ELOQUENT SEPTEMBER

SLOVAKIA
- A LITTLE BIG COUNTRY
Even though Slovakia is a small country in the heart of
Europe, there are many beautiful things to behold - mountains,
tarns, castles, traditional villages, modern cities, mineral
springs and spas to name a few. This country is deeply
anchored in its history, so one can return in time if that is
their desire.. I hope this article will be an inspiration for a trip
around Slovakia. Enjoy!
1. The High Tatras - Štrbské pleso
I set out in our highest mountain range. On the first day I
visited our most known tarn Štrbské pleso. It is easy to get there.
You just need to take Tatra´s tram from Poprad-Tatry/Starý
Smokovec. You may also go by Zubačka (a kind of a cable
tramway) from Štrba to Štrbské pleso. The mountain lake lies
about 5 minutes from the train station. If you do not like hiking,
this is a place for because you do not climb any hills.
2.The High Tatras - Zelené pleso
I really recommend going to this destination. It is a hike, but
that place is just amazing! It looks like from another world. Your
trip will start in Tatranská Lomnica. You have to go on chair-lift
to Skalnaté pleso. From there you must go up to Svišťovka,
which is 2,037m high. I suggest wearing sturdy or hiking shoes
because the terrain is rocky and very slippery. You will enjoy a
really nice view from the top of Svišťovka, overlooking Zelené
pleso. During the journey you may encounter chamois, Slovak
mountain goats!. When you get to Zelené pleso, there is a cottage
where you can buy a bowl of hearty, delicious bean soup.
3.The High Tatras - Waterfall Skok
This is another destination for those who do not like high
mountains. It is about an hour-lour long trek from Štrbské pleso
through a forest. It´s 1,789m tall and it is full of rocks.
4.Blatnica castle
Let´s move to central Slovakia. This castle lies in the Veľká
Fatra near Gader valley. There is picturesque nature with many
species of fauna and flora. The region boasts with the freshest
air in the country. The castle was built for defence of the merchant
road in 1300s. You will get to it by following the yellow
trail from Gader valley. It will take you about 30 minutes to get
there. There is free entry, which helps to stretch the budget a bit
more. A piece of advice: Watch your step as many snakes bask
in the sunshine on the rocks around there!
5.Mošovce
This village lies in the same region as Gader valley. It is
surrounded by mountains and beautiful nature. The mansion
of the Revai family with its beautiful English park with foreign
plants is definitely worth a visit! In this park, there is also a
baronial chapel as well as a museum of Slovak crafts. Mošovce
used to be one of the biggest craft centers in Slovakia. You can
find here also one the oldest churches from the 13th century
and first community theater in Slovakia. It is a birthplace of Jan
Kollar (a 19th- century Slovak writer and a
proponent of Slavic identity).
6.Banská Bystrica
This large town bids to take a walk through
its nice historical center. It is most known as
the starting place of the Slovak national
uprising against fascism in 1944. You can
see there monuments reminding us of this
great event in our history. The visit of the
SNP Museum is a must at least once in a
lifetime. You may top the day in their medieval
gallery with some precious pictures on
display.
7.Turčianske Teplice
This town, too, lies under the Veľká Fatra. Besides walking
through the spa and taking along some thermal water or swimming
in their aquapark, stop by in their bench park, where
benches are dedicated to famous people. You can also pour
here thermal water.
8. Banská Štiavnica
In my opinion, this is one the most beautiful places in Slovakia.
You can walk through its historical downtown, which is incredibly
lovely. You can truly feel its history walking down the cobblestone
roads.. This city used to be the richest city in Slovakia
do to the great amount of gold and silver found in its vicinity.
Most of its population used to be German as they brought their
mining craftsmanship to Slovakia.. In Štiavnické vrchy, there are
tajchy - pools of water built for storing water from mines. Now
they are used for relaxation or fishing. If you feel adventurous,
get a ticket to a mine shaft Štôlňa Bartolomej, where guides will
tell you everything about mining and history of the mine.
We may be a small country, but we should appreciate our
national wealth and ought to support it by our visit.
- Zuzana Obrancová
18 ELOQUENT
ELOQUENT 19