Slovakia: interesting information about Slovakia - the country of magical castles. State languages ​​of Slovakia

Useful information for tourists about Slovakia, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, the currency of Slovakia, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions in Slovakia.

Geography of Slovakia

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

Most of the country is mountainous (the highest point of the country is the town of Gerlakhovsky-Shtit, 2655 m). A third of the country is occupied by the fertile South Slovak and East Slovak lowlands in the southeast and the Danube lowland 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 (Narodnaya Rada).

Language

Official language: Slovak

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

Religion

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

Currency

International name: SKK

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

Credit cards EuroCard, MasterCard are accepted in almost all banks, as well as VISA, American Express and Eurocheque. They are accepted in most large hotels, gas stations, less often in restaurants and shops. ATMs get everything greater distribution in Slovakia, although outside major cities it is better not to rely on them. Slovak ATMs are usually connected to the international payment systems MasterCard, VISA, Plus, Maestro, Cirrus.

Popular Attractions

Slovakia Tourism

Where to stay

Slovakia offers tourists 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 in both big cities, as well as in countryside.

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

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

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

Also works in Slovakia a large number of private pensions and apartments. 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.

IN summer period in Slovakia, about 100 campsites and summer camps are opened with a developed infrastructure - showers, laundry, toilets, some have restaurants, cafes, shops.

IN last years Agri-tourism is gaining more and more popularity, which involves accommodation in historical manors, mills or farms.

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Popular hotels

Tours 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, amazingly beautiful caves and, of course, ancient castles and fortresses.

The main attraction of Slovakia, of course, are its natural resources. A significant part of the country is occupied by mountain ranges - Small Carpathians, White Carpathians, High Tatras, Low Tatras, Slovak Rudogorye, Javorniki, Mala Fatra, etc. Not surprisingly, Slovakia is considered one of the most popular European ski centers. The most famous and most visited ski resorts are Strbske Pleso, Jasna, Tatranska Lomnica, Donovaly, Smokovec, Podbanske and Ružomberok.

The country is also famous for its balneological resorts. Numerous thermal springs and healing mineral water Slovakia is known all over the world. Piestany, Bojnice, Vysnie Ruzbakhi, Bardejov, Dudnice and Bardejovské Kupeli are worth mentioning among the most famous hydropathic establishments. The climatic resort of Slovakia Novy Smokovec is also famous - one of the best in Europe for the treatment of respiratory diseases (located in the 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 4000 in the country. This is a real paradise for speleologists. The most interesting are the Demänovská cave system (Svoboda Cave and Ice Cave), Belianska Cave, Vazhetska Cave, Domica, Drina Cave, Yasovska Cave, Gombasetska Cave, Okhtinsky 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 sights of the capital, it is worth noting the Bratislava Castle, the Grassalkovich Palace, the Cathedral of St. Martin, the Old Town Hall, the New Bridge, the Church of St. Elizabeth (Blue Church), the Church of St. Nicholas, the Slovak National Gallery, St. Michael's Gate and the Bratislava Zoo. In the vicinity of Bratislava are the ruins of the Devin castle.

On the territory of Slovakia, many magnificent medieval castles and fortresses have survived to this day. Bojnice Castle, Spissky Castle, Orava Castle, Krasna Gorka, Cherveny Kamen, Trencyansky Castle, Kežmar Castle, Beckov Castle, Smolenic Castle, the ruins of the Levin Fortress and the Castle in Kremnica are very popular among tourists.

You should definitely visit such charming cities in Slovakia as Kosice, Banska Bystrica, Banska Stiavnica, Nitra, Presov, Trencin, Levoča, Trnava, Komarno and Liptovsky Mikulas. Here you will find many interesting attractions and a lot of impressions.

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, amazing nature Tatras and Carpathians, numerous thermal resorts and wonderful ski resorts.

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 occupied by the Carpathian Mountains, near the border with Poland are the Low and High Tatras. The highest peak in Slovakia is Gerlachovský Štit (2,655 meters).

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Most warm region Slovakia - 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 the north of Slovakia is mild, with an average temperature of +25C.

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 destinations summer holidays 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.

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 split into two independent states 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.

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.

Slovak cuisine is unique. She was greatly influenced by Austrian and Hungarian cuisines. 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.

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

Dobshinskaya Ice Cave

Boinice Castle

Spis Castle

Village Vlkolinets

Cathedral of St. Elizabeth in Kosice

Building of the Slovak National Theater in Bratislava

Bratislava castle

Grassalkovich Palace in Bratislava

New bridge in Bratislava

Trencin Castle

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.

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.

Public institutions in Slovakia are open Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 15:00.

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 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 amazing nature, miraculous mineral springs, pure mountain air, the cheerful disposition of the Slovaks and excellent cuisine, which has incorporated 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 high level service. Domestic travel companies most often they 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. It is better to take a night bus and start exploring the ancient capital in the 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” old light for myself. Forward!

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

Among the Slovak souvenirs, there is a “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 the “valashka”, a kind of hatchet-staff, with which it is easier to move along the mountain paths. And the unique Slovak "fujara" (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 delight 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 large cities (Milan, Antalya, Barcelona, ​​Kurghada, etc.). There is one domestic flight Bratislava - Kosice costing 40-60 €.

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

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 must comply with the pan-European traffic rules, including the speed limit (no more than 50 km/h in the city, 90 km/h outside built-up areas and 130 km/h on motorways), constant use of dipped beam in any time of the day and any weather conditions. 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.

Safety

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 research World Bank 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%) .

Most profitable area business in Slovakia is considered tourism.

Real estate

There are no restrictions in Slovakia for foreigners buying residential or commercial real estate, the purchase of which automatically acquires ownership of the land. 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 m2 in 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 countries, 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 a tour of the national parks of Slovakia, you should always think about places to spend the night in advance, as the number of hotels and campsites here is very limited, and camping on your own is strictly prohibited.

At ski resorts, it is more profitable to use the lifts with special weekly ski-pass tickets (about 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. Optimal time 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.

Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Moscow - st. Y. Fuchik, 17/19, tel. 956-49-23.

Economy

Slovakia has overcome most of the difficult transition from a centrally planned economy to a modern market economy. The country's government made significant progress in 2001 on macroeconomic stabilization and structural reforms. Privatization has been largely completed, the banking sector is almost entirely in the hands of foreigners, and foreign investment is growing. The Slovak economy has outperformed early 2000s expectations, except for a decline in exports. A revival in domestic demand in 2002, driven in part by rising incomes, offset the slowdown in export growth, helping the economy on its way to its highest growth since 1998. Unemployment, which had reached 19.8% at the end of 2001, had declined substantially by 2003.

According to a study by the German Chamber of Commerce in March 2004, about half of German investors see Slovakia as the best place for investment.

Policy

The head of state in Slovakia is the president, who is elected by direct universal suffrage for a 5-year term. Most executive power is vested in the head of government, the prime minister, who is usually the leader of the party or coalition that wins the majority in parliamentary elections and is appointed by the president. The remainder of the Cabinet is appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Supreme legislature Slovakia is the 150-seat unicameral People's Rada of the Slovak Republic (Národná Rada Slovenskej Republiky). Delegates are elected for a 4-year term on the basis of proportional representation.

Parliament can dismiss the president if three-fifths of the total number of deputies vote for it. The president can dissolve parliament if he fails to approve the government's program statement three times within a month after the election.

The highest judicial body - Constitutional Court(Ústavný súd), which has jurisdiction over constitutional matters. The 13 members of this court are approved by the president from among several candidates nominated by parliament.

Story

The first settlements on the territory of modern Slovakia appeared already in the Paleolithic era. This very long epoch is characterized by the alternation of glaciations and interglacials. There are traces of various cultures: from Olduvai to Svider. A fragment of the skull of Homo erectus was found in Spiš Podgradie (this part was lost during the Second World War), then the earliest information is that of the Heidelberg man. The oldest finds of skeletons are Neanderthals, and the most famous are from the Ganovce site.

The Mesolithic era is characterized by a noticeable retreat of the glacier, the border of which at that time passed along the north of the territory of modern Slovakia. People settled on sandy hills.

There is more information about the Neolithic, when agriculture arose. It is assumed that people of the Linear Pottery culture came to the territory of Slovakia around 5000 BC. Remains of settlements, cemeteries (for example, in Nitra and Štúrovo), remains of ceramics, votive gifts or cult objects, such as female figurines ("Paleolithic Venuses") from Nitran Castle or Moravan nad Vahom, have been found. In that era, mainly the culture of linear-band ceramics, the Zhelezovo culture, the Bukovogorsk culture were represented on the territory of Slovakia, the development of the Lendyel and Polgar cultures began.

The Eneolithic era is characterized primarily by the beginning of the use of metals (copper and gold; the oldest copper objects found date back to the Neolithic), the division of society into layers (artisans, farmers, cattle breeders, merchants) and the beginning of barter trade. Later, agriculture was improved by using the power of animals (tillage tools appeared); the role of men in society (patriarchy) has increased. In those days, first of all, the development of the Lendiel and Polgarian cultures continued, later the Baden culture appeared.

In the Bronze Age, characterized by the expansion of the use of bronze, many different archaeological cultures were represented on the territory of Slovakia (Unětice, Magyarovskaya, Otomani, single cultures of burial mounds, single cultures of burial urns, including the Lusatian culture). Found bronze sickles, the remains of wooden buildings without the use of nails, belong to this era.

The Iron Age and its technologies came to the territory of Slovakia around 800 BC, probably from the region of Anatolia and / or Italy. In the Hallstatt era in Slovakia, thanks to favorable climatic conditions, mining of iron, tin, gold and salt is developing. A potter's wheel appeared. Continues social differentiation. In those days, the Hallstatt (namely, Kalenderberg) culture, Kushtanovitskaya (Thracians) and Vevertsugskaya (probably Scythians) cultures were represented on the territory of Slovakia; in the north, the Lusatian culture still existed. Perhaps the Cimmerians also lived on the territory of Slovakia at that time.

In those days (around the 5th century BC), the Celts came to Slovakia, who can be considered the first known ethnic group on the territory of Slovakia. The Celts came to the Carpathian Basin from the territory of Germany, France and from the Alps. Upon arrival, they subjugated the local population. By the end of the La Tène era, they built several fortifications - oppidums, for example, Bratislava. Most of them lived in small fortified structures built of wood, using iron locks. The Celts were skilled artisans - blacksmiths, potters, farmers and merchants; they maintained close contact with the Greek and Roman civilizations, which retained a great influence on their culture. At the end of the 2nd c. BC. Dacians also came to Slovakia, who lived on the territory of modern Romania. During the time of the first Dacian king Burebista, the Dacians settled and actually annexed the southern part of Slovakia to Dacia, from where they expelled part of the Celts. In 10 BC, however, the Romans defeated the Dacians and pushed the frontiers of the Roman Empire into the Middle Danube. The Romans also established several settlements in western Slovakia. The Dacian population disappeared from Slovakia around the 1st century. AD, it lingered the longest in the east. The liquidation of most of the Celts was completed by the attack of the Germans from the northwest at the beginning of the 1st century. AD However, the Celts held out in the north of Slovakia even until the 2nd century. AD (cats). During the Great Migration in the 4th century, tribes of the Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Lombards and Gepids passed through the territory of Slovakia.

Slavs came here in the 5th century. In the 6th century, the territory fell under the rule of the Avar Khaganate, and in the 7th century the empire of Samo was formed here, a century later the Principality of Nitra arose here, which became part of Great Moravia in 833. In 906 Great Moravia was attacked by Hungarian tribes and Great Moravia gradually disintegrated. From 1018, the gradual annexation of the Slovak lands to Hungary begins. In 1029, the Principality of Nitra fell, and by the end of the century the entire territory was annexed to Hungary.

In 1241, the territory of Slovakia was subjected to the Mongol-Tatar invasion. The Mongol-Tatar invasion weakened the power of the king in the territory of Slovakia, and so the territory was ruled by oligarchs like Matus Czak. Only Charles Robert, who defeated the oligarchs in the battle of Rozganovtsy, was able to strengthen the strong royal power. The son of Charles Robert, Louis I the Great did a lot to strengthen the country and during his reign, Hungary became a strong European power. In the time of Sigismund, Hungary again plunges into a series of battles with the Turks and the Hussites. The area most affected by the Hussites was just Slovakia, on the territory of which in 1467, near the Great Kostolyans, Matthias Hunyadi eventually struck the Hussite troops of the "brothers". After the defeat from the Turks near Mohacs in 1526 and the death of King Lajos II, most of the territory of Hungary, with the exception of western Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia, became part of the Ottoman Empire, and the lands not subject to the Turks, including Slovakia, became part of the possessions of the Austrian Habsburgs.

After the defeat at Mohács in 1526, two kings were crowned on the Hungarian throne at once - an ally of the Turks, Janos Zapolya, and an Austrian, Ferdinand I of Habsburg. A war broke out between the two sides, which ended in peace in Horade in 1538. In 1536, Bratislava became the capital of Hungary, and the Archbishopric of Esztergom was transferred to Trnava. At the same time, the Turks also captured southern Slovakia. The 17th century passed under the banner of the struggle of the nobles from Slovakia with the Austrian emperor. In 1605, Istvan Boczkay captured almost all of Slovakia, and in 1606 a truce was signed. In 1618 Bethlen captured eastern Slovakia, and in 1619 western Slovakia. In 1622 a truce was signed. In 1643-1645, battles took place on the territory of Slovakia between the Habsburg troops and the rebellious Ferenc I Rakoczy. In 1678-1687 Slovakia again became the scene of battles, this time with Imre Tököly, and in 1703-1711 the last uprising took place - Ferenc II Rákóczi.

In the XVIII century, Slovakia, devastated by the centuries-old war of the nobles with the emperor, began to rebuild. The first manufactories appeared - in Shashtin and Golich, mining began again. The reforms of Maria Theresa and her son Joseph II had a positive effect on the economy. At the same time, the Slovak revival began - in 1783 the first book appeared, written in Slovak Priest Ignaz Bayza. In 1790 Bernolak compiled the first grammar of the Slovak language. The first awakeners (mainly Lutherans) held the view that Czechs and Slovaks were one people. In 1847, Stuhr codified a version of the Slovak language close to the modern one, which was approved by both camps - both Catholics and Lutherans. During the Hungarian Revolution of 1848-49, the Slovak People's Rada called on the Slovaks to take up arms against the Hungarians and support the Austrians. In 1867, the Austrian Empire was transformed into Austria-Hungary and the Slovak lands became part of the Hungarian Transleitania, as a result of which the pressure of the Hungarian authorities on the Slovaks intensified. In 1875, the Slovak Matica was disbanded, and later other national organizations. In the 1890s, the concept of Czechoslovakism arose and the Slovaks began to receive help from the Czechs. In 1906, the first Slovak party arose - the moderately nationalist Glinkov Slovak People's Party. The emergence of Slovak organizations increased pressure from the Hungarians and caused attempts to intensify the Hungarianization of the Slovaks, which continued until the collapse of Austria-Hungary in November 1918.

By the beginning of World War I, Czech and Slovak politicians had a fairly clear concept of the future state of the Czechs and Slovaks. This idea was proposed to the Russian Tsar at the beginning of the war and he approved the creation of the Czechoslovak legions. On the Czech side, the main representatives were Tomas Masaryk and Eduard Benes, and on the Slovak side, Milan Stefanik. In 1915, Masaryk officially presented the plan for the creation of Czechoslovakia in Geneva. In October of the same year, emigrant organizations of Czechs and Slovaks in Cleveland signed a joint declaration. The final agreement was signed on May 31, 1918 in Pittsburgh. The first provisional government met in Paris. On October 28, 1918, independent Czechoslovakia was proclaimed. On October 30, 1918, the Slovak People's Rada in Martin signed a declaration on joining Czechoslovakia. On November 14, 1918, Tomasz Masaryk became president of the Czechoslovakia.

The first Slovak government met in Skalice, then in Zilina. On February 4, 1919, Bratislava became the capital of Slovakia.

The entry of Slovakia into Czechoslovakia had a number of positive factors. Education was introduced in the Slovak language, in 1919 the Comenius University in Bratislava was established, in 1922 compulsory 8-year education was introduced, an 8-hour working day, Slovak political parties and cultural institutions like the Slovak Matica, the Slovak Radio was founded in 1926, citizens over the age of 18 were given the opportunity to vote, and so on. However, the entry also had a number negative factors. Thus, many enterprises in Slovakia could not compete with Czech enterprises, and in Slovakia, especially in the east, unemployment increased, which caused mass emigration to the USA and Canada (until 1937, 104 thousand people emigrated), the promised autonomy was not granted, and the concept of Czechoslovakism, which claimed that Czechs and Slovaks are one people, and their languages ​​are only dialects of the "Czechoslovak language". This strengthened the positions of the nationalist parties, in particular the Glinka People's Party.

On September 28, 1938, the Munich Agreement of 1938 was signed in Munich, on October 6, 1938, Slovak politicians in Zilina proclaimed the autonomy of Slovakia within Czechoslovakia. The Czechoslovak government was forced to approve this and appointed Josef Tiso as prime minister of the autonomous government. On November 2, 1938, as a result of the Vienna Arbitration, Hungary and the Third Reich torn away its southern part from Slovakia. On March 13, 1939, Hitler, at a meeting with Tiso, suggested that he declare the independence of Slovakia, otherwise Slovakia would have been divided between Poland and Hungary. On March 14, 1939, the First Slovak Republic was proclaimed, and the next day German troops occupied the Czech Republic, Moravia and Czech Silesia.

The First Slovak Republic was a puppet state that was completely dependent on Germany. This fact caused dissatisfaction among the Slovaks; on the eastern front, many Slovak soldiers went over to the Soviet side. So on November 30, 1943, 2,000 soldiers crossed over to the Soviet side near Melitopol. When the Red Army approached the borders of Slovakia in 1944, the Slovak National Uprising broke out, which ended unsuccessfully. On September 21, 1944, the Red Army crossed the border of Slovakia at Medzilaborets. On January 19, 1945, Bratislava was liberated - the First Slovak Republic fell and Slovakia again became part of the Czech Republic.

In 1946, the first elections were held. In Slovakia, they were won by the Democratic Party, followed by the Communist Party. In February 1948, a political crisis erupted, the democratic ministers resigned, President Benes, under pressure from the communist demonstrations, created a government dominated by the communists. On May 9, 1948, a constitution was adopted and after the death of Benes, Klement Gottwald became president, under which Czechoslovakia became a socialist state.

On January 1, 1969, after the law on federalization, Slovakia became a federal republic within Czechoslovakia, which was called the Slovak Socialist Republic.

In 1989, the communist regime fell (see Velvet Revolution), nevertheless, contradictions between the Czech Republic and Slovakia grew in the Czechoslovakia. In the summer of 1992, the leaders of the republics agreed to divide the country.

Many parks also have ski resorts. One of the most beautiful local national parks are considered the High Tatras, the main territory of which is covered coniferous forests and numerous lakes. Several climatic resorts operate on the territory of the park and the tourist infrastructure is well developed.

A popular holiday destination in Slovakia is combining it with medical procedures in spas and rest houses based on the site of thermal and mineral springs. There are more than 1000 such springs and more than 20 specialized spas in Slovakia. Popular medical resorts: Piestany, Smrdaky, Dudince, Rajecke Teplice, Bardeevskiye Kupels .

Slovakia is surrounded by the Western Carpathians, the most high point countries - the peak of Gerlachowski-Shtit reaches a height of 2655 meters. Those who love mountains and outdoor activities should come to the Podbanskie ski resorts, Tatranska Lomnica, Smokovec , Strbske Pleso , Jasna , Ružomberok and Donovaly . If you are interested in 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 Valley complex is also equipped for snowboarders, where there are all conditions for freeriding. There are also snowboard trails in the Tatranska Lomnica ski resort.

Thrill-seekers will find something to their liking in Slovakia. A bunch of mountain rivers allows you to go rafting. The most violent and complex river for rafting - Bela, and beginners are advised to first overcome the easy descent along the Orava. You can also go rafting when visiting the Pieniny National Park. An equally extreme activity for tourists is the descent into the caves, of which there are about 4000 in Slovakia. Only 12 of them are open to the public, and Dobshinska, Okhtinska, Jasovska, Gombasetska 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, Strkovetskoe and Senecki.

How to get there

by plane

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

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Weather in Slovakia

The climate of Slovakia is continental, which means that the winters here are quite cold and snowy, and the summers are warm and humid. average temperature January is -1 ° C in the capital of Slovakia, and + 21 ° C in July. At any time of the year, tourists will be comfortable here - both in winter at ski resorts and in summer, seeing the many sights of this country. Although 80% of Slovakia is located at an altitude of 750 meters above sea level, south of the Carpathians are fertile valleys and the Middle Danube Plain, 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.

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Cities and regions

Regions of Slovakia

Slovakia is made up of 8 regions, which are named according to their names. administrative centers(in parentheses - the number on the map on the right): Bratislava (1), Presov (7), Kosice (8), Trencin (3), Banskobystrica (6), Trnava (2), Nitrans (4) and Zhilinsky (5).

The region of Banska Bystrica borders Hungary. In these territories there are both mountains (Tatras) and a plain (southern part). Banska Bystrica is known for its picturesque landscapes, because it is here that 3 national parks and many nature reserves are located.

The Bratislava region is the smallest in area compared to the others 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 immediately with 3 states: the Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary.

The region of Kosice shares borders with Hungary and Ukraine. There are many fertile lands, so viticulture is developed and excellent wine is produced. Also, Koshchitsa has developed industrial production, transport infrastructure and has its own airport.

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

The Prešov region is bordered by Ukraine and Poland. This is a mountainous region, in the west of which the High Tatras National Park is located. Poprad has an international airport, and 40 km from Presov - Kosice Airport, so it is very convenient for tourists to get to this region.

Having been in Slovakia, it is worth not only to walk along the streets of the Old Town of Bratislava, but also to 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. An interesting tourist route is the mining town of Banska Stiavnica, the picturesque rural settlement of Vlkolinec with folk architecture, the Gothic town of Bardejov with a preserved fortification system and, of course, numerous ancient castles.

Orava Castle picturesquely rises on a rock and consists of several buildings "attached" to it. And local legends tell that the castle in Bojnice is haunted. Of the fortresses, one of the largest in Europe can be noted - Spissky Castle, which is under the protection of UNESCO. Trencian fortress includes the Barbora Palace and the Cannon Tower, this area hosts exhibitions of cold and firearms, which was produced from the XIII century to the present day. In addition, the ruins of the ancient Slovak fortresses Chahtice, Empty and fortresses in Zagoria are of interest.

Wooden churches in Slovakia

In Slovakia, many wooden churches have been preserved, whose history spans several centuries. These are unique buildings built by folk craftsmen. The most ancient are Gothic Catholic churches made of wood in settlements Gervatov and Tvrdoshin. Evangelical (articular) churches are also represented in Slovakia, which can be seen in the settlements of Svyaty Krizh, Kežmarok, Leshtyn and Gronsek. These churches were erected under Emperor Leopold I c. XVII century. The third type of Slovak churches are Orthodox, which were built in the 18th century. They are located in the settlements of Ladomirov and Bodruzhali. The iconostases in these temples are decorated in the Rococo and Baroque styles. You can also see unique Carpathian icons here. The wooden churches of the Carpathian arc in 2008 became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which indicates their uniqueness and significance in the religious history of Slovakia.

Sights of Slovakia outside Bratislava

Churches in Slovakia

Castles of Slovakia

Where to go in Slovakia

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Transport

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Movement 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 flights. In the suburbs of Bratislava, there is an airport named after. Stefanik. There are also airports in the cities of Poprad, Kosice and Sliach. And movement on domestic flights is provided by small airports in Piešťany and Prievidza. For example, flights Bratislava-Kosice are operated 3 times a day, and their cost starts from 50 euros. For businessmen and busy people best option movement around the country.

Railway transport

Since Slovakia is quite a "compact" country, most local residents and tourists prefer to travel by rail - since it has an extensive network throughout the country. In addition, the local railway offers passengers a high quality of service and a 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, while the fastest trains are called InterCity. Express trains from the Slovak capital go to Trencin (distance 123 km and less than 2 hours), to Zilina (distance 203 km and 3 hours), to Poprad (334 km the train overcomes in 5 hours), to Spisska Nova -Ves (distance 370 km and 5.5 hours drive), to Kosice (distance 445 km and 5.5 hours drive). If a train ride across the country costs an average of 3-15 euros, then for a train ride over shorter distances you will have to pay only 0.5-1 euros. If you want to ride the 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. It is especially convenient for tourists that railway stations in large cities they are equipped with scoreboards in Slovak and English. Website where you can find train schedules and book a ticket:.

Bus

The bus service is developed no less well than the railway. The only disadvantage of bus trips is that they are more expensive than traveling by train. But you can always save money if you travel on weekends, when there is a discount for all types of transport in Slovakia. There are several types of buses in this country: express (goes long distances abroad), local bus in Slovakia and urban transport. On international routes, you can get to Lod.sk.

Urban transport

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

Automobile

To rent a car in this country, a foreigner must have an international driver's license and passports. You may also be asked for a credit card as a deposit. The amount of car rental on weekends and holidays is usually more expensive. You will also have to pay a certain amount for car insurance against theft or accidents. Please note that the speed limit is 60 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h outside, and up to 130 km/h on some motorways. Be sure to buckle up while driving and do not drink alcohol, because even a sip of beer can be grounds for local services to fine you. Parking in cities is allowed in parking lots, and you need to buy a parking ticket in advance by attaching it to the car window. Coupons are sold at special vending machines, newsstands or from a parking attendant.

Cuisine of Slovakia

The national cuisine of 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 Segedi goulash. Not less than delicious meals are cheese dumplings, potato dumplings and rustic sheep's cheese. Local wines are no worse than the famous French or Spanish ones, their quality is on top, and the price is quite 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 "Fujara" and wooden jugs. If you are interested in folk crafts as souvenirs, buy them in a single network ULUV, whose shops are in every city. You can read about shopping in Bratislava separately.

Safety

Slovakia is quite prosperous European country and the crime rate is relatively low. Moreover, both day and night the police patrol the street. If, nevertheless, force majeure happens to you in Slovakia, you can call the emergency number (112) or contact the police station. And the best way to protect yourself from theft in this country is to follow basic security measures, that is, to be careful in in public places(in transport, on excursions, in shops, in markets) and do not keep money in external pockets.

If you leave the car, do not leave valuables in sight. To avoid such an unpleasant incident as the loss of your passport or other important documents abroad, make copies of them and write down the credit card numbers before the trip, and keep the valuables that you took with you on the trip only in the hotel safe.

Only citizens of the European Union can receive free medical care in Slovakia, so Russians will have to pay for medical services. If you take out insurance in advance, you can be reimbursed for part of the money spent, provided that you keep checks, receipts and other proof of the money spent on treatment. Pharmacies in this country are called Lekaren and usually work from 8 to 18 hours, and in big cities you can also find pharmacies that work around the clock.