Beluša (, ) is a large village and municipality in Púchov District in the Trenčín Region of north-western Slovakia. It is located in the northern parts of the Ilava Basin and is one of the largest communities of the Považie region. History The archaeological evidence shows that the village has been inhabited already in the Neolithic and early Bronze Age. It was mentioned for the first time in a written document in 1330. There is a Romanesque St Anne chapel from the mid-13th century in the village. This was already mentioned in the Papal documentation in 1332 which makes the rectory one of oldest one on the river Váh. The little church can be still found in the village center. The main church located right next to it has been dedicated to St. Elizabeth and it was built in 1560. The newest church standing in Beluša Hloža is known as Our Lady of Sorrows church and was built in 1990. It is clearly visible from the D1 freeway. Finally, in Beluša part Hloža on the Trenčianská Street can be also found a small St. John of Nepomuk chapel. This one has been standing there since 1766. The close proximity to the river Váh as well Pružinka creek brought several times devastating floods to the village. The worst on record happened between August 26–28, 1813 and June the 2nd 1823 respectively. The most recent one took place in 1939. Pružinka Creek has been regulated since 1940 and therefore effectively preventing any further flooding. Fire in September 1827 burned 130 houses. In the beginning of the 19th Century the town inaugurated the first basket-maker school of the Kingdom of Hungary. Plague, which was major problem in Europe wiped out 262 inhabitants in 1831. An important day for the village was July 24, 1913 which brought the first pharmacy to Beluša. The license was issued to Julius Thaller. The first pharmacy was located very close to the church. Until 1918, Beluša municipality in the county Trenčín (same as the rest of Slovakia) has been a part of the Kingdom of Hungary. After the Trianon Treaty it became part of the newly formed Czechoslovakia. Prior to the World War II there used to be a small Jewish community in the village. Currently the only proof of their presence is a small Jewish cemetery hidden in the north part of the village. It has been