Slovakia — a country without access to the sea. The capital is the city Bratislava. It is famous for its hospitality, pricing policy, nature, convenient location and various excursion programs. Thanks to the presence of ancient castles, architecture, beautiful valleys, snowy mountains and other attractions, it received the name "Wonder of Europe". This is truly a rich in historical and cultural objects country, on the territory of which are located more than 100 castles and even more palaces.
Previously Slovakia was part of Czechoslovakia, but from 01.01.93 it gained independence as a result of the dissolution of Czechoslovakia into Slovakia and Czechia. From that moment, the country formed its economic, political and cultural identity, strengthening its positions in the territory of Europe.
Currency – euro, native language – Slovak, population about 5.4 million people.
Special traditions, modern trends in art and culture, quality education make Slovakia attractive and interesting not only for tourists, but also for students from various countries. Education meets the best world and European standards and does not require confirmation in many countries of the world. Studies at state universities are absolutely free, although knowledge of the Slovak language is required (upon admission its knowledge is not required). During their studies, foreign students have the right to officially work, receive a residence permit, which allows not only to pay for education expenses, but also to visit Europe countries, nearby cities and more.
Slovakia is famous for a multitude of interesting facts, about which we will discuss below.
Fact 1 - Location
The city of Bratislava has a special location on the world map – it is located on administrative borders of the country. It turns out that on one side the city borders with Austria, and on the other - Hungary. It is interesting that Bratislava and Vienna – the closest cities to each other in Europe. In the past, there was an ordinary tram between them, and the trip took about an hour. Now they are connected by fast electric trains.
Fact 2 – Historic Castles
Slovakia is considered one of the countries with the highest density of castles in the world. On the territory of the country there are about 220 castles and ruins, many of which are open for visits and are considered quite popular tourist attractions. Some of them:
- Bratislava Castle - a symbol of Bratislava, an important historical and cultural landmark;
- Bojnice Castle - one of the most romantic and popular structures in Slovakia;
- Spis Castle - one of the largest castles in Central Europe, protected by UNESCO;
- Orava Castle - has a rich history and beautiful architecture.
Fact 3 – there are no millionaires
Slovakia does not have cities with a population of a million, despite the fact that there are about 140 of them. The most densely populated areas are Košice, Bratislava.
Fact 4 – automobile manufacturing
Slovakia is a significant player in the automotive industry. It holds one of the leading positions in the world in the production of cars per capita of the population. In 2023, the country produced about 202 cars per 1000 residents.
Main manufacturers:
- Volkswagen Slovakia - the largest automobile manufacturer in the country, with factories in Bratislava and other cities;
- Kia - manufactures automobiles in Žilina;
- Peugeot Citroën - has a factory in Trnava;
- Jaguar Land Rover - opened its factory in Nitra in 2018.
Car enthusiasts will definitely like it here – you can watch the assembly process. The main thing is to sign up for an excursion in advance!
Fact 5 – beer
Brewing has a long history here and occupies an important place in the culture and traditions of the country. Residents often gather in beer bars, pubs to socialize and consume their favorite drink. Several interesting facts about the beer culture of Slovakia:
- a variety of sorts. From classical lagers and ales to craft and special varieties. Local brewers often experiment with ingredients and technologies, creating unique tastes;
- popular Slovak brands. Zlatý Bažant, Šariš, Corgoň, Topvar and Urpiner;
- beer festivals. You can try different varieties, enjoy local cuisine and cultural program.
Fact 6 – Gothic heritage
The country has many architectural monuments, monasteries, castles, churches and other attractions built in Gothic style. The city of Levoča is famous thanks to a master woodcarver who lived in XVI century. This master created masterpieces which are located in the temple of Saint James and attract many tourists. One of the most famous is a wooden altar dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the Apostle James. Its height is about 19 meters.
Fact 7 – high forest density
The forest massif covers about 40% of Slovakia's territory. Nature is rich in various trees: pine, beech, fir, as well as rare animal species. Slovakia has several national parks, among which the Tatra National Park, covering part of the High Tatra, and being a popular place for tourism and recreation.
Fact 8 – the warmest place in Slovakia
Located in the small town of Štúrovo. Average temperature – 11 degrees. Hungary is nearby, where you can go across the bridge of Mary Valeria. Štúrovo attracts tourists with its infrastructure and natural beauty. Here you can relax on the beach, visit various festivals, fairs and other cultural events.
Fact 9 – a pub made of lighters
In 1993 in Slovakia a pub was opened (in place of an old library), the popularity of which lies in its unique design: on the walls you can see a huge number of lighters, of which there are about four thousand specimens. Originally the collection consisted of only 400 lighters, which served exclusively as decoration.
Fact 10 – geyser
In the east of Slovakia there is a famous geyser Herlany. Its eruption is caused by underground water pressure, not geothermal activity. It erupts approximately every 32-36 hours, ejecting water to a height of up to 15 meters. This occurs over several minutes, which attracts many tourists.
Fact 11 – Education
Education for non-residents is free if you enter a state institution and study in the state language - Slovak. For preparation for admission to a Slovak university, our school Libertyschool will help you - you can familiarize yourself with our offers here. The cost of living is significantly lower compared to other European countries. Students are not prohibited from working and they are also provided with a residence permit.
Fact 12 – Absence of Santa Claus
There is no such character in Slovakia. Instead of him, you can see krampuses – Christmas demons. Pre-New Year holidays begin on December 6. Every night you can see men in costumes of scary demons carrying burning torches.
Fact 13 – Dog Symbol
A large breed of dog with snow-white fur, known for its loyalty and friendliness. This breed was specially developed to help shepherds. These dogs have a thick double coat of fur which provides them reliable protection from cold and rain.
Slovakia is a beautiful country characterized by picturesque landscapes, ancient architecture and legends. This place will certainly not leave any tourist indifferent.
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