|
Trenčín (German Trentschin, Latin (Roman period) Laugaricio, Hungarian Trencsén) is a town in western Slovakia (close to the Czech border) at the Váh river. Seat of a region (kraj) or Higher Territorial Unit (VÚC) and of a district (okres).
The site was inhabited since time immemorial. A typical medieval fortified castle is situated on a rock above the town. Trenčín is best known for a Roman (Latin) inscription on the castle rock from 179, stemming from the era of the Markoman Wars, more exactly a war between the Roman Empire and the Germanic Quadi. It denotes the site as "Laugaricio" and it is the northernmost evidence of the presence of Roman soldiers in central Europe. Between 1302 and 1321, the castle was the seat of the Hungarian magnate Matthew Csák, who controlled Slovakia politically and militaristically and became a de-facto ruler of Slovakia for several years.
The city is dominated by its castle, which is the third largest on Slovak territory. The castle is divided into upper and lower sections, with extensive fortifications. The upper castle has several palace buildings which surround the central medieval tower, which remains the highest point of the city. Below the castle on the hillside is the old parish church and a small upper square, which is reached by historic covered stairs as well winding side streets. The old town has a large main square, with a large baroque church and a variety of shops, as well as a town tower.
See also: Slovakia, History of Slovakia, Trenčín county
External link
|
