- Come to Slovakia because it is
both old and new
- Rich in history, but alive with
a new spirit
- Surprising Slovakia – undiscovered
and unspoiled
- Compact and easy to explore with
convenient connections to other
Central and Eastern European countries
- Where prices are affordable. And
the people genuine and welcoming
- Your kind of place? Take
this quiz
- Slov-where? Which country are
we talking about? (They all sound
the same)
- 10 reasons
to go now
- Betcha didn’t
know - surprising facts about Slovakia
Practical
advice
Slovakia,
Slovenia, Czechoslovakia – what
country?
Slovakia, also known as the Slovak
Republic, is often confused with other
countries whose names sound similar.
Like Slovenia or Yugoslavia.
Or maybe you’re thinking of
Czechoslovakia – a country that
no longer exists. Ever since 1993
there have been two countries -- the
Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Although many Americans think of
Slovakia as part of Eastern
Europe, it’s actually
in Central Europe.
Slovakia (as "the other half"
of Czechoslovakia) was part of the
Soviet Bloc. In 1989 Czechoslovakia
ended the rule of the Communist Party
with its peaceful "Velvet Revolution".
In 1993, Slovakia and the Czech Republic
parted ways, in what is known as the
"Velvet Divorce".
Geography
lesson:
The new independent, democratic nation
of Slovakia is bordered by Poland
to the north, the Ukraine to the east,
Hungary to the south, and the Czech
Republic and Austria to the west.
All these countries have had an important
influence on the history and culture
of Slovakia. Maybe you’d like
to consider a trip that includes 2
or 3 of these destinations –
it’s easy to do.
View
map
Surprising
facts about Slovakia
- Slovakia has the largest fortified
castle in Central Europe -- Spis
Castle.
- The real inspiration for Dracula
lived in Cachtice
castle in Slovakia – and
SHE was a woman!
- You can find Paradise and Hell
and a River Styx in Slovakia’s
caves.
- Slovakia has more forests
than any other European country/region,
outside of Scandinavia
- New York’s St. Patrick’s
Cathedral has a beautiful cut-crystal
Celtic cross that was a gift from
the Irish -- but was made in –
guess where? Slovakia!
- Some of the world’s most
beautiful women and top models –
like Sklenarikova-Carambeu –
are Slovak.
- Although it is the capital of
Slovakia, there were very few Slovaks
in the city of Bratislava, until
the middle of the 20th century.
Most residents were Germans, Hungarians,
Austrians or Czechs. More
on Bratislava history.
- The Romans made it to Slovakia
– but not beyond. More
history.
- Slovakia has the oldest continually
operating
mint in the world.
- Dragon bones were discovered
in a Slovak cave
– well, ok, it turns out,
they really belonged to a bear.
Famous
people whose families came from Slovakia:
- Actors: Angelina
Jolie, Paul Newman, John Malkovich
and Peter Lorre
- Artists: Andy
Warhol and Dale Chihuly
- Songwriter/singer:
Paul Simon
- Movie director: Ivan
Reitmann
- Opera singers:
Lucia Popp, Edita Gruberova,
Peter Dvorsky, Sergej Kopcak
and Lubica Vargicova.
- Apollo astronaut
Eugene Cernan
More facts on
Slovakia. |
