Púchov
Púchov (German: Puchau; Hungarian: Puhó) is an industrial town in the centre of Púchov District in Slovakia, with a population close to 20,000.
Púchov is on the main train line between Bratislava and Košice. It is half way between Trenčín (famous for its castle) and Žilina, a major Slovak town, 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.
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.
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).
Historically, the town was settled since time immemorial (finds from the Palaeolithic, Bronze Age, La Tène period, Roman period) and the extensive La Tene 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.
Parts:
- Horné Kočkovce
- Hoštiná
- Hrabovka
- Ihrište
- Nosice (with a hydroelectric power plant)
- Púchov (proper)
- Vieska - Bezdedov
