Trenčín facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Trenčín
City
From the top, Central Trenčín and Trenčín Castle, Kostol Narodenia Panny Márie, Trenčín Synagogue
Flag Coat of arms
Trenčín Location in Trenčín Region Show map of Trenčín Region Trenčín Location in Slovakia Show map of Slovakia
Country	Slovakia
Region	Trenčín
District	Trenčín
First mentioned	circa 150
Area
• Total	82.00 km2 (31.66 sq mi)
	(2022)
Elevation	217 m (712 ft)
Population  (2022)
• Total	54,107
• Density	659.84/km2 (1,708.98/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	911 01
Area code(s)	+421 32
Car plate	TN, TC, TE
Website	www.trencin.sk

Trenčín is a city in western Slovakia. It sits in the central Váh River valley. The city is close to the Czech border. It is about 95 kilometers (59 miles) from Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia.

More than 55,000 people live in Trenčín. This makes it the eighth largest city in Slovakia. It is also the main city of the Trenčín Region and the Trenčín District. A medieval castle, Trenčín Castle, stands high on a rock above the city.

Trenčín has been chosen as the European Capital of Culture for 2026.

Discovering Trenčín's Name and Origin

Trenčín was first called Leukaristos by the Greeks. This name appeared on an old map around 150 AD. Later, in 179 AD, the Romans carved an inscription on a rock under the castle. They called the place Laugaricio. For a long time, this was the most northern place in Central Europe where Romans were known to have been.

The name "Trenčín" first appeared in writing in the Middle Ages. It was called Treinchen in 1111. The name likely comes from a Slavic personal name, Trnka or Trenka. This name means "blackthorn".

A Journey Through Trenčín's Past

Below Trenčín Castle is this Roman inscription from 179 AD.

People have lived in the area of Trenčín for a very long time. Trenčín Castle, a typical medieval fortress, stands high on a rock above the city.

Trenčín is famous for a Roman inscription. It is carved on the rock below Trenčín Castle. This carving is from 179 AD. It mentions the place as Laugaricio. This was during wars between the Roman Empire and Germanic tribes. For many years, it was the most northern sign of Roman soldiers in Central Europe.

Some historians think Trenčín might have been the capital of Samo's empire in the 7th century. A big battle between Slavic and Frankish armies happened in 631. It was likely near the Váh river.

Trenčín Castle was probably built during the Great Moravian era. In the early 1000s, the Polish king controlled the area. But in 1017, Stephen I of Hungary took over. Trenčín remained part of Hungary until 1918. By the late 1000s, the castle became an important center. It was one of the few stone castles. This helped it survive the Mongol invasion in 1241.

Between 1302 and 1321, the powerful leader Matthew Csák lived at the castle. He controlled much of what is now Slovakia. He had his own court and made his own foreign policy. In 1335, an important agreement, the Treaty of Trentschin, was signed here. It was between Bohemia, Hungary, and Poland.

The Dolná brána (Lower Gate) in Trenčín.

Trenčín gained special rights in the Middle Ages. In 1324, people living there did not have to pay tolls. In 1412, King Sigismund made Trenčín a "free royal town." This gave the city more freedom.

However, the city faced many problems over the next centuries. There were wars and disasters. In 1528, imperial troops captured the town. In the 1600s, the Ottomans threatened the city but could not conquer it. The town also suffered during a rebellion against the Habsburgs. A battle took place near the city in 1708. Two years later, a plague killed many people. Finally, in 1790, a fire destroyed the town and the castle. The castle has been in ruins ever since.

In the 1800s, Trenčín grew. Railways were built to Žilina and Bratislava. Many new businesses started, especially in textiles, food, and machines. The town became a key center for the middle Považie region.

In 1867, Trenčín lost some of its special status. It became a "town with municipal government." This meant it was directly controlled by the head of the Trenčín county.

Trenčín in 1908.

Trenčín thrived again during the first Czechoslovak republic. It became the capital of Trenčín county again from 1940 to 1945. This was when the Slovak Republic existed.

After the Slovak National Uprising began, Nazi Germany took over Trenčín. It became a headquarters for German secret police. Romanian and Soviet troops captured Trenčín on April 10, 1945.

Since 1990, the old part of the city has been restored. Since 1996, Trenčín has been the main city of the Trenčín Region and Trenčín District. The castle and its Roman inscription attract many tourists.

Trenčín's Location and Natural Features

Trenčín is about 262 meters (860 feet) above sea level. It covers an area of 82 square kilometers (31.7 sq mi). The city is in the Trenčín Basin in northwestern Slovakia. Mountains like the Strážov Mountains and White Carpathians surround it. The White Carpathians are a protected natural area. The Váh River flows through the city from north to south.

Trenčín's Climate

Trenčín has a continental climate. This means it has four clear seasons. Summers are hot, and winters are cold and snowy.

Exploring Trenčín: Sights and Fun

Hotel Tatra (now Elizabeth) below Trenčín Castle.

The Trenčín Synagogue in Štúrovo námestie.

Trenčín Castle is the most important landmark. It is the third-largest castle in Slovakia. The castle has an upper and lower part with many strong walls. The upper castle has several palace buildings. They surround a tall medieval tower, which is the highest point in the city.

Below the castle, you can find the old parish church. There is also a small upper square. You can reach it by old covered stairs or winding streets. The old town has a large main square. It features a big baroque church, shops, and a town tower.

The Trenčín Synagogue was built in 1913. Today, it is a cultural center. It hosts exhibitions and concerts.

Pohoda is Slovakia's most popular music festival. It has been held in Trenčín since 1997. Since 2004, it takes place at the Trenčín Airport.

Trenčín's People

In 2005, Trenčín had 56,750 people. By 2009, it grew to 60,012. Most people in Trenčín are Slovaks (95.3%). About 2.4% are Czechs.

Most people (65.8%) are Roman Catholics. About 22.3% do not have a religious affiliation. And 7.1% are Lutherans.

Sports in Trenčín

Trenčín is a city that loves sports!

The Association football club AS Trenčín plays in Slovakia's top football league. The ice hockey club Dukla Trenčín plays in the Slovak Extraliga. They have won the championship four times.

Many famous ice hockey players come from Trenčín. These include Marián Gáborík, Zdeno Chára, and Marián Hossa. They all played in the National Hockey League (NHL) in North America. Also, Martin Škrtel, a well-known football player for Liverpool, is from Trenčín.

In 2017, Trenčín hosted a festival for non-Olympic sports.

Stanley Cup Visits Trenčín

The Stanley Cup is the top trophy in professional ice hockey in North America. It has been brought to Trenčín six times! This happened between 2008 and 2015.

• 2008: Tomáš Kopecký brought the Cup after his team, the Detroit Red Wings, won. Tomáš was born near Trenčín.
• 2010: Marián Hossa won the Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks. He celebrated in Trenčín with Tomáš Kopecký. Marián grew up in Trenčín.
• 2011: Zdeno Chára, captain of the Boston Bruins, won the Cup. Zdeno was born and lived in Trenčín before joining the NHL.
• 2013: Marián Hossa won the Cup again with the Chicago Blackhawks.
• 2014: Marián Gáborík, who grew up in Trenčín, won the trophy with the Los Angeles Kings. He was the top scorer in the playoffs that year.
• 2015: Marián Hossa won the Cup for the third time with the Blackhawks.

Learning in Trenčín

Trenčín is home to the public Alexander Dubček University. It has over 7,000 students. There is also a private College of Management in Trenčín.

The city has nine public primary schools and one religious primary school. Many students attend these schools. For older students, there are five high schools (gymnasia). There are also five specialized high schools and six vocational schools.

Getting Around Trenčín

Trenčín is located near Slovakia's main motorway. It is an important stop on the main railway line. This line connects Bratislava, Žilina, and Košice. Roads from Trenčín also lead to the Czech Republic and other parts of Slovakia.

Trenčín has an airport. However, the closest international airport is in Bratislava.

Parts of Trenčín

Trenčín is divided into four main areas:

• Stred (center): This includes the old town, lower town, and other neighborhoods like Dlhé Hony and Biskupice.
• Juh (south): This area includes Juh I, Juh II, and Juh III.
• Sever (north): This part has Sihoť I-IV, Opatová nad Váhom, Pod Sokolice, Kubrá, and Kubrica.
• Západ (west): This area includes Zámostie, Kvetná, Istebník, Orechové, Zlatovce, Nové Zlatovce, and Záblatie.

Famous People from Trenčín

Many notable people come from Trenčín:

• Zdeno Chára (born 1977), an ice hockey player.
• Monika Chochlikova (born 1996), a kickboxer and Muay Thai fighter.
• Marián Chovanec (born 1957), a Roman Catholic bishop.
• Eva Kristínová (1928–2020), an actress.
• Romana Schlesinger (born 1986), an LGBT rights activist.

Trenčín's Sister Cities

Trenčín is connected with other cities around the world. These are called "twin towns" or "sister cities." They share culture and friendship.

Images for kids

• 

  Trenčín Castle

See also

In Spanish: Trenčín para niños