Ilava (, ) is a town in the Trenčín Region, northwestern Slovakia.
Name
The name is of uncertain origin. The historic medieval names were Lewe, Lewa (the same historic name as Levice), Lewa de cidca fluviom Vag, later Ilava. The form Illava is known from the 19th century and was used after the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867.
Geography
It is located in the Ilava Basin near the Váh river at the foothills of Strážovské vrchy mountains, near the cities of Považská Bystrica and Trenčín. In addition to the main settlement, it also has "boroughs" of Iliavka and Klobušice (both since 1969, latter with a Classic castle).
History
The first written reference to the town dates from 1332/1337, the town charter stems from 1339. The settlement developed below a Gothic castle (bearing the same name) from the 13th century, turned into a Renaissance fortification in the 16th century, into a monastery in 1693 and finally, in 1856, into a prison. A concentration camp was in the prison in 1938.
In 1431 the Battle of Ilava was fought between the Hussites and Hungarians.
Demographics
According to the 2001 census, the town had 5,441 inhabitants. 98.1% of inhabitants were Slovaks, 0.9% Czechs and 0.1% Roma and Hungarians. The religious makeup was 87.2% Roman Catholics, 7.9% people with no religious affiliation, and 1.2% Lutherans.
Notable people
Two-time Stanley Cup Champion and retired Florida Panthers left winger Tomáš Kopecký New Jersey Devils left winger Tomáš Tatar
Twin towns — sister cities
Ilava is twinned with: Győr, Hungary Klimkovice, Czech Republic Mikołów, Poland
See also
List of municipalities and towns in Slovakia
References
Genealogical resources
The records for genealogical research are available at the state archive "Statny Archiv in Bratislava, Bytca, Slovakia"
Roman Catholic church records (births/marriages/deaths): 1673-1913 (parish A) Lutheran church records (births/marriages/deaths): 1783-1895 (parish B)