Despite being a relatively new country, Slovakia has a long, unique and interesting history going back nearly 1,000 years. Much of the country is undeveloped, which has helped it maintain its traditional, rural lifestyle, marked by small villages and wonderful old castles. The capital, Bratislava, is one of the highlights and a great place to spend a few days soaking in the atmosphere. Much of Slovakia is dominated by nature, and many of its greatest attractions can be found in the great outdoors. From the rolling lowlands of the south to the soaring Tatras Mountains along the northern border, no trip to Slovakia would be complete without a foray into the wilderness.
Michael’s Gate (Bratislava)
The last remaining gate of the city’s original three gates, which date from the 14th century, is one of the capital’s landmarks and worth a visit. Its tower, topped with a copper-clad onion dome, offers excellent views over the entire Old Town, and inside, is an interesting display of ancient weapons, armour and town fortifications (tel: +421 2 5443 3044).
The Old Town (Bratislava)
Slovakia’s largest city and capital since 1969, is the ideal place to base yourself for a few days. Sitting at the very edge of the Carpathian Mountains, where the Danube River passes by, this ancient town has a number of interesting things to see. The Old Town area and the towering Bratislava Castle are the best parts of the city and well worth some serious exploration. The Old Town is packed with museums and palaces, and the many beautiful monuments tell of its rich past under Hungarian rule. The Slovak National Museum and the Slovak National Gallery along the river are both worth a visit, and the opera performances at the Slovak National Theatre rival any in Europe.
Primates’ Palace (Bratislava)
This iconic pink palace is one of the most valuable of Slovakia’s monuments, and should not be missed. The dazzling Hall of Mirrors is one of the highlights, complete with 17th century tapestries and an air of majesty. Napoleon and the Hapsburg emperor Francis I signed the Bratislava Peace Accord in this very room in 1805. The palace and grounds make for an interesting couple of hours of touring (tel: +421 2 5443 5151).
Town Hall (Bratislava)
This is one of the more interesting buildings in Bratislava for a number of reasons. The Old Town Hall developed gradually out of several burghers’ houses into the structure which can be seen today. At night, you can listen to soft music while lights illuminate the building, and during the summer, brass bands play from the top of the tower. Also on-site is the City Museum, which tells the tale of Bratislava’s storied past (tel: +421 2 5443 5800).
Cachtice Castle (Piestany)
The claim to fame of this 13th century Hungarian castle comes from its gruesome past, when a mad Hungarian countess tortured and murdered over 600 peasant women in the 17th century. When her crimes were discovered, she was locked up in the castle until her death. Deserted since 1708, when a fire gutted the castle, the only access is by trail. The hilltop ruins are eerie and offer great views of the surrounding area, which is a regional nature preserve.
Spis Castle (Spis)
The largest castle in Slovakia was built in 1209 and has a long and interesting history. Destroyed by the Tartars in the 13th century, Spis was reconstructed in the 15th century, only to be burnt down in 1780. The ruins that are left are still quite impressive, with the round Gothic tower, chapel, dungeons and Romanesque palace perched over the abyss.
St Martin’s Cathedral (Bratislava)
This enormous Gothic church was finished in 1452 and hosted the coronations of Hungarian royals between the 16th and 19th centuries. The well-restored church has three equal-sized naves which give visitors a daunting sense of light and space (tel: +421 2 5443 1359).
Cathedral of St Elizabeth (Kosice)
The town square of Kosice is dominated by the huge tower of this cathedral, which was completed in 1508. Inside the second largest church in Slovakia is one of the largest Gothic altarpieces ever made, a medieval wood carving by the master Erhard of Ulm, standing over 35 feet tall. The remains of the great Hungarian leader Francis Rakoczi II are buried in a crypt beneath the church.
St Egidius Church (Bardejov)
The exterior of this church is undeniably beautiful, but inside lie the real treasures. The nave is lined with 11 perfectly preserved Gothic side altars, which were carved between 1460 and 1510. The best of these priceless altars was made by Stefan Tarner, and depicts Christ’s birth.
St Jacobs’s Church (Levoca)
This huge Gothic church was first built in the 14th century and has an absolutely amazing interior, full of Gothic religious art. One of the highlights is the 16th century wooden high altar, which is considered to be the world’s largest. Carved by the famous Spis artist, Pavol of Levoca, the altar incorporates a splendid limestone relief of the Last Supper. A taped recording at the back of the church provides historical information in English.
Explore the Legendary Danube River
The Danube is one of the world’s great rivers, stretching from its humble beginnings in Germany all the way to the Black Sea. In Slovakia, there are a number of ways to enjoy the river and get a perspective on this country, which only a river can provide. In Bratislava’s Old Town, both banks of the Danube have wonderful paths which are perfect for a stroll at any time of the day. The left bank, nearest Old Town, is equipped with a flower-filled promenade, which runs from the National Museum to the National Gallery. The right bank, which adjoins a large city park, is popular with joggers and bikers.
From the left bank you can catch a boat that will take you to downtown Vienna, Budapest and many other destinations, just as people did centuries ago. It’s an amazing way to travel through Eastern and Central Europe. There are also luxury Danube River cruises, which offer comfortable sleeping rooms for longer journeys between cities. Another thing to do is have a meal on one of the floating restaurants along the left bank.
Visit Devon Castle
This old castle is one of Slovakia’s main historical icons and can be seen on the country’s money and postage stamps. It is located very close to the bustling city of Bratislava, yet it is wonderfully secluded within the forest. As one of Slovakia’s larger castles, Devon hosts a number of special events throughout the year. It also houses several restaurants on-site and is surrounded by fun, child-friendly activities such as hiking trails, horseback rides and boat rides along the river. In many ways, Devon represents all things Slovak, so make sure and pay this popular site a visit.
Hit the Wine Trail
Northeast of Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava is the country’s main wine growing region. Grapes which have been imported from some of Europe’s prime regions thrive under the Slovak sun and have gained a decent reputation over the years. A string of small villages, devoted to this burgeoning industry, start just outside Bratislava and spread into the region around Pezinok and on to Modra, a lovely hillside village. All of the wine towns have charming town squares, cafés and of course, wineries, which are happy to show you around.
Immerse Yourself in the Slovak Paradise
Slovensky Raj, or Slovak Paradise as it’s also known, is a truly gorgeous region of undisturbed nature which has been protected as a national park. There are few places in the country where you can find so much beauty in such a small area. The enchanting landscape is full of canyons, caves, waterfalls, valleys and meadows. Since its elevation is not very high, you can enjoy the area throughout the year. Many of the most dramatic ravines are built with walkways cut into the rock face, requiring a bit of skill and courage, but well worth the effort. Another highlight is the Stratena Jaskyna cave system, which includes the longest cave in Slovakia at 18kms long, the Dobsinska Ice Cave and the Psie Diery Cave.
Scale the Tatras
The Vysoke Tatry, or the High Tatras as they are called in English, are the only true alpine mountains in Eastern Europe. They are stunningly beautiful and very challenging and popular with outdoor enthusiasts. Peaking at over 2,600m these mountains offer plenty of hiking, climbing and camping among the 30 valleys, 100 glacial lakes and numerous babbling brooks. A trail system that encompasses over 600kms will take you around with ease and safety. A number of high alpine mountain huts are also available if you want to spend the night in the mountains.
Soak Your Bones at a Hot Spring Spa
The quiet resort town of Piestany was founded back in 1889 in the serene Vah River valley to take advantage of the many thermal springs which dot the area. It has a long history of treating people with arthritis and other aches and pains from daily life. Many of the treatments are based on the therapeutic effects of the hot springs and their curative mud. Several resorts, such as the 1912 Spa Hotel Thermia Palace and the Spa Hotel Balnea Grand Splendid, combine the luxury of a nice hotel with the benefits of on-site spas. The town of Piestany also has some beautiful parks, summer music festivals and year-round casinos, shopping and entertainment.
Good hotel and booked at a good price via Hoteltravel. Otherwhise it should have been to expensive for what it is. Staff is really excellent and always willed to serve the client. ...
