠ Na dolinách is not functional
Summer swimming pool (improved in 2013 in connection with the construction of a new railway bridge)
Summer swimming pool Za mostami (non-functional, operation of a restaurant with a menagerie)
Summer swimming pool on the Island (under construction, will replace the current summer swimming pool, which will give way to the modernized railway)
In addition to the sports fields mentioned above, the City is building new multi-purpose sports fields near schools in individual parts, which are also open to the public. There are also several tennis courts, skate parks, shooting ranges, boating facilities, dance clubs and other possibilities in Trenčín, which provide facilities for any kind of sport in Trenčín.

 

Economy and infrastructure

Transportation

Rail transport

2 railway lines pass through the town of Trenčín - Line 120 Bratislava - Žilina, whose modernization has already been completed, and Line 143 Trenčín - Chynorany. In 2017, a new railway bridge was put into use, a new summer swimming pool was built, as the old one gave way to the new bridge. The city built replacement houses on the newly created Slivková and Šafránová streets for the residents of the rehabilitated houses. A bus station reconstruction project is also being prepared, which will create a modern bus terminal with a direct connection to ŽST.

The territory of the city of Trenčín is served by the following four railway stations:
Trenčín railway station (Line 120, Line 143)
Railway station Trenčín – Predmestie (Line 143)
Trenčín – Zlatovce railway station (Line 120)
Railway station Trenčín – Opatová (Line 120)

 

Traffic

The city cadastre is crossed by Highway D1 (section Chocholná – Nemšová) and stretches of state roads I/61 and II/507. The construction of the R2 expressway is planned, which will relieve the busy state road I/9, which skirts the town of Trenčín in the southwestern edge.

In 2011, the construction of the southeastern bypass of the city of Trenčín began, which also includes the second road bridge over the Váh River in Trenčín. It was opened in March 2015. In the first stage, this bypass relieved the overloaded road bridge in the center and diverts traffic in the direction of Dubnica and the center along the four-lane Električná street. In the second stage, the bypass will continue in the location of Východná ulica, the tunnel will pass through the Breziny massif and lead traffic to the Kubrá area, thus relieving Hasičská ulica and especially the intersection at Nám. SNP in front of Hotel Elizabeth (former Hotel Tatra).

 

Air Transport

In the city district of Biskupice in the southwest of the city, there is the Trenčianske airport, which is used for military and possibly also civil purposes. This airport is home to the company Letecké opravovne Trenčín, a.s., which repairs airplanes and helicopters from all over the world.

 

Public transport

Municipal public transport in Trenčín is provided by the carrier Transdev Trenčín on the basis of a contract on services in the public interest.
In Trenčín there are bus lines no. 1 to 31.
In the past, trolleybus transport was also considered (there are known plans to connect Trenčín with Dubnica), but this idea was later dropped and only bus transport was fully expanded.
In the future, the possibility of sinking the tracks of the Bánovecká line to surface level and using it as a link between the city center and the areas in the south of the city is also considered.

 

Water transport

Trenčín is located on the route of the planned Vážská water route. A lock was built to overcome the height difference at the site of the damming of the river. The construction of a port is also planned in the city of Trenčín, currently there is only a smaller wharf in the city intended primarily for cruise ships, sports boats and water rescue boats and a winter port.

 

Education

Basic
Schools under the authority of the City of Trenčín
Velkomoraská ulica 12 (formerly 4. ZDŠ)
Dlhé Hony 1 (formerly 5. ZDŠ)
Petra Bezruča 66 (formerly 6. ZDŠ)
Hodžova 37 (formerly 7. ZDŠ)
L. Novomeského 11 (formerly 9. ZDŠ)
Eastern 9
Na Dolinách 27 (Children's Town)
Kubran road
Potočná 86 (small grade, first grade only)
Schools under the jurisdiction of churches
Elementary school with kindergarten St. Andrej - Svorad and Benedikt
Private primary schools
Futurum Elementary School

Defunct primary schools:
1. ZDŠ – was located in the center, in today's building of the Children's Department of the Michal Rešetka Public Library
2. ZDŠ – was based in Sihota, Študentská street. Canceled due to lack of students. She trained soccer players for AS Trenčín. This role is currently fulfilled by ZŠ Na Dolinách 27. Today, the Trenčín University of A. Dubček is located in the building of the 2nd ZŠ.
3. ZDŠ – was located in the center, on 1. Mája Street, opposite the Ľudovít Štúr High School. Today, its building houses a church elementary school and a Pedagogical and Social Academy
8. ZDŠ – an independent organizational unit of today's ZŠ Laca Novomeského, with which it merged and therefore ceased to exist.

Medium
Ľudovít Štúr High School
Jozef Branecký Piaristic Gymnasium
Futurum private gymnasium
Business Academy Dr. Milan Hodža
Emil Belluš Secondary Industrial School of Construction
Trenčín School of Art Industry
Secondary sports school
Celestína Šimurková Secondary Medical School
Secondary vocational school of pedagogy St. Andrej-Svorad and Benedikt
Transport Academy
Secondary Vocational School Under Sokolicami
Aviation-technical secondary vocational school
Secondary vocational school of trade and services

High
Alexander Dubček University of Trenčín
College of Management / City University of Seattle

 

Industry and Economy

Industry in the city is mainly oriented towards engineering production, in the past the city was also known for textile production, which declined during the 1990s. Among the large engineering companies are TRENS, a.s. (former TOS), Letecké opravovne Trenčín (LOTN), manufacturer of machine tools (former military repair shops AOZ - Armádne opravarenské závody) and KONŠTRUKTA - Industrial, a.s. and CONSTRUCTION - Defence, a. with. – originally a state-owned enterprise and development plant of Plzenská zbrojovka, today divided into two joint-stock companies, one with civilian production for the rubber industry and the other focused on research and development of weapon systems. In 2011, AU Optronics, p. r. about. engaged in the production of LCD monitors. The American company Johnson Controls has its development center here.