Vrbové ( (modernized: Werbau); ) is a village in the Trnava Region of Slovakia. It has a population of about 6,000. The village lies around 8 km northwest from Piešťany.

Characteristics

The village features an originally Gothic church from 1397, an Evangelical Lutheran church from 1928-1929 (on the site of an older Protestant church of 1784), a baroque curia from the 17th century, an oriental-style synagogue from 1883, and a modern St. Gorazd Church. The Čerenec Dam (0.46 km²), situated to the northwest of the village, is a recreation area.

History

The present-day village is a very old settlement. The name of the village is derived from a Slavic word for willow. The first written reference to the town stems from 1332. at that time it was part of the Čachtice Castle domain. The village was famous for its grain markets, promoted mainly by Jews, who made up a large part of the village's population. In the late 20th century, the village was home to clothing (Trikota works), trading and wood-processing industries.

World War II

Vrbové is infamous for its past as a Jewish ghetto. During World War II, the entire village of Vrbové was a ghetto for the Jewish population of the Piešťany province of Slovakia. The ghetto was liquidated by the Slovak Nazis known as the Hlinka Guard and the German SS; most of the Jewish people were deported to the death camp at Auschwitz. Most of Vrbove's Jewish population was gassed in Auschwitz's gas chambers.

Demographics

According to the 2001 census, the village had 6,249 inhabitants. 98.75% of inhabitants were Slovaks and 0.59% Czechs. The religious make-up was 75.48% Roman Catholics, 10.80% people with no religious affiliation and 10.67% Lutherans.

Twin Village — Sister Village

Vrbové is twinned with:

People

Vrbové also is the birthplace of: