Slovakia - interesting information about Slovakia, about recreation, about sights. Slovakia map in Russian

SLOVAKIA

(The Slovak Republic)

General information

Geographical position. Slovakia is a state of Central Europe, the State borders on Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic. Area. The territory of Slovakia covers 49,035 km. sq.

Main cities, administrative divisions. The capital of Slovakia is Bratislava. The largest cities: Bratislava (443 thousand people), Kosice (235 thousand people), Nitrate (90 thousand people), Preshov (88 thousand people). Administratively, Slovakia is divided into 3 regions and the capital equivalent to them.

Political system

Slovakia-republic. The head of state is the president. The head of government is the prime minister. The legislature is the unicameral National Council.

Relief. Most of Slovakia is located in the region of the Western Carpathians, which are low and medium high mountains with soft rounded landforms. Only the highest massif of the country - the High Tatras - has rocky mountains with traces of glaciation. The lowlands occupy a small area in the southwest.

Geological structure and minerals. On the territory of Slovakia there are deposits of iron ore, antimony, magnesite, manganese.

Climate. Slovakia has hot summers and cold winters. The sunniest and warmest region of the country is located in the Danube valley to the east of Bratislava. The average temperature in January is -2°С, in July +21°С. Summers in the mountains are cooler, and there is a lot of snow in winter. It rains all over the country in autumn.

Inland waters. The rivers mainly belong to the Danube basin. The border between Slovakia and the Czech Republic runs along the Morava River.

Soils and vegetation. Large tracts of deciduous (oak, beech) and coniferous forests cover the slopes of the mountains.

Animal world. Wolf, lynx, hare, fox, bear, deer, roe deer, hedgehog are common in Slovakia.

Population and language

The total number of inhabitants of Slovakia is about 5.5 million people. The average population density is 110 people per 1 sq. km. km. 77% of Slovaks live in cities. The most densely populated areas are located in the east of the country. About 570,000 Hungarians currently live in Slovakia, which is 10% of the total population. On the territory of the republic there is the largest gypsy diaspora in Europe, amounting to 300 thousand people. Poles, Jews, Russians and Ukrainians also live in Slovakia.

The official language of Slovakia is Slovak.

Religion

About 60% of the population is Catholic. Of the Protestants, most of all Calvinists and Lutherans, as well as a small percentage of the population, profess the Orthodox religion. Catholic Church plays an important role in the political life of the country.

Brief historical sketch

IV century. n. e. Slavic tribes appeared on the territory of modern Slovakia.

In the VI century. the Slavs had to defend their territory from the incursions of the Arabs. During this period, an independent Nitra principality stands out.

19th century Czech princes annexed the lands of the Slovaks to the Great Moravian Empire. The first ruler of this ancient Slavic state was Mojmir I. The closest neighbor of his state was the Frankish Empire, from where Christian missionaries came to the Czechs, trying not only to convert pagan tribes to a new faith, but also to strengthen the Frankish influence on the lands of the Slavs. Mojmir did not want to submit to a formidable neighbor and, in order to strengthen his own independence, sought to enlist the support of another powerful state of that time - the Byzantine Empire.

Continuing his policy, the next ruler of Great Moravia Rostislav (846-870) invited two missionaries from Constantinople - Cyril and Methodius. Thanks to the work of the brothers, Byzantium soon granted the Moravians the privilege of worshiping in Old Church Slavonic and using the Glagolitic script developed by Cyril. Old Church Slavonic became the third world language in Europe, along with Latin and Greek.

During the reign of the nephew of Rostislav Svyatopolk (871-894), the Slavic state again falls under the influence of Catholicism, the Moravian independent church organization was approved not from Constantinople, but from Rome.

In 896, the invasion of the Czech lands by the Magyars began. The Great Moravian Empire practically ceased to exist.

At the beginning of the XI century. part of the territory of Slovakia was captured by the Hungarian princes, and by 1018 almost all of its territory became part of the Kingdom of Hungary.

In the XIII century. Hungary entered a period of feudal fragmentation. For this reason, its rulers were unable to repel the invasion of the Tatars in 1241, after which the southwestern and southeastern regions of the Slovak lands were especially affected, they were completely ruined.

In 1298, the large Hungarian feudal lord Matus Chaka, with the support of the petty nobility, took possession of the territory of western and central Slovakia and helped the Czech king Wenceslas II to gain a foothold on the Hungarian throne for several years.

In the middle of the XV century. Invasion of the Ottoman Empire began on the territory of Hungary.

In 1526, the Turks inflicted a decisive defeat on the Hungarian-Slovak army at the Battle of Mohacs. The capital of the Kingdom of Hungary was moved from Buda to Bratislava.

In the middle of the XVI century. The Habsburgs took over the Hungarian crown, and Slovakia became part of the vast Austrian Empire.

In the middle of the XIX century. Ludovit Štúr (1815-1856), son of a pastor, created the Slovak literary language.

In 1918, the Slovaks recognized the provisional government of Tomas Masaryk, as a result of which Czechoslovakia was formed.

In 1918, the President of the Republic, Tomasz Masaryk, during the signing of the law on Slovak immigrants in the United States, promised that an independent Slovak parliament would soon be formed.

In 1920, the constitution of a unified Czechoslovakia was adopted, the state language of which was declared Czech.

In 1935, in the parliamentary elections, the majority of Slovaks gave their votes to political organizations that advocated autonomy.

In 1938, under strong public pressure, the autonomy of Slovakia was proclaimed as part of Czechoslovakia.

In 1939, after the capture of Czechoslovakia by German troops, a protectorate regime was established in Slovakia, and it formally gained independence. The country was headed by the pro-fascist leader J. Tiso.

In August 1944, the Slovak partisans organized a national uprising, which was brutally suppressed in October of the same year.

In April 1945, Soviet troops began to liberate Slovakia; by May 1945 Bratislava was liberated.

In 1947, due to the deteriorating economic situation in the country, the communists began to lose the support of the general population.

In 1948, the so-called February victory of the communists took place, when, after twelve non-communist ministers resigned, Gottwald secured the approval of a new government, which no longer included representatives of other parties.

In the 1990s, serious reforms were carried out in the post-communist republic to transfer the national economy to market principles, in particular, the privatization of state property.

In April 1990, the Federal Assembly announced the new name of the state: the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic.

Market reforms in Slovakia were much more difficult than in the more economically developed Czech Republic.

In 1992, in a referendum, the majority of the Slovak population voted to secede from Czechoslovakia.

Brief economic essay

Slovakia is an industrial-agrarian country. Ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, engineering, oil refining, petrochemical, chemical, timber, woodworking, textile, food industries. Farming predominates in agriculture (cereals, sugar beets, etc.). Horticulture, viticulture. Meat and dairy cattle breeding. Export: machinery and equipment, products of oil refining, chemical and woodworking industries, agriculture, etc.

The monetary unit is the Slovak krone.

A Brief Outline of Culture

Art and architecture. On the territory of Slovakia, monuments of primitive art, as well as ancient Roman buildings from the first centuries of our era, have been preserved. From the Middle Ages, the development of Slovak art took place in the context of a centuries-old struggle for the preservation of national culture.

The first architectural monuments belong to the period of the early Middle Ages. Romanesque buildings of the 11th-12th centuries: a single-hall church in Drazovets, a basilica in Dyakovets, as well as a number of castles. In the XIII-XV centuries. Gothic architecture is developing in Slovakia, in its own way architectural features close to the Czech architectural tradition. Cathedrals in Bratislava, churches in Kremnica and Presov have survived to this day. In the XVI century. secular architecture dominated. During this period, in the spirit of the Renaissance, town halls, residential buildings were built, and castles were also rebuilt. In the XVII-XVIII centuries. Baroque art spread in Slovakia (Trinity Church in Bratislava). In the heh century. Slovak architecture was characterized by classicism.

Bratislava. Stary Grad, St. Martin's Cathedral (XIV century), church of the XIII century, old town hall (XIV century). Kosice. Cathedral of St. Elizabeth (XV century). Nitra. Castle (XIII century), Basilica of St. Emeram (XIII century).

Numerous medieval castles countrywide.

Literature. J. Kollar (1793-1852), a figure in the Slovak and Czech national revival, a poet, scientist, in poems ("Daughter of Glory") and articles, spoke with a program of cultural rapprochement of the Slavs.

Music. By the second half of the XIX century. includes the activities of a galaxy of talented composers who laid the foundations of modern Slovak music. The largest of them is YAL. Bell (1843-1936).

Slovakia is the youngest country in Europe. The state received full independence only in the early 90s of the XX 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 retained all the tourist infrastructure that it has cherished for a century.

People come here for the sake of the amazing nature, miraculous mineral springs, clean mountain air, the cheerful disposition of the Slovaks and excellent cuisine, which has absorbed the best traditions of several nations at once, while maintaining its originality. Despite the fact that it is difficult to find masterpieces of architecture or painting that would be known to the whole world in Slovakia, every city, every village here is filled with a cozy and warm atmosphere, a 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 sell winter, ski tours to Slovakia. And the country offers tourists the most vivid and memorable beauty all year round.

Budapest

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

Krakow

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

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

A visit to Slovakia is not only impressions of a new country, natural beauties, castles, museums and ski slopes. The location of the country guarantees you impressions of other cities in Europe that you may not have intended to visit. An inconspicuous and "modest" country is fraught with vast opportunities for those who have not yet "discovered" the Old World for themselves. Forward!

Every year, millions of tourists strive to get to this country, which has the cleanest air in Europe, spectacular nature and ancient fairy-tale castles - in beautiful and unique Slovakia.

Slovakia is in Central Europe. The largest cities are the capital of the state Bratislava, as well as the cities Kosice, Nitra, Presov, Trnava, Banska Bystrica, Trencin. The majority of the population is Slovak, but there are also Hungarians, Poles, Ukrainians, Gypsies, Germans, Ruthenians and Jews. Slovakia can be called a rather religious country: in addition to Catholicism, the inhabitants of the country profess Lutheranism, Greek Catholicism (Uniate) and Orthodoxy.

The territory of present-day Slovakia was inhabited by Slavic tribes as early as the 5th century, later it was part of many powers ( Samo, Great Moravia, Austria-Hungary, Czechoslovakia). On January 1, 1993 Slovakia gained independence and on May 1, 2004 became a member of the European Union.

Today, Slovakia is considered a developed agro-industrial country, actively developing in the tourist direction.

Climate and weather

Slovakia is located in the temperate continental climate zone, like most of Central Europe, which is characterized by cold, snowy winters and warm, comfortable summers. Quite a lot of precipitation falls in the mountains, which cannot be said about the lowland part of the country, located in the valleys. Danube.

The average winter air temperature in Slovakia ranges from 0 to -5°C. In the mountains, as a rule, it is frosty sunny weather, and in the lowlands at this time it is foggy and cloudy. Winter begins in December tourist season, which lasts until mid-March, when the air temperature warms up to +5…+10 °C.

In Slovakia, spring floods are not uncommon, which occur due to snowmelt in Tatras and the abundance of heavy rains at this time, the water level in the rivers can rise by more than 2 meters. IN last years there have been more frequent cases of spring-summer hurricane winds damaging power lines, breaking branches of trees and even sometimes tearing off the roofs of houses.

The average summer air temperature in Slovakia does not exceed +25°C. The heat is tolerated quite easily due to the low humidity. The wine-growing regions of the country are located in the south of the country, as warm sunny weather contributes to the full ripening of the grapes. In the southern warm regions there are the largest and most interesting cities in Slovakia in terms of their architecture: Bratislava, Nitra And Trnava. In summer and early autumn, you can see the sights of the ancient cities of Slovakia, visit unique caves, and make an unforgettable wine tour around the country.

Nature

Slovakia is rich in charming mountain ranges, colorful alpine meadows, mysterious caves, rapid waterfalls, endless forests, serene river valleys and bottomless lakes.

The mountain peaks of the Western Carpathians surround Slovakia from the north and northeast. The High Tatras are the highest part of them. There is also Peak Gerlachowski-Shtit(2655 m) - the highest mountain in Slovakia and in all the Carpathians. To the south are hills cut by beautiful river valleys. The largest and most beautiful rivers in Slovakia are Vag, Gron and Nitra that fall into Danube.

The southern part of the country is occupied by the Middle Danube Plain, known for its fertile soils, on which grapes, fruits, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, sunflowers, corn and rye are grown.

About 40% of the country's territory is occupied by forests. Oaks, beeches and other broad-leaved species grow mainly on the southern slopes of the mountains. The primeval beech forests of Slovakia are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and are home to the largest number of predators in Europe. The woods northern slopes mountains consist of conifers: spruce, fir, pine, larch. There are nine National Parks on the territory of Slovakia ( Tatras, Poloniny, Slovak Karst etc.), in which there are many tourist hiking trails and cycling routes.

Attractions

In terms of popularity and attendance, in the first place, of course, is the capital of Slovakia Bratislava, the main attraction of which is the castle Bratislava Castle. Tourists like to admire the beautiful architectural monuments of different eras, take walks along the Danube to the city of Devin, where the Danube and Morava rivers merge, and simultaneously contemplate the landscapes of three countries at once (Slovakia, Austria and Hungary) from the height of the city hill.

The second largest city in Slovakia Kosice- In 2013 it will become the European Capital of Culture. Among the many interesting architectural monuments of the city, the most large-scale and interesting is the Gothic St. Elizabeth's Cathedral, widely known for its luxurious interior decoration.

The most beautiful city in Slovakia can definitely be called Trencin. On the narrow winding streets of the city, travelers will find many beautiful churches and ancient buildings. From the highest point of the city, the majestic Trencian Castle, magnificent castle of the 11th century. A number of important events are held annually in Trencin cultural events such as contemporary music festival Pohoda, International Film Festival Art Film and etc.

Amazing architectural monuments can be found in cities such as:

• Banska Bystrica- one of the largest and richest in its architectural and natural monuments city, unofficial capital of Central Slovakia;
• Banska Stiavnica- once a mining town where gold and silver were mined;
• Bojnice- the most famous resort town with a fairy-tale castle.

Nutrition

The main ingredients of Slovak cuisine are cabbage, potatoes, dairy products and meat. In the flat part of the country, corn dishes are loved.

Of meat dishes, goose dishes deserve the most attention, for example, goose with "lokshas"(potato cakes). In one of the Slovak towns ( Slovensky Hrob) even hosts a gastronomic feast called "Goose Feast", during which a sample is taken from young wine for a good snack.

Slovak cuisine reflects the Austro-Hungarian influence. So, the favorite dishes in all three countries are dumplings, which are boiled flour balls mixed with cottage cheese and cheese, as well as potato dumplings and dumplings.

Dessert is worth a try. "palacins"(pancakes), strudel, "sheep cut"(fruit cake covered with jelly), etc.

Of the drinks in Slovakia, local beer and wine, produced throughout the country for many centuries, deserve attention.

Slovak beer, although not as famous as Czech beer, is in no way inferior to it in terms of taste. Since ancient times, Bratislava, Kosice, Trencin, Presov, Banska Bystrica and many other cities in Slovakia have been considered the centers of brewing, but the oldest brewery located in the town of Banska Stiavnica (1473). The most popular brands of Slovak beer are Zlaty Bazant, Kelt, Topvar, Saris, Martiner, Rezany, Urpin and etc.

In Slovakia, you can find wine for every taste, from strong wines from the Veltliner and Blaufränkisch grape varieties with a pronounced aroma, to soft Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Traminer Aromatico.

Among the strong alcoholic beverages Slovakia should be distinguished first of all by a kind of Fernet liquor, local types of moonshine (slivovitz, pear, raspberry), "tatra tea"(alcohol infused with herbs) and borovichka (tincture with a strength of about 45 °).

Accommodation

All the largest cities and tourist centers in Slovakia, including ski and health resorts, offer their guests a huge selection of all kinds of hotels, hotels, motels, hostels, guest houses and campsites. Especially popular among Slovak hotels are family-type hotels, which predominate in the southern wine-growing regions of the country, as well as in places of agro-tourism. In the High and Low Tatras, the number of large hotels is small, there are many guest houses of various levels.

In Bratislava, the minimum cost of accommodation in three-, four- and five-star hotels is respectively 45, 60 and 110 €. In cozy guest houses, renting an apartment will cost at least 40 € . The average price per person in hostels in Slovakia per day is about 15 €.

Entertainment and recreation

Tourists who come to Slovakia usually do not have a question what to do, because even at the stage of planning a trip, some already see themselves skiing or snowboarding, others - with a golf club in their hands at the most difficult and desirable hole, others mentally bask in a healing mud bath, others dream of descending into wondrous caves, etc.

By far the most popular type. active rest in Slovakia is skiing. A favorite destination for many European extreme winter sports enthusiasts are the High Tatras with excellent ski resorts of the highest class Tatranska Lomnica, Strbsko Pleso and Smokovec. In addition to skiing and toboggan runs of varying difficulty, as well as all kinds of lifts, in the High Tatras you can take an unforgettable walk to Lomnicky Peak by cable car, walk along the Hrebienok - Stary Smokovec cable car and ride the Strbske Pleso - Tatranska Strba cog railway.

Slovak golf courses are becoming increasingly popular among Europeans. Golf is considered a big business sport, because it's not just entertainment - it's a way to communicate. The first golf course in Slovakia appeared in 1908 in the High Tatras in the Tatranska Lomnica resort. To date, there are already professional fields in several regions of Slovakia: the Bernolakovo club, 6 km from Bratislava, is considered the most difficult field in Europe, the club Gray Bear Tale compared with the best Scottish courses, the WELTEN-Batch club will delight its visitors with the possibility of a night game, etc.

Slovakia is famous for its health resorts. Visiting thermal and mud springs contributes to the active treatment of the musculoskeletal system, getting rid of stress and excess weight in the resorts Piestany, Brusno, THERMAL CORVINUS Velky Meder and others.

In Slovakia, a unique pleasant and at the same time very useful form of recreation is actively developing - visiting thermal water parks. Not far from the Jasna ski center in the Low Tatras is the Tatralandia Aquapark, where swimming pools with thermal and clean heated water, slides, toboggans, a playground, a children's pool with a castle, etc. are open all year round.

Nightlife in Slovakia is most active in Bratislava (clubs Randal Club, Music Gallery u Dežmára, U Ocka) and in ski resorts, especially among young people, the nightlife of the Tatranska Lomnica resort is appreciated.

Purchases

The most popular souvenirs among tourists are pottery, wooden figurines, toys and dishes, as well as ancient folk musical instruments of the Slovak people.

Among the Slovak souvenirs are "chrpak", a special wooden mug decorated with carvings and national ornaments, which was once used for the first sample of sheep's milk. In the mountainous regions of the country, the most useful souvenir is "Valashka", a kind of hatchet-staff, with which it is easier to move along mountain paths. And the unique Slovak "fuyara"(wind instrument) even got into the UNESCO World Heritage List. A large selection of Slovak souvenirs is presented in the ULUV chain of stores located in the most important tourist cities Slovakia.

Antique shops in Slovakia (Starozitnosti) will please their customers with a large selection of fine furniture, antique jewelry, paintings and all sorts of interesting trinkets.

An excellent gift brought from Slovakia will be a bottle of delicious wine produced in a small winery, or local brandy brands Hradne Brandy, Old Herold Vinjak, Karpatske Brandy O.X. and etc.

Transport

The largest airport in Slovakia is located in Bratislava (Bratislava Airport named after Milan Rastislav Stefanik), from which regular flights are made to most European capitals (Paris, London, Rome, Copenhagen, Prague, Moscow, etc.), other major cities (Milan, Antalya, Barcelona, ​​Kurghada, etc.). There is one domestic flight Bratislava - Kosice costing 40-60 €.

The country has a very well-developed railway transport, in addition to international trains, many high-speed electric trains go to neighboring countries (Austria, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic).

Bus transport is used, as a rule, for traveling over short distances. The cost of a 50 km journey is approximately 1 €.

When traveling in Slovakia on your own vehicle, you should follow the European traffic rules, including the speed limit (no more than 50 km/h in the city, 90 km/h outside settlements and 130 km/h on motorways), constant use of low beam at any time of the day and any weather. There are heavy fines for violating the rules of the road in the country, for example, for driving in drunk 1000 €.

City transport is represented by buses, trams and trolleybuses. Tickets can be bought at stops (orange machines) and from drivers. The cost of the trip depends on the travel time (the schedule is published at the stops). There is a taxi in every city in Slovakia, it is not expensive, but due to short distances it is not popular with tourists.

Connection

Mobile communication in Slovakia is provided by 3 operators: T-Mobile, Orange, Telefonica O2. All mobile operators also offer the service of connecting to the Internet via a mobile phone or via a 3G modem (from 8 € per 1 Mb of traffic). The cost of a 3G modem is about 50 €, while the modem is passwordless, i.e. it can be used to access the Internet from SIM cards of other operators. Free Wi-Fi is provided by most hotels, guest houses and hostels.

For calls abroad, you can use a pay phone by buying a card at a newsstand or post office.

Security

Due to the absence of religious, territorial and national conflicts, Slovakia is considered a quiet and peaceful country, but always and everywhere you should take basic precautions on the roads, in very crowded places and at night. In urban transport are rare, but pickpocketing is possible. At ski resorts, you need to be careful about the safety of your sports equipment, especially expensive models.

There is a paid mountain rescue service in the mountains.

At the request of the police, a foreigner must present an identity document and medical insurance.

Business climate

According to World Bank studies, registration of a foreign company in Slovakia consists of 8 procedures and lasts 18 days, which is much easier and faster than in other EU countries.

Companies operating in Slovakia are required to pay tax on net income (19%), value added tax (20%), as well as taxes on income from dividends (15%), rent (25%), royalties (25%) .

The most profitable area of ​​business in Slovakia is tourism.

Real estate

There are no restrictions in Slovakia for foreigners buying residential or commercial real estate, upon purchase of which the right of ownership of the land is automatically acquired. It is also not required to register a company when buying real estate by foreign investors.

The cost of real estate in major cities of Slovakia and in the High Tatras is comparable to the cost of real estate in the best Mediterranean resorts. The high cost is explained by the economic prospects, safety and environmental situation in the country. For 1 m 2 Bratislava today, on average, you will have to pay about 1700 €, in Kosice– 950 €, in Presov- 800 €, etc. Monthly rent for a one-room apartment in Bratislava will be from 350 to 500 €, in Kosice - from 300 to 450 €.

Owners of real estate in Slovakia pay property tax, the rate of which differs in different regions of the country, on average it is 0.2 € per 1 m2. When selling or renting real estate, you must pay income tax (19%).

When planning a trip or an excursion to the national parks of Slovakia, you should always think about places to spend the night in advance, since the number of hotels and campsites here is very limited, and set up your own camping strictly prohibited.

At ski resorts, it is more profitable to use the lifts with special weekly tickets ski pass(approx. 2 €).

It is usually more profitable to exchange currency in banks, and not in exchange offices.

You should not plan your trip to Slovakia in July-August, as at this time the resorts will be crowded with the Slovaks themselves who came on vacation from their cities, there may be problems with accommodation. The best time of the year for traveling in Slovakia (except for ski resorts) is the second half of spring, the beginning of summer and the beginning of autumn.

Visa Information

A visit to Slovakia is possible with a Schengen visa. A visa is issued upon presentation of a number of documents: a passport valid for more than 3 months from the date of expiration of the visa, with two or more free pages, a standard form, 2 color photographs, a document confirming the applicant's solvency (minimum 56 € per day), international insurance sample, etc.

A visa is issued within approximately 10 days upon payment of a consular fee of 35 €, within 3 days - 70 €. When submitting documents, it is obligatory to be present in person to the person receiving the visa.

It will seem surprising, but in recent years, the increase in the number of tourists in Slovakia is due to the sporting events held in this country. This means that Slovakia is still an unknown country for most tourists. Meanwhile, Slovakia has everything that tourists need - a thousand-year history, a large number of medieval castles and fortresses, the amazing nature of the Tatras and Carpathians, numerous thermal resorts and excellent ski resorts.

Geography of Slovakia

Slovakia is located in Central Europe. In the west, Slovakia borders on the Czech Republic and Austria, in the north - on Poland, in the east - on Ukraine, and in the south - on Hungary. The total area of ​​Slovakia is 49,000 square kilometers, and the total length of the state border is 1,524 km.

A significant part of the territory of Slovakia is occupied by mountains. East of Bratislava is the Danube Lowland. The entire north of the country is Carpathian mountains, near the border with Poland are the Low and High Tatras. The most high peak Slovakia - Gerlakhovski Shtit (2655 meters).

The main rivers in Slovakia are the Danube, Vah, Hron and Ipel.

Capital

The capital of Slovakia is Bratislava, where more than 470 thousand people live. On the site of modern Bratislava, human settlements have existed since the Neolithic.

Official language

The official language in Slovakia is Slovak, which belongs to the subgroup of West Slavic languages ​​of the Slavic language family. The Hungarian language is widely spoken in southern Slovakia.

Religion

More than 60% of the population of Slovakia consider themselves Catholics belonging to the Roman Catholic Church. Another 6% of Slovaks profess Protestantism, and 4.1% are Orthodox Christians.

State structure

Slovakia is a parliamentary republic in which the head of state, according to the Constitution, is the President, elected for 5 years by direct universal suffrage.

Legislative power belongs to the unicameral parliament - the National Council of the Slovak Republic, consisting of 150 deputies.

Climate and weather in Slovakia

In general, the climate in Slovakia is continental. Although Slovakia is a small country, the weather there can be noticeably different in the north, where mountains predominate, and in the flat south.

The warmest region of Slovakia is Bratislava and the south of the country, where in summer the temperature can rise above +30C. In winter in Bratislava, the daily air temperature ranges from -5C to +10C.

In the mountains of Slovakia, snow lies in winter all the time, until April. Summer in northern Slovakia is mild, with average temperature+25С.

Rivers and lakes

Several large (by the standards of this country) rivers flow through the territory of Slovakia - Vah (403 km), Hron (298 km) and Ipel (232 km). Slovak rivers are of great interest for rafting enthusiasts.

Lakes in Slovakia are popular summer holiday destinations for Slovaks and foreign tourists. The largest of them are Velké Gintsovo Pleso, Zemplinska Shirava, and Strbske Pleso. There are over 180 mountain lakes in Slovakia.

History of Slovakia

Ancient people on the territory of modern Slovakia lived in the early Paleolithic era. Roman legions came to Slovakia in the 6th century AD. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Slovakia was invaded by Germanic tribes and Goths. Around the end of the 8th - beginning of the 9th centuries, Slavic tribes settled in Slovakia, and the Principality of Nitra was formed, which then became part of Great Moravia, and later - part of Hungary.

Under the blows of the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century, the Kingdom of Hungary broke up into three parts, and in 1526 Slovakia became part of the Holy Roman Empire.

Only after the end of the First World War, Slovakia gained independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and united with the Czech Republic (Czechoslovakia was formed).

In 1939, Slovakia, as, indeed, the entire territory of Czechoslovakia, was occupied by German troops.

After World War II, the Communist Party came to power in Czechoslovakia. In 1968, the troops of the Warsaw Pact countries suppressed the attempts of the leadership of Czechoslovakia to build "socialism with a human face", and instead of Alexander Dubcek, Gustav Husak began to lead the country.

In 1998, the Communist Party lost power in Czechoslovakia, and, in the end, in January 1993, this country broke up into two independent states, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

In 2004, Slovakia was accepted into the NATO military bloc, and in 2009 it became a member of the European Union.

culture

Slovakia is a country with rich cultural traditions and folk customs. Slovaks are very proud of their culture and cherish the traditions of their ancestors. Each Slovak region has its own typical folk costumes and customs. Slovak folk culture is known for its dances, music and songs.

Every summer, many Slovak cities host folklore music festivals, some of which have already become international.

Cuisine of Slovakia

Slovak cuisine is unique. On her big influence rendered Austrian and Hungarian cuisine. The main products of Slovak cuisine are pork, poultry, cabbage, potatoes, flour, cheese, onions, and garlic.

Traditional Slovak dishes are cheese dumplings, draniki (potato pancakes), pasta (pasta) with potatoes, breaded cheese, schnitzel, and cabbage soup.

The traditional alcoholic drink in Slovakia is slivovitz (plum vodka). Beer is also very popular in Slovakia.

Sights of Slovakia

In Slovakia, curious tourists will find a large number of interesting sights. The top ten attractions in Slovakia, in our opinion, include the following:

Cities and resorts in Slovakia

The largest cities in Slovakia are Bratislava, Kosice, Presov, Zilina, Banska Bystrica, Trnava, Nitra, and Trencin.

Every year in Europe, the ski resorts of Slovakia are becoming more and more popular, combining beautiful nature and excellent skiing infrastructure. The most famous of them are Strbske Pleso, Liptovsky Mikulas, Tatranska Lomnica, Smokovec, Jasna, and Podbanske.

There are 1,470 mineral and thermal water springs on the territory of Slovakia. Resorts have been built near many of them. The most popular of them are Piestany, Smrdaky, Sliac, Sklenne Teplice, Trencianske Teplice, and Luchki.

Souvenirs/Shopping

From Slovakia, tourists most often bring dolls in folk Slovak costumes, giant shepherd flutes ("fujara"), shepherd's hatchets, ceramics, glassware and porcelain, wine, chocolate, and sheep cheese.

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Slovakia has exactly two "chips" - but what! Healing thermal springs with a complete periodic table and a crazy number of medieval castles (of course, with ghosts). Cozy Bratislava, treatment in Smrdaky and Dudince - all about Slovakia: tours, holidays, prices and photos.

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According to some, not very experienced tourists, Slovakia serves on the market as a kind of “addition” to Czech Republic. Let's face it: such an opinion is not only offensive, but also fundamentally wrong. This country with its beautiful nature, spectacular mountain peaks, numerous castles and fortresses (each one with its own ghost and every second one with its own dramatic story) may well compete with the "veterans" of excursion tourism.

Time difference with Moscow

− 2 hours summer −1 hour

• with Kaliningrad

• with Samara

• with Yekaterinburg

• with Omsk

• with Krasnoyarsk

• with Irkutsk

• with Yakutsk

• with Vladivostok

• with Severo-Kurilsk

• with Kamchatka

Climate

Moderate continental, with pronounced altitudinal zonality. Average temperatures in July are +19...+21 °C in the plains and +8...+12 °C in the mountains, in January +1...+4 °C in the plains and up to −10 °C in the mountainous areas. The coldest month is January, the warmest months are July and August. In autumn it often rains, and in winter it is often windy in the mountains. The ski season lasts from November to March. The most comfortable time to visit the country for the purpose of treatment and broadening one's horizons is from May to September. On the thermal spas It can get chilly in the evenings, so it's a good idea to bring a sweater with you.

Import and export of currency is not limited. When entering from the territory of countries outside the EU, amounts over 10,000 EUR are subject to mandatory declaration. Allowed duty-free import of 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos or 50 regular cigars, or 250 grams of smoking tobacco; 1 liter of alcoholic beverages with a strength over 22 °, 2 liters of wine; 50 ml of perfume, 250 ml of eau de toilette, as well as personal items in the amount of not more than 430 EUR. Prices on the page are for October 2018.

Medicines and medicines can be imported duty-free in the amount necessary to meet the minimum personal needs. Tobacco products can only be imported by persons over 16 years of age, alcoholic products - over 18 years of age.

The import and export of weapons, explosives, pornographic products, narcotic substances, as well as cultural and historical values ​​that do not have documentary evidence of the legality of their acquisition are prohibited.

It is forbidden to import products containing meat or milk into the territory of the EU countries, including sausage, canned food, lard and even chocolates. If found, they will be confiscated and the passenger will be fined. The ban does not apply to baby food and special preparations needed for people with certain diseases (in this case, the products must be carefully packaged and their weight must not exceed 2 kg).

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Tax Free

In Slovakia, there is a Tax free system: having forked out in the amount of 175.01 EUR in one check, you can return up to 20% VAT. First you need to take a special form at the checkout with a list of purchased goods and enter your passport data there. At the airport, the completed form (along with the usual cash receipt, passport and freshly purchased items in intact packages) must be presented to the customs officer to receive a stamp, and then exchanged for cash at the Global Blue pick-up point. If time is running out, you can send a stamped Tax free check to the Bratislava office (but no later than 3 weeks from the date of issue) and wait for a refund to a bank card.

How to get to Slovakia

The second largest Slovak airport is located in Košice. From Moscow, LOT (157 EUR one way, from 4 hours with a change in Warsaw), Czech Airlines (165 EUR, from 10 hours via Prague) and other carriers deliver here. Connecting flights from St. Petersburg are organized by Czech Airlines (223 EUR one way, 23 hours via Prague), Austrian Airlines (260 EUR, 21 hours 40 minutes via Vienna) and Turkish Airlines (399 EUR, 29 hours 20 minutes via Istanbul).

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Transport

The size of the country is small, most of the transportation is carried out by trains and buses. The main railway line Kosice - Bratislava goes through Spisska Nova Ves, Poprad, Zilina and Trencin. Tickets are on sale at the carrier’s website (in English), you can get from the capital to Trencin for 6-8 EUR, to Ruzomberok - for 11-23 EUR, to Kosice - for 13-40 EUR (morning flights are cheaper). On popular routes, the Slovak Expres system operates (off site in English): round-trip tickets for night trains cost 18-27 EUR.

There is also water transport in the country: the Danube connects Bratislava with neighboring cities and abroad (Vienna and Budapest). The cost of a sightseeing cruise in the capital's waters is 7 EUR for adults, 4.50 EUR for children (the schedule is on the official website of the carrier in English).

In Slovakia, there is a system of youth and student discounts; on weekends and holidays, travel on intercity buses becomes cheaper.

Public transport within cities

Trams, buses and trolleybuses serve as urban transport. The fare is paid with coupons, which are sold in orange vending machines at stops - they must be composted in the cabin. The validity of tickets is limited (15, 30 or 60 minutes), so you should buy them strictly before the trip. Single tickets cost 0.7-3.1 EUR, travel cards for 3 days - 8 EUR. They can be bought at DPHMB offices, underground passages, kiosks and ticket offices of railway stations.

Taxis in Slovakia are inexpensive, metered and, due to the small size of cities, are not very popular. Ordering them over the phone is more profitable than catching them on the street. The standard fare is 1-2 EUR per landing plus 0.50-1 EUR per km.

Rent a Car

By renting a car in compact Slovakia, you can see its main attractions in a few days: medieval cities, castles, national parks. The roads are good (although some of them are paid), there are few traffic jams, the drivers are polite and accurate. There may be problems with parking: the old streets are not adapted to the abundance of modern vehicles. Most parking lots are paid: special coupons and cards are sold at tobacco and newsstands, an hour in a covered parking will cost 1-3 EUR per hour (depending on the location - the most expensive in the center).

Renting a compact car - from 30 EUR, a standard model - from 52 EUR, a station wagon - from 56 EUR per day. The cost of gasoline is 1.44 EUR per 1 liter.

Car rental is possible with a driver's license (both international and Russian), a passport and a credit card. Cash is often accepted for payment, but a credit card in the form of a deposit is required. The amount of the rent depends on the car and the rental period, as well as on the day of the week - on weekends (from Friday 15:00 to Monday 09:00) and holidays it is slightly higher (excluding distance). The age of the driver must be at least 21 years old, and driving experience - from one year. The cost of renting Czech car brands is much lower than all the others.

The maximum permitted speed within built-up areas is 50 km/h, outside them - 90 km/h, on motorways - up to 130 km/h. The dipped beam must always be on, the use of seat belts is mandatory. The use of any alcohol (even beer) and talking on a mobile while driving are prohibited. Radar detectors in Slovakia are illegal. For exceeding the speed limit by 20 km / h, the driver will have to pay a fine of 100 EUR, for 70 km / h - already 650 EUR. Drunk driving can cost up to 2500 EUR.

It is worth additionally taking out insurance against an accident (around 10 EUR per day) and against theft (for the same money). The insurance will cover any damage caused to the car only if the driver is sober.

Communication and Wi-Fi

There are several mobile operators in Slovakia: Orange, O2, Telekom and Swan. Orange is the leader in terms of the number of subscribers and communication quality. SIM cards costing from 3-15 EUR are sold in company offices and supermarkets (a passport is needed for registration), the balance is replenished via the Internet or using scratch cards. For Orange, calls to Russia cost 0.47 EUR per minute, for Telekom - 0.30 EUR.

Payphones are installed on Slovak streets that accept phone cards with a face value of 5-10 EUR. You can buy them at post offices and newsstands and call both local numbers and abroad. Communication with the homeland from a call center will cost 10-15%, and from a hotel - all 30% more expensive than from a payphone.

Free Wi-Fi is available in hotels, catering establishments (you will have to order something to gain access) and on the central streets of Bratislava. In large cities, Internet cafes are common, offering connection for 2-4 EUR per hour. In some places there are free Internet kiosks that allow you to check your mail, send a message or surf the sites (only the connection speed is annoyingly slow).

Slovakia Hotels

There are few 5* hotels in the country, most of them are located in Bratislava. The basis of the room stock in Slovakia is made up of threes and fours. The price / quality ratio is as follows: 5 * mainly belong to the global hotel "chains", the level is appropriate, 4 * - very expensive and very good, 3 * - from expensive and good to inexpensive and simple. Most leisure opportunities are in a hotel, not a resort. In 90% of hotels, check-in is at 14:00 and check-out is at 10:00.

In addition, the country has a wide range of private apartments, campsites and sanatoriums, many of which, built under socialism, are now being modernized with might and main. Hostels are mostly clean and tidy, with possible disadvantages - old furniture, poor soundproofing, cramped rooms and problems with Wi-Fi.

Mains voltage - 220 V, 50 Hz, two-pin sockets with safety plug.

Police: 158, emergency and ambulance on the roads: 154, ambulance: 155, fire department: 150, emergency service: 112.

City codes: Bratislava - 2, resorts of the High Tatras - 52, resorts of the Low Tatras (Jasna) - 44.

Stunning views of Slovakia

Diving

Near Bratislava, there are good conditions for diving - on the Senecke Lakes and Lake Gulaska, and with good visibility (in early spring and late autumn) - also on the Golden Sands and Štrkovecki lakes. You can also dive on the Danube Island, in the vicinity of the cities of Banska Štiavnica (lakes Ryhnjavskoe, Windshakhtskoe) and Kralovani (Shutovo), at the Liptovska Mara reservoir, at the Dedinki and Ruzhin dams.

The best time for diving is late spring and early autumn. The water in Slovak lakes is surprisingly clear, but almost always cool, so you have to tune in to the thrill in advance. The bottom is predominantly rocky, overgrown with all kinds of greenery, carps, eels, pikes and small fish are found at a depth. Diving equipment can be rented from schools and clubs in Bratislava and some other cities. The average cost of a two-hour rental is 10-15 EUR, diving with an instructor will cost 55-70 EUR, two-week diving courses with theory and practice - from 350 EUR.

Skiing

Rafting

There are 63 water streams in Slovakia suitable for water tourism. People travel along the local rivers in boats, kayaks, kayaks and canoes. In Eastern Slovakia, the most popular rivers are Poprad, Gornad, Torisa, Toplya, Ondava and Laborec, in Central Slovakia - Hron, Orava and Slana, in Western Slovakia - Vah, Nitra, Small Danube and Danube.

A two-hour rafting on Bela or Vag will cost 23-30 EUR, taking into account equipment and an instructor's accompaniment.

The most turbulent river in Slovakia is the Bela, descending from April 15 to September 30. Less difficult is rafting along the Vah River in the section from Cherveny Klashtor or along the bend of this river through Bolshaya Fatra under the ruins of the Strechna castle. Beginners and even families with children have the opportunity to enjoy the beauties of nature during an easy descent along the Orava River (from Parnica in Žaškovo Brod to Kraljovan). Descending down the Danube in the Pieniny National Park and the mountainous sections of the Hron River, which is characterized by the alternation of calm and turbulent currents, promises vivid sensations.

Rafting in Slovakia

Treatment in Slovakia

Tourists often come to Slovakia to improve their health: there are more than 1200 thermal and mineral springs here. Most of the resorts are located in the mountains: enjoying clean air, idyllic landscapes, peace and quiet already provides a healing effect in itself. Doctors are also not far behind, creating effective wellness programs based on local ingredients for patients with any diagnosis and offering a European-style high level of service.

Nature of Slovakia

Cuisine and restaurants in Slovakia

The cuisine of Slovakia combines the features of European schools and strong national components. Local sheep cheeses, “shtepki” and “parenitsy” are especially popular, and calling card Soups from vegetables, broths and various complex soups from meat and vegetables, dumplings with cheese, potato dumplings, cheese dumplings, as well as poultry dishes are considered local cuisine. You should definitely try the national cabbage soup (made from sauerkraut) and Segedin goulash.

In Slovakia, excellent local wines are made, occupying a worthy place among the best European varieties, and at the same time very inexpensive. The most popular spirits are slivovitz (plum vodka) and borovichka (juniper vodka), as well as a variety of herbal tinctures. The best desserts are hazelnut roll, steamed buns with plum jam, poppy seed cake, strudel and trdelniki (spiral tubes of yeast dough).

Most resorts have traditional restaurants "salash" and "koliba" where you can taste national dishes accompanied by authentic Slovak music.

Pivnitsy beer bars also offer a rich selection of local treats: by the way, prices there are often lower than in other eateries. Restaurants with French, Italian, Chinese and Indian menus are open in large cities. Confectioneries, pubs, wineries, coffee houses - there is where to satisfy both hunger and thirst. Lunch in an inexpensive cafe will cost 10-15 EUR per person (the farther from the center, the cheaper), a snack in fast food - 5-8 EUR, dinner in a restaurant - from 35-40 EUR for two, excluding alcohol.

Guides in Slovakia

Entertainment and attractions

A tour of the sights of Slovakia is a fascinating journey through time: the elegant architecture of centuries past is adjacent to modern monuments. A striking example of this is Bratislava: the eclectic Old Town Hall, the elegant Capuchin Church, St. Martin's Cathedral crowned with a gilded crown, the solemn Presidential Palace are witnesses of a glorious past. And nearby - the impressive SNP bridge, the Slavin memorial complex in honor of the soldiers of the Second World War, numerous museums and street sculptures - the heroes of today.

In Trencin there is not only a majestic castle, churches and chapels, but also the Milos Bazovsky Gallery with an interesting collection of Czech and Slovak contemporary art.

The pride of Kosice is the magnificent Cathedral of St. Elizabeth, built in the 14th century in the best traditions of Gothic. Neo-baroque ceiling opera house decorated with frescoes on the themes of Shakespeare's plays, and illuminated by hundreds of light bulbs, the jets of the singing fountain soar to a height of 17 meters. In the town of Komarno, works of Hungarian culture have been preserved, and in the village of Vlkolinec - traditional Carpathian farmsteads.

Castles of Slovakia

Slovakia is a magnet for fans of scary ghost stories and heartbreaking love stories: countless local castles carefully guard their legends. For example, from one of the towers of the Devin castle - the Maiden's - an inconsolable young lady, separated from her lover, once threw herself. But on the other hand, much later, one resourceful comrade flew on a hang glider from socialist Czechoslovakia straight to unenslaved Austria.

The International Festival of Spirits and Ghosts is held annually in Bojnice Castle: for 10 centuries, there have probably been a lot of them here.

The powerful Bratislava Castle, towering over the Danube, stood in ruins for many years: they say that drunken Austrian soldiers burned it in the 19th century, and it came to reconstruction only by the end of the next century. To build Kežmar Castle, a small church had to be destroyed: there were not enough materials, and earthly values ​​turned out to be more important to the owner than spiritual ones.

In Orava Castle there is a bench, sitting on which you can get rid of infertility. And in the largest Slovak castle, Spissky Grad, the ghost of the nanny Hedviga still roams, grieving for the stolen pupil.

National parks

There are 16 protected areas in the country natural areas and 9 national parks. The most picturesque is the "Low Tatras" with karst caves full of bizarre limestone cascades, stalactites and stalagmites. Most of the park is occupied by mountain ranges: low, but very impressive. Along beech and coniferous forests, interspersed with lawns and alpine fields, there are hiking trails of various levels of difficulty.

In the Low Tatras you can meet bears, wolves and lynxes: they keep a respectful distance from people and pose no danger.

In the Tatra National Park is highest point country - mountain Gerlakhovsky Shtit. There are endemic animals (for example, the Tatra chamois), many birds, several species of reptiles and amphibians; both pedestrian and bike routes. In the "Big Fatra" there is the largest yew grove in Europe, in the "Malaya" - the Gate Valley, the ancient village of Shtefanov and the ruins of several castles, beloved by skiers. The main treasure of the Poloniny park is the virgin Carpathian forests, the Pieniny are famous for the beauty of the Dunajec River gorge, and the Slovak Paradise is for its stormy waterfalls, the highest of which is the 70-meter Zavojoví.

The best photos of Slovakia Adrenaline Rush, Slovakia

Speleology in Slovakia

In Slovakia there are about 4000 registered caves of all kinds: stone, ice and aragonite. 12 of them are open to visitors. Of particular interest are the Dobshinskaya ice cave, Gombasetskaya and Yasovskaya caves, Domitsa cave and the cave in Okhtina - all of them are included in the UNESCO List.

The Cave of Freedom in the Demanovska Valley is popular for its multi-colored limestone formations: “mushrooms”, “trees”, pillars and icicles, painted in soft pink, terracotta and other shades. The Preposhtskaya cave in Bojnice has been turned into the Museum of Ancient Man: the artifacts found here - tools, bones, jewelry - are more than 30 thousand years old. There are as many as 250 cave systems in the Muranska Platina National Park, but all of them are dangerous, and therefore closed to tourists. But the "Slovak Karst" is an expanse for adventurers: endless labyrinths of grottoes, passages and faults keep many amazing secrets.

Fishing

In the rivers and lakes of Slovakia, fish of the carp and salmon families are caught, including trout and grayling. The most popular among fishermen are the rivers Danube, Vah, Hron, Turiec, Orava, Gornad, Ondava, Latorica, Laborec, Nitra, Ipel, Dunajec, reservoirs Liptovska Mara, Zemplinska Shirava, Oravska Dam, Velka Domaša, Slniava, Duhonka, Ruzhin, Teplý Verch and Dedinka.

Holidays and events

January 1 in Slovakia - not only New Year, but also Republic Day, so the fun is in full swing. The main holiday of spring is Easter with solemn divine services, warm family dinners and old customs like pouring water on everyone. May 1 - Labor Day (greetings from the socialist past), 8 - Day of liberation from fascism. On July 5, Cyril and Methodius are honored, who once visited Moravia on a Christian mission. August 29 - Day of the National Uprising against the dictator Tiso, September 1 - Constitution Day. On November 1, deceased relatives are commemorated, and on November 17 students who participated in the 1989 demonstrations are glorified.

December passes under the sign of Christmas: in the decorated cities, a special, fabulous atmosphere reigns throughout the month.

Festivals are loved in Slovakia: Jazz Days are held in the capital in autumn, and Coronation Day in summer with colorful theatrical processions. The local analogue of Shrovetide is Fashank with songs, dances and street fairs, on Ivan Kupala (St. In October, the International Peace Marathon starts in Kosice, in December the cities pass the baton of the Febiofest film festival to each other. In Trenčianske Teplice, musical shows rumble all summer, in Kežmarok a large-scale crafts fair is organized in July, and in Pezinka in September they organize "Vine collection" - a wine festival with competitions for the title of the best Slovak alcohol.