Slovakia: interesting information about Slovakia - a country of magical castles. Slovakia map in Russian. Capital of Slovakia, flag, history of the country. Detailed map of Slovakia with cities and roads Slovak capital
Slovakia is the youngest country in Europe. The state received complete independence only in the early 90s of the 20th 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 the entire tourism infrastructure that it has nurtured for a century.
They come here for the amazing nature, miraculous mineral springs, clean mountain air, the cheerful character of the Slovaks and excellent cuisine that incorporates best traditions several peoples at once, while maintaining their originality. Despite the fact that it is difficult to find masterpieces of architecture or painting that would be known throughout the world in Slovakia, every city and every village here is filled with a cozy and warm atmosphere and unique European charm.
Among the undoubted advantages of traveling to one of the most invisible countries Europe should include very modest prices with a high level of service. Domestic travel companies Most often they sell winter ones, ski tours to Slovakia. And the country offers tourists the most vibrant and memorable beauty all year round.
Budapest
The bus takes 3 hours and the ticket costs 9 euros. Excursion bus- 16 euros. Not everywhere there is an audio guide in Russian. It’s better to stock up on a printed guide – 9 euros.
Krakow
If you don't mind long bus journeys, then from Bratislava you can easily get to Krakow. The trip costs from 34 euros one way, the journey, including all stops in Brno, Olomouc, Ostrava and Katowice, takes at least 9 hours. Better to take the night bus and start exploring ancient capital from early morning.
Overnight in an inexpensive Krakow hotel - from 17 euros. Sightseeing bus with audio guide - 14 euros.
A visit to Slovakia is not only about impressions new country, natural beauties, castles, museums and ski slopes. The location of the country guarantees you impressions of other European cities that you may not have intended to visit. An inconspicuous and “modest” country conceals vast opportunities for those who have not yet “discovered” the Old World for themselves. Forward!
The most popular souvenirs among tourists are ceramics, wooden figurines, toys and dishes, as well as ancient folk musical instruments of the Slovak people.
Among the Slovak souvenirs there is a “chrpak”, a special wooden mug decorated with carvings and national ornaments, which was once used for the first sample of sheep’s milk. IN mountainous areas country's most useful souvenir is the “valashka”, a kind of hatchet-staff that makes it easier to move along mountain paths. And the unique Slovak “fujara” (wind instrument) was even included in 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 Slovakia.
Antique shops in Slovakia (Starozitnosti) will delight their customers with a large selection of beautiful furniture, antique jewelry, paintings and all sorts of interesting trinkets.
An excellent gift brought from Slovakia would be a bottle of delicious wine produced at a small winery, or local brandy of the brands Hradne Brandy, Old Herold Vinjak, Karpatske Brandy O.X. and etc.
Transport
The largest airport in Slovakia is located in Bratislava (Bratislava Milan Rastislav Stefanik Airport), from which there are regular flights to most European capitals (Paris, London, Rome, Copenhagen, Prague, Moscow, etc.), other major cities (Milan, Antalya, Barcelona, Kurgada, etc.). There is one domestic flight Bratislava – Kosice costing 40–60 €.
The country is very well developed railway transport, except international trains, V neighboring countries(Austria, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic) there are many high-speed trains.
Bus transport is used, as a rule, for traveling short distances. The cost of 50 km of travel is approximately 1 €.
When traveling around Slovakia in your own vehicle, you must comply with pan-European rules traffic, including speed limits (no more than 50 km/h in the city, 90 km/h outside settlements and 130 km/h on motorways), constant use of low beam at any time of the day and any weather. There are large fines for violating traffic rules in the country, for example, 1000 € for drunk driving.
City transport is represented by buses, trams and trolleybuses. Travel tickets can be purchased at bus stops (orange machines) and from drivers. The cost of the trip depends on the travel time (the schedule is published at the stops). There are taxis in every city in Slovakia; they are not expensive, but due to the short distances they are not popular among tourists.
Connection
Mobile communications in Slovakia are provided by 3 operators: T-Mobile, Orange, Telefonica O2. All operators mobile communications They 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 €, and the modem is passwordless, i.e. it can be used to access the Internet from SIM cards of other operators. Free Wi-Fi Most hotels, guest houses and hostels provide.
To make calls abroad, you can use a pay phone by purchasing 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 basic precautions should always and everywhere be observed on the roads, in very crowded places and at night. In city transport, pickpocketing is rare, but 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.
Upon request of the police, the foreigner must present an identification document and health insurance.
Business climate
According to World Bank research, registration of a foreign company in Slovakia consists of 8 procedures and lasts 18 days, which is much simpler and faster than in other EU countries.
Enterprises operating in Slovakia are required to pay net profit tax (19%), value added tax (20%), as well as taxes on income from dividends (15%), rent (25%), royalties (25%) .
Tourism is considered the most profitable area of business in Slovakia.
Real estate
In Slovakia there are no restrictions for foreigners buying residential or commercial real estate, the purchase of which automatically acquires ownership of the land. Company registration is also not required when purchasing real estate by foreign investors.
Property prices in major cities Slovakia and High Tatras 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 m2 in Bratislava today on average you will have to pay about 1700 €, in Kosice - 950 €, in Presov - 800 €, etc. The monthly rent of a one-room apartment in Bratislava will be from 350 to 500 €, in Kosice - from 300 to 450 €.
Property owners in Slovakia pay a 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 out real estate, you must pay income tax (19%).
When planning a trip or excursion to national parks Slovakia, you should always think about places to stay overnight in advance, since the number of hotels and campsites here is very limited, and you should set up your own camping strictly prohibited.
At ski resorts, it is more profitable to use the lifts with special weekly ski-pass tickets (approximately 2 €).
It is usually more profitable to exchange currency in banks rather than in exchange offices.
You should not plan your trip to Slovakia in July-August, as at this time the resorts will be crowded with Slovaks themselves who have come on vacation from their cities, and problems with accommodation may arise. The optimal time of year to travel around Slovakia (except ski resorts) is considered the second half of spring, the beginning of summer and the beginning of autumn.
Visa information
Visiting 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 blank pages, a standard application 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, the person receiving the visa must be present in person.
Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Moscow - st. Yu. Fuchika, 17/19, tel. 956-49-23.
Economy
Slovakia has overcome much of the difficult transition from a centrally planned economy to a modern market economy. The country's government made significant progress in macroeconomic stabilization and structural reforms in 2001. Privatization has largely been completed, the banking sector is almost entirely in foreign hands, and foreign investment is growing. The Slovak economy has exceeded expectations of the early 2000s, with the exception of a decline in exports. A rebound in domestic demand in 2002, thanks in part to rising incomes, offset slowing export growth, helping the economy move toward its strongest growth since 1998. Unemployment, which reached 19.8% at the end of 2001, fell significantly by 2003.
According to a study by the German Chamber of Commerce in March 2004, about half of German investors view Slovakia as the best place for investment.
Policy
The head of state in Slovakia is the president, elected by direct universal suffrage for a 5-year term. Most executive power is vested in the head of government, the prime minister, who is usually the leader of the party or coalition that wins the majority in parliamentary elections and is appointed by the president. The remainder of the cabinet is appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister.
The highest legislative body of Slovakia is the 150-seat unicameral People's Rada of the Slovak Republic (Národná Rada Slovenskej Republiky). Delegates are elected for a 4-year term on the basis of proportional representation.
Parliament can dismiss the president if three-fifths of the total number of deputies votes for it. The president can dissolve parliament if he does not approve the government's policy statement three times within a month after the elections.
The highest judicial body is the Constitutional Court (Ústavný súd), which has jurisdiction over constitutional issues. The 13 members of this court are approved by the president from several candidates nominated by parliament.
Story
The first settlements on the territory of modern Slovakia appeared already in the Paleolithic era. This very long era is characterized by alternating glaciations and interglacials. There are traces of various cultures: from Olduvai to Swider. A fragment of the skull of Homo erectus was found in Spišské Podhradie (this part was lost during the Second World War), then the earliest information is that of Heidelberg man. The oldest finds of skeletons are Neanderthals, and the most famous are from the Ganovce site.
The Mesolithic era is characterized by a noticeable retreat of the glacier, the border of which at that time ran along the north of the territory of modern Slovakia. People settled on sandy hills.
There is more information about the Neolithic, when agriculture arose. It is assumed that the people of the Linear Band Ware culture came to the territory of Slovakia around 5000 BC. Remains of settlements, burial grounds (for example, in Nitra and Šturovo), remains of ceramics, votive gifts or cult objects, such as female figurines (“Paleolithic Venuses”) from Nitra Castle or Moravan nad Váhom, have been found. In that era, the culture of linear-band ceramics, the Zhelezovka culture, the Bukovogorsk culture was represented mainly on the territory of Slovakia, and the development of the Lengyel and Polgar cultures began.
The Chalcolithic era is characterized primarily by the beginning of the use of metals (copper and gold; the oldest copper objects found belong to the Neolithic), the division of society into layers (artisans, farmers, cattle breeders, traders) and the beginning of barter trade. Later, agriculture was improved by using animal power (arable tools appeared); The role of men in society has increased (patriarchy). In those days, first of all, the development of the Lengyel and Polgar cultures continued, and later the Baden culture appeared.
In the Bronze Age, characterized by the expansion of the use of bronze, many different archaeological cultures were represented on the territory of Slovakia (Unetice, Magyar, Otoman, single barrow cultures, single urn field cultures, including the Lusatian culture). Bronze sickles and remains of wooden buildings without the use of nails date back to this era.
The Iron Age and its technology came to Slovakia around 800 BC, probably from the Anatolia and/or Italy region. During the Hallstatt era in Slovakia, thanks to favorable climatic conditions, mining of iron, tin, gold and salt is developing. A potter's wheel appeared. Social differentiation continues. At that time, the Hallstatt (namely Kalenderberg) culture, Kushtanovic (Thracians) and Wekertzug (probably Scythians) cultures were represented on the territory of Slovakia; the Lusatian culture still existed in the north. Perhaps the Cimmerians also lived on the territory of Slovakia at that time.
In those days (about the 5th century BC), the Celts came to Slovakia, who can be considered the first known ethnic group on the territory of Slovakia. The Celts came to the Carpathian Basin from the territory of Germany, France and the Alps. Upon arrival they subjugated local population. By the end of the La Tène era, they built several fortifications - oppidums, for example, Bratislava. Most of them lived in small fortified structures made of wood and used iron locks. The Celts were skilled artisans - blacksmiths, potters, farmers and traders; they maintained close contacts with the Greek and Roman civilizations, which retained great influence on their culture. At the end of the 2nd century. BC. The Dacians, who lived on the territory of modern Romania, also came to Slovakia. During the time of the first Dacian king Burebista, the Dacians settled and actually annexed the southern part of Slovakia to Dacia, from where they expelled part of the Celts. In 10 BC, however, the Romans defeated the Dacians and extended the borders of the Roman Empire into the Middle Danube. The Romans also founded several settlements in western Slovakia. The Dacian population disappeared from Slovakia around the 1st century. AD, it lingered longest in the east. The liquidation of most of the Celts was completed by the attack of the Germans from the north-west at the beginning of the 1st century. AD However, the Celts remained in the north of Slovakia even until the 2nd century. AD (cats). During the Great Migration in the 4th century, tribes of the Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Lombards and Gepids passed through the territory of Slovakia.
In the 5th century the Slavs came here. In the 6th century, the territory fell under the rule of the Avar Khaganate, and in the 7th century the Samo Empire was formed here; a century later, the Nitra Principality arose here, which became part of Great Moravia in 833. In 906, Great Moravia was attacked by Hungarian tribes and Great Moravia gradually disintegrated. Since 1018, the gradual annexation of Slovak lands to Hungary begins. In 1029, the Principality of Nitra fell and by the end of the century the entire territory was annexed to Hungary.
In 1241, the territory of Slovakia was subjected to a Mongol-Tatar invasion. The Mongol-Tatar invasion weakened the power of the king in the territory of Slovakia and so the territory was ruled by oligarchs like Matus Csak. Only Charles Robert, who defeated the oligarchs in the Battle of Rozganovtsy, was able to strengthen the strong royal power. Charles Robert's son, Louis I the Great, did a lot to strengthen the country and during his reign, Hungary became a strong European power. During the time of Sigismund, Hungary again plunged into a series of battles with the Turks and Hussites. The region most affected by the Hussites was Slovakia, on whose territory in 1467, near Velki Kostolyany, Matthias Hunyadi eventually defeated the Hussite troops of the “brothers”. After the defeat from the Turks near Mohács in 1526 and the death of King Lajos II, most of territory of Hungary, with the exception of western Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia, became part of Ottoman Empire, and lands not subject to the Turks, including Slovakia, became part of the possessions of the Austrian Habsburgs.
After the defeat at Mohács in 1526, two kings were crowned on the Hungarian throne at once - the Turkish ally Janos Zapolyai and the Austrian Ferdinand I of Habsburg. A war broke out between the two sides, which ended in peace in Orada in 1538. In 1536, Bratislava became the capital of Hungary, and the Archbishopric of Esztergom was moved to Trnava. At the same time, the Turks also captured southern Slovakia. The 17th century passed under the banner of the struggle of nobles from Slovakia with the Austrian emperor. In 1605, István Bocskai captured almost all of Slovakia, and a truce was signed in 1606. In 1618, Bethlen captured eastern Slovakia, and in 1619, western Slovakia. In 1622, a truce was signed. In 1643-1645, battles took place on the territory of Slovakia between the Habsburg troops and the rebel Ferenc I Rakoczi. In 1678-1687 Slovakia again became the scene of battles, this time with Imre Thököly, and in 1703-1711 the last uprising took place - Ferenc II Rakoczi.
In the 18th century, Slovakia, devastated by the centuries-long war between the nobles and the emperor, began to rebuild. The first manufactories appeared in Shashtin and Golic, and mining began again. The reforms of Maria Theresa and her son Joseph II had a positive impact on the economy. At the same time, the Slovak revival began - in 1783, the first book written in Slovak by the priest Ignac Bajza appeared. In 1790 Bernolak compiled the first grammar of the Slovak language. The first awakeners (mainly Lutherans) adhered to the view that Czechs and Slovaks were one people. In 1847, Stuhr codified a version of the Slovak language close to the modern one, which was approved by both camps - both Catholics and Lutherans. During the Hungarian Revolution of 1848-49, the Slovak People's Council called on the Slovaks to take up arms against the Hungarians and support the Austrians. In 1867, the Austrian Empire was transformed into Austria-Hungary and the Slovak lands became part of the Hungarian Transleithania, as a result of which the pressure of the Hungarian authorities on the Slovaks increased. In 1875, the Slovak Matica was dissolved, and later other national organizations. In the 1890s, the concept of Czechoslovakism arose and the Slovaks began to receive help from the Czechs. In 1906, the first Slovak party arose - the moderate-nationalist Hlinka Slovak People's Party. The emergence of Slovak organizations increased pressure from the Hungarians and prompted attempts at increased Hungarianization of the Slovaks, which continued until the collapse of Austria-Hungary in November 1918.
By the beginning of the First World War, Czech and Slovak politicians had developed a fairly clear concept of the future state of the Czechs and Slovaks. This idea was proposed to the Russian Tsar at the beginning of the war and he approved the creation of the Czechoslovak Legions. On the Czech side, the main representatives were Tomas Masaryk and Eduard Beneš, and on the Slovak side, Milan Stefanik. In 1915, Masaryk officially presented the plan for the creation of Czechoslovakia in Geneva. In October of the same year, emigrant organizations of Czechs and Slovaks in Cleveland signed a joint declaration. The final agreement was signed on May 31, 1918 in Pittsburgh. The first provisional government met in Paris. On October 28, 1918, independent Czechoslovakia was proclaimed. On October 30, 1918, the Slovak People's Council in Martin signed a declaration of entry into Czechoslovakia. On November 14, 1918, Tomas Masaryk became president of the Czechoslovakia.
The first Slovak government met in Skalice, then in Žilina. On February 4, 1919, Bratislava became the capital of Slovakia.
The entry of Slovakia into Czechoslovakia had a number of positive factors. Education in the Slovak language was introduced, in 1919 the Comenius University in Bratislava was created, in 1922 compulsory 8-year education, an 8-hour working day were introduced, Slovak political parties and cultural institutions like the Slovak Matica were allowed, in 1926 it was Slovak Radio was founded, citizens over 18 years of age were given the opportunity to vote, and so on. However, the entry also had a number of negative factors. Thus, many enterprises in Slovakia could not withstand competition with Czech enterprises and in Slovakia, especially in the east, unemployment increased, which caused mass emigration to the USA and Canada (104 thousand people emigrated before 1937), the promised autonomy was not granted, and the concept also caused rejection Czechoslovakism, which argued that Czechs and Slovaks are a single people, and their languages are only dialects of the “Czechoslovak language”. This strengthened the position of nationalist parties, in particular Glinka’s People’s Party.
On September 28, 1938, the Munich Agreement of 1938 was signed in Munich; on October 6, 1938, Slovak politicians in Zilina proclaimed the autonomy of Slovakia within Czechoslovakia. The Czechoslovakia government was forced to approve this and appointed Josef Tiso as prime minister of the autonomous government. On November 2, 1938, as a result of the Vienna Arbitration, Hungary and the Third Reich tore away its southern part from Slovakia. On March 13, 1939, Hitler, at a meeting with Tiso, invited him to proclaim the independence of Slovakia, otherwise Slovakia would be divided between Poland and Hungary. On March 14, 1939, the First Slovak Republic was proclaimed, and the next day German troops occupied the Czech Republic, Moravia and Czech Silesia.
The First Slovak Republic was a puppet state that was completely dependent on Germany. This fact caused discontent among the Slovaks; on the eastern front, many Slovak soldiers went over to the Soviet side. So on November 30, 1943, 2,000 soldiers crossed over to the Soviet side near Melitopol. As the Red Army approached Slovakia's borders in 1944, the Slovak National Uprising broke out and ended unsuccessfully. On September 21, 1944, the Red Army crossed the border of Slovakia at Medzilaborec. On January 19, 1945, Bratislava was liberated - the First Slovak Republic fell and Slovakia again became part of the Czechoslovakia.
The first elections took place in 1946. In Slovakia, the Democratic Party won them, with the Communist Party in second place. In February 1948, a political crisis erupted, democratic ministers resigned, and President Benes, under pressure from communist demonstrations, created a government dominated by communists. On May 9, 1948, a constitution was adopted and after the death of Benes, Klement Gottwald became president, under which Czechoslovakia became a socialist state.
On January 1, 1969, after the federalization law, Slovakia became a federal republic within Czechoslovakia, which was called the Slovak Socialist Republic.
In 1989, the communist regime fell (see Velvet Revolution), nevertheless, contradictions between the Czech Republic and Slovakia increased in the Czechoslovakia. In the summer of 1992, the leaders of the republics agreed to divide the country.
– interests everyone planning to spend time in the mountains in December-April - the Carpathians, Vysokiye and Low Tatras; in May-September - enjoy natural beauties, go to sightseeing tours, go fishing and rafting on Slovak rivers.
Slovakia: where is the “land of caves and mineral springs”?
The location of Slovakia (the capital is Bratislava; the country's area is 49,034 sq. km) - Central Europe. Landlocked Slovakia is surrounded to the northeast and north by the Western Carpathians. The highest point in the form of the 2650-meter peak Gerlakhovsky-Stit, is located in. Slovakia has common borders with (670 km), (90 km), (420 km), (90 km) and (200 km).
Slovakia consists of the Žilina, Presov, Košice, Trnava, Nitra, Bratislava, Trenčín, and Banská Bystrica regions.
How to get to Slovakia?
To get to from, travelers will have to fly through, as a result of which the journey will last 6 hours, after - 14 hours, through the capital - 7.5 hours, through - 15 hours, through the Italian capital - more than 8.5 hours.
Tourists who need to be in will be offered to make a stop in the Austrian capital (passengers will have an 8.5-hour flight), in (the journey will take 7.5 hours), in the Czech capital (tourists will arrive in Kosice 6 hours 40 minutes after departure from Moscow), in (the journey will end 11.5 hours after boarding the first flight).
Those wishing to use the train's services will get to the Slovak capital, Liptovsky Mikulas and Kosice with Kievsky railway station Moscow in about 42 hours.
Holidays in Slovakia
Those who decide to spend a vacation in Slovakia are advised to pay attention to Bratislava (famous for the castle, Bratislava Castle, SNP Bridge, St. Martin's Cathedral, St. Stephen's Capuchin Church), (those who want to get rid of arthritic psoriasis, acne, dermatitis and eczema through mud and mineral baths flock here, light and hydrotherapy, reflex and manual massage, electrotherapy, rehabilitation exercises), (the resort consists of 2 ski areas: the Nova Gola area is aimed at professionals, and Zagradishte is aimed at beginners; for snowboarders there is a Fu Arena snowboard park; Donovaly has 16 lifts , one of which, Telemix Nova Gola, has a 1300-meter cable car), (famous for the castle of 1069, the Executioner's House, the Church of St. Mary, the Chapel of St. Michael, the Town Hall; if you wish, you can stay at the Ostrov camping site, located on the shore of Lake Vah, and also come to Trencin for the annual event held here music Festival Pohoda), Skok waterfall (its water flow, with a temperature of +4-6˚C, falls from a 25-meter height; these scenic spots suitable for hiking, especially those laid over the waterfall hiking trails with pointers).
Slovak beaches
- beaches on the shores of the Zemplinska Sirava reservoir: the local 12-kilometer beach has bungalows, private villas, bars, boat rentals, tennis courts, mini golf courses. Those who wish can go fishing, because the reservoir is home to bream, eel, carp, pike perch, and pike.
- beaches on the shores of the Senets Lakes: they are suitable for diving and fishing, and their equipment includes a water park, cottages, boarding houses, volleyball courts, and rental shops for sports equipment.
Souvenirs from Slovakia
Those leaving Slovakia should not return to their homeland without Figaro chocolate, painted gingerbread, Tatranka cookies, pumpkin butter, sheep’s cheese, plum brandy, boletus, Janosik’s hat, wickerwork, homespun rugs, and “volašek” (shepherd’s crook).
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Slovakia- a state in Central Europe. It borders with the Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, Hungary and Austria. It has no access to the sea.
Most of the country is mountainous ( highest point countries - Gerlachovski-Štit, 2655 m). A third of the country is occupied by the fertile South Slovak and East Slovak lowlands in the southeast and the Danube lowlands east of Bratislava.
Airports of Slovakia
Bratislava Milan Rastislav Stefanik Airport
Kosice Barca Airport
Poprad-Tatry Airport
Hotels in Slovakia 1 - 5 stars
Slovakia weather
Temperate continental, with warm summers and cold winters. Precipitation on the plains ranges from 450 to 700 mm. per year (mainly in winter and off-season), in the mountains - up to 1600-2100 mm. in year. At the same time, snow in mountainous areas, despite the relatively low altitude, lies for 4-5 months a year, but the weather is quite changeable, so thaws are frequent.
May, June and September are the most convenient months for a “regular” visit to the country, for ski holiday The most favorable period is from November to March.
Average air temperature in Bratislava t°C
Language of Slovakia
Official language: Slovak
Czech, Hungarian, German, English and, in their places of residence, the languages of ethnic groups are widely spoken.
Currency of Slovakia
International name: SKK
The Slovak koruna is equal to 100 hellers. In circulation there are coins in denominations of 10, 20 and 50 hellers and 1, 2, 5 and 10 kroner (Sk) and banknotes in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 kroner. Czechoslovakian coins and banknotes are not valid.
EuroCard and MasterCard credit cards are accepted in almost all banks, as well as VISA, American Express and Eurocheque. They are accepted by the majority large hotels, at gas stations, less often - in restaurants and stores. ATMs are becoming increasingly common in Slovakia, although outside major cities It’s better not to count on them. Slovak ATMs are usually connected to the international payment systems MasterCard, VISA, Plus, Maestro, Cirrus.
Visa
To obtain a visa to Slovakia you need:
- International passport with the personal signature of the owner, which is valid for 6 months after the end of the trip;
- 1 color photo 3.5 x 4.5 and a questionnaire with the tourist’s personal signature;
- Visa for children under 15 years old - issued free of charge
- If you are 15 years old, you will be paid the same as for an adult.
- Questionnaire for filling out the visa application form.
Customs restrictions
The import and export of national and foreign currency is not limited (a declaration is required if the amount exceeds 150 thousand crowns or its equivalent in currency). When exporting currency, you must provide a document of its origin.
Duty-free import is allowed (including shipment to postal items) up to 200 pcs. cigarettes or 100 thin cigars, or 50 regular cigars, or 250 grams of smoking tobacco, up to 1 liter of strong alcoholic drinks(over 38% strength), up to 2 liters of wine, up to 50 ml of perfume, up to 250 ml of eau de toilette, as well as personal items worth no more than 30 thousand crowns. Tobacco products can only be imported by persons over 16 years of age, alcoholic products - by persons over 18 years of age. Medicines and medicines can be imported duty-free in quantities necessary to meet minimum personal needs.
Mains voltage
Tips
Tips in restaurants are approximately 10% of the bill. Whether to give them or not is at the discretion of the tourist.
Office hours
Banks are open every day, except Sunday, from 9 am to 11 am and from 2 pm to 4 pm. On Saturday - until 12 pm. Exchange offices on weekdays are usually open from 7-8 am to 5-7 pm with an hour lunch break (some around the clock ). On weekends, the work schedule is usually from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Most stores are open every day except Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (large department stores and shopping centers on Thursday they usually work until 19-21 hours). On Saturday, most stores are open from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Safety
Street robberies and pickpocketing are quite rare, but in city transport both are quite possible. You should also be especially careful when storing ski equipment and photo and video cameras.
Code of the country: +421
Geographic first level domain name:.sk
Emergency numbers
Police - 158
Emergency and ambulance system on roads - 154
Ambulance - 155
Fire protection - 150
Natural conditions
Bratislava is located in the west of the Danube Lowland. North of the capital Small ones begin Carpathian mountains. 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 distinct. In winter it is usually dry, the temperature stays within +2° C; in summer it is humid and warm - on average +21° C. About 500 mm of cages fall per year.
A special feature of the capital's geographical position in relation to the entire country is its border location. Usually main city The 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 residents are Slovaks (85%); many Hungarians (10%) and Czechs. In total, 450 thousand people live in the city.
The official language in the state is Slovak, the formation of which dates back to the 40s of the 19th century. The Latin alphabet is used for writing. The Hungarian language is often spoken, and Russian, Czech, German, and English are also widely spoken in the capital of the country.
Bratislava, like all of Slovakia, is dominated by the Roman Catholic Church. About 60% of the city's residents consider themselves Catholics. Approximately 6% of the population are followers of the Slovak Evangelical Church. However, the capital is home to many believers of other faiths: those belonging to the Greek Catholic Church, Orthodox and Protestants in the Augsburg spirit.
History of development
On the site of present-day Bratislava in the 2nd-1st centuries. BC e. there were Celtic villages. However, the founding of the city is traditionally considered to be the merit of Piso, the military leader 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 definitive evidence of a long-term Roman presence in the area of modern Bratislava has been found. Therefore, the mention of the commander Pizon as the founder of the Slovak capital leads into the realm of legends. Apparently, under the heirs of Tiberius, the barbarians managed to push the imperial troops to the south.
The place for the founding of the city was chosen very well by the Romans. The Danube is a waterway that connects a number of European seams. In addition, a number of convenient land routes from the Northern and Western Europe to the Balkans and the Middle East. Thanks to the advantageous geographical location, which promoted trade, the city was supposed to quickly grow and develop, but this was prevented by the movement of huge masses of people rushing to the west that soon began throughout Eurasia. By the 5th century In the vicinity of Bratislava, the ancient Slavs established themselves, who somewhat later, at the final stage of the era of the Great Migration of Peoples, created Great Moravia - one of the largest European states of the early Middle Ages. It was then that the first mention of Bratislava appeared in written sources (IX century). It was a fortified point of the 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 near the walls of Bratislava. The city became part of Hungary and became known as Pozsony. In the middle of the 12th century. Pozhon received the status of a free royal city. At this time, 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. At the same time, 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 Corvinus. The fate of the city was greatly affected by Ottoman expansion in the Balkans. In 1541, Buda, the capital of Hungary, fell. Bratislava became the capital city of the kingdom until 1784. There was also a religious center here: the capital housed the residence of the Hungarian archbishops.
With the collapse of the feudal system in Bratislava, capitalist relations developed rapidly. However, further movement along the path of industrial progress was hampered by backwardness government structure. After the capital of Hungary was transferred to Buda, recaptured from the Ottomans, Bratislava did not completely lose its importance as an administrative center. Until 1848, Hungarian kings were crowned here and the state assembly was located here.
At the end of the 18th century. The Slavic national liberation movement began in the city. It was caused by increased oppression from the Austrians and Hungarians. The processes of Germanization and Magyarization of the Slavic population in the 19th century. took on very sharp forms. In the 1820s. The Department of National Language and Literature appeared in the Bratislava Lyceum.
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 between France and Austria in Presburg. The latter was unable to continue military operations and recognized its dependence on Napoleon. After the collapse of Austria-Hungary caused by defeat in the First World War, the creation of the Czechoslovak Republic was announced on October 28, 1918, uniting the lands inhabited by Czechs and Slovaks. On January 1, 1919, Bratislava became the administrative center of Slovakia as part of 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 take the socialist path of development. However, this did not happen immediately, but only in 1948, when the communists achieved power. Czechoslovak Socialist Republic (CSSR), which arose from political map Europe on January 1, 1969, was significantly different from the state that preceded it.
It was not just a change in political course caused by the suppression of the Prague Spring. Czechoslovakia was a federal state consisting 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. The Ruzhinov and Petrzalka microdistricts were built. 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 attention 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 the Slovaks still felt deprived. 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 reflected the fact that the standard of living of the population of Slovakia was lower compared to 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-Czech semi-underground opposition.
"Velvet Revolution", which occurred in November 1989, ultimately led to the peaceful fall of the communist regime. In 1990, Czechoslovakia was first transformed into the Czechoslovak Federative Republic (CFR), then into the Czech and Slovak Federative Republic (CSFR). The changes concerned not only the name of the state, but also the principles of coexistence of two republics in it. The more industrialized 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 a Democratic Slovakia (MDS) won an impressive victory in Slovakia. In July, the Slovak parliament adopted the Declaration of Independence. The authorities in Prague decided not to counteract the disintegration with military force. Moreover, the federal authorities contributed to the peaceful formation of two new republics - the Czech and Slovak ones.
On January 1, 1993, Bratislava again - perhaps for the last time in its history - became the capital of an independent state.
Cultural significance
Capital of Slovakia - largest center not only the national culture, but also the culture of those countries of which long time Bratislava entered. Fortunately, many monuments of the past were preserved for posterity. The streets and squares of the city make an indelible impression.
The historical center of the capital is crowned by the Castle located above the Danube, a castle that was rebuilt several times over 9 centuries. The last changes to its appearance were made in the 18th century. To the north and east of the City lies Old city(Stare Mesto), whose name speaks for itself. It is worth noting that Bratislava, which changed its name many times, is characterized by a similar architectural feature. Many buildings in the capital were rebuilt, acquiring new features. This is especially noticeable in the example of numerous architectural monuments Old town.
Such, for example, is the Michal Gate topped with a tower. Their creation dates back to the 14th century, but the structure acquired its current appearance in the 18th century. Around the same time, the facade of St. Martin's Cathedral, built in the 14th-15th centuries, was changed in the late Gothic era. The monastery of the Franciscan Order began to be built in the 13th century, and the process continued for almost 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 purity of style. Such are the Church of the Order of the Clarices (end of the 14th century), the Church of the Holy Trinity (beginning of the 18th century), the Church of St. Alzhbieta (mid-18th century), the palace of the aristocratic dynasty of Esterházy, the palace of the primate (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, Bratislava also has quite a lot of architecturally interesting buildings, such as Art Nouveau buildings dating back about a century.
The country's leading cultural and educational institutions 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 is a City and National Museums. In Slovakia national gallery Numerous paintings by old masters are on display.
The cultural life of the city is determined by performances National Theater, founded in 1919
Tourist information
Bratislava is a major tourist center. In addition to the cultural and historical significance of the city, do not forget about the ski resorts. At the end of the 1990s. little was known about them, but now they are rapidly increasing in popularity.
Any special customs rules not in Slovakia. National currency- Slovak koruna. It is not difficult to exchange freely convertible currencies. There are no restrictions on its import or export. In Bratislava, common types of credit cards are widely used.
The price level in the capital of Slovakia is lower than in other large European cities, but the level of service is quite high.