Slovakia
Slovakia's geographical position between two superpowers of the middle ages, Austro-Hungarian and Russian, has left its mark plainly in its historical architecture.
Most towns have historic churches, and many of these have features of special signicance.
Castles can be divided into those which have been restored, and those which have fallen into ruin.
Bratislava Slovakia's capital city is at last coming to life. Tourists are coming to love the freshly restored old town, now almost entirely closed to cars. Business of all kinds is booming in one of the European Union's most rapidly-expanding capitals. The population of some half-million inhabitants is quickly adapting to its new role in the expanded Europe.
The High Tatras are the most compact mountains of alpine type in Europe, located on Slovakia’s northern border with Poland. The resort is a popular destinaton for hiking in summer and skiing in winter.
Kosice
This metropolis of Eastern Slovakia is a regional administrative centre and hub of industry, commerce, science and culture. The country's second largest city, Kosice curently has a population of more than 250,000 inhabitants.
Bojnice castle
Slovakia has dozens of intact castles worth a visit, but Bojnice has probably been restored with more gusto than any of them. Activities for children (but not only for children), a functioning zoo and health spa and extensive grounds make this a lively place to visit. The history of the castle dates back to at least 1113, and in the 19th century the owners made it the seat of a fabulous collection of furnishings and artefacts. Tucked away in the hills of central western Slovakia.
Bratislava castle
Bratislava Castle
The oldest surviving remnant, a basilica on the lawn facing Bratislava's Old Town, dates from the 9th century. This predates the first record of fortifications on this hill, in the Salzburg Chronicle from 907. This record notes the proprietor as one Brezalauspurc, a prince of the Moravian Empire that was soon to peak and collapse. It was expanded to its approximate present-day extent in the 15th century for the use of Emperor Sigismund of Luxembourg. About 200 years later, the aristocratic Palffy family completed extensions that make for today’s “upside-down table” appearance of four peaked corner towers. In 1811 a fire in what was then a barracks left the castle an abandoned hulk, and restoration was to start only in the 1950s. Serving briefly as seat of government for independent Slovakia in 1993, the castle today serves as museum and special events venue, notably as the site of the Bush-Putin summit in February 2005.
The castle dominates the centre of Bratislava, towering over the second-highest point of St Martin’s cathedral spire. You can reach it via a brief but stiff uphill walk from Old Town, passing several centuries’ worth of gorgeous town houses along Zidovska Street and others. It is also a short trolley-bus ride from the Presidential Palace, or a taxi ride. Parking is rather scarce, particularly while parliament is in session in its newly-built venue adjacent.
Cachtice
Cachtice castle SlovakiaMost people think of Cachtice (pronounced CHAHK-tee-tseh) in connection with its Dracula-like 16th-century countess. Her gruesome story of slaughtering servants one by one is part legend but in part substantiated by historical documents. This castle once formed part of the Hungarian kingdom’s anti-Turk defenses in the late middle ages. In 1708, it was seized and torched by anti-royalist rebels, left to decay into the ruins we find today.
The castle is located not far from the western Slovak town of Nove Mesto nad Vahom (with good car and train connections to most of Slovakia). By train, change to a local connection to the village of Visnove, then hike up a very steep trail to the ruin. If you’re traveling by car, an alternative approach is a more gradual walk of 3 km from the town of Cachtice.
