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

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

Slovakia is located 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.

Capital	Bratislava
Population	5 405 338 people
Population density	110 people/km²
	Slovak
Religion	Catholicism
Form of government	parliamentary republic
Timezone	UTC+1 (summer UTC+2)
International dialing code
Internet domain zone
Electricity

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. In December, the winter tourist season begins, 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 recent years, cases of spring-summer hurricane winds have become more frequent, 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 enchanting mountain ranges, variegated alpine meadows, mysterious caves, rushing 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 forests of the northern slopes of the 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.

sights

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. Trencin hosts a number of important cultural events every year, such as the 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, the 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 brewing centers, but the oldest brewery is located in 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 Aromatiko.

Among the strong alcoholic drinks of Slovakia, one should first of all highlight 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 °).

Residence

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 agrotourism. 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 don’t 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 of outdoor activity 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 the Lomnicki Peak on a 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 in 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), it has regular flights 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 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. Large fines are provided for violation of traffic rules in the country, for example, for drunk driving 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 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.

The property

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 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 excursion to 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 it is strictly forbidden to set up a campsite on your own.

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.

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 are becoming more common in Slovakia, although it is better not to rely on them outside of large cities. Slovak ATMs are usually connected to the international payment systems MasterCard, VISA, Plus, Maestro, Cirrus.

Slovakia map

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 both in large cities and in rural areas.

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 hostels, which are open to tourists during the 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 of different levels of service. Here you will be offered a comfortable stay, home comfort and excellent food.

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

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

In recent years, agritourism has become increasingly popular, which involves accommodation in historic manors, mills or farms.

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, is its natural wealth. 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 waters in Slovakia are 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.

The content of the article

SLOVAKIA, Slovak Republic, a state in Central Europe, formed on January 1, 1993 after the collapse of the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic (CSFR). From 1918 to 1992 inclusive - an integral part of Czechoslovakia; until 1918 - for almost nine centuries - part of Hungary. The area of ​​the country is 49,035 sq. km, population - 5.34 million people (1995). It borders on Poland in the north, Ukraine in the east, Hungary in the south, and Austria and the Czech Republic in the west. The capital is the city of Bratislava. see also CZECHOSLOVAKIA.

ECONOMY

Since 1990, Slovakia, which was part of the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic, began the transition from a centrally planned economic system to a market economy.

Between 1990 and 1992, 9,500 small businesses were auctioned, mostly retail and service industries. By early 1993 there were approx. 16,000 private enterprises, of which approximately 2,000 were joint stock companies and 800 foreign-owned. The privatization of large and medium-sized state-owned enterprises in 1993 was carried out by issuing and selling vouchers.

In 1991, there was a slowdown in the economic development of the Slovak economy as a result of a sharp decrease in foreign trade, the transition to market relations and the almost complete absence of foreign investment. In 1992, the value of the gross domestic product (GDP) of Slovakia fell by 30%, and by 1993 the unemployment rate exceeded 10%. Both agriculture and industry were affected. Agriculture has suffered significant losses due to high costs and a decrease in demand for food products associated with rising retail prices and a decrease in household incomes, as well as the cessation of government subsidies. In industry, the decline in output was especially large in the manufacturing industries.

A very serious problem for the Slovak economy was the conversion of the military industry. 35 machine-building enterprises, which were engaged in the production of military equipment for the Warsaw Pact countries, found themselves in a difficult situation. Since 1993, after the collapse of the CSFR, Slovakia continued the process of reforming the economy, revising the reform scenario in the direction of strengthening social support and state regulation.

In 1993, GDP amounted to 367.3 billion kroons, in 1994 - 385.0, in 1995 - 414.7 billion kroons. In terms of growth rates, the country was among the leaders of the transitional economies of the countries of Central Europe, and in terms of the depth of economic reforms, it came out - in terms of the sum of points scored in the assessment of the adopted market measures - to fourth place after Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic. In 1996, the country achieved high rates of GDP growth (6.9%), a further increase in production in industry (2.5%), construction (3.7%), and agriculture (2.3%). There was a decrease in inflation (up to 5.9%), unemployment decreased slightly (up to 12.6%). The share of the private sector in the creation of GDP has noticeably increased (76% against 63% in 1995). The main source of economic growth was an increase in domestic consumption: with a decrease in the share of exports in GDP to 57.5%, the share of imports, on the contrary, increased reaching 68.1%.

Positive macroeconomic results, which have been expressed for several years already by GDP growth, have not led to a noticeable increase in the living standards of the majority of the country's population.

Foreign trade and investment.

In 1989, 67% of Slovakia's exports went to the USSR and other Eastern European countries, and 27% to the European Union and other Western European countries. In the same year, 50% of all imports came from Eastern Europe and 32% from Western Europe. By 1993 the picture had changed: 53% of Slovakia's exports went to Western Europe and 35% to Eastern Europe, while 46% of all imports came from Western Europe and 42% from Eastern Europe. The main items of Slovak exports are semi-finished products for the manufacturing industry, machinery and products of the chemical industry. The main import items are cars and various types of fuel.

Foreign investment since 1990 has been less than might have been expected. By 1993 they had reached only 234 million dollars. The main investors are Germany, Austria and the USA. Already in 1996, there was a noticeable deterioration in the state of affairs in the financial-budgetary sphere and in the field of foreign trade. The state budget deficit in Slovakia increased to 4.4% of GDP (against 1.6% in 1995). The volume of mutual non-payments in the economic sphere, which in 1995 decreased by 32% compared with the previous year, increased by 16 billion kroons in 1996 and reached 102 billion kroons.

If in 1995 the trade balance was reduced to a small surplus (1.79 billion kroons), then in 1996, in the conditions of a predominant increase in imports, a trade deficit of 64.5 billion kroons, huge for the country, arose. To limit the growth of the negative balance of trade and balance of payments, the Slovak government in July 1997 introduced a 7% import surcharge, covering more than 75% of all imported goods, and also took a number of other measures to reduce imports. In 1997, exports increased by 9.9%, while imports only by 4.5%.

In 1996, Slovakia's foreign debt increased from 5.8 to 7.8 billion dollars, and by the end of 1997 amounted to about 10.27 billion dollars; its growth trend did not stop in 1999. At the same time, its main part was the debt of enterprises and commercial banks.

Monetary system.

The monetary unit is the freely convertible Slovak krone. Inflation during this period ranged from 10 to 15% per year. By 1993, Slovakia's external debt amounted to $3.3 billion. In 1997, inflation in the country, despite the slowdown in imports and the increase in some regulated prices, amounted to only 6.5-6.7%, slightly exceeding the figure of the previous year (5.8% ).

In 1996, the country's foreign exchange reserves grew, but their growth was significantly lower than the growth of Slovakia's external debt, which increased by $2 billion and reached $7.2 billion by the end of 1996 (of which the public debt was $1.7 billion). .). At the same time, Slovakia in terms of external debt per capita ($1,360) differs markedly from other Central European countries (for the Czech Republic, this figure is $2,300, for Hungary - $3,000).

STORY

The history of Slovakia is divided into four major periods: the period preceding the Hungarian conquest in the 10th century; the era of Hungarian rule until 1918; the Czechoslovak period (1918–1992) and the period of the independent Slovak Republic (since January 1, 1993). The ancestors of modern Slovaks inhabited the southern slopes of the Carpathians from about the 5th century BC. In the 9th century The Great Moravian State was created, which included both the Slovaks and their neighbors - the Czechs. Apostles of the Slavs Cyril and Methodius in the 9th century. converted the Slovaks to Christianity. At the beginning of the 10th c. during the invasion of the Hungarians, the Great Moravian state was destroyed. Slovakia, separated from the Czech and Moravian lands, came under the rule of the Hungarians.

Hungarian rule.

The country conquered by Hungary was populated mainly by peasants. Hungary behaved towards the Slovaks as a conquered people. In the 13th century The territory of Slovakia was subjected to a devastating invasion of the Mongols who invaded Hungary. Later, with the advent of immigrants (mainly from Germany), the economic development of the Slovak lands began. Cities grew, a class of Slovak burghers appeared. In the 13th-14th centuries. ties between Slovaks and Czechs were restored. The Hussite movement in the Czech Republic also affected Slovakia.

The result of the victory of the Turks near Mohacs in 1526 was the division of the Kingdom of Hungary into three regions: the central one under the rule of the Turks, Transylvania under the rule of local princes, and the so-called. Royal Hungary under the rule of the Habsburgs; The latter also included Slovakia. Slovakia occupied a central position in the Kingdom of Hungary, and Bratislava was the capital of the Habsburgs until the final expulsion of the Turks and the liberation of all of Hungary at the end of the 17th century. Protestantism spread in the region, but under the Habsburgs, the forces of the Catholic Counter-Reformation became more active.

The period of enlightened absolutism under Emperor Joseph II (reigned 1765-1790) was of particular importance for the development of Slovakia. Although social reforms and religious tolerance had a favorable effect on Slovakia, the introduction of the German language in Hungary caused resentment among the local population, which in turn affected the Slovaks. The growth of Hungarian national consciousness contributed to the Slovak national revival; a similar movement took place among the Czechs. Slovak writers such as Jan Kollar and Josef Šafárik played an equally important role in both the Czech and Slovak revivals. Both wrote in classical Czech. Some writers began to use the Slovak dialect as a literary language. This was a reaction to the policy of Hungary, which in 1836 declared only the Hungarian language as an official language. In 1845, the Slovak writer and patriot Ludovit Štúr began publishing the first periodical in the Slovak language, the Slovak National Newspaper.

The patriotic upsurge and spread of revolutionary ideas in Hungary continued to have a stimulating effect on the Slovak patriotic movement. During the revolution of 1848, the program "Demands of the Slovak People" was developed - the first expression of the political demands of the Slovaks. The program called for the use of the Slovak language in schools, courts, local governments, as well as the election of the Slovak parliament on the basis of universal suffrage. This led to the confrontation between the Slovaks and the Hungarians; some Slovak revolutionaries moved to Prague. The defeat of the Hungarian revolution and the victory of the Austrian reaction did not improve the position of the Slovaks. In 1861, the "Memorandum of the Slovak Nation" was adopted, which contained the demand for local autonomy. The cultural and educational society "Matica Slovak" was founded.

The creation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (1867) increased the dependence of the Slovaks on Budapest. The Hungarians, inspired by the idea of ​​uniting their part of the empire, pursued the Magyarization policy with great zeal. The Slovak Matica and Slovak higher educational institutions were closed, the Slovak language was allowed only in primary schools. Political discrimination against Slovaks continued, Slovak deputies were extremely rarely elected to the Hungarian parliament. There were no mechanisms for the formation of the Slovak elite; the role of political leader was often assumed by the clergy. On the eve of the First World War, Slovak patriots worked closely with other peoples of the Austro-Hungarian Empire; it was at this time that the idea of ​​​​creating a Czechoslovak state began to take shape.

During World War I, Czechs and Slovaks demanded a unified state. Slovak general Milan Stefanik, along with Czech leaders Tomas Masaryk and Eduard Beneš, spent the war years in the West seeking support from France and Britain. In Slovakia itself, the priest Andrei Glinka and Vavro Shrobar called for the creation of a new country; Milan Goggia became the spokesman for Czechoslovak and Slovak interests in Vienna. As soon as the independence movement gained momentum within Slovakia and abroad, the Slovaks in the United States took the initiative to sign an agreement with the Czechs, containing plans for the creation of a Czechoslovak state. The Pittsburgh Declaration of May 30, 1918, signed in the presence of Masaryk, did not have the status of an official document; it said that Slovakia should become an autonomous part of the new state with its own parliament, administration, judiciary, it was supposed to use the Slovak language as the official language.

Education in Czechoslovakia.

On October 28, 1918, the Czech National Council proclaimed the independence of Czechoslovakia in Prague, and on October 30, the Slovak National Council in Turchansky Sveti Martin (modern Martin) announced the separation of Slovakia from Hungary and the creation of the Czechoslovak state (the so-called Martin Declaration). The joint state was recreated on the basis of the unification of the two peoples after ten centuries of separation, but the question of a clear relationship between them remained open. In the constitutional debate, the centralist tendency won the victory, gaining the support of the majority of Czechs. Czechoslovakia was proclaimed a single and indivisible republic. The idea of ​​a single nation using a common language found support both in Prague and among part of the Slovak population. And yet, the centralist nature of the new republic did not suit many citizens of Slovakia, primarily supporters of the People's Party of Glinka, as well as Josef Tiso, who demanded complete autonomy for this part of the country and received 32% of the votes of the Slovaks in the elections of 1925. Some of the votes in Slovakia received also more moderate parties opposed to autonomy. Catholics played a leading role in more extremist movements.

As a result, the Slovak question became the central problem of the new state, and the antagonism and tension between Czechs and Slovaks often overshadowed the real achievements in the development of Slovakia. Some of its more moderate leaders held high positions in the Czechoslovak government.

In 1938, after the Munich Agreement, many Slovaks from among the extremist wing of the autonomists came forward with demands for complete separation from the Czechoslovak state. As a result of this agreement, the line for the dismemberment of Czechoslovakia prevailed; Hungary and Poland annexed parts of the territory of Slovakia. When Hitler captured Prague in March 1939, the German and Slovak Nazis created a separate Slovak state. His government was a Nazi dictatorship led by President Tiso. Later, Slovak troops were sent to the Soviet-German front to demonstrate support for the German invasion of the USSR.

During the war years, some Slovak leaders (Stefan Osuski, Juraj Slavik, and others) collaborated with the emigrant government of Czechoslovakia, headed by Beneš; a group of Slovak communists, who did not have much influence in Slovakia, launched an active activity in Moscow. In December 1943, the Slovak National Council was created, which became the head of the underground resistance movement, in which communist and non-communist forces participated. The Council opposed the Tiso regime, recognized the need to restore Czechoslovakia on the basis of an equal partnership between Czechs and Slovaks, and began preparing an armed uprising. It began in August 1944 in the region of Banska Bystrica under the leadership of communist partisans. Despite the help provided by the Soviet offensive from Poland, the Slovak partisans were routed by the superior German forces.

At the end of the war, the Slovak National Council took control of all of Slovakia. Using the slogans of Slovak nationalism, the communists tried to retain power, but in the 1946 elections, non-communist parties won 63% of the seats in the council. Then the communists changed their tactics, relying not on persuasion, but on violence; mass arrests began in the country. After the seizure of power by the communists in 1948, Slovakia for the first time received broad autonomy, which was subsequently curtailed in many respects. The sovereignty of Slovakia became one of the main goals of the liberation movement of 1968 in Czechoslovakia. Despite the August 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia by the armed forces of the Warsaw Pact countries, on October 30, 1968, a constitutional law was adopted establishing a federal state in Czechoslovakia. The new law, which entered into force on January 1, 1969, granted broad powers to the Czech and Slovak regional administrations, established a bicameral national assembly, in one of the chambers of which Czechs and Slovaks had equal representation.

Demonstrations in November 1989 ended communist rule. In the Czech Republic, the Civil Forum (GF) movement emerged, and in Slovakia, the Public Against Violence (OPN) movement. The country received a new name - the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic. In the 1990 elections, the OPN and the Christian Democratic Movement (CDM) won the largest number of votes.

On the way to independence.

At the end of 1990, the federal parliament granted Slovakia the right to manage its own budget without resolving the issue of guarantees of its sovereignty. In 1991, federal, Czech and Slovak government circles held a series of meetings that discussed the issues of granting autonomy to Slovakia, but no agreement was reached. The OPN movement split, in particular on the issue of separatism, and in the 1992 elections a new organization of patriotic forces - the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (DZDS, founded in 1991) - won a majority of seats in the Slovak legislature. In June 1992, the leaders of the federal, Czech and Slovak governments came to an agreement on the peaceful division of Czechoslovakia. On January 1, 1993, two independent states emerged: the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic.

SLOVAK REPUBLIC AFTER 1993

After the formation of Slovakia as a sovereign political entity, the development of its political system was characterized by processes of regrouping and polarization of forces. The initial period of the political history of the Slovak Republic is associated with the name of Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar. During his first term as prime minister (January 1993 - March 1994), Mečiar advocated gradual privatization. In addition, holding twice the post of prime minister, as well as important economic posts in the government, Meciar had a great influence on foreign policy, which led to an aggravation of relations with Hungary. Josef Moravcik, who was previously Minister of Foreign Affairs in Meciar's government, made accusations against him and in early March 1994 Meciar did not receive support in the Slovak National Council when discussing the issue of a vote of confidence.

On March 16, Moravcsik was elected head of the interim coalition government, which included representatives of the following opposition parties: the Democratic Union (DU), the Party of the Left Democrats (PLD), the Christian Democratic Movement (HDD) and the National Democratic Party (NDP). However, the victory of Meciar's opponents turned out to be short-lived: the opposition did not have enough time to create a real alternative to Meciar. In September 1994, early parliamentary elections were scheduled.

The first national elections in Slovakia after its independence were held on September 30 - October 1, 1994. 18 parties and movements and 76% of all registered voters took part in them. The Movement for Democratic Slovakia by V. Meciar received the majority of votes. The Common Choice Bloc (PLD, the Social Democratic Party of Slovakia, the Green Party, the Agrarian Movement) received 10.41% of the vote (18 mandates), the Hungarian Coalition (Hungarian Christian Democratic Movement, the Coexistence Movement and the Hungarian Civic Party) - 10.18% (17 mandates), CDM - 10.08% (17 mandates), Democratic Union - 8.57% (15 mandates), Slovak Workers' Association - 7.34% (13 mandates), Slovak National Party - 5.4% (9 mandates).

The CPDS traces its origins to the Public Against Violence (OPN) movement that emerged after the Velvet Revolution. Meciar was one of the founders of the OPN and served as Minister of the Interior in the Slovak government in January-June 1990. During the debate about the future of Czechoslovakia in March 1991, Meciar suffered his first political defeat and was forced to resign as Prime Minister of Slovakia because he was accused of damaging Czech–Slovak relations with his position of complete autonomy for Slovakia. Meciar left the ranks of the OPN and organized the DZDS.

Meciar remained in power from 1994 until 1998. During this time, he became involved in a protracted struggle with President Michal Kovac, his former FZDS associate and presidential rival. On September 25–26, 1998, parliamentary elections were held in the country, in which 17 parties took part. In the struggle for power, Meciar was opposed by the opposition - the Slovak Democratic Coalition (SDC), which united five parties, including Christian conservatives, the Green Party and the Socialists; it was headed by Mikulas Dzurinda. KFOR received approx. 23% of the votes, and the parties that were in opposition to Meciar won about two-thirds of the seats in the national assembly (93 out of 150).

In addition, the Civil Accord Party (PGS), led by Rudolf Schuster, was represented in the national assembly; the centre-right Christian Democratic Party (CDA); Party of the Left Democrats (PLD), the successor of the Communist Party of Slovakia led by Josef Migas, which received 15% of the vote in the elections; the three-party Coalition of Hungarian Parties (KVP). Although the DZDS, led by Meciar, achieved the support of 27% of the votes, i.e. more than any other party, it has lost almost a quarter of its former electorate. DZDS's coalition partner, the Slovak Workers' Party (SWP), won only 1% of the vote, short of the 5% barrier required for parliamentary representation. The Slovak National Party (SNP), another member of the DZDS coalition, received 9% of the vote. Having received 57 seats in the national assembly (together with the SNP), Meciar was not re-elected to the post of prime minister.

In the spring of 1999, the political crisis in Slovakia was resolved due to the absence (from March 2, 1998) of the country's president: Michal Kovacs, elected by the parliamentary majority in 1993, came into conflict with the country's prime minister V. Meciar, left his post. Having been defeated in the parliamentary elections in September 1998, Meciar announced his retirement from the political scene, but after the Slovak parliament in January 1999 decided to hold direct popular presidential elections, he put forward his candidacy. Its support was the parliamentary opposition, mainly the DZDS, which received the largest number of votes (about 500,000 out of 3 million voters). The opponent was the mayor of Kosice, 65-year-old Rudolf Schuster, former chairman of the Slovak parliament in Czechoslovakia, a member of the central committee of the Communist Party of Slovakia. Shuster, the candidate of the government coalition, received in the second round of elections (May 30, 1999) 57% of the vote, while Meciar - 32%. The presidential elections strengthened the positions of the parliamentary majority, and also strengthened the country's pro-Western course in foreign policy: it was declared that it wanted to join NATO as quickly as possible (in the spring and summer of 1999, the government supported NATO during the military operation against Yugoslavia, providing airfields and transport communications to the countries of the West and refusing to provide air corridors for Russian aircraft) and to the European Union (tightening the monetary policy and curtailing trade ties with Russia and neighboring countries).

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 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.

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 the north of Slovakia is mild, with an average temperature of +25C.

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. 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.

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.

Office Hours

Slovakia is a long and narrow strip that stretches from the fertile plains of the Danube basin to the mountain peaks of the High Tatras, an amazingly beautiful mountain range. These mountain ranges have long hindered the processes of industrialization and modernization, and therefore Slovakia is more like a countryside and has retained its original freshness (sometimes obscenely).

Until 1918, today's Slovakia was called Upper Hungary and was under the rule of the Magyars for almost a millennium, and Bratislava was even the Hungarian capital when it captured the rest of the country. But in 1918, the Slovaks, together with their Slavic neighbors the Czechs, formed a single state - Czechoslovakia, which lasted for 75 years until the "velvet revolution" of 1993. In 2004 Slovakia joined the EU. The republic has a very heterogeneous population: over half a million ethnic Hungarians live in the south of the country, along with thousands of gypsies, leading a rather miserable existence, and several thousand Rusyns in the east.

Bratislava, the capital of the country, has had a lot of bad reviews in the past, but this small old town has been well restored over the past decade and looks very attractive now. Poprad is the transport hub of the High Tatras, the most spectacular mountain range in Slovakia, where tourist routes begin through the interesting medieval towns of the Spis region in the eastern part of the country. Even further east is the cultural center of the Ruthenians, and the second largest Slovak city boasts a beautiful Gothic cathedral, a multi-ethnic population and is strikingly different from many other places in the country.

Transport and accommodation in Slovakia

Two-thirds of the country's railways are single-track, so traffic is slow here, but some trips are worth taking to admire the local scenery. Slovak railways (Zeleznice Slovenskej republiky) run fast trains (rychlik) with stops in major cities, while local trains (osobny vlak) stop everywhere. For trips within the country, tickets (listok) can be bought at the station (stanica) the day before or on the day of departure. For Euro City trains, sometimes for Intercity and Expres trains you will have to pay extra.

ZSR trains have sleeping cars (luzkovy vozen) and sleeping places (lezadlovy vozen) at reasonable prices, which must be booked no later than six hours before departure. Inter Rail cards are valid in the country, surcharges are required for Eurail cards. Bus (autobus) service is faster and covers a larger area. In most cities, railway stations and bus stations are located nearby. The state bus company is Slovenska automobilova doprava, or SAD. Usually a ticket is bought from the driver, since the box office is often closed. Tickets must be booked in advance for weekends and early flights.

• Accommodation in Slovakia

In all cases, it is a good idea to book accommodation as early as possible. Some hotels double their rates for foreigners, but mostly a simple room for 10 euros is easy to find everywhere except Bratislava. Old state hotels and resort complexes at the springs are being slowly restored (the rooms there are usually small and expensive). At the same time, new hotels and guesthouses are opening - especially in well-known tourist areas - and often very good ones. A good option is private housing in many places, for this you need to look for the inscription Zimmer frei. Prices here start at 8 euros per day.

There are no real network hostels here, although some belong to the HI system or work as part of the student travel agency SCM. There are several private hostels in Bratislava with different levels of comfort. Everywhere, local travel agencies or SCM branches provide information about cheap student accommodation in university cities in July and August. In the High Tatras, in addition to housing in panel houses on the waters, you can find several houses (chalets or chata) scattered on the slopes of the mountains. Some of them are hotels with a bed price of about 15 euros, and much less in establishments that are simpler and more secluded. There are many campsites with simple bungalows, where prices start at 8 euros per bed.

Food and drink in Slovakia

Slovak cuisine is quite hearty, and Hungarian, Polish and Ukrainian influences can be traced in different regions of the country. In the mornings in stand-up canteens (bufet) they usually eat parek - a hot cutlet with mustard and horseradish in a white bun. The national dish is bryndzove halusky, or dumplings with sheep's cheese and bacon, fried in breadcrumbs, which also has a Hungarian trace. Goulash is very popular (though in a softer and not as thick and spicy form as in) and langose ​​- fried dumplings with different fillings. The menu for the most part begins with soup (polievka), which is eaten both during the day and in the evening. The main dishes are based on pork or beef, usually there are trout and carp, you can taste carp or catfish, and if you're lucky, enjoy lamb.

Most main courses are served with potatoes (zemiaky), but fresh salads and vegetables are still rare in local restaurants. In addition to cakes (palacinky) with chocolate, fruit and cream, Slovak desserts invariably include apple strudel, homemade cheese pie and ice cream. More and more restaurants offer international cuisine from fast food establishments and pizzerias. Their opening hours are also extended, in remote regions these points close at 21.00 or 22.00, in larger settlements, restaurants open until 23.00 and later. Coffee (kava) is drunk here black, and in big cities - espresso, although sometimes in towns and villages they simply dilute ground coffee with boiling water (although they call it “Turkish”, turecka).

Confectioneries (cukraren) play an important role in social life, especially on Sunday afternoons when they are open. Regardless of the season, Slovaks eat a daily serving of ice cream (zmrzlina). The vineyards of the southern part of Slovakia produce good white wines that are not inferior to Hungarian and Austrian ones. The most popular local drink is slivovitz, or plum vodka, which is ubiquitous. Having lived for almost seventy years side by side with the Czechs, the Slovaks are accustomed to draft beer, but still there are fewer pubs (pivnica) than in. Slovaks visit more restaurants or wine bars (vinaren), often open until late, like nightclubs.

Iconic sights of Slovakia

one). – The small Slovak capital is a beautiful, well-restored old town, full of baroque palaces, shady squares and lively street cafes;

2). - These peaks - the most beautiful mountains in Slovakia - rise above the Poprad plain;

3). – Attractive medieval town, surrounded by a wall and originally inhabited by the Saxons;

4). Spissky Castle- A large medieval castle in the east of the country impresses with its ruins on top of a mountain.

In contact with