Juraj Jánošík, called the Slovak Robin Hood, became the greatest Slovak legend pictured in many films, paintings, literary and dramatic works. “He took from the rich and gave to the poor” is the famous statement associated with him.

 This probably best-known highwayman in the whole Austro-Hungarian Empire was born in 1688 in Terchová,north-west Slovakia. He grew up in an isolated settlement near Terchová and at the age of twenty he voluntarily joined the troops of Ferenc Rákoczi.

After the defeat of the troops by the emperor´s army in the battle at Trenčín he was taken captive and later he joined the guard troops of the emperor. He served as the guard of prisoners at the Bytča castle where he met a prisoner called Tomáš Uhorčík, the captain of the highwaymen from Kysuce. Later Juraj Jánošík returned to Terchová, but he did not stay long. After Uhorčík had escaped from prison, Jánošík joined his group in 1711 (he made his solemn highwayman´s oath on St. Michael´s day - 29th September). Later he was elected captain of the group but his captainship did not last longer than a year

Most of their victims were rich merchants. Under Jánošík's leadership, the group was exceptionally chivalrous: They did not kill any of the robbed victims and even helped an accidentally injured priest. They are also said to share their loot with the poor and this part of the legend may be based on the facts too.

Jánošík was captured in autumn 1712 and detained at the mansion of Hrachovo, but was released soon afterwards. He was captured again in spring of 1713, in the Uhorčík's residence in Klenovec. He was arrested in 1713 by the soldiers from Liptov and after a trial that also involved torture he was executed on 18th March 1713 in Liptovský Mikuláš.

 During the short period of his captainship he made a lot of  robberies. He surely belonged to “extremely dangerous elements” because only those were executed by hanging on a hook.

Nowadays the popular festival of folklore music “Jánošíkove dni” bears his name and it is held in Terchová every year. A huge statue of this Slovak national hero is overlooking the village and the museum Múzeum Juraja Jánošíka in Terchová is also worth visiting.

by Daniela