Slovakia map in Russian. Capital of Slovakia, flag, history of the country. Detailed map of Slovakia with cities and roads. Where is Slovakia located? Where is Slovakia in which country

Natural conditions

Bratislava is located in the west of the Danube lowland. The Small Carpathian Mountains begin to the north of the capital. The city is located on the left bank of the Danube River near the confluence of the Morava River. Bratislava is surrounded by forests. A temperate continental climate prevails here. The seasons are pronounced. In winter, it is usually dry, the temperature is kept within + 2 ° С; in summer it is humid and warm - on average + 21 ° C. About 500 mm of cages fall annually.

A feature of the geographical position of the capital in relation to the entire country is its border location. Usually the main city of a country is located in the center of the territory occupied by the state. With Bratislava, the situation is different: the opposite bank of the Danube belongs to Austria.

Population, language, religion

The bulk of the capital's inhabitants are Slovaks (85%); there are many Hungarians (10%) and Czechs. In total, 450 thousand people live in the city.

The official language in the state is Slovak, the beginning of the formation of which dates back to the 40s of the 19th century. Latin is used for writing. Hungarian is often found, as well as Russian, Czech, German, and English are widely spoken in the capital of the country.

Bratislava, as well as throughout Slovakia, is dominated by the Roman Catholic Church. About 60% of the city's inhabitants consider themselves to be Catholics. Approximately 6% of the population are followers of the Slovak Evangelical Church. However, many believers of other confessions live in the capital: those belonging to the Greek Catholic Church, Orthodox Christians and Protestants in the Augsburg spirit.

The history of development

On the site of the present Bratislava in the II-I centuries. BC e. there were Celtic villages. However, the founding of the city is traditionally considered to be the merit of Piso, the commander of the Roman emperor Tiberius (1st century AD). Obviously, the Romans rightly believed that it was here that it was necessary to build one of the strongholds of the Danube defensive line.

Unfortunately, no precise evidence of a long-term Roman presence in the area of ​​present-day Bratislava has been found. Therefore, the mention of the commander Piso as the founder of the Slovak capital leads us into the realm of legends. Apparently, under the heirs of Tiberius, the barbarians managed to push the imperial troops back to the south.

The place for the foundation of the city was chosen by the Romans very well. The Danube is a waterway connecting a number of European seams. In addition, a number of convenient land routes from Northern and Western Europe to the Balkans and the Middle East pass through the Danube lowland. Due to its favorable geographical position, which facilitated trade, the city was supposed to grow and develop rapidly, but this was prevented by the movement of huge masses of people that began soon throughout Eurasia, heading west. By the 5th century In the vicinity of Bratislava, the ancient Slavs established themselves, who a little later, at the final stage of the era of the Great Migration of Nations, created Great Moravia - one of the largest European states of the early Middle Ages. It was then that the first mention of Bratislava (IX century) appeared in written sources. It was a fortified point of a rapidly growing principality.

Great Moravia existed for several centuries. She fell under the blows of the Magyars (Hungarians). The decisive battle took place in 907 at the walls of Bratislava. The city became part of Hungary and became known as Pozsony. In the middle of the XII century. Pozsony received the status of a free royal city. At this time, the German colonization of the Danube lands, occupied by the Slavs, began. Just a century later, the influence of the Germans in the capital of Slovakia was so great that the city was renamed again and became known as Presburg. However, he continued to remain under the rule of the Hungarian crown. Throughout the Middle Ages, Bratislava was one of the largest trade and craft centers in Eastern Europe. Here was one of the permanent residences of the Hungarian king Matthias Corvin. The fate of the city was strongly influenced by the Ottoman expansion in the Balkans. In 1541 Buda, the capital of Hungary, fell. Bratislava became the throne city of the kingdom until 1784. There was also a religious center: the capital was the seat of the Hungarian archbishops.

With the collapse of the feudal system, capitalist relations developed rapidly in Bratislava. However, further progress along the path of industrial progress was hampered by the backwardness of the state structure. After the transfer of the capital of Hungary to the Buda conquered from the Ottomans, Bratislava did not completely lose its significance as an administrative center. Here until 1848 Hungarian kings were crowned and the state assembly was located.

At the end of the 18th century. the Slavic national liberation movement began in the city. It was caused by increased oppression by the Austrians and Hungarians. The processes of Germanization and Magyarization of the Slavic population in the 19th century. acquired very sharp forms. In the 1820s. in the Bratislava Lyceum there was a department of national language and literature.

One of the significant episodes of the Napoleonic Wars, at the turn of the 19th century, is also associated with Bratislava. covering almost all of Europe. In 1805, peace was concluded in Pressburg between France and Austria. The latter was unable to continue hostilities and recognized its dependence on Napoleon. After the collapse of Austria-Hungary, caused by the defeat in the First World War, on October 28, 1918, the creation of the Czechoslovak Republic was announced, uniting the lands inhabited by Czechs and Slovaks. On January 1, 1919, Bratislava became the administrative center of Slovakia within the new state.

The Second World War seriously affected the city. In 1939-1945, during the Nazi occupation, Bratislava once again received the status of the capital, this time nominally, since the invaders established a puppet state on the territory of Slovakia, which disappeared without a trace after the victory of Soviet troops over Nazi Germany.

After liberation, Czechoslovakia could not help but embark on the socialist path of development. However, this did not happen immediately, but only in 1948, when the communists won power. The Czechoslovak Socialist Republic (Czechoslovakia), which emerged on the political map of Europe on January 1, 1969, was significantly different from the state that preceded it.

It was not only a matter of the change in political course caused by the suppression of the Prague Spring. Czechoslovakia was a federal state that consisted of two republics. Bratislava received the status of the capital of the newly created Slovakia. During the socialist period of history, housing construction was widely carried out in the city. Microdistricts Ruzhinov and Petrzhalka were erected. Bratislava became an industrial center. However, the activities of the main enterprises were highly dependent on Czech partners and partners from socialist countries. This led to negative consequences in the future.

It is worth focusing on the problem of interethnic relations. Even after the end of World War II and federal reform, it was not fully resolved.

Of course, the situation in Czechoslovakia can in no way be compared with what it was during the Habsburg era, but Slovaks still felt left out. For a long time they were not recognized as a separate nation, even the existence of the Slovak language was denied. Independence within Czechoslovakia was not achieved immediately and with great difficulty. However, the most serious consequence of the latent (hidden) interethnic confrontation was the attitude towards Slovakia as a kind of appendage of the Czech Republic, providing supplies of raw materials and food. This was reflected in the fact that the standard of living of the population of Slovakia was lower in comparison with the standard of living of the Czechs.
Particularly strong dissatisfaction with the state of affairs existed in the circles of the intelligentsia. In the post-war years, Bratislava, as the largest city, was the center of the anti-Bohemian semi-underground opposition.

"Velvet Revolution" that occurred in November 1989 eventually led to the peaceful fall of the communist regime. In 1990, Czechoslovakia was first transformed into the Czechoslovak Federal Republic (CFR), then into the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic (CSFR). The changes concerned not only the name of the state, but also the principles of coexistence of the two republics in it. The more industrially developed Czech Republic, which dominated the union, tried to prevent the collapse of the federation. However, this could not be avoided. In June 1992, parliamentary elections were held in the country. The Movement for Democratic Slovakia (DZDS) won an impressive victory in Slovakia. In July, the Slovak parliament adopted the Declaration of Independence. The authorities in Prague decided not to oppose the disintegration with military force. Moreover, the federal authorities promoted the peaceful formation of two new republics - the Czech and Slovak.

On January 1, 1993, Bratislava again - perhaps the last time in its history - became the capital of an independent state.

Cultural significance

The capital of Slovakia is the largest center of not only national culture, but also the culture of those countries that for a long time included Bratislava. Fortunately, many monuments of the past have been preserved for posterity. The streets and squares of the city make an indelible impression.
The historic center of the capital is crowned by the Castle located above the Danube, a castle that has been rebuilt several times over the course of 9 centuries. The last changes in its appearance were made in the 18th century. To the north and east of the Castle is the Old Town (Stare Mesto), the name of which speaks for itself. It should be noted that Bratislava, which has repeatedly changed its name, is characterized by a similar architectural feature. Many buildings in the capital were rebuilt, acquiring new features. This is especially noticeable on the example of numerous architectural monuments Old town.

Such are, for example, the Michal's Gate crowned with a tower. Their creation dates back to the XIV century, but the building acquired its present appearance in the XVIII century. Around the same time, the facade of the Cathedral of St. Martin, erected in the XIV-XV centuries, in the late Gothic era, was changed. The monastery of the Franciscan order began to be built in the 13th century, and the process continued for nearly four hundred years. The architectural appearance of the old Town Hall (XIII-XV centuries) was changed by a courtyard with arcades (1558) and a fountain (1572).
Among the medieval Gothic eclecticism, there are also examples of compliance with the purity of style. Such is the Church of the Order of the Clarice (late 14th century), the Church of the Holy Trinity (early 18th century), the Church of Saint Alzhbeta (mid-18th century), the palace of the aristocratic dynasty of Esterhazy, the Primate's palace (as the head of the city government of Bratislava was previously called). The latter are executed in a baroque and classicist spirit.

Outside the Old Town in Bratislava, there are also quite a lot of architecturally interesting buildings, for example, buildings in the Art Nouveau style, built about a century ago.
The leading cultural and educational institutions of the country are concentrated in Bratislava. Here is the Slovak Academy of Sciences, the Comenius University, founded in 1919, the Higher Technical School, the Academy of Fine Arts, created in 1949. There are the City and National Museums. The Slovak National Gallery displays numerous canvases by old masters.

The cultural life of the city is determined by the performances of the National Theater, founded in 1919.

Information for tourists

Bratislava is a large tourist center. In addition to the cultural and historical significance of the city, one should not forget about the ski resorts. In the late 1990s. little was known about them, but now they are rapidly increasing their popularity.

There are no special customs regulations in Slovakia. The national currency is the Slovak koruna. It is not difficult to exchange freely convertible currency. There are no restrictions on its import and export. In Bratislava, widespread types of credit cards are widely used.
The price level in the capital of Slovakia is lower than in other large cities in Europe, but the level of service is quite high.

Slovakia - the most detailed information about the country with a photo. Sights, cities of Slovakia, climate, geography, population and culture.

Slovakia (Slovensko)

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

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

Useful information about Slovakia

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

Geography and nature

Slovakia is located in the east of Central Europe. From the north and north-east, its territory is surrounded by the Western Carpathians. The highest mountains in Slovakia are the High Tatras, among which the highest peak in the country is Gerlachovski Shtit (2655 m). To the south of the Carpathians there are hills and hills separated by river valleys. In the southwest, the Middle Danube lowland stretches. The largest rivers in Slovakia are the Danube, Vag, Nitra, Tisza, Morava.

Wildlife in Slovakia is quite extensive and varied. Forests cover 40% of the country's territory. The largest forests are located in mountainous areas. In the south, these are mainly deciduous forests (oak and beech) or mixed, in the north and northern slopes, coniferous forests (spruce and fir) grow. Higher in the mountains, forests are replaced by alpine meadows. The forests of Slovakia are inhabited by: deer, lynxes, wolves, bears, foxes, hares, squirrels.

Climate

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

Best time to visit

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

Story

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

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

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

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

Administrative division

Administratively, Slovakia consists of 8 regions:

• Bratislava region (Bratislavský kraj)
• Trnava region
• Trenčiansky Kraj
• Nitra region (Nitriansky kraj)
• Žilinský kraj
• Banskobystrický kraj
• Presov region (Prešovský kraj)
• Košický kraj

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

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

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

Population

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

Slovaks are more religious than Czechs, but less religious than Poles. The majority of the population (70%) is Catholic. Slovaks are hospitable, friendly and calm. However, under no circumstances should tourists call Slovaks "Czechs" and draw parallels between them. It is also best to avoid the sensitive topics of the communist past and national issues. If Slovaks invite you to lunch or dinner, it is good practice to grab a gift (wine, sweets, cake). In the house (as in ours) it is customary to take off your shoes and outerwear.

Transport

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

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

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

Slovakia cities

Popular cities in Slovakia:

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

Popular destinations:

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

Slovakia landmarks

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

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

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

The Slovak Karst is a national park with more than 700 caves and is included in the list of World Heritage Sites. The largest of these is the Domica Cave.

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

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

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

Banska Bystrica is a historic town with a splendid heritage of old mansions, churches and fortifications. The city is surrounded by the majestic Low Tatras, which have made it a popular winter destination.

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

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

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

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

Cathedral of st. Elizabeth is the largest church in Slovakia and the easternmost Gothic cathedral in Europe. Located in the heart of Kosice and dates from the 14th - 15th century.

Residence

Slovakia offers many accommodation options. Here you can find a large number of inexpensive hostels and hotels. In terms of the cost of living, this is one of the most affordable countries in Central Europe. Moreover, in the provinces (small towns and villages), housing prices are even lower. Luxury hotels can be found in major cities and well-known resort areas (for example, in the Tatras).

Kitchen

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

The most popular drink in Slovakia is beer (pivo). There is a wide variety of excellent local varieties, similar in style and quality to well-known Czech brands. Also in Slovakia there is a good local wine. The main wine-growing region is Tokaj, located in the southeast of the country. Also grapes are grown in the Small Carpathians. In addition, Slovakia is known for its liqueurs: slivovica (plum brandy), hruškovica (pear tree) and demänovka (herbal liqueur) and the famous mead wine.

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

They come here for the delightful nature, miraculous mineral springs, clean mountain air, the cheerful disposition of Slovaks and excellent cuisine, which has absorbed the best traditions of several peoples 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 invisible countries in Europe include very modest prices with a high level of service. Domestic travel companies most often sell winter, ski tours to Slovakia. And the country offers tourists the brightest and most memorable beauty all year round.

Budapest

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

Krakow

If you do not care about long bus transfers, then from Bratislava you can easily get to Krakow. The trip costs from 34 euros one way, on the way, taking into account all stops in Brno, Olomouc, Ostrava and Katowice, at least 9 hours. Better to take a night bus and start exploring the ancient capital early in the morning.

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

A visit to Slovakia is not only about impressing a new country, natural beauty, castles, museums and ski slopes. The location of the country guarantees you an experience of other European cities that you may not have been going to. An inconspicuous and "modest" country is fraught with vast opportunities for those who have not yet "discovered" the Old World for themselves. Forward!

Slovakia is a long and narrow strip stretching 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 impeded the processes of industrialization and modernization, and therefore Slovakia is more like a rural area and has retained its pristine freshness (sometimes to the point of indecency).

Until 1918, present-day Slovakia was called Upper Hungary and for almost a millennium was under the rule of the Magyars, 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 1993 "Velvet Revolution". 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 Roma, leading a rather miserable existence, and several thousand Rusyns in the east.

The capital of the country, Bratislava, has been very unflattering in the past, but this small ancient city has been well restored over the past decade and now looks very attractive. Poprad is the location of the transport hub of the High Tatras, the most spectacular mountain range in Slovakia, where tourist routes begin in the interesting medieval towns of the Spiš region in the eastern part of the country. Further to the east is the cultural center of the Rusyns, 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, but some trips are worth taking to admire the local scenery. Slovak railways (Zeleznice Slovenskej republiky) run fast trains (rychlik) with stops in major towns, while local trains (osobny vlak) stop everywhere. For domestic travel, tickets (listok) can be bought at the station (stanica) the day before or on the day of departure. Euro City trains, sometimes Intercity and Expres trains have to pay extra.

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

• Accommodation in Slovakia

In all cases, it is a good idea to book your accommodation as early as possible. Some hotels double their rates for foreigners, but for the most part a simple room for 10 euros is not difficult to find everywhere except Bratislava. Old state hotels and resort complexes on the springs are slowly being restored (rooms there are usually small and expensive). At the same time, new hotels and guesthouses are opening - especially in famous tourist areas - and often very good ones. A good option is private housing in many places, for this you need to look for the Zimmer frei sign. Prices here start at 8 euros per day.

There are no real chain hostels here, although some belong to the HI system or work as part of the SCM student travel agency. There are several private hostels in Bratislava with different levels of comfort. Everywhere, local travel agencies or SCM chapters provide information on low-cost student residences 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 along the slopes of the mountains. Some of them are hotels with a bed price of about 15 euros, and much less in simpler establishments and in more secluded places. 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, bufets 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 (albeit 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 starts with a soup (polievka), which is eaten both during the day and in the evening. The main dishes are based on pork or beef, usually trout and carp, you can try carp or catfish, and if you're lucky, enjoy lamb.

Most of the 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 are offering international cuisine from fast food outlets and pizzerias. Their opening hours are also extended, in remote regions these points are closed at 21.00 or 22.00, in larger settlements restaurants are open until 23.00 and later. Coffee (kava) is drunk here, black, and in big cities - espresso, although sometimes in towns and villages ground coffee is simply diluted with boiling water (although it is called "Turkish", turecka).

Patisseries (cukraren) play an important role in social life, especially on Sunday afternoon, when they are only open. Regardless of the season, Slovaks eat a daily portion of ice cream (zmrzlina). In the vineyards of the southern part of Slovakia, good white wines are produced, which are not inferior to the Hungarian and Austrian ones. The most popular local drink is plum brandy, or plum vodka, which is widespread everywhere. Having lived for almost seventy years side by side with Czechs, Slovaks are accustomed to draft beer, but still there are fewer pubs (pivnica) here than in. Slovaks are more likely to visit restaurants or wine bars (vinaren), often open late as nightclubs.

Iconic landmarks of Slovakia

one). - Small Slovak capital - 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). - An attractive medieval walled town originally inhabited by the Saxons;

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

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