 | McLae´s guide to Slovakia |  |
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Slovakia Internet country code: .sk International telephone prefix: +421  With numerous medieval towns, high mountains, caves and a lively capital city, there's probably something for every traveller to enjoy in Slovakia. Slovakia is said to be the country with the highest number of fortified castles per capita in the world. Slovakia has a temperate climate with sunny summers and cold, cloudy, humid and snowy winters. Much of the central and northern part of Slovakia is rugged and mountainous. Gerlachovský stít at 2,655 m in the High Tatras is the highest point. The Tatra Mountains in the north, shared with Poland, are interspersed with many scenic lakes and valleys. The lowlands are in the south with the lowest point of the Bodrog River being 94 m below sea level. Slovakia is also a country of massive medieval castles built on the rocks, beautiful detailed ones located on plains (there is about 180 castles and ruins) as well as country of caves. Most of 12 biggest caves (traditional karst caves, ice caves, aragonite cave etc) are open for public for several hours daily only. In 1918 the Slovaks joined the closely related Czechs to form Czechoslovakia. Following the chaos of World War II, Czechoslovakia became a communist country within Soviet-ruled Eastern Block. Soviet influence collapsed in 1989 and Czechoslovakia once more became free. For many years overshadowed by their north-western Czech neighbors, political representations of Czech and Slovak decided to strike out on their own. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully on 1 January 1993 and Slovakia became a country in its own right. Historic, political, and geographic factors have caused Slovakia to experience more difficulty in developing a modern market economy than some of its Central European neighbors. Finally, however, Slovakia joined the European Union and the NATO in 2004. There are some similarities between the Czech and Slovak cultures. However, although the Slovaks may talk and eat like the Czechs, they are not the same. One of the most striking differences is that while Czechs are largely atheists, Slovaks are largely Catholics. This they share with the Poles. As a Hungarian territory for so many years, there is a Hungarian-speaking minority of 9.7%, mostly in southern Slovakia. The Slovak language is similar to Czech and Polish, but it is different. On the other you won´t have a problem to understand the Slovaks, if you speak Polish or Czech. In the eastern part of the country, there are many Romas/Gypsies and some Rusnacs/Rusins and Ukrainians. The Gypsies usually are the poorest, worst educated members of the society. They have higher levels of unemployment, criminality, and alcoholism than ethnic Slovaks. Most of the Gypsies do not give "Gypsy" as their nationality in censuses, but their true number is around 300.000. Language: The national language of Slovakia is Slovak, a Slavic language which is similar to and mutually intelligible with Czech (before 1993 newscasters alternated languages in nightly news reports to give fair time to each). The younger generation however already tends to have problems understanding Czech. Slovak is written using the same Roman characters that English uses, so Western travellers won't have any trouble reading signs and maps. As a Hungarian territory for so many years, there is a significant Hungarian-speaking minority of 9,7%. Most of the Hungarians live in southern regions of the country. Other Slovaks however normally do not speak or understand the Hungarian language. While you can make do with English and German in Bratislava, in smaller towns and villages your only chance is trying to approach younger people that speak some English. Older residents may know some German. People born before 1980 and after 1935 will have learned Russian in school. Sometimes, especially in the North and the East of Slovakia, you may try Polish. Other Slavic languages, especially Serbian, Croatian and Slovenian, may also work. Eating and Drinking: Bryndzove halusky is Slovak national meal made with potato dumplings and special kind of sheep cheese (that is not actually the cheese) called "bryndza". You will get pieces of fried meaty bacon on top of Bryndzove halusky. Very tasty and delicious. For non-alcoholic drinks try Vinea, a soft drink made from grapes, in both red and white and also without CO2. Kofola, another soft drink, is similar to Cola, is also very popular among locals and is available both on tap and bottled. Mineral waters are some of the best in the World and can offer positive affects, such as helping get rid of heart burn. There are many types available from shops and supermarkets, fo example Budis, Baldovska, Salvator, Slatina, Klastorna etc. Others are only available directly from the many spas that naturally spring up all over the place. For beers, there are a great variety of local brews that are similar in style to Czech beers. Try out the local Zlaty Bazant, Smadny Mnich, Topvar and Saris. Saris is also available in a dark version that is thicker and heavier on your stomach. If the local tastes do not satisfy, "Western" beers are sold in the bigger restaurants and pubs. Slovakia has also some great local wines, many similar to Germanic Riesling styles. There are also sweeter wines from the Southern border regions called Tokaj. Slovak wine might not be widely known outside the region but it is certainly worth a try. Slovakia produces good vodkas. Excellent is the plum brandy (Slivovice), Pear brandy or liquer Demanovka. But the most popular alcohol is Borovicka, a type of gin. In some shops you may try a 25 or 50 ml shot for very little money, so as to avoid buying a big bottle of something of unknown flavour, then decide whether to buy or not to buy ;) |
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