Fiľakovo
# Fiľakovo

Fiľakovo (Slovak pronunciation:; Hungarian: Fülek, German: Fülleck, Turkish: Filek) is a town in the Banská Bystrica Region of south-central Slovakia. Historically it was located in Nógrád County, as part of the Nógrád, Novohrad, "Newcastle" region.

## Geography

It is located in the Cerová vrchovina hills, in the valley of the Belina brook, 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 the castle was conquered by the Turks and was the seat of a sanjak until 1593, when it was reconquered by the Imperial troops. However, it was conquered once more by the Ottomans in 1662 and the town along with the castle was burned down in 1682 by troops of Imre Thököly. It was finally passed to Austrians in 1686. After the Treaty of Trianon in 1920 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.

## Twin towns — sister cities

Fiľakovo is twinned with:

* Bátonyterenye, Hungary
* Salgótarján, Hungary
* Szécsény, Hungary
* Szigethalom, Hungary
* Ustrzyki Dolne, Poland

## People

* Sándor Büchler, rabbi, historian
* Frank Lowy, Australian businessman
* Allan Vilhan, musician
* Vica Kerekes, actress

## Gallery

* Aerial photography of the castle
* Fiľakovo castle.
* Fiľakovo viewed from the castle.
