Where five valleys, two mountain ranges, and two rivers converge lies Čadca.Ľubica Sokolíková
Five valleys, the Javorníky and Beskydy mountain ranges, and the Kysuca and Čierňanka rivers all converge in one place - the town of Čadca.
Because of its geographical position, Čadca is both a starting and ending point for tourists traversing the Kysuce region. It is situated on the international Bohumín (Czech Republic)- Žilina rail line, and the highway being built to connect Slovakia with Poland leads through the town.
The first recorded mention of the town dates to 1572, when the rulers of Strečno and Budatín began to urge migrating Wallachians to settle on their land.
Čadca was one in the most industrialized towns of the Kysuce region before World War I, but economic and social conditions were so bad that poverty reached a catastrophic level. The Čadca Textile Works, employing 500 workers during the war, had to shut down in 1922. The Košice-Bohumín Rail Yard and the woodworking industry also had to cut back. One result of the unemployment wave was increased emigration.
A typically sad picture of the day featured a wife standing on the street, her children clinging to her legs, waving a scarf to her husband, who, with travel ticket in one hand and a suitcase in the other, is heading for the New World.
Today, Čadca is the Kysuce region's administrative, political, economic and cultural center, with a population of about 25,000. The most significant industries are textiles and the production of truck parts.
Čadca's City Hall is Kysuce's top administrative seat.Ľubica Sokolíková
If you visit Čadca, stop in the "Palárikov dom" - named after the playwright Janko Palárik, who was born nearby. The exhibit includes clothing, furniture and art from throughout the town's history.
Walking down the main street, Palárikova ulica, it is easy to see the changes affecting everyday life in Čadca. Beautifully reconstructed houses, preserving old architectural styles, stand next to modern boutiques and cozy restaurants.
But one thing has not been affected by the economic and social changes - the local people's hospitality. Citizens of the local pubs are known to engage strangers in friendly conversation and buy them a drink. If you are so lucky, do not refuse or risk offending your host. But be careful - it never stops at on^e.
S&S Travel Tips
Getting There
By car- From Bratislava, take route E 75 north to Čadca via Žilina (230 km).
By train- Every two hours a direct train from Batislava goes to Žilina (less than three hours). There is a several times daily train connection to Čadca - another 30 minutes of travelling, or a once daily international train from Bratislava to Krakow (Poland) via Čadca.
By bus- There are several buses daily from Bratislava to Žilina- then another 20 minute ride to Čadca with a local bus, and one early morning and one late evening bus daily directly from Bratislava to Čadca.
Lodging
Motel Duo- Oščadnica, tel. 0824/922 39, 9 km from Čadca. Price double room: 800 Sk foreigners, 200 Sk Slovaks, (does not include breakfast) non-stop buffet, exchange office.
Hotel Rača- Veľká Rača, tel. 0824/944 15, 20 km from Čadca. Price double room: 600 Sk both foreigners and Slovaks, (dos not included breakfast) modern hotel with gymnasium, hair dresser.
Hotel Bumbálka- Makov, tel.0824/943 05, 23 km from Čadca. Price double room: 500 Sk both foreigners and Slovaks, 700 Sk three-room suite, (does not include breakfast). Located on top of the Beskydy mountain range.
Horský Hotel Fran- Makov-Kopanice, tel. 0657/945 28, 28 km from Čadca. Price per person: 800Sk foreigners, 460 Slovaks, (breakfast and dinner included). Cosy hotel, family run, indoor pool and sauna, beautiful mountainous surroundings.
