Slovakia map in Russian. Capital of Slovakia, flag, history of the country

Slovakia is the youngest country in Europe. The state received complete independence only in the early 90s of the 20th century. For a long time, being in the shadow of other powers (Austria-Hungary, Czechoslovakia, etc.), Slovakia does not seem to want to play an important role in the economy or politics of the continent. Remaining a “thing in itself”, the country has preserved all tourism infrastructure, which has been cherished for a century.

People come here for the amazing nature, miraculous mineral springs, clean mountain air, the cheerful character of the Slovaks and excellent cuisine, which has absorbed the best traditions of several nations, while maintaining its originality. Despite the fact that it is difficult to find masterpieces of architecture or painting that would be known throughout the world in Slovakia, every city and every village here is filled with a cozy and warm atmosphere and unique European charm.

The undoubted advantages of traveling to one of the most inconspicuous countries in Europe include very modest prices with a high level of service. Domestic travel companies Most often they sell winter ones, ski tours to Slovakia. And the country offers tourists the most vibrant and memorable beauty all year round.

Budapest

The bus takes 3 hours and the ticket costs 9 euros. Excursion bus- 16 euros. Not everywhere there is an audio guide in Russian. It’s better to stock up on a printed guide – 9 euros.

Krakow

If you don't mind long bus journeys, then from Bratislava you can easily get to Krakow. The trip costs from 34 euros one way, the journey, including all stops in Brno, Olomouc, Ostrava and Katowice, takes at least 9 hours. Better to take the night bus and start exploring ancient capital from early morning.

Overnight in an inexpensive Krakow hotel - from 17 euros. Sightseeing bus with audio guide - 14 euros.

A visit to Slovakia is not only about impressions new country, natural beauties, castles, museums and ski slopes. The location of the country guarantees you impressions of other European cities that you may not have intended to visit. An inconspicuous and “modest” country conceals vast opportunities for those who have not yet “discovered” old light for myself. Forward!

There are also ski resorts on the territory of many parks. One of the most beautiful local national parks is the High Tatras, the main territory of which is covered with coniferous forests and numerous lakes. There are several climatic resorts in the park and a well-developed tourism infrastructure.

A popular holiday destination in Slovakia is to combine it with medical procedures in resorts and holiday homes based on the site of thermal and mineral springs. In total, there are over 1000 such springs and more than 20 specialized resorts in Slovakia. Popular health resorts: Piestany, Smrdaky, Dudince, Rajecke Teplice, Bardejovskie Fonts .

Slovakia is surrounded by the Western Carpathians, the highest point of the country - the Gerlachovsky Štit peak reaches a height of 2655 meters. Those who love mountains and active recreation should come to the ski resorts of Podbansk. Tatranska Lomnica, Smokovec, Strbske Pleso, Jasna, Ruzomberok and Donovaly. If you are interested not only skiing, but also snowboarding, you can go to Otupne, where there is a real snow park with tracks for both amateurs and professionals. The Mlynicka Dolina complex is also equipped for snowboarders, where there are all conditions for freeride. There are also snowboard trails in the Tatranska Lomnica ski resort.

Extreme lovers will find activities to their liking in Slovakia. Many mountain rivers allow you to go rafting. The wildest and most difficult river for rafting is the Bela, and beginners are advised to first overcome the easy descent of the Orava. You can also go rafting while visiting national park Pieniny.

Current time in Bratislava:
(UTC +1)

An equally extreme activity for tourists is descending into caves, of which there are about 4,000 in Slovakia. Only 12 of them are open to the public, and Dobshinska, Okhtinska, Jasovska, Gombasecka and Domica are especially popular - some of them are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. There is no sea in Slovakia, but there are excellent conditions for diving: on the lakes Gulaska, Golden Sands, Strkovecke and Senecke.

How to get there

By plane

Russians and citizens of CIS countries are required obtaining a Schengen visa to visit Slovakia. You can fly directly from Moscow to the capital of Slovakia several times a week (the arrival point is Miroslav Stefanik Airport) or you can travel through Prague and Vienna.

By train

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Weather in Slovakia

The climate of Slovakia is continental, which means that winters are quite cold and snowy, and summers are warm and humid. average temperature January is -1° C in the capital of Slovakia, and +21° C in July. Tourists will be comfortable here at any time of the year - both in winter at ski resorts and in summer, visiting the numerous sights of this country. Although 80% of Slovakia is located at an altitude of 750 meters above sea level, to the south of the Carpathians there are fertile valleys and the Central Danube Lowland, through which numerous rivers flow into the Danube - this is the main breadbasket of Slovakia. And in the mountains there are zones of alpine meadows.

Weather in Slovakia by month

Reviews by month

January 9 February 2 March 2

April 7 May 9 June 14

July 10 August 6 September 15

October 6 November 5 December 5

Photos of Slovakia

Cities and regions

Regions of Slovakia

Slovakia consists of 8 regions, which are named after their names. administrative centers(in parentheses is the number on the map on the right): Bratislava (1), Presov (7), Kosice (8), Trencin (3), Bansko Bystrica (6), Trnavsky (2), Nitra (4) and Žilinsky (5).

The Banska Bystrica region borders Hungary. These territories have both mountains (Tatras) and plains (southern part). Banska Bystrica is known for its picturesque landscapes, because it is here that there are 3 national parks and many nature reserves.

The Bratislava region is the smallest in area compared to the rest and, at the same time, the most densely populated. The region includes the Danube and Zahorskaya lowlands, which are divided by the Lesser Carpathians. The region borders on 3 countries: Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary.

The Košice region shares the border with Hungary and Ukraine. There is a lot of fertile land here, so viticulture is developed and excellent wine is produced. Industrial production is also developed in Koszcice, transport infrastructure and has its own airport.

The Nitra region borders Hungary and has a flat landscape. It is also a favorable area for viticulture and agriculture. There is a small airport here, and in Komarno there is a shipyard.

The Presov region is crossed by the border with Ukraine and Poland. This is a mountainous region, in the west of which there is the High Tatras National Park. In Poprad there is international Airport, and 40 km from Presov is Kosice Airport, so it is very convenient for tourists to get to this region.

Having visited Slovakia, you should not only stroll through the streets of the Old Town of Bratislava, but also see the Gothic cathedrals of Kosice, ancient city Trencin and the town of Banska Bystrica. You can also go to neighboring Vienna or mystical Prague. Interesting tourist route is the mining town of Banska Štiavnica, the picturesque rural settlement of Vlkolínec with folk architecture, the Gothic town of Bardejov with its preserved fortress system and, of course, numerous ancient castles.

Orava Castle rises picturesquely on a cliff and consists of several buildings “attached” to it. And local legends say that the castle in Bojnice is haunted. Among the fortresses, one can note one of the largest in Europe - Spiš Castle, which is under the protection of UNESCO. Trenchian Fortress includes the Barbora Palace and the Cannon Tower; this territory hosts exhibitions of bladed weapons and firearms, which were produced from the 13th century to the present day. In addition, the ruins of the ancient Slovak fortresses Čachtice, Pusty and the fortresses in Zagoria are interesting.

Wooden churches in Slovakia

There are many wooden churches preserved in Slovakia, whose history goes back several centuries. These are unique buildings erected by the hands of folk craftsmen. The oldest are the Gothic Catholic churches made of wood in the settlements of Gervatov and Tvrdoshin. Also in Slovakia there are evangelical (articular) churches, which can be seen in the settlements of Svaty Križ, Kezmarok, Leštiny and Hronsec. These churches were erected under Emperor Leopold in the 1st century. XVII century. The third type of Slovak churches are Orthodox, which were built in the 18th century. They are located in the settlements of Ladomirova and Bodruzhal. The iconostases in these churches are decorated in Rococo and Baroque styles; you can also see unique Carpathian icons here. Wooden churches of the Carpathian Arc in 2008 became part of World Heritage UNESCO, which speaks of their uniqueness and significance in the religious history of Slovakia.

Sights of Slovakia outside Bratislava

Churches of Slovakia

Castles of Slovakia

Where to go in Slovakia

Attractions

Museums and galleries

Entertainment

Parks and Recreation

Leisure

Transport

Private guides in Slovakia

Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with Slovakia in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.

Getting around the country

The most popular ways for tourists to travel around Slovakia are by car, bus or train. In addition, the country has both domestic and international air services. In the suburbs of Bratislava there is an airport named after. Stefanika. There are also airports in the cities of Poprad, Kosice and Slijac. And travel on domestic flights is provided by small airports in Piestany and Prievidze. For example, flights Bratislava-Kosice operate 3 times a day, and their cost starts from 50 euros. For businessmen and busy people, this is the best option for traveling around the country.

Railway transport

Since Slovakia is a rather “compact” country, most local residents and tourists prefer to travel by railway transport— fortunately, it has an extensive network throughout the country. Also local Railway offers passengers high quality service and decent speed of transportation at quite affordable prices. The slowest trains are called Osobni and stop at every available stop. Fast trains in Slovakia are called Rychlik and Express, and the fastest trains are called InterCity. Express trains from the Slovak capital go to Trencin (distance 123 km and less than 2 hours on the road), to Zilina (distance 203 km and 3 hours on the road), to Poprad (the train covers 334 km in 5 hours), to Spisská Nova -Ves (distance 370 km and 5.5 hours on the road), to Kosice (distance 445 km and 5.5 hours on the road). If a train trip around the country costs on average 3-15 euros, then for a trip by train over shorter distances you will have to pay only 0.5-1 euro. If you want to travel on a train at night and take a recumbent seat, you will have to pay extra for this pleasure. On weekends, as a rule, there are discounts on tickets, and students and young people can additionally use them on any day. What is especially convenient for tourists is that railway stations V major cities are equipped with scoreboards in Slovak and English languages. Website where you can find out the train schedule and book a ticket:.

Bus

Bus service is no less well developed than rail transport. The only downside to bus travel is that it costs more than traveling by train. But you can always save money if you travel on weekends, when there is a discount on all types of transport in Slovakia. There are several types of buses in this country: express (goes long distances abroad), local bus within Slovakia and city transport. On international routes you can get to Prague, Vienna, Munich, Berlin, Cologne, Paris, but a prerequisite for such a trip is the presence of a Schengen visa in your passport. If you are traveling around the country, keep in mind that local routes (especially on weekends and holidays) are often congested, so it is better to reserve a seat in advance so as not to stand all the way.

Water communication

Present in Slovakia water transport, since the main water artery runs through the entire country - the Danube River, which connects Bratislava not only with many cities in the country, but also with Vienna and Budapest. And the Danube-Rhine-Main canal connects the Black and North Seas. You can order tickets for ships and ferries in Slovakia online on the website.

Urban transport

The cities have developed public transport: buses, trolleybuses and trams. To pay for travel, you need to purchase special coupons from vending machines (they are usually orange and located at bus stops). These coupons are like the old days Soviet time composted in the bus cabin. Since tickets are valid on the day of purchase, you need to purchase them immediately before your trip. public transport. A single ticket will cost you about 15 euro cents, a day pass is about 1 euro, and a week pass is from 3 to 5 euros. Such travel tickets can be purchased at underground passages, DPHMB offices and ticket offices at railway stations. If you are going to visit the capital of the country, then you can read more about Bratislava transport.

Automobile

To rent a car in this country, a foreigner must have driver's license international standard and passport. And you may be required to provide a credit card as collateral. Sum rent per car on weekends and holidays is usually more expensive. You will also have to pay a certain amount to insure your car against theft or accidents. Please note that in populated areas the speed limit is 60 km/h, outside of them - 90 km/h, and on some highways - up to 130 km/h. Be sure to wear your seat belt while driving and do not drink alcohol, because even a sip of beer can be grounds for local authorities to fine you. Parking in cities is allowed in parking lots, but you need to buy a parking ticket in advance and attach it to the car window. Tickets are sold in special machines, newsstands or from a parking attendant.

Cuisine of Slovakia

National cuisine Slovakia is very diverse and includes many dishes that are prepared exclusively in this country. If you visit national restaurants with an authentic atmosphere and folk music, you will definitely be offered to try sauerkraut soup and Segedin goulash. No less tasty dishes are dumplings with feta cheese, potato dumplings and country sheep's cheese. Local wines are no worse than the famous French or Spanish ones, their quality is high, and the price is very low, so you can stock up on the best varieties of Slovak wines as gifts for family and friends.

Purchases

Shops in Slovakia are usually open from 9 am to 6 pm, Sunday is a day off. As souvenirs from Slovakia you can bring: Easter eggs, ceramics, national dolls self made, figures made of grains, the national wind instrument “fuyara” and wooden jugs. If you are interested in folk crafts as souvenirs, purchase them from the unified ULUV network, which has stores in every city. You can read separately about shopping in Bratislava.

– interests everyone planning to spend time in the mountains in December-April - the Carpathians, High and Low Tatras; in May-September - enjoy the natural beauty, go to sightseeing tours, go fishing and rafting on Slovak rivers.

Slovakia: where is the “land of caves and mineral springs”?

The location of Slovakia (the capital is Bratislava; the country's area is 49,034 sq. km) - Central Europe. Landlocked Slovakia is surrounded to the northeast and north by the Western Carpathians. The highest point in the form of the 2650-meter peak Gerlachovsky-Stit, is located in. Slovakia has common boundaries with (670 km), (90 km), (420 km), (90 km) and (200 km).

Slovakia consists of the Žilina, Presov, Košice, Trnava, Nitra, Bratislava, Trenčín, and Banská Bystrica regions.

How to get to Slovakia?

To get to from, travelers will have to fly through, as a result of which the journey will last 6 hours, after - 14 hours, through the capital - 7.5 hours, through - 15 hours, through the Italian capital - more than 8.5 hours.

Tourists who need to be in will be offered to make a stop in the Austrian capital (passengers will take an 8.5-hour flight), in (the journey will take 7.5 hours), in Czech capital(tourists will arrive in Kosice 6 hours 40 minutes after departure from Moscow), in (the journey will end 11.5 hours after boarding the first flight).

Those wishing to use the train's services will get to the Slovak capital, Liptovsky Mikulas and Kosice with Kievsky railway station Moscow in about 42 hours.

Holidays in Slovakia

Those who decide to spend a vacation in Slovakia are advised to pay attention to Bratislava (famous for the castle, Bratislava Castle, SNP Bridge, St. Martin's Cathedral, St. Stephen's Capuchin Church), (those who want to get rid of arthritic psoriasis, acne, dermatitis and eczema through mud and mineral baths flock here, light and hydrotherapy, reflex and manual massage, electrotherapy, rehabilitation exercises), (the resort consists of 2 ski areas: the Nova Gola area is aimed at professionals, and Zagradishte is aimed at beginners; for snowboarders there is a Fu Arena snowboard park; Donovaly has 16 lifts , one of which, Telemix Nova Gola, has a 1300-meter cable car), (famous for the castle of 1069, the Executioner's House, the Church of St. Mary, the Chapel of St. Michael, the Town Hall; if you wish, you can stay at the Ostrov camping site, located on the shore of Lake Vah, and also come to Trencin for the annual event held here music Festival Pohoda), Skok waterfall (its water flow, with a temperature of +4-6˚C, falls from a 25-meter height; these scenic spots suitable for hiking, especially those laid over the waterfall hiking trails with pointers).

Slovak beaches

• beaches on the shores of the Zemplinska Sirava reservoir: the local 12-kilometer beach has bungalows, private villas, bars, boat rentals, tennis courts, mini golf courses. Those who wish can go fishing, because the reservoir is home to bream, eel, carp, pike perch, and pike.
• beaches on the shores of the Senets Lakes: they are suitable for diving and fishing, and their equipment includes a water park, cottages, boarding houses, volleyball courts, and rental shops for sports equipment.

Souvenirs from Slovakia

Those leaving Slovakia should not return to their homeland without Figaro chocolate, painted gingerbread, Tatranka cookies, pumpkin butter, sheep’s cheese, plum brandy, boletus, Janosik’s hat, wickerwork, homespun rugs, and “volašek” (shepherd’s crook).

Slovakia is the most detailed information about the country with photos. Sights, cities of Slovakia, climate, geography, population and culture.

Slovakia (Slovensko)

Slovakia is a small landlocked state in Central Europe. Official name- The Slovak Republic. Slovakia borders Austria in the west, the Czech Republic in the northwest, Hungary in the south, Poland in the north and Ukraine in the east. It is a parliamentary republic and a state with a dynamically developing economy.

Slovakia is a country in the heart of Europe that has stunning nature. Here you can find a wide variety of landscapes: mountains, hills, plains, river valleys. Slovakia is also a charming province, beautiful historical cities and magnificent ancient castles. Despite the fact that the Slovak state was actually founded only in 1993, the country has a rich cultural and historical heritage and is certainly very interesting and accessible. tourist destination.

Useful information about Slovakia

1. Population - 5.4 million people.
2. Area - 49,034 km².
3. Currency - euro.
4. Language - Slovak.
5. Visa - Schengen.
6. Time is Central European (UTC +1, summer +2).
7. Holidays: Day of the Slovak Republic (January 1), Epiphany (January 6), Easter (usually April-May), Easter Monday (the day after Easter), May Day (May 1), Victory Day over Fascism (May 8), Saint's Day Cyril and Methodius (July 5), Day of the Slovak National Uprising (August 29), Constitution Day (September 1), Day of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows (September 15), All Saints Day (November 1), Day of the Fight for Freedom and Democracy (November 17 ), Christmas (December 24-26).
8. Tax Free can be returned for purchases over 175.01 euros.
9. Slovakia is considered one of the most safe countries Europe.

Geography and nature

Slovakia is located in the east of Central Europe. From the north and northeast its territory is surrounded by the Western Carpathians. The most high mountains Slovakia are the High Tatras, among which highest peak countries - Gerlachovsky-Stit (2655 m). To the south of the Carpathians there are hills and heights separated by river valleys. In the southwest lies the Central Danube Lowland. The largest rivers Slovakia are Danube, Váh, Nitra, Tisza, Morava.

wild nature Slovakia is quite vast and diverse. Forests occupy 40% of the country's territory. The largest forest areas are located in mountainous areas. In the south, these are mainly broad-leaved forests (oak and beech) or mixed, in the north and northern slopes Coniferous forests (spruce and fir) grow. Higher in the mountains, forests give way to alpine meadows. The forests of Slovakia are inhabited by: deer, lynxes, wolves, bears, foxes, hares, and squirrels.

Climate

Slovakia has a more continental climate than the neighboring Czech Republic. Summers here are hotter and drier, and winters are noticeably cooler. The greatest amount of precipitation falls in mountainous areas. Also in the mountains, summers are cooler and winters are much colder.

Best time to visit

Slovakia can be visited all year round. But, traditionally, the most optimal period in terms of weather will be from May to September.

Story

Slavic tribes settled the territory of Slovakia in the 6th century. In the 7th century, these lands were included in the Samo state, and later became part of the Nitra principality. Subsequently, Slovakia became part of the Slavic state of Great Moravia, which reached its peak in the 9th century. In the 11th century, Slovak territories were included in the Kingdom of Hungary. Slovakia was under Hungarian influence until the 14th century.

Politically, Slovakia was ruled by a number of semi-independent Hungarian nobles. At the end of the 15th century, the country developed into one of the most developed provinces of Hungary.

The defeat of the Hungarians in 1526 by the Turks led to the formation of Austria-Hungary. Under threat of invasion Ottoman Empire The Habsburgs even moved the capital of Hungary to Bratislava for some time.

Slovakia later became part of the Habsburg Empire. The country was part of Austria-Hungary until 1918. After the First World War, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Subcarpathian Ruthenia formed a single state - Czechoslovakia, which existed until 1938. Slovakia then became a separate state under the control of Nazi Germany. In 1945, Czechoslovakia was restored and was under Soviet control. In 1989, the Velvet Revolution led to the formation of two states - the Czech Republic and Slovakia. January 1, 1993 is the date of formation of the independent Slovak Republic. In 2004, the country became part of the European Union.

Administrative division

Slovakia administratively consists of 8 regions:

• Bratislava region
• Trnavský kraj
• Trenčiansky region
• Nitriansky kraj
• Žilinský kraj
• Banskobystrika region (Banskobystrický kraj)
• Presov region
• Kosice region (Košický kraj)

The regions, in turn, are divided into okres (districts).

Regionally, the territory of Slovakia can be divided into three regions:

• Western Slovakia (Bratislava, Nitra, Trnava, Trencin) is the most urbanized region of the country, which is located in the valley of the Danube and its tributaries. It is a hilly plain with forested areas.
• Central Slovakia (Žilina, Teplice) is a mountainous region with small towns, medieval mines and national parks.
• Eastern Slovakia (Kosice, Presov) is the highest mountainous region of Slovakia with agricultural pastures and extensive forests.

Population

The majority of the population of Slovakia are ethnic Slovaks (85%). Also very significant (especially in the southern regions) is the Hungarian population (9%). Other large diasporas: Roma, Ukrainians, Germans, Russians, Poles. The official language of the country is Slovak, which belongs to the group of Slavic languages. The Slovak language is very similar to Czech, but it is not a dialect. These are two different, independent languages. Slovaks are very proud of it, so even in tourist places all signs are written in Slovak.

Slovaks are more religious than Czechs, but less religious than Poles. The majority of the population (70%) professes Catholicism. Slovaks are hospitable, friendly and calm. However, under no circumstances should tourists call Slovaks “Czechs” or draw parallels between them. It is also best to avoid sensitive topics of the communist past and national issues. If Slovaks invite you for lunch or dinner, then it is good form to bring some kind of gift (wine, sweets, cake). In the house (like ours) it is customary to take off shoes and outerwear.

Transport

The largest airports in Slovakia are located in Bratislava and Kosice. You can also use the airport of Vienna (which is located very close to Bratislava) and Krakow (for trips to the Tatras). The largest cities in Slovakia have regular train connections with the Czech Republic (Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Olomouc), Austria (Vienna), Hungary (Budapest), Poland (Krakow), Germany. By bus, except listed countries, Slovakia can be reached from Italy, Great Britain, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, France.

Slovakia has a fairly developed bus and train network. Main transport hubs: Bratislava, Kosice, Zilina. The bus is often a faster way to travel. Slovakia also has about 700 km of motorways and expressways. To travel through them you need to buy a vignette, which is sold at special points and gas stations. Motorways (diaľnice) and expressways (rýchlostné cesty) are marked with the letters D and R on a red or white background. The speed outside populated areas is limited to 130 km/h. On other roads outside populated areas - 90 km/h, in populated areas- 50 km/h.

• Osobný vlak (Os) - slow trains that resemble our electric trains.
• Regionálny expres (REX) - domestic trains connecting regions.
• Regionálny rýchlik (RR) - fast domestic trains with shorter routes and stops.
• Rýchlik (R) - regular domestic and international routes.
• Express (Ex) - international and domestic high category trains.
• EuroNight (EN) - international night trains.
• EuroCity (EC) - high category international trains.
• InterCity (IC) - high-speed domestic trains running from Bratislava to Kosice.
• RegioJet (RJ) - trains of the carrier of the same name.
• LEO Express (LE) - trains of the carrier of the same name.
• SuperCity (SC) - high-speed train Czech Railways.

Cities of Slovakia

Popular cities in Slovakia:

• Bratislava is the capital and largest city of Slovakia with a beautifully restored historic center full of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance churches, palaces, cobbled streets and parks.
• - one of the most important historical mining towns and important center Slovak culture, which is famous for its beautiful historical square, ancient churches, castles and museums.
• is the second largest city in Slovakia and the largest urban agglomeration in the east of the country. It is home to the easternmost Gothic cathedral in Europe, and the historic city center contains many ancient buildings and several interesting museums.
• Nitra - oldest city in Slovakia with magnificent historical heritage and picturesque surroundings.
• Presov - old City, the historical core of which represents the best example of Renaissance architecture in Slovakia. There is also a salt mine here.
• Trencin is one of the most charming towns in Slovakia with a picturesque castle.
• Trnava is an ancient city with many churches and well-preserved Baroque architecture.
• Zilina is the fourth largest city in Slovakia with a beautiful historical center that is full of buildings with significant influence of German architecture.

Popular destinations:

• Bardejov is a resort town in the north-east of Slovakia with numerous cultural monuments and a completely untouched medieval center, which is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• High Tatras - the largest national park countries and center winter species sports
• - a magnificent medieval gem in Eastern Slovakia, still surrounded by city walls, within which there is a unique Renaissance town hall, houses in the style of German architecture and numerous churches.
• Piestany is the most famous spa town in Slovakia.
• The Slovak Karst is a national park famous for its extensive network natural caves, included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• Spisska Nova Ves - charming medieval city in Eastern Slovakia.
• Vlkolinec is a small traditional Carpathian village in the Žilina region, which is a UNESCO site.
• Wooden churches of the Slovak Carpathians are a collection of ancient churches from the 16th to 18th centuries, which are located in the northern part of the country and are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Sights of Slovakia

Spis Fortress is a stunning 12th century castle that is considered one of the largest medieval defensive structures in Europe (by area). It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is located in the eastern part of the country near the town of Levoca.

Levoca is a magnificent ancient city, the historical center of which is still surrounded by fortified walls, contains many monuments from the Middle Ages, as well as countless Gothic and Renaissance houses. Therefore, much of its medieval core is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The High Tatras are the highest mountain range in Slovakia, which forms its natural border with Poland. This region is famous for its picturesque nature, magnificent landscapes and ski resorts.

Slovak Karst. Domica Cave

The Slovak Karst is a national park containing more than 700 caves and is included in the list of World Heritage Sites. The largest of them is the Domica cave.

Trencin Castle is a royal castle that is one of the largest medieval monuments in Slovakia. Built on top of a steep cliff and has a long history that dates back to the 11th century.

Associated with this castle beautiful legend: in the distant past, the lord of the castle, Stefan Zaponski, captured the beautiful Turkish princess Fatima. One Turkish vizier (or prince) Omar, who loved Fatima, arrived with a cargo of gold to ransom her. However, the lord of the castle demanded that he dig a well inside the fortress. It took Omar four years to extract water from the solid rock.

Orava Castle is a rugged and majestic fortress built on a high rocky cliff above the winding Orava River. This is one of the most beautiful and well preserved medieval castles in Slovakia, built in the 13th century.

Banska Bystrica - historical city with a magnificent heritage including ancient mansions, churches and fortifications. The city is surrounded by the majestic Low Tatras, which helped it become popular place winter holiday.

Bojnice Castle is one of the most visited and beautiful castles not only in Slovakia, but also in Central Europe. Built on a large travertine rock on site medieval castle 11th century. The current building was reconstructed in the 19th century, modeled after the romantic castles of the Loire in central France.

Bratislava Castle is a magnificent historical monument that has towered over the capital of Slovakia for a thousand years. The first fortifications here appeared in prehistoric times and were built by the Celts. The fortress was founded by the Slavs during Great Moravia. A stone palace and church were built on the castle hill in the 11th century. Three centuries later the castle was rebuilt in the Gothic style. In the 16th - 17th centuries this building acquired modern features(in the Renaissance and Baroque style).

Lubovensky Castle is a picturesque fortress on a limestone rock, built at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries. This fortification became part of the system of border castles in the north of the Hungarian kingdom. In addition to protecting the Polish-Hungarian border, his task was to ensure the security of an important trade route. Modern look The castle acquired a Renaissance fortress in the 16th century.

Cicmany is a beautifully preserved Carpathian village that looks the same as it did hundreds of years ago. It is full of black wooden houses, each decorated with intricate traditional designs painted in white lime paint. The first mention of the village dates back to the 13th century, although most of the buildings are 200-300 years old.

Cathedral of St. Elizabeth is the most big church in Slovakia and the easternmost Gothic cathedral in Europe. Located in the heart of Kosice and dating back to the 14th - 15th century.

Accommodation

Slovakia offers many accommodation options. Here you can find a large number of inexpensive hostels and hotels. In terms of cost of living, this is one of the most affordable countries in Central Europe. At the same time, in the province ( Not big cities and villages) housing prices are even lower. Luxury hotels can be found in large cities and in famous resort areas (for example, in the Tatras).

Kitchen

Slovak cuisine is focused on simple and hearty dishes. Its main ingredients are: cheese, meat (pork, beef, poultry), potatoes, dough products (dumplings, dumplings, etc.). The main national dish is bryndzové halušky (potato dumplings with feta cheese and bacon). Other traditional Slovak dishes: pirohy (meat dumplings), sauerkraut soup, bryndzové pirohy (dumplings with sheep cheese), guláš (beef with vegetables), hubová polievka (mushroom soup), kuracia polievka (chicken soup), hovädzia polievka (beef broth soup), krémová cesnačka (cream garlic soup), paprikas (chicken and dumplings in paprika sauce), rezen (schnitzel), čiernohorsky rezen (schnitzel in potato dumpling batter) and sviečková na smotane (beef tenderloin in sour cream sauce with dumplings).

The most popular drink in Slovakia is beer (pivo). There is a wide variety of excellent local varieties, similar in style and quality to well-known Czech brands. Slovakia also has good local wine. Main wine region- Tokaj, located in the southeast of the country. Grapes are also grown in the Lesser Carpathians. In addition, Slovakia is famous for its liqueurs: slivovica (slivovitz), hruškovica (pear) and demänovka (herbal liqueur) and the famous mead.

Slovakia is a state in Central Europe. It borders with the Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, Hungary and Austria. It has no access to the sea.

Most of mountainous country ( highest point countries - Gerlachovski-Štit, 2655 m). A third of the country is occupied by the fertile South Slovak and East Slovak lowlands in the southeast and the Danube lowlands east of Bratislava.

State

State structure

Parliamentary democratic republic. The head of the country is the president. The highest legislative body is the National Council (People's Rada).

Language

Official language: Slovak

Czech, Hungarian, German, English and, in their places of residence, the languages ​​of ethnic groups are widely spoken.

Religion

Catholics (60%), Protestants (8%), Orthodox (4%), others.

Currency

International name: SKK

The Slovak koruna is equal to 100 hellers. In circulation there are coins in denominations of 10, 20 and 50 hellers and 1, 2, 5 and 10 kroner (Sk) and banknotes in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 kroner. Czechoslovakian coins and banknotes are not valid.

EuroCard and MasterCard credit cards are accepted in almost all banks, as well as VISA, American Express and Eurocheque. They are accepted in most large hotels, gas stations, and less commonly in restaurants and stores. ATMs are becoming increasingly common in Slovakia, although outside major cities It’s better not to count on them. Slovak ATMs are usually connected to the international payment systems MasterCard, VISA, Plus, Maestro, Cirrus.

Map of Slovakia

Popular attractions

Tourism in Slovakia

Where to stay

Slovakia provides tourists with not only modern luxury hotels, but also accommodation for every taste - small cozy boarding houses, private apartments, guest houses. At the same time, decent and affordable housing can be found both in big cities and in rural areas.

Hotels of international chains are usually located in large resort towns. In Slovakia you can stay in one of the hotels of the Hilton, Sheraton, Holiday Inn and others. The cost of living here is quite consistent with the level of service offered in hotels.

In contrast, living in hostels is considered the cheapest and, accordingly, the least comfortable. As a rule, these are former workers' dormitories that have been converted into hotels. For a small fee you get a bed and a shared bathroom. But in student dormitories, which are open to tourists during summer holidays(June to August), you can find a quite cozy room and a private bathroom.

In small mountain villages in the Tatras, Low Tatras, Lesser and Greater Fatra mountains you will find not only cheap accommodation, but also quite modern mountain hotels of different levels of service. Here you will be offered a comfortable stay, home comfort and excellent food.

There are also a large number of private boarding houses and apartments in Slovakia. In rural areas, these are buildings that are practically no different from traditional peasant houses. In the city, these can be boarding houses with their own restaurant.

During the summer, about 100 campsites open in Slovakia and summer camps with developed infrastructure - showers, laundry, toilets, some have restaurants, cafes, shops.

IN last years Agritourism, which involves accommodation in historic estates, mills or farms, is becoming increasingly popular.

Popular hotels

Excursions and attractions in Slovakia

Despite its modest size, Slovakia is famous for its huge number of natural, historical, cultural and architectural attractions. Slovakia is majestic mountains and famous ski resorts, vast forests and picturesque plains, numerous mineral springs, stunningly beautiful caves and, of course, ancient castles and fortresses.

The main attraction of Slovakia is, of course, its natural resources. A significant part of the country is occupied mountain ranges– Small Carpathians, White Carpathians, High Tatras, Low Tatras, Slovak Rudogorje, Javorniki, Mala Fatra, etc. It is not surprising that Slovakia is considered one of the most popular European ski centers. The most famous and visited ski resorts are Strbske Pleso, Jasna, Tatranska Lomnica, Donovaly, Smokovec, Podbanske and Ruzomberok.

The country is also famous for its balneological resorts. Numerous thermal springs and healing mineral water Slovakia is famous all over the world. Among the most famous hydropathic establishments, it is worth highlighting Piestany, Bojnice, Vyšné Ružbachy, Bardejov, Dudnice and Bardejovo Baths. Famous and climatic resort Slovakia Novy Smokovec is one of the best in Europe for the treatment of respiratory diseases (located in High Tatras at an altitude of 1018 m above sea level).

Among the natural attractions of Slovakia, a special place is occupied by numerous caves, of which there are about 4,000 in the country. This is a real paradise for speleologists. The most interesting are the Demanovskaya cave system (Freedom Cave and Ice Cave), Belyanskaya Cave, Vazhetskaya Cave, Domitsa, Drina Cave, Jasovskaya Cave, Gombasetskaya Cave, Okhtinskaya Aragonite Cave, and Dobshinskaya Ice Cave.

Lovers of history and architecture should definitely visit the capital of Slovakia, Bratislava, one of the oldest cities in the country. Among the abundance of various attractions of the capital, it is worth noting Bratislava Castle, the Grassalkovich Palace, Cathedral St. Martin, Old Town Hall, New Bridge, St. Elizabeth's Church (Blue Church), St. Nicholas Church, Slovak National Gallery, St. Michael's Gate and Bratislava Zoo. In the vicinity of Bratislava there are the ruins of Devin Castle.

On the territory of Slovakia, many magnificent medieval castles and fortresses have survived to this day. Bojnice Castle, Spiš Castle, Orava Castle, Krasna Horka, Cherveny Kamen, Trenčiansky Castle, Kezmar Castle, Beckov Castle, Smolenice Castle, the ruins of the Levin Fortress and the Castle in Kremnica are very popular among tourists.

The charming cities of Slovakia such as Kosice, Banska Bystrica, Banska Stiavnica, Nitra, Presov, Trencin, Levoca, Trnava, Komárno and Liptovsky Mikulas are also worth a visit. Here you will find many interesting sights and a lot of impressions.