Trenčianske Teplice (in German: Trentschinteplitz, in Hungarian Trencsénteplic) is a health resort and small town in western Slovakia in the valley of the river Teplička at the foothills of the Strážovské vrchy mountains.

Characteristics

The town is renowned for its sulfuric and thermal springs. It is a center of recreation and tourism and of various cultural events (e.g. the Summer Festival of Music).The spa provides treatment of rheumatism and post-traumatic disorders.

History

It has been a spa site since the 14th century. As early as in the 16th century, the spa was known all over Europe, and it is mentioned as the most important spa of the Kingdom of Hungary. The spa was owned by the Illésházy , an aristocratic family of the Kingdom of Hungary, from 1582 onwards. In 1835, it was bought by the Vienna financer Jozef Sina , who developed the area. The spa was nationalised after the Second World War.

Micellaneous

A hydroelectric powerstation (it was producing polyphase AC of 5250 V) was built between 1886-88 and supplied the town's streetlights as well as surrounding communities (Trenčianska Teplá , Košeca , Ladce ) with electricity.

It also powered a special narrow-gauged public electric railway opened on 29 July 1909. The railway has a length of 5.9 km and connects Trenčianske Teplice with a railway junction at Trenčianska Teplá. It still operates today.