Ilava: City History, Hiking and Vápeč

Ilava between City History and Vápeč

Ilava combines striking historical traces with paths leading into an impressive mountain landscape. If you would like to combine culture and hiking, you will find various points of interest here: In the town, churches, monuments and former historic buildings tell stories of past centuries; at the same time, marked routes begin or run towards Vápeč. Hotel Moravec is also part of the townscape: the Baroque, single-storey inn and customs house was built in 1764 and is known by this name today.

Historical Details in the Townscape

Ilavský hrad was probably built to protect trade routes, the important and, for a long distance, only ford across the Váh, as well as the town of Ilava. The Ilava bell tower originally had one storey and a square floor plan measuring 7 × 7 metres. During its Baroque transformation in 1758, a second storey with a bulbous Baroque roof was added. Original Baroque church pews and a wooden polychrome pulpit have been preserved in the All Saints' Church of the Trinitarians.

Near the town bell tower stands the former Catholic rectory. It was originally a single-storey Renaissance building from the end of the 17th century. The building of the ecclesiastical Roman Catholic school was constructed between 1841 and 1844 and has an adjoining chapel. The Marian column is a polychrome stone statue of the Virgin Mary of the Immaculata type. It was erected in 1752; the original statue was destroyed and replaced by a smaller one in 1992. The building of Ilavský pivovar is protected as a monument.

Klobušice: Cemetery, Crypt and Landscape Park

The Klobušice district includes an English landscape park near the former manor house of the Sipekyovci family. The park covers approximately 7 hectares. The Gábor-Baross crypt, completed in 1895, is also located there. The life and artistic work of the important painter Joža Uprka are also connected with Klobušice.

The old Jewish cemetery of Ilava commemorates the local Jewish community, which lived there for several centuries until the Second World War. In the upper section are the graves of Rabbi David Lewin (1838–1908) and his relatives. The cemetery chapel is dedicated to the veneration of the Virgin Mary and was built in 1906. If you would like to explore the history of the town in greater depth, a guided tour at the town museum can include a visit to the crypt in the parish church. The Gábor-Baross crypt in Klobušice can also be part of such a tour.

Hiking to Vápeč and Views across the Mountains

The marked Ilava–Sokol–Vápeč hiking trail leads from Ilava railway station via Sokol and the Háj settlement to Vápeč. Another route, Ilava–Vápeč–Homôlka, leads into the Vápeč National Nature Reserve, which is regarded as a limestone-dolomite rocky landmark. It is also suitable for hikers arriving by public transport. From the summit of Vápeč, there is an unobstructed 360-degree panoramic view of the Malá Fatra, Martinské hole, Strážov, Mojtín, Manín, the Vršatské bradlá and part of the Veľká Fatra.

For water sports enthusiasts, the PEREJ department of TJ Sokol Ilava also offers activities for people without experience in water sports. From 1996 onwards, PEREJ organised public river trips. The activities prepared during the holidays included river trips on the Váh from Ilava to Nemšová. The traditional Bartolomejský jarmok in Ilava celebrates the end of summer and the rich harvest.

Other Town Pages in This Selection

Dubnica Nad Váhom Dubnica Nad Váhom, Borčice, Nová Dubnica, Bolešov, Sedmerovec, Dulov and Pruské.

To the overarching travel overview: Trenčín.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Nitrianske Rudno.