What Is Slovakia Known For

Physically dwarfed by its neighbours Hungary and Poland, culturally overshadowed by Austria and the Czech Republic, Slovakia exists as one of central Europe’s greatest hidden gems.

With a population of just 5.5 million people, the country is easily overlooked. Yet its history is as vibrant as anywhere and folk traditions have been well preserved. From folk architecture to folk dancing, these traditions can be discovered all across the country.

Slovakia’s landscape is also as diverse as its cultural history. From towering mountains in its northernmost territory to lush forested plains in the south, anyone with an interest in spending time with nature will discover extraordinary vistas across Slovakia.

Exploring how the past and present combine in Bratislava’s medieval centre, or finding ski resorts nestled in the high Tatras, discovering Slovakia can be an incredible journey.

Read on to learn a litany of fascinating facts about a central European country waiting to be discovered!

1. Slovakia Is Divorced

Slovakia shares the honour of being the 8th most recently formed country in the world with the Czech Republic. In 1993, the country of Czechoslovakia divided into these two states, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

This self-determined division is known as the “Velvet Divorce” – a reference to the Velvet revolution which, like the divorce named after it, was peacefully negotiated.

The only newer European countries are Montenegro and Serbia which were divided in 2006 and Kosovo who declared independence in 2008. Outside of Europe, Eritrea, Palau, South Sudan and Timor-Leste are younger than Slovakia.

(By János Korom Dr. CC BY-SA 2.0.)

2. Slovakia Has The Highest Concentration Of Castles Anywhere

Bojnice Castle

Despite Slovakia’s youthful nature, it has a long history stretching back into the past. Visitors to Slovakia will discover 180 castles and 425 chateaux scattered across its 49,000km².

Every year, thousands of visitors are drawn to the popular castles in the city’s capital Bratislava, as well as Bojnice and Orava.

Perhaps Slovakia’s most impressive medieval monument is the castle in Spiš, one of UNESCO’s World Cultural and Natural Heritage sites.

3. There Is A Fascinating Culture Of Folk Dancing

Each Slovakian region has its own history of folk dancing and there are over 100 folk dance troops in Slovakia.

These fast and furious folk dances are accompanied by violin, bass and cymbalo music and the dancers don fantastic traditional folk costumes, colourful and frilly.

There are many dances, named after certain traditions – you can check out the poppy seed dance, the hat dance, and the pawn dance amongst others.

4. Slovakian Birth Rates Are Incredibly Low

In Slovakia, the average woman is expected to have 1.5 children whilst the global average is 1.6. This birth rate is comparatively low when compared even to western Europe – the UK, for example, sits at 1.8 whilst in some parts of Africa the average woman has 7 children! Maybe this is because the women are too busy dancing…

5. Discover An Andy Warhol Obsession

The largest collection of Warhol’s works outside of Pitssburg can be found in Medzilaborce, a small Slovakian town close to the Polish border. This is where Andy’s parents hailed from.

Warhol was born with the last name Warhola but dropped the a as he sought to assimilate into the American visual art scene.

In 2011 the Telegraph visited Medzilaborce and discovered a life-sized Warhol statue. The real Andy Warhol never visited Slovakia, however, and preferred to assert “I am from nowhere.”

6. Slovakia’s Landscape Is Dominated By Mountains

Popradské pleso, Vysoké Tatry

The majority of Slovakia is at an elevation of over 800m (2600ft) and this unassuming country possesses the jewel of the Carpathians, the Tatras range of mountains.

The Tatras form the border in northern Slovakia with Poland, the highest peak of Gerlachovský štít towers at 2655m.

The easiest route to the summit of this peak, with its views across central Europe, is an exposed scramble. However, plenty of gentler routes exist in the Tatras and walkers can discover hundreds of Alpine lakes and stunning waterfalls.

7. Big Mountains Equals Great Skiing

Slovakia is a growing European destination for budget ski resorts, certainly cheaper than Swiss equivalents in the Alps.
The Guardian reports that the resort town of Jasná, found in the lower Tatras, offers world-class skiing on a shoestring budget.

The prime ski season in Slovakia stretches from December to March and Jasná is just 3 hours from Bratislava, as well as being reachable from Krakow in Poland.

8. A Labyrinth Of Caves

Slovakia’s impressive scenery isn’t limited to the great mountains – in fact, if you delve below the surface of Slovakia’s dramatic landscape, you’re likely to be surprised.

Slovakia possesses over 6000 caves (discovered so far!). Every national park in Slovakia is a host to wondrous caves, featuring labyrinthine passages and gigantic rock features.

Krasnohorska Cave in southern Slovakia houses the biggest stalagmite in the world at 32.6m high, a Guinness World Record.

9. Slovakia Has The First Folk Architecture Reservation In The World

The tiny village of Čičmany, nestled in the mountains of Northern Slovakia, created the world’s first folk architecture reservation.

“The village’s painted houses are made of black timber and decorated in multiple folk styles with white illustrations creating a picturesque and romantic exterior. These lacy patterns have been being created on the houses for over 200 years, a long-lasting folk tradition preserved into the present day.”

10. Bratislava Borders

Credit: Justraveling.com

Slovakia’s capital Bratislava is the only capital city in the world to border 2 countries. You can do a day trip to Hungary in the south and Austria to the west from the beautiful capital city which sits on the Danube, a main river of Central Europe. Indeed, a 90-minute boat trip up this river will lead to the Austrian city of Vienna!

11. Bratislava Beauty

Besides its interesting neighbours, the city of Bratislava is itself a beautiful and charming central European capital.
Overshadowed as a destination by the Czech capital of Prague, Bratislava is in fact a lovely city sitting on either side of the Danube. Its historic old town is fully pedestrianised, and the beauty of Bratislava can be pleasantly taken in whilst strolling through the city.

By night, the old town transforms into a bustling bar territory with an exciting nightlife, making Bratislava an entertaining and exciting destination for any traveller.

12. Nature On The Doorstep

As well as Bratislava’s historic old town and energetic nightlife, it also has nature on its doorstep in the form of Bratislava forest.

Covering 10 square miles and riddled with hiking trails, Bratislava Forest offers an easy escape from city life where you’ll find yourself energised by the fresh natural air.

Once you’ve exhausted the forest’s trails on the ground, you can take to the trees – a ropewalk is strung from the branches creating an exciting network of paths high off the ground.

13. Culture In Kosice

Halic Castle

Beyond the scene in Bratislava, Slovakia’s second city of Kosice is another cultural hub. In 2013, Kosice earned the title of European Capital of Culture and the city has stayed true to its cultural roots since then.

The vast Muzeum Vojtecha Lofflera offers an array of painting and sculpture and the stunning 14th century St Elizabeth Cathedral displays well preserved Gothic architecture.

14. Drinking Culture

Slovakians enjoy a drink! According to data published by the World Health Organisation Slovakia is in the top 10 countries in the world for alcohol consumption, with the average adult consuming roughly 13 litres of pure alcohol each year.

Slovakians take beer at least as seriously as their Czech neighbours and you’ll find Bratislava to be littered with pubs and breweries offering a serious brew.

15. The National Drink Is a Gin-Like Spirit

Borovička is the name of Slovakia’s national drink, a spirit flavoured with juniper and something akin to gin. Borovička is a clear, sometimes gold-tinged spirit and it’s a big deal in Slovakia.

Down a shot with a cry of “na zdravie” – cheers!

16. Free Train Travel

In 2014, the Slovakian legislature agreed to make travel by train free to all children, seniors over the age of 62 as well as full time students under the age of 26.

This deal isn’t just available to Slovak citizens either – any permanent resident of a country in the European Union can take advantage, simply registering to obtain a travel card.

Most towns in Slovakia have a railway station, so if you’re lucky enough to be in a category entitling you to free train travel, it’s a quick, easy and affordable way to explore the country.

17. Thousands Of Mineral Springs

There are over 1300 mineral springs across Slovakia, and most are being used for leisure or therapeutic purposes.
An ancient tradition of thermal springs means that hot springs are seen as a part of daily life in Slovakia, so the spas are easy to access and affordable – not perceived as a rare luxury but as an essential element of life!

The spa town of Piešťany hosts a spa museum where the health benefits of a thermal bath can be discovered. Said to improve circulation, release tension and lead to better sleep, the thermal springs of Slovakia are not to be missed!

18. The World’s Highest Wooden Altar

The medieval town of Levoča holds an unusual claim to fame, being home to the world’s highest wooden altar.

“This enormous altar was crafted by a master named Paul and stands at 18.6m tall, with a width of 6m across. The giant altar dates back to the 16th century and is a world-renowned masterpiece of Gothic woodwork. It’s intricate carvings and elaborate gilding are a wonder to behold.”

19. The National Dish Is Dumplings

The national dish in Slovakia is known as “bryndzové halušky” and features potato dumplings smothered in a light and aromatic goat’ cheese known as “bryndza.”

This pungent cheese is beloved across Slovakia, so much so that the city of Turecko holds an annual festival named after the dish and even features an eating contest. Pack your sweatpants!

20. Slovakian Skanzens

Spiš Castle

Slovakia has 14 open-air museums, also known as “skanzens” which educate and inform about traditional life in Slovakia and its folk traditions. Preserved buildings contain traditional architecture and furnishings, allowing a glimpse into Slovakia’s past.

The largest skanzen is in the northern Slovakian town of Martin and features 129 buildings showcasing domestic and economic life in Slovakian history, from schools to farmhouses.

21. Slovakia Has One Of Europe’s Most Beautiful Towns

Vlkolinec village was established as a UNESCO World Heritage Centre in 1993 thanks to its well-preserved architectural structures.

It is now one of 10 Slovak villages to have been designated a folk architectural reservation and has been honoured as one of the most beautiful towns to visit in Europe.

Traditional timber houses can be seen to be delightfully painted, and some houses are open to explore, with interiors which have been kept intact for decades to hint at Slovakia’s cultural heritage.

22. Don’t Confuse It With Slovenia!

Despite not sharing any borders with the European Country found 100 miles south east, Slovakia is often confused with Slovenia.

Both countries border Austria and Hungary, but the similarities end there. When President Bush claimed in 1999 that everything he knew about Slovakia he had learned from their foreign minister, he was referring to Janez Drnovšek, the Slovenian foreign minister – proving he really didn’t know anything about Slovakia at all!

Bojnice Castle

Well, having read this list, you can safely say you’re better informed than former president George W. Bush ever was!
Slovakia’s diverse cultural heritage combines with its wild and wonderful landscape to make it a surprisingly vibrant European destination.

Whether you wish to ski the steep slopes of the High Tatras, hike the Bratislavan forest trails or simply sample a bryndzové halušky on a Bratislavan street – washed down with an excellent ale of course – Slovakia holds something for you.

This exciting country is just waiting to be discovered.