Vrbové


Vrbové is a town in the Trnava Region of Slovakia. It has a population of about 6,000. The town lies around northwest from Piešťany.

Characteristics

The town features an originally Gothic church from 1397, an Evangelical Lutheran church from 1928-1929, a baroque curia from the 17th century, an oriental-style synagogue from 1883, and a modern St. Gorazd Church.
The Čerenec Dam, situated to the northwest of the town, is a recreation area.

History

The present-day town is a very old settlement. In Slavic languages the town's name means willow. The first written reference to the town stems from 1332. at that time it was part of the Čachtice Castle domain. Vrbové received its town charter in 1437, and was devastated by Turkish troops in 1599. The town was famous for its grain markets, promoted mainly by Jews, who made up a large part of the town's population. In the late 20th century, the town was home to clothing, trading and wood-processing industries.

World War II

Vrbové is infamous for its past as a Jewish ghetto. During World War II, the entire town of Vrbové was a ghetto for the Jewish population of the Piešťany province of Slovakia. The ghetto was liquidated by the Slovak Nazis known as the Hlinka Guard and the German SS; most of the Jewish people were deported to the death camp at Auschwitz. Most of Vrbove's Jewish population was gassed in Auschwitz's gas chambers.

Demographics

According to the 2001 census, the town had 6,249 inhabitants. 98.75% of inhabitants were Slovaks and 0.59% Czechs. The religious make-up was 75.48% Roman Catholics, 10.80% people with no religious affiliation and 10.67% Lutherans.

Twin towns — sister cities

Vrbové is twinned with:
;Rabbis
Vrbové also is the birthplace of: