Fiľakovo

Fiľakovo (Template:Lang-hu, Template:Lang-de, Template:Lang-tr) is a town in the Banská Bystrica Region of south-central Slovakia. Historically it was part of the Nógrád (Novohrad) region.

Geography

It is located in the Cerová vrchovina mountains, in the valley of the Belina river, located around 20 km (12.43 mi) from the Hungarian city of Salgótarján, 85 km (52.82 mi) from Banská Bystrica, about 150 km (93.21 mi) from Košice and around 220 km (136.70 mi) from Bratislava.

History

The first written record of the town, along with the Fiľakovo Castle is from 1242, where the castle withstood the Mongol invasions. It is mentioned in 1246 as Filek. In 1423 the town received municipal privileges. In 1553 the town with castle fell to the Turks and was seat of a sanjak until 1593, when it was reconquered by the Imperial troops. However, it fell once more to the Turks in 1669 and the town along with the castle was burned down in 1682 by troops of Imre Thököly. After the Treaty of Trianon in 1920 the town came under the rule of Czechoslovakia. It belonged to Hungary again in years 1938–1945 after the First Vienna Award.

Demographics

According to the 2001 census, ethnic groups included 64.40% Hungarians, 30.19% Slovaks, and 4.03% Roma. The religion make-up was as follows: 77.52% Roman Catholic, 11.82% without denomination, 3.21% not specified and others.

People

• Sándor Büchler, rabbi, historian
• Frank Lowy, Australian businessman
• Allan Vilhan alias Cargo Cult

Gallery

• 
  Aerial photography of the castle
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External links

• Fiľakovo website