Púchov

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Coordinates: 49°07′12″N 18°19′50″E / 49.12, 18.33056
Púchov
Town
none A museum in Púchov
A museum in Púchov
Country Flag of Slovakia Slovakia
Region Trenčín
District Púchov
River Váh
Elevation 265 m (869 ft)
Coordinates 49°07′12″N 18°19′50″E / 49.12, 18.33056
Area 41.496 km² (16.022 sq mi)
Population 18,658 (2005)
Density 450 /km² (1,165 /sq mi)
First mentioned 1243
Mayor Marián Michalec
Timezone CET (UTC+1)
 - summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 020 01
Area code +421-42
Car plate PU
Location of Púchov in Slovakia
Location of Púchov in Slovakia
Location of Púchov in Slovakia
Location of Púchov in the Trenčín Region
Location of Púchov in the Trenčín Region
Location of Púchov in the Trenčín Region
Wikimedia Commons: Púchov
Statistics: MOŠ/MIS
Website: www.puchov.sk

Púchov (German: Puchau; Hungarian: Puhó) is an industrial town in the centre of Púchov District in Slovakia, with a population close to 20,000.

Contents

[edit] Geography

It is located on the main train line between Bratislava and Košice. It is half way between Trenčín and Žilina, two major Slovak cities, approximately 30 minutes train from both cities.

The Váh river crosses Púchov, and there is a small dam open to public crossing.

The health resort Nimnica (until 1990 part of Púchov) is situated in the vicinity and is a starting point for tours to Javorníky and White Carpathians mountains.

Parts:

  • Horné Kočkovce
  • Hoštiná
  • Hrabovka
  • Ihrište

[edit] History

Historically, the town was settled since time immemorial (finds from the Palaeolithic, Bronze Age, La Tène period, Roman period) and the extensive La Tène and Roman period settlements gave name to the archaeological Púchov culture, which also extends to Moravia and Poland. The first written reference dates back to 1243, the town status stems from 1471. Many Czech and Moravian refugees (Moravian Brethren) settled in the town after the Battle of White Mountain and in the 17th century. The Brethren became famous throughout the Kingdom of Hungary for the production of soft drapery.

[edit] Demographics

According to the 2001 census, the town had 18,833 inhabitants. 97.4% of inhabitants were Slovaks, 1.3% Czechs and 0.2% Roma.[1] The religious make-up was 71.4% Roman Catholics, 13.8% Lutherans, and 11.3% people with no religious affiliation.[1]

[edit] Economy

It is a strong industry base - home to Matador and Continental plants, producers of tyres, and Makyta, a producer of fashion clothes. Matador is a 20 minute walk from the train station in Púchov, while the city centre is a 10 minute walk in the other direction.

[edit] Culture and education

The town has several high schools and a branch of the Slovak University of Technology. The town also has a football club FK Matador Púchov and some other sport clubs (volleyball, swimming, handball, ice hockey).

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Municipal Statistics. Statistical Office of the Slovak republic. Retrieved on 2007-12-09.

[edit] External links