title: Gbeľany
text: # Gbeľany
  
  Gbeľany (Hungarian: Egbelény) is a village and municipality in Žilina District in the Žilina Region of northern Slovakia.
  
  ## History
  
  In historical records the village was first mentioned in 1362.
  
  ## Geography
  
  The municipality lies at an altitude of 375 metres and covers an area of 7.134 km². It has a population of about 1244 people.
  
  ## Notable people
  
  * Ján Franek, former boxer who represented Czechoslovakia and winner of the 1980 Summer Olympics bronze medal.
  
  ## Genealogical resources
  
  The records for genealogical research are available at the state archive "Statny Archiv in Bytca, Slovakia"
  
  * Roman Catholic church records (births/marriages/deaths): 1686-1896 (parish B)
  