Trenčín (Slovak pronunciation: [ˈtrentʂiːn] ⓘ, also known by other alternative names) is a city in western Slovakia of the central Váh River valley near the Czech border, around 95 km (59 mi) from Bratislava.

[4] Trenčín was first mentioned under the Greek name Leukaristos (Λευκάριστος), depicted on the Ptolemy world map around 150 AD [citation needed].

Wogastisburg (Vogast castle) was probably located somewhere on the Vogas river and was also the site of a decisive battle between the Slavic and Frankish armies in 631.

Between 1302 and 1321 the castle was the seat of the powerful magnate Matthew Csák who controlled most of present-day Slovakia.

Challenging the authority of King Charles Robert, Csák maintained a large court and pursued his own foreign policy.

During the conflict between the Habsburgs and the supporters of the rival king, János Szapolyai, the town was captured in 1528 by imperial troops.

The town then suffered from the Kuruc uprising against the Habsburgs and on 3 August 1708 the Battle of Trenčín took place close to the city.

In the 19th century, Trenčín flourished as the railways to Žilina and Bratislava were built and many new enterprises were established, particularly in the textile, food and machine industries.

Shortly after the Slovak National Uprising began, Trenčín was occupied by Nazi Germany and it became the headquarters of the Sicherheitsdienst and the Gestapo.

Trenčín lies at an altitude of 262 metres (860 ft) above sea level and covers an area of 82 square kilometres (31.7 sq mi).

[7] It lies in the Trenčín Basin of north-western Slovakia, which is surrounded by the Strážov Mountains, Považský Inovec and White Carpathians, with the last mentioned being a protected area.

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 as by winding side streets.

Trenčín is the hometown of several professional ice hockey players, including Ottawa Senators forward Marián Gáborík, New York Islanders defenceman Zdeno Chára, and Chicago Blackhawks forward Marián Hossa, all playing in the National Hockey League (NHL) in North America.