Having proclaimed independence, small but proud Slovakia was not afraid to embark on an autonomous voyage, being left without the support of the Czech Republic. It seemed that the main tourist flow would invariably shift to the side of Prague-Karlovy Vary sights, but that was not the case! Bratislava gets its invariable piece of the tourist pie, and when asked what to see in Slovakia, its residents are ready to give a detailed and very detailed answer. There is a place in the republic for fans of medieval architecture, and for fans of national parks, and for admirers of the reverent silence of museum expositions.
TOP-15 sights of Slovakia
Spissky grad
In Slovakia, all castles are called "grads" and Spiš is the largest among them. UNESCO and the republic's cultural fund have added the castle to their lists of specially protected objects. The castle was founded in the 11th century on the remains of a Celtic settlement and more than once repelled the attacks of enemies, due to its special location and inaccessibility - the castle was built on 200-meter high dolomite rocks.
The architecture of the castle traces the features of both the Romanesque Gothic and the Renaissance, because the Spiš Castle has been rebuilt and reconstructed more than once.
Today, a museum exposition with a collection of medieval armor, weapons, utensils and furniture is open on the territory of the castle.
To get there: by train from Poprad, by bus from the same place or from Levoča.
Open - from April to October from 9 am to 6 pm, weekends - Sat. and sup.
Ticket price: 6 euros.
Bratislava Castle
The visiting card of the Slovak capital is Bratislava Castle, recreated from the ruins. The first mention of it dates back to the 10th century, when a castle arose here, which served as a repository of Hungarian royal regalia and a place of coronation of monarchs.
The modern view of Bratislava Castle is a regular quadrangle of the fortress walls with a courtyard where the royal palace rises. It architecturally dominates the city, and its interiors have preserved Gothic elements - knightly halls, floral ornaments and painted vaults.
In Bratislava Castle you can see the museum expositions of Slovakia:
- Historical collections with valuable archaeological and numismatic exhibits.
- Primitive finds, including the Paleolithic Venus from the Moravans.
- Unique treasures of gold products, instruments of the Celtic era under the general name "Treasures of the ancient past of Slovakia."
- Hall of Fame with awards received by Slovak ice hockey players.
Devin
Devin Castle is located a few kilometers from Bratislava. It was built in ancient times, and in the chronicles of the 9th century Divin already appears as a powerful defensive fortification of Great Moravia. From the walls of the castle, rising on a cliff two hundred meters high, magnificent views of the Danube and Morava open up, merging nearby into a single stream.
A museum exposition is open in the Devin castle, festivals and holidays are regularly held.
To get there: buses number 29 from Novy Most in the capital.
Ticket price: 4 EUR.
Cathedral of Saint Martin
The largest cathedral in the capital of Slovakia, built in the Gothic style, the Church of St. Martin appeared in the 15th century. The emperors of the Holy Roman Empire and the kings of Austria-Hungary were crowned here more than once.
Of particular interest is the interior of the temple, richly decorated with medieval Gothic tombstones, colored stained glass windows and sculptures by Donner from the 18th century.
Open for tourists: in summer on weekdays from 9 to 18, in winter - until 16. On weekends - depending on the schedule of weddings and holidays.
Church of St. Elizabeth
The foundation stone of the Blue Church in Bratislava was laid in 1909. His project was developed by Hungarian Eden Lechner. The church in honor of St. Elizabeth was built in the Art Nouveau style and looks very light, bright and picturesque.
The height of the bell tower with a spire is about 37 meters, and the clock on the tower shows the exact time.
The Church of St. Elizabeth is especially loved by the inhabitants of Slovakia. The church even represents the country in the Mini Europe park in Brussels.
Primate's Palace
In a cozy square in the old part of Bratislava, you will find a neoclassical mansion called the Primate's Palace or the Archbishop's Palace. The building appeared on the map of Bratislava in 1781 and was built as the residence of the archbishop. The purpose of the mansion is emphasized by the pediment above the façade, crowned with a sculptural image of a cardinal's hat.
Today, an exposition of the city art gallery is open in the Primate's mansion, but the old interiors are of no less interest to visitors than the paintings on display. On the walls of the palace there are portraits of the Habsburgs, handmade carpets and tapestries of the 17th century. Concerts of classical music are held in the Mirror Hall.
Museum in the old Town Hall
On the Market Square of the capital of Slovakia, you can look at the old Roland fountain with a sculpture of a knight in the role of the protagonist, and opposite you will see the building of the old Town Hall. Its tower has existed since the 13th century, when the building began to be erected for urban needs. Later, in the 15th century, wings were attached to the tower, and then the Town Hall was repeatedly subjected to numerous reconstructions.
Over the long history of the Town Hall, the city council met in it, prisoners were kept and even coins were minted. Today the tower houses a small historical museum.
Ticket price: 1 euro.
Michalsky gate
The old town in Bratislava is a labyrinth of narrow medieval streets, where you can find cozy Baroque mansions, small Catholic churches and many medieval buildings of a purely defensive purpose. One of the streets is called Michalskaya, and its attraction is the gate, which consists of a gate tower, a bridge with a lift and a moat. The height of the tower is 50 meters, and it was built in the XIII century.
Today, the Mikhalskie Vorota complex is a branch of the city museum, the exhibits of which are historical weapons and models of fortifications. The local “prime meridian” runs under the arch of the gate, from where all Slovenian roads begin to measure kilometers.
Ticket price: 4, 3 euros.
Slovak Paradise
The national park of Slovakia is protected by beech and fir forests, and its main attractions are canyons, waterfalls and many caves. The Slovak Paradise mountain range is popular with hikers and rock climbing fans.
The park is located in the eastern part of the country. The area of the reserve is more than 200 sq. km.
Ice cave
On the territory of the Slovak Paradise, there is an ice cave accessible for tourists, the dimensions of which make it one of the most ambitious on the planet. Its length is about one and a half kilometers, the air temperature in the Great Hall does not rise above 0 ° C even in summer, and the thickness of the ice on the walls and floor is at least 25 meters.
The cave was electrified, and in the middle of the last century it served as a training ground for the Slovak national ice hockey team.
How to get there: by train to the town of Dobshin, then by taxi or by a rented car along Highway 67.
Trenchyansky Castle
A castle on the site of an old settlement was built in Trenčjan in the 11th century. Then the rotunda and the residential tower were built. Then the fortress was completed, and for some time it belonged to Matush Cak, a powerful nobleman who controlled the territory of all modern Slovakia.
In the complex, the Dungeon, Cannon Bastion, Barbara Palace and Matusova Tower are worthy of special attention. The unique defensive structures on the southern side of the cliff are still staggering in scale.
Cathedral of St. Elizabeth of Hungary
The Cathedral of the Archdiocese in Kosice is the largest temple in Slovakia and one of the most beautiful examples of Gothic architecture in Eastern Europe. The cathedral was built in the period from 1378 to 1508 and is dedicated to the current patroness of the city, Elizabeth of Hungary.
Of particular note are the picturesque 15th-century altarpiece of 48 paintings about the life of St. Elizabeth, skillful stone carvings and Gothic frescoes on the walls.
National Gallery
The largest museum in the country has a network of representative offices throughout Slovakia, and its main exhibition is located in Bratislava. The National Gallery collection features thousands of paintings, sculptures and arts and crafts.
Address in Bratislava: Esterhazy Palace on the Danube embankment.
Clock Museum
The old house "At the Good Shepherd" in the center of Bratislava deserves attention for two reasons at once. Firstly, it is the narrowest in the city, and secondly, it houses the exposition of the local clock museum.
You will see alarm clocks and pocket brackets, wall and fireplace walkers, grandfather clocks and devices that only work with the help of the sun.
The house got its name thanks to the sculpture of Christ installed at the corner of the mansion.
Ticket price: 2, 5 euros.
Orava Castle
On the banks of the Orava River, on a steep cliff at a hundred-meter height, like a bird's nest, an ancient castle is attached, which is called one of the most beautiful in Slovakia.
The castle was built from the 13th to the 17th century, and for many centuries it served as a reliable defensive fortification.
Fans of architectural styles will find on the territory of the Orava Castle a variety of elements from Gothic and Baroque to the Renaissance, and lovers of quiet museum contemplation will be satisfied with the local expositions: local history, ethnographic and natural.
To get there: by train from Bratislava, the desired station is Oravsky Podzamok.
Ticket price: 7 euros.
