TIME FOR SLOVAKIA blog &#187; Travel Tips

Marrol’s Boutique Hotel

2. Grand Hotel River Park

Grand Hotel River Park***** is perfectly located right on the bank of the Danube river with a promenade in front of the entrance door. We were fascinated by the number of excellent services they provide, including 24-hour In-Room Dining service, private limousines, fitness and roof-top wellness centre with incredible views over the river. No wonder this hotel accommodated celebrities like Bob Dylan or Sting. Amazing hotel in every sense!

Price range: 210-280€/room

Grand Hotel River Park

3. Sheraton Bratislava Hotel

Sheraton Bratislava Hotel offers a warm and friendly environment, complemented by a delicate brasserie, two bars, wellness and fitness center. Our guests fell in love with the interesting decoration of the rooms in a variety of soothing warm and natural tones. Similarly as Grand Hotel River Park, Sheraton is also located on the bank of Danube river, only a few minutes of walking from the historical city centre. The hotel brasserie ranks amongst the best places where to enjoy a tasty dinner in Bratislava. Gastronomy at its best!

Price range: 160-220€/room

Sheraton Bratislava Hotel

4. Roset Hotel & Residence

One of the main reason why our clients love Tulip House Boutique Hotel is its location right in the city centre, just a few steps from the beautiful Blue Church and the Slovak National Theatre. The charming Art-Nouveau building from the early 20th century attracts attention from afar. The elegant rooms are well-equipped with kitchen, coffee making facilities, beds with antiallergic mattresses and two plasma TVs. Do not forget to visit the Spa centre with Finnish sauna, Turkish bath, whirlpool tub and massages.

Price range: 130-250€/room

Roset Hotel & Residence

5. Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel

This is one of the most prominent hotels in the history of Bratislava. Such famous people as Edison, Einstein, Verne, Nobel or Roosevelt stayed here overnight. It is located on the Hviezdoslavovo namestie square, right next to the buildings of Slovak national theatre. Delicious meals are served in the the Savoy restaurant furnished in a modern design. The Mirror Bar is the favourite place for business meetings and press conferences. It’s a fabulous hotel with luxury rooms and services.

Price range: 110-260€/room

Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel

6. Wilson Palace Bratislava

Wilson Palace Hotel Bratislava is located in a renovated historic 19th century building, situated in the heart of Bratislava near the Presidential Palace. The hotel has a unic decoraration and a great attention for details (fresh biscuits offered in every floor). the espresso coffee machine in the room is just outstanding. Large confortable bed, great shower… Just everything you would expect for what you paid for.

Price range: 140-190€/room

Wilson Palace Bratislava

7. Arcadia Hotel

The luxurious 5-star Boutique hotel Arcadia is located in the historical center of Bratislava, not far from the Danube river and the Castle hill. It was built in a building from the 13th century, which is protected as a historical monument. In only 33 rooms, the historic walls and ceiling beams have been cleverly redeemed and elegantly furnished with luxurious furniture. The romantic inner courtyard, wellness centre with saunas, steam bath and whirlpool tub, together with marble decoration in the bathrooms – it all brought an unforgettable experience for our guests.

Price range: 90-180€/room

Arcadia Hotel

8. Hotel Albrecht

We love the hotel’s industrial design and the transformation of a villa to a small hotel. You feel like home during the stay here. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Easy access to the city centre by regular public transportation but tourist sites are all within the walking distance if you prefer walking. The restaurant belongs to the best places where you can eat excellent food in Bratislava. Lovely indoor pool for relaxation, quiet location just 10 minutes of walking from the Bratislava Castle. A true 5-star hotel.

Price range: 110-240€/room

Hotel Albrecht

9. Danubia Gate

After arriving in the hotel, we were welcomed by a friendly and helpful staff who offered us a free welcome drink. We loved those little extra touches such as fresh mineral water in the room every day, fruit bowl in the lobby and delicious coffee you keep ordering just because it’s so great. The best breakfast buffet we have ever experienced (with plenty of choices) together with charming and spaceful bedrooms convinced us to keep recommending this hotel to our guests. And the location is just perfect! Right between Bratislava’s main bus station and the Old Town, both in the distance of 5 minutes of walking.

Price range: 100-110€/room

Danubia Gate

10. Hotel Avance

If you want to explore Bratislava, this is the right place to stay. The hotel is located very close to the Danube river as well as to The Old Town. A very modern hotel with large rooms, all equipped with underfloor heating, super large beds and cheap minibar. We literally loved the restaurant with varied cuisine and breakfast with plenty of choices. They also have a small garage with reasonable prices for parking (only 6.60€/day), which you can book in advance. A great stay at a reasonable price. Absolutely nothing to complain!

Price range: 90-170€/room

Hotel Avance

Have you already been to Bratislava? What is your favorite hotel you would recommend to our readers? Please let us know in the comments below. We will update the list of the 10 best hotels in Bratislava regularly so that you always find the best selection on our blog.

Happy travelling!

The post The 10 Best hotels to book in Bratislava, Slovakia appeared first on TIME FOR SLOVAKIA blog.

Top Things To Do In The Pieniny National Park (Slovakia)

Danka — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 13:58:39 +0000

Pieniny are Slovak mountains located on the border with Poland in the northeast of the country. Part of this beautiful area also creates the national park. These mountains are often skipped by the international tourists. One of the reason could be the distance from traditional tourists spots and big cities, or the bad infrastructure, or lack of English speaking people in the area. Anyway, whatever the reason is, today I will show you how beautiful the mountains are and that they have a full right to stand in the spotlight right next to the High Tatras.

by janeks

Why we love Pieniny National Park

Most of the visitors to the park are Slovak or Polish speaking people. We are sort of used to our bad roads in our country, so we don’t let that to stand in our way when adventure awaits. The park offers you various types of activities. You can go hiking, rent a bike and enjoy some mountain biking, rent a raft and get wild on the water, take a tour on one of the wooden rafts, or just play tennis at the local tennis courts. The easiest way to get to the Pieniny mountains is by car, hiring a local guide, but you can also get here by bus.

by m.chudzik

Rafting on the traditional wooden rafts

First Pieniny adventure on my list is rafting on the wooden rafts on river Dunajec. This is not adrenaline “on the edge” kind of rafting like you’ve seen in the movies. These rafts are wooden, slow, comfy and safe. It’s a perfect whole 3 generation family fun. But you have to watch your kids so they don’t end up in the river ? The wooden raft can take up to 10 adult people and the rafter/tour guide/the guy who directs the raft. In Slovak, we call these people “pltníci” (sg. pltník) and the rafts are called “plte” (sg. plť).

by H.J.Kovacova

Dunajec is the only river that takes waters from the Slovak territory to the Baltic Sea. It is actually one of only two Slovak rivers flowing to the north. Back in the middle ages people started to use it to transport the goods to the North. It was easier and faster to put the piles of wood to the raft and let the mother Earth do the work for you than to carry them over the mountains. Wood got transported this way the most often because the north people needed wood for the ships. Later in the 18^th century locals started to use it as a form of transportation for people too.

by timeforslovakia.com

The tour on the raft is 14 km long, takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes and costs 10 – 12 Eur pp. Once you get into the raft you get welcomed by the tour guide who will direct the raft and also explain and describe what you see. These guys are locals who have rafting in their genes. They all wear old local clothes and black hats decorated with little white shells. The shells have special meaning, every shell stands for one voyage to the north and to the see. Some of them do speak English and some don’t. I guess you need to get lucky with the tour guide ? One little advice – Wear waterproof shoes and prepare you might get bit wet.

The rafting experience is awesome. You will see the best of the mountains from the unique perspective. Through the ages the river created a canyon – Dunajec Canyon. This is the biggest naturally build Canyon in the Central Europe. The sceneries you will see are really breathtaking. The tour guide will point out the highlights of the tour and he will add a little story to every single of them. The river is pretty deep, at some places almost 12 m. Overall you go through the elevation of 40m.

by Jarek W.

At the end of the tour you have a couple of options how to get back to the start point (and to your parked car). You can walk, rent a bike or hop on the carriage pulled by horses. Transportation back is not included in your initial 10 Eur so you need to prepare some extra cash. Walk back is not that physically difficult (no elevation) but it is pretty long.

Rafts take off every hour and you need to get your tickets prior to the boarding ?. You can buy them in the little store located next to the raft harbor. Note that places on the rafts are limited and it might happen that you have to wait for the next tour. While waiting, you can enjoy some local food and drinks in nearby restaurant and hotel. Rafts are available daily from 9:00 to 16:00.

by J.Blatnicky

There are various overnight possibilities in the area as well. You can stay in the local hotel, or camp outdoors (you need to register which is app. 2,50 Eur per tent). If you decide to stay longer you can also try real adrenaline rafting or kayaking. Both are available with the instructors. Just ask at your hotel and they will be happy to help you out.

Abandoned monastery in Cerveny Klastor

Another spot worth visiting in the area is Cerveny Klastor – Red Monastery. Cerveny Klastor is an abandoned monastery located nearby the village of the same name. The monastery got its name from the red shingles, on the roof. It was built in the 14th century, when the region was part of the Hungarian Empire. In 1307, a man Master Kokos, committed a murder and as a punishment he had to found 6 monasteries. Later he donated a large portion of land from his village to monks to build a monastery. It was originally built out of wood, but later rebuilt using bricks.

by B.Schraiber

The monastery was home of the Cartesian monks, one of the strictest hermetic orders. Their life in the monastic community was spent in seclusion, in continual silence, prayer, fasting and meditation. In 1565, the monastery was invaded by mercenaries, which resulted in the monks’ abandoning the place and fleeing abroad and dissolution of the monastery. The monastery has never retained its former glory back.

Today the monastery is open to the public. It has been reconstructed and it works as a museum with local geographical exposition, spiritual/monk live exposition and part is also devoted to monastery most famous monk – Cyprian.

by H.Gallyova

Brother Cyprian was a famous surgeon, doctor and pharmacist, who, in his most significant work ‘Herbarium’, written in the 18^th century, describes almost 300 species of herbs found in the Pieniny and the High Tatras. He also opened one of the first Slovak pharmacies and help locals with their illnesses. An old legend says that he died while testing his flying machine. He jumped out of a mountain in Pieniny and when angels saw him flying they stroke him with a lighting and he ended up on the bottom of the river Dunajec.

The museum is open daily all year long. The opening times varies according to the months. In summer months its open from 8:00 till 19:00 and in winter it’s from 10:00 till 16:00. The last tour is always an hour before the closing time and entrance fee is 3 Eur pp. For bigger groups or some special assistance, you need to call them and reserve the tour.

by muzeumcervenyklastor

National park Pieniny has a lot to offer. You can go for a tour on wooden rafts or visit a very unique monastery museum. I haven’t mentioned dozens of hiking paths across the mountains with the most stunning views. You can pick! People in the area are very friendly and will love to help and advise. The untouched beauty of the mountains is well preserved and you will find something to do here all year long. In the winter, you can also check out local ski resorts. In the summer, it’s just 7 km to a big lake in Poland or to Slovak aquacity in Poprad (50 km). The area in general, service and accommodation here is way cheaper than in High Tatars but equally awesome!

Where to stay in Pieniny?

There are plenty of reasonably priced guest houses in the area of the National Park of Pieniny. If you would like to try the traditional rafting during the day, do some walking in the nature and relax with no hassle, the best place to stay overnight is the village of Červený Kláštor located on the right side of the Dunajec river, or a Polish village Sromowce Nizne right across the river. We recommend to book your stay in following hotels and guest houses:

Penzión Tulip

Penzión Tulip is a perfectly located guest house right in the middle of the village of Červený Kláštor. All attractions (such as rafting, kayaking, bike rental & restaurants) are available just few steps from the entrance door. We love this place because you can get the large apartment including kitchen and breakfast for two people for less than 50€!

Drevenica pod Troma Korunami

Drevenica pod Troma Korunami is an ideal place for your stay if you love traditional wooden architecture of Slovakia and you’re looking for a great deal. This is neither a hotel nor guest house, but you will definitely fall in love with this one. It is a wooden cottage with 8 beds and you can book the whole house for just 79€/night during the summer season.

Hotel Nad Przełomem

Hotel Nad Przełomem is the only hotel in our list of recommended accommodations. And it deserves a great respect. We were amazed by excellent breakfast options, big and comfortable rooms with unlimited access to the wellness area and free parking. It was a pleasure to get a 60 min. massage after a day full of entertaining activities in the nature.
Click here for bookings, rates and availability.

Would you like to experience the rafting on the traditional wooden rafts in Pieniny? Book our one-day trip to Pieniny and enjoy your time.

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Best Museums To Visit In The Eastern Slovakia

Danka — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 11:44:21 +0000

East part of Slovakia is less popular for the tourists, mostly because of poor infrastructure. The funny part is that the second and third biggest city of the country are located in eastern Slovakia – Presov and Kosice. Both cities have rich history and lot to offer.

Museums in Košice

You can find a regional museum in both cities, but Kosice is a home of the Eastern Slovakia Museum, one of the oldest and most important museums in Slovakia. Its exhibitions provide visitors with an insight into the history and nature of Eastern Slovakia. The museum features a number of unique exhibits. Except three major exhibitions – natural, historic and cultural- it’s also a home of the Golden treasure. The golden treasure has been found in 1935 during a reconstruction of the one of the city buildings. It is believed that the treasure has been hidden around the year 1679 because the city was occupied by a Hungarian lord Imrich Thokoly. It consists of more than 2900 golden coins, golden chains and some golden medals.

by Iveta Vaculová

The Carpathian Nature exposition is the natural exposition of the Eastern Slovakia museum.
The exposition is dedicated to the nature of the Carpathian region. A rich natural collection fund of the museum is represented by the exhibition consisting of 1,100 pieces of geological samples, 800 pieces of invertebrate and vertebrate zoological collections and 140 botanical exhibits.

by vsmuzeum

Centuries in Art – The exposition shows to its visitors the development of art from the early Middle Ages to the beginning of the 20th century. It covers everything from the local Sacral art trough the craftsmanship of medieval artists until the exposition accentuates the indications of the interiors illustrating the housing from the 18th century to the beginning of the 20th century.

by vsmuzeum

The Mikluš’s prison is also part of the museum. The exposition consists of the interior of the former prison, the underground premises of the former torture chamber, which also includes a permanent installation of wax figures of executioner Mikluš and his captive and a mini-lapidary collection.

by vsmuzeum

The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 till 18:00 and in winter months till 17:00. Entrance fee is 2 Eur. You can also buy a Welcome Kosice card which gives you a free access to 10 museums in Kosice, discounts in cafés, shops and restaurants and free public transport around the city.

The city of Kosice has a lot to offer. Beautiful city center, friendly people and lot of activities for youngsters and older visitors. But also outside of the city there is a lot to explore. The next museum on my list is the Andy Warhol museum in Medzilaborce.

Andy Warhol Museum in Medzilaborce

Museum of the contemporary art and Andy Warhol in Medzilaborce is still the only museum dedicated to the work and message of Andy Warhol in Europe. And why this small town? Everybody knows that Andy was born in the US, but what is less known is that his parents come from this region and emigrated to the US. Andy was influenced by his mother and her craft work. She also sold her little homemade creations to help the family to survive. The museum holds many private items of the famous painter, including originals and the copies of his most famous paintings. Most of the items have been given to the museum by the Andy Warhol Foundation and Andy’s brother Paul.

by kirandulastippek

The entrance to the museum is 3,50 Eur and the museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am until 17:00 pm or 16:00 pm in the winter months. If you are a fan of Andy’s work this museum is a must-stop on your journey.

The museum of historic vehicles

Another stop on our museum journey is a tiny museum of historic cars in a town named Kežmarok. The museum of historic vehicles in Kežmarok is located behind the walls of Kežmarok Castle. It’s open from Monday till Sunday during the main season and the entry fee is only 2 Eur. Don’t miss your chance to see a unique fire truck Skoda 154 (1929), the only one of its kind in Europe. The exposition has been put together by the automobile club of Poprad and it consists of various cars from and after the WWII period. All the cars have a different story and the tour guys are eager to tell them out. I am sure all the car lovers will see the soul in these old cars. I know this small museum might not be the attraction of the year, but it still might be a lovely off-road stop on your way to Tatras or the aqua park in Poprad.

If you have more time to explore, visit the exhibition of the Kežmarok Castle dedicated to the history of the castle and see unique weapons, pharmacy equipment and listen to the sad story of imprisoned mistress of Albert Lasky in the observation tower.

The Museum of Military History

One of the most interesting museums in the east part of Slovakia is the Army museum in Svidnik. The museum of Military History in Svidnik is a part of the bigger museum in Piestany that was created in 1965 to remember the terrors of the WWI and the WWII. The Svidnik part of the museum is mostly dedicated to the Carpathian operation that happened in the WWI, WWII battles in the region and also home resistance against Nazi occupation.

The exposition includes old documents and photographs, 3D models of the battles, various old vehicles, tanks, uniforms, weapons and aircrafts from the era in between the 1914-1945. It’s both indoor and outdoor exposition. And because this is an army museum, everything is organized, cataloged and professional. Even on the museum webpage you can find all the categorized details of every single item in the museum. The museum is really worth of visit especially when you have small kids. They can get in old army vehicles, tanks and aircrafts. Everything is authentic and all the items experienced the real combat.

Nearby the museum you can find a memorial of the Dukla battle, the cemetery of Nazi soldiers and abandoned German and Russian tanks. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 am until 17:00 pm and the entrance fee is only 1Eur. It is important to remember what has happened in those two horrible wars and to not repeat the same horrible mistakes again.

Open-air Museums of Folk Architecture

Last but not least part of the museum post is dedicated to the outdoor museums – skanzens. Well, the concept of skanzen has been already introduced in my previous posts, it’s basically and authentic outdoor museum of a city of a village. And we have quite a few skanzens in this part of the country – skanzen in Humenne, Ždiar, Stará Ľubovňa, Bardejov and Svidník.

Each of the skanzens will show you how people used to live couple of hundred years ago. The center of every little village was always a church. All these little churches are built exclusively from wood. They are also open so you can also get inside and see the interiors. These little villages also include living houses of people from various social backgrounds, houses where they store tools and animal houses. Nearby every skanzen there is always a local folk restaurant that serves traditional Slovak dishes. That gives you one more reason to check them out :o)

East Slovakia is beautiful. I personally come from Prešov which is a center of Šariš region in East Slovakia. It’s a beautiful city filled with great people as well as the rest of Slovakia. People over here speak a special dialect which seems to be un-understandable for the rest of the country. Also, a joke comes to my mind talking about East Slovakia – In the whole world noone ever defeated alcohol, but Eastern Slovaks achieved a draw. Cheers!

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Best Museums To Visit In The Central Slovakia

Danka — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 14:53:12 +0000

Have you found yourself in the region of the central Slovakia and you have a spare day or two to explore? One of the central Slovakia’s museums might be just something for you.

The central Slovakia has two major cities – Žilina in the North and Banská Bystrica in the center of the region. Both have rich history and city /regional museums you can visit – Považské Museum in Žilina and Central Slovakia Museum in Banská Bystrica. These museums host mostly geographical and historical expositions of their region. In the case you are in the mood for some travelling and something more unique, we have couple of suggestions:

Bojnice Caste and museum

The castle was originally wooden. Later it was gradually built up from stone as the property of the Poznan family in the 13th century. It was owned by many royal families until it ended up in the hands of Jan Frantisek Palfi who restored the castle in the current romantic shape. In 1950, a museum has been established within the walls of the castle.

Today the castle is known for many attractions, including the popular Castle Fairytale, the International Festival of Ghosts and Spirits and the Summer Music Festival. It hosts one of the most popular museums in Slovakia and has featured in many Slovak and international movies. The castle is available to rent out and you can organize every-girl-dream wedding here. Because all girls want to be a princess at least for a day :o)

Bojnice Castle is surrounded by the castle park featuring numerous species of trees. The park also contains a ZOO, the oldest and one of the most visited ZOOs in Slovakia.

by zsvlcany

Open-air museums of folk architecture

Open-air museums of Slovak folk architecture are called skanzens. There are 11 official skanzens in Slovakia located all around the country. Skanzens offer the best possibility to travel back in time and to experience the authentic atmosphere of the Slovak village from couple of hundred years ago. They are basically preserved old villages with authentic houses, churches, stables, etc. Most of the buildings are made of wood, or combination of wood and stone.

What makes every skanzen different it’s its differences in the architecture – mostly decorating. Every area and region in Slovakia has different habits, folk dresses and also culture. All these features plus the location shaped the look of these historic villages. Most of the skanzens also offer various exhibition, demonstration and workshops of Slovak folk crafts.

Open-air Museum of Slovak Village

Probably the best skanzen to visit in the central Slovakia is an open-air museum of Slovak Village. Built in late 60s as a largest exhibition of traditional folk architecture, this museum shows the way of life in Slovakia. A visitor can see here all kinds of buildings – peasant houses, larders, lumber rooms, farmsteads, shepherd’s huts, sacral and the craftsman’s and linen-maker’s houses.

Every year, regular events with demonstrations of traditional manufacturing, craftsmanship and folk culture are held here. The dates of these events are available on the Museum’s website. Besides open-air exhibitions and various events, the Museum of the Slovak Village offers also a possibility to buy handcrafted folk items. Finish your visit and refresh yourself in an 1811 log inn from Oravská Polhora.

by M.Fabian

Čičmany

This village located close to Žilina is known for being the first folk architecture reserve in the world which was founded in 1977. All the houses are made out of timber and have ridge roofs, galleries and pointed or linear walls. The village consists of 136 buildings. Another characteristic of the village is its white decoration. The white geometrical ornaments of the house’s wall has been done by local women. The paint was supposed to protect the houses from the nature forces. The same geometrical ornaments can be found on local folk dresses, tablecloths and other undefined products made by the crafty house wifes :o)

It possible to spend a night or two in a hotel Javorina that’s located 10 min walk from village and is furnished in the same style like a village. Here you can also see a little petting zoo and a popular sky resort is located near by the village too. And of course, try sole local Slovak specialties served there!

The village is open all year long and the entrance is just 2 €. During the tour you and walk free around the village and enter the open houses. You can see how were the houses equipped and furnished years ago.

by I.Hoblej

Museum of Orava village

It is located three kilometres away from Zuberec, at Brestová in Orava Region. Over an area of about 20 hectares you can find typical folk buildings moved here from various regions of Orava. Contrary to Čičmany, not all the houses are made of timber. A lot of them are made of stones and bricks.

The Museum is divided into five sections regarding each individual region. Once you get in the houses you will notice markable differences in furniture and equipment, based on wealth of the owners. Richer people lived in houses with multiple rooms, poor people shared only one room houses which worked as kitchen, living room and bedroom at once.

The Museum regularly organises ethnological expositions and the international Podroháčsky Folk Festival is held in the local amphitheatre in August. The museum is open all year long but opening hours vary based on the season. Entrance fee is about 2,50 €.

by muzeum.zuberec

Vlkolínec (UNESCO)

You don’t have to visit open-air museums to see the traditional folk architecture of Slovakia. There are a lot of villages in Slovakia, where the real traditions still prevail. One of the best-known Slovak villages is undoubtedly Vlkolínec. Thanks to its charming look and completely preserved character of typical Slovak settlement, Vlkolínec was added to the List of the World’s Cultural Heritage of UNESCO in 1993.

On the edge of the village is a small car park for visitors. The entry fee is only 2€ and you get all necessary information flyers in Slovak, English and German explaining the village’s history.

by pajka

Museum of Coins and Medals in Kremnica

This is one of the oldest museums in Slovakia. It was created in 1890. First it hosted mostly geographical expositions but today it is the one and only exhibition specialized in numismatics and medal making in Slovakia. It is situated in a gothic burgher´s house in the historical square of the city of Kremncica. The current exhibition was opened to the public in 2003, after a complex renovation. The exhibition presents the history and evolution of the means of payment in Slovakia from ancient times till the present coins and banknotes, as well as the history of medal making, includes several unique exhibits.

An important part of the exhibition is dedicated to the history of the old mining and minting town of Kremnica with its well known Mint, which has been in operation nearly 700 years. In the exhibition-space, the museum offers various temporary exhibitions presenting, in particular, numismatics and medal art, etc. The museum is open all year long and the entrance fee is less than 3 €.

Once you’re done in the museum, there is still plenty to see in the small town of Kremnica. You can check out the city castle, the exhibition of the STONEWARE GARDENS which is located in the same building or the local gallery.

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Museum of Slovak National Uprising

Slovak National Uprising was one of the key events in Slovakia’s history. During the WWII, Slovaks decided to join the Soviet Army and fight against Germany. That was the largest armed resistance, which took place on the territory of German allies during the World War II. Thousands of soldiers died fighting for liberation from Germans. Don’t forget to make a short stop in the biggest city of Central Slovakia and visit this museum, which is located right in the middle of the city.

The monumental building of the museum belongs to the strangest buildings you have ever seen. Many criticize the architecture for being monstrous or cold-hearted, others like it for being futuristic or ambitious. Form your own opinion and don‘t forget to take photos when walking around the amazing collection of tanks, guns and uniforms. You can even enter an old Russian plane from WWII and explore it from inside!

Open-air mining museum

Banská Štiavnica is known for many as a lovely town with rich mining history. The town became the biggest mining centre of the Habsburg Monarchy and it is the home of the first mining academy in the world. This completely preserved medieval town was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993.

One of the best attractions in the town is the open-air mining museum. Visitors pick up helmets, cloaks and lamps and enter the underground excursion in mines. Dressed up as real miners you will descend to one of its pits dated from the 17th century. The underground tour takes about 90 minutes and costs only 5€.

Open-air forestry museum

To visit the open-air forestry museum in Vydrovská valley we recommend to take a ride on one of the most spectacular railroads in Central Europe – Čierny Hron Railway. Travelling by this historic steam train will take you right back to the times when it was used to transfer wood from the surrounding forests. The route twists amongst an overwhelming scenery of woodlands to reach the highlight of its journey – The Forestry Open-Air Museum in Vydrovská valley with its magical atmosphere. Close your eyes and listen to the birds singing in the trees with rustling leaves – it’s the best way to enjoy this place. Take a walk in this open-air museum and get an in-depth insight into the hard life of lumberjacks and foresters.

by R.Škopec

The possibilities to spend a day outdoors in Slovakia are limitless. You can pick out of the outdoor museums, Zoos, or just walk around the city and enjoy the day without having to rush somewhere.

As you can see Central Slovakia has a lot to offer. And in the case you are not a museum fan, you can still enjoy the untouched Slovak nature or try some local dishes and beers.

Would you like to visit some of the best museums in Central Slovakia? Drop us a line at hello@timeforslovakia.com and we will arrange a private tour for you. Several museums are part of our authentic multi-day tours. We visit the open-air museum of Slovak architecture during our interactive Tour of Slovak Folk Traditions. The museum of Slovak National Uprising is a jewel of our Communism Tour and the open-air mining museum in Banská Štiavnica is included in the programme of Highlights of Slovakia Tour.

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10 Best Day Trips from Bratislava, Slovakia

admin — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 11:34:26 +0000

Every year thousand of travellers visit the capital city of Slovakia to explore its top attractions. However, there is also much to see outside of Bratislava. Jump on a bus or train, rent a car with a local guide and leave the big city life behind for a day to check out the sights in the surrounding area of Bratislava. Here are our recommendations for day trips from Bratislava.

1. Devín Castle

One of the oldest castles in Slovakia is situated on a high cliff above the confluence of the Danube and Morava rivers. This strategic place was inhabited by many cultures and nations. Even the Celts and Romans used this place as a military fortress. The first written mention of Devín castle dates back to 864. Together with Bratislava, Devín castle played a big role in the Great Moravian Empire. After the fall of Great Moravia, Devín castle constantly grew in size to become a huge medieval castle. In 1809, the castle was destroyed by Napoleon’s army. Since 2008, the Upper Castle is closed to the public due to reconstruction. Other parts of the castle can be visited daily except Mondays.

by BTB

2. Boat Trip to Vienna

Many tourists often overlook that Bratislava and the capital city of Austria are only 64 km apart, what makes them one of the closest capital cities in the world. Both cities have a direct connection by the Danube river. The boat trips between Bratislava and Vienna belong to the most popular attractions. There are two companies offering trips on high-speed boats. They operate daily and there is a possibility to buy the tickets online. What about taking a leisurely cruise to Vienna?

by muskiportal

3. Červený Kameň Castle

This huge medieval castle can be reached in just one hour of driving. The history of the castle is mostly associated with the German family of Fugger and Austria-Hungarian family of Palfi. Fugger family was one of the richest families in the Europe. Under their ownership, the gothic castle was transformed into a renaissance fortress and a safe storehouse for goods traded across the whole Europe. The castle is open to the public and visitors can take various tours. The long-guided tour includes a route through 24 rooms with a rich Renaissance and Secession furnishing and an excursion in the castle underground. I bet you have never seen such a vast cellar as can be found under this castle.

by mylan1982

4. Nitra

Nitra is the oldest town in Slovakia and a place where you can explore thousands years of history. The main dominant of Nitra is the castle on the hill right in the middle of the town, where the Great Moravian rulers had their seat. The cathedral in the castle area consists of three parts and attracts a very high number of visitors. The most prominent one was Pope John Paul II. in 1995.

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5. Small-Carpathian Wine Route

Small Carpathian Wine Route combines several phenomena – wine, landscape, history and gastronomy area between the cities of Bratislava and Trnava in the southwestern Slovakia. Among them are three smaller cities – Pezinok, Modra and Svätý Jur, which boasts of an ancient tradition of free royal towns. They acquired this title in the 17th century, mainly due to the production of the first-class wine. There are numerous wine bars, taverns and cellars in the region and they also offer a regular wine-tasting events.

6. Water Sports in Čunovo

Looking for some adventure near Bratislava? Sports complex Čunovo offers a wide range of water sports and activities such as rafting, kayak school, hydrospeed, surfing, jet ski, wakeboard, water ski or aquaroller. Not a big fan of water? Take your friends and challenge yourself by trying beach volleyball, beach football, paintball or pony riding. Čunovo is located only 15 km from the Bratislava city centre. Few meters from the sports complex is Danubiana Meulensteen museum of modern art presenting works of leading international artists. You can get to Čunovo by bus or boats operating on the Danube river.

by eurorafting

7. Trnava

One of the largest medieval towns of the Central Europe in the 13th century, Trnava, is situated only 50 km far from Bratislava. Because of the many churches in the city centre, the city is often called a “Little Rome”. The historical city centre is still surrounded by preserved medieval walls. The most popular attractions of Trnava are The Town Tower, Basilica of St. Nicholas, St. Helen’s Church, several monastery complexes and a huge number of various churches. Don’t forget to visit both synagogues since the city has a rich Jewish history.

by pamiatkyslovenska

8. Lake Neusiedl

Bratislava’s location on the borders with Austria provides a lot of advantages. Not only you can visit Vienna but also the largest lake in the Austria – Lake Neusiedl. The lake is definitely a very popular holiday area. Over 2 000 hours of sunshine make the lake a perfect destination for sailors, windsurfers, cyclists and sun lovers. Neusiedl Lake is inscribed in the UNESCO List of World Heritage. Add to this more than 300 living bird species and you have a birdwatcher’s dream come true. The lake is surrounded by villages with acres of vineyard, don’t forget to taste some of Austria’s best wines.

by Tomas11111

9. Piešťany Spa Resort

Piešťany is definitely the best-known spa centre in Slovakia. The visits of Ludwig van Beethoven, Wilhelm II, Karl I and Ferdinand I brought the spa an international fame. Try it yourself – enjoy the healing effects of the thermal water or take a walk in the centre of the town – it’s up to you. The majority of spa clients are foreigners – the town of Piešťany has an excellent reputation across Europe and Arabic countries.

by zlatapraga

10. World War II Bunkers

Travel back in time and visit the bunkers from WWII on the borders with Austria. They were built in 1930’s in Czechoslovakia to defend Hitler’s expansion. The biggest bunker BS-8 houses an exhibition of weapons, old maps, photos and other equipment used during the war. Right next to the bunker is a WWI cemetery with hundreds of fallen soldiers from 9 European nations.

by BS-8

Would you like to experience a one-day trip from Bratislava? Don’t hesitate and drop us a line at hello@timeforslovakia.com

The post 10 Best Day Trips from Bratislava, Slovakia appeared first on TIME FOR SLOVAKIA blog.

13 wonderful waterfalls to visit in Slovakia

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 08:45:38 +0000

Only a few things in nature are as eye-catching as the scene of water pouring off the side of a high ledge and roaring into a pool beneath. Though the first tendency may be to stop and stand in awe, you might not want to spend too much time at any one waterfall. Not when there are 200 others you might want to visit. Even though Slovakia is a small country, it really has a surprising number of about 200 waterfalls. Many of Slovakia’s most beautiful waterfalls are easily accessible. We looked at 13 waterfalls definitely worth visiting. Let’s get started!

1. Závojový vodopád waterfall

Závojový vodopád is the highest waterfall in the national park of Slovak Paradise (Slovenský raj). 70-metre high waterfall can be found in Sokolia roklina gorge and this part of the gorge is one the most difficult to climb in the whole national park. The hiking trail leads next to the waterfall and consists of a number of ladders and chains.

by P. Dobrovsky

2. Vodopád Skok waterfall

This is one of the most visited waterfalls in Slovakia. It is located in the mountains of High Tatras in the Mlynická dolina valley. The ascent of the 30-meter high waterfall is secured by a number of chains. You reach the waterfall in 90 minutes of walking from the resort of Štrbské Pleso.

by J. Vaclachová

3. Kľacký vodopád waterfall

Kľacký vodopád belongs to 5 waterfalls, which were declared as national natural monuments in 1996. It is located in the National Park of Malá Fatra (Little Fatra). This 30-meter high waterfall is worth to see even in dry periods, however, it becomes robust only after heavy rains. The easiest way to reach the waterfall is by starting your hike in the village of Vrícko, but it is also possible to get there from the village of Fačkov.

by Atti

4. Misove vodopády waterfalls

These waterfalls are easy to find in the National Park of Slovak Paradise (Slovenský raj). Just follow the green trail from the village of Podlesok. However, always ask about the number of tourist who have already entered the gorge of Suchá Belá, because it is the most popular gorge in the national park and very often overcrowded by many tourists, especially on weekends in July and August.

by daron

5. Brankovský vodopád waterfall

The 55-meter high waterfall is the highest one in the National Park of Low Tatras (Nízke Tatry). It is located on the western edge of the Low Tatras at the mouth of the Revúcka dolina valley. This waterfall was also declared a national natural monument in 1980. The hike to the waterfall of Brankovský vodopád could be characterized as an easy walk, suitable for families with children. The walk to the waterfall itself takes only 25-30 minutes.

by P. Gomboš

6. Lúčansky vodopád waterfall

This extremely photogenic waterfall is particularly unique for many reasons. Not only it is one of the five waterfalls declared as national natural monuments but you don’t need to take a long hike to see it, as in the case of many Slovak waterfalls. It is located in the center of the spa village of Lúčky. You can even park your car just a few meters from the waterfall. This twelve meters high waterfall has a cascade character and falls from the edges of the travertine terraces.

by M. Žákovský

7. Vodopád bystré waterfall

This 20 meters high waterfall can be found in the small mountain range of Poľana. The easiest access to the waterfall leads from the village of Hriňová or from the mountain chalet of Poľana. The walk from the chalet is easy as pie, so don’t hesitate to take a walk and visit this wonderful place with your kids and family.

by Pepino

8. Dúhový vodopád waterfall

Dúhový vodopád is one of seven waterfalls in the Kláštorská dolina valley in the National Park of Slovak Paradise (Slovenský raj). The water falls from the height of 8 meters right next to the hiking trail secured by ladders. Kláštorská dolina valley is accessible from several starting points – Čingov, Hrabušice, Letanovce and Podlesok.

by dunyphoto

9. Kmeťov vodopád waterfall

This waterfall is huge! It is the highest waterfall in Slovakia. Several cascades build a waterfall with a total height of 80 meters. Despite its uniqueness, this waterfall is a less known place among tourists. In fact, it lies outside the main tourist routes in the High Tatras. Kôprová dolina valley, where the waterfall is located, builds a natural border between the High Tatras and the Western Tatras. If you love cycling, you can easily reach the waterfall from the village of Podbanské, just hop in and follow the cycling route to Kôprovská dolina valley.

by napalete

10. Starohutský vodopád waterfall

Another easy-to-access waterfall is Starohutský vodopád. This small waterfall lies on the outskirts of the village of Stará Huta. It is recommended to visit the waterfall during the spring, when it becomes robust thanks to numerous rains. The five meters high waterfall is a national cultural monument and it is one of the most beautiful places in the mountain range of Pohronský inovec.

by V.Sulek

11. Machový vodopád waterfall

The National Park of Slovak Paradise is simply full of wonderful waterfalls. Machový vodopád waterfall is one of the three waterfalls standing close to each other in the gorge of Malý Kyseľ. Water falls from the height of 8 meters. It is extremely picturesque and photogenic, thanks to the moss surrounding the waterfall.

by dunyphoto

12. Šútovský vodopád waterfall

One of the many attractions of the National Park of Malá Fatra (Little Fatra) is its largest waterfall – Šútovský vodopád. Water falls from a height of 38 meters at an altitude of 822 meters above sea. The hiking trail to the waterfall starts in the village of Šútovo.

13. Veľký vodopád waterfall

The highest waterfall of the gorge of Piecky in the National Park of the Slovak Paradise (Slovenský raj) is Veľký vodopád waterfall. Close to the waterfall is 20 meters high ladder, one of the highest in Slovak Paradise. If you suffer from a fear of heights, I would rather recommend choosing an alternative hike in the Slovak Paradise.

by podlesok

If time or physical ability will not allow for a self-guided waterfall adventure, consider Time For Slovakia for a guided tour. You may even get to see waterfalls often overlooked by many tourists. Book our tour of National Parks or tell us what you’d like to see and we will arrange a private tour for you.

These waterfalls are awesome! Share and comment if you like them.

Posted by Time For Slovakia on Monday, September 21, 2015

The post 13 wonderful waterfalls to visit in Slovakia appeared first on TIME FOR SLOVAKIA blog.

The Caves of Slovakia: An Underground Paradise

Danka — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 11:38:06 +0000

An underground paradise; we couldn’t pick he title of the article better. The world under the Slovak ground is really a paradise. Kilometers of buried beauty lay across the whole country. There are more than 2,400 caves in Slovakia, of which more than 400 have been explored so far. And new caves are being discovered constantly.

So, what is a cave? I am sure most of you (at least those who have seen Batman movie) have an idea what a cave is. A cave is a remarkable natural phenomena – a hollow place in the ground, especially a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter. Caves are formed by various geologic processes and can be variable sizes. So not just those huge underground palaces with a waterfall where you can hide your batmobile :o)

It doesn’t matter which cave you decide to visit. All of them are unique and beautiful. A cave trip can fit a family with small kids, elderly couple or group of physically fit youngsters who want to explore and have some fun. The only thing you need to keep in your mind is to wear proper hiking shoes, warm coat (The climate in caves is way colder and more humid than the climate outside) and listen to your cave guides!

The caves are located all around the Slovakia. I divided the most beautiful and popular caves into 4 groups, based on the region where they are located: High Tatras, Low Tatras, Slovak Paradise and Slovak Karst:

1. High Tatras Caves

Slovak highest mountains can offer a lot for an outdoor tourist. However because of the nature of the mountains (they consist almost exclusively from granite) you cannot find many caves here.

Belianska jaskyňa cave

It’s the only cave open for tourists in the High Tatras. It boasts calcite waterfalls, pagoda-like stalagmites and lakes. There is a naturally-formed “music auditorium” which holds concerts every August. The tour takes app. 70 min during which you walk over almost 1,4 km and elevation difference is 122m.

by ToKra

2. Low Tatras Caves

The consistency of the mountains is different from the one we can find in the High Tatras. Here you have a chance to explore many caves, including the biggest underground labyrinth of the Cave of dead bats.

Bystrianska jaskyňa cave

It is one of the biggest caves in the Low Tatras region and consists of two parts – Old and New Cave. The old part of the cave is known for centuries, it was in 1923 when the new Cave was discovered. This cave is also used for the speleo-therapy – The climate in the cave helps with the respiratory diseases and problems. The tour takes app. 45 min.

by ssj

Stanišovská jaskyňa cave

It’s the only cave open daily all year long in the region of Liptov. To experience the real atmosphere of the underground cave during your hour-long tour, you’ll be guided by real cavers down the unlit paths with the help of your headlamps. The elevation is 28m.

by stanisovska

Cave of Dead Bats

It’s the cave, where a great number of bat bones about 6000 years old was found. The underground cave labyrinth consists of 14 floors with a total length of almost 20 km and elevation of 324 m. It is located in the mountain terrain on the way to Dumbier peak. Dressed in speleological clothes with a mining helmet you’ll discover the mysterious undergrounds of Low Tatras. The tour can take up to 3 hours.

by J. Szunyog

Demänovská Cave of Liberty

One of the most beautiful caves in Europe and the most visited in Slovakia, this national natural monument is full of underground halls and domes, tunnels and richly decorated ponds with stalactite water lilies on the surface and cave pearls at the bottom. Only ¼ of the total length of almost 9 km is available for tourists. The tour can take from 60 to 100 min.

by V.Montal

3. Slovak Paradise Caves

Slovak paradise is famous for its breathtaking scenery above the ground nature. However, there is also a lot to see under the ground.

Dobšinská Ice Cave (UNESCO)

One of the most famous ice caves in the world. The ice filling has a volume of 110.132 m3 and occurs in the form of ground ice, waterfalls, ice stalagmites and columns. In the Great Hall, its thickness is as much as 26.5 m. The temperature here gets never over the 0°C. Thanks to its significance and unique ornamentation, it was included into the UNESCO World Heritage List. The salient point is in the village Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa and tourists have to overcome the altitude difference of 130 m via switchbacks to climb to it. The length of the sightseeing trail is 515 m and seeing it takes 30 minutes.

4. Slovak Karst Caves

A lot of Slovak caves are located in the mountain range called Slovak Karst. The caves of Slovak Karst system are listed in the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. These caves are noted for having the world’s highest stalagmite¹, aragonite² and sinter formations³ and an ice filled abyss⁴, which considering the territory’s height above sea level, is a unique phenomenon for central Europe.

1 – Stalagmite: Type of rock formation rising from the floor of a cave. Stalagmites are usually formed by the ceiling drippings.

2 – Aragonite: Naturally occurring, crystal forms of calcium carbonate, very rare to be found.

3 – Sinter Formations: These formations are created by sintering process: a solid mass of material is formed by heat or pressure without melting it to the point of liquefaction.

4 – Abyss: A hole so deep or a space so great that it cannot be measured

Domica cave (UNESCO)

Domica is also called the pride of the Gemer region. It’s the biggest cave in the Slovak Karst formation and its characterized by enormous undergrounds domes. Here you can also take a trip along the underground river Styx which is highly recommended. The cave is home to 11 kinds of the bat and tour can take from 45 to 60 min.

Gombasecká jaskyňa cave (UNESCO)

Its most valuable ornamentation consists of thin sinter ”feathers”, which are in places as much as 3 m long. The chambers are captivating in the fragility of form and coloring of the rich pigments. The length of the sightseeing route is about 530 m and it takes 30 minutes. The visitors overcome the altitude difference of 43 m during the tour.

by Semu

Jasovská jaskyňa cave (UNESCO)

It offers interesting “cathedrals” and chambers and galleries deepened by a river, pagoda-shaped stalagmites, waterfalls, scallops and anthodites. The cave was already inhabited by the Neolithic man. The locals knew about the cave in the Middle Ages and used it as hiding in time of Tartar or Turkish raids. Its passageways are arranged in five levels and cover a total length of 2,811 meters. The sightseeing route is 720 m long and takes about 45 minutes.

Ochtinská Aragonite Cave (UNESCO)

This cave is a world rarity and unique natural phenomenon. It is interesting for variety and abundance of aragonite filling and a rare development of underground space. Thanks to its significance and unique ornamentation, it was included into the UNESCO World Heritage List. Only few caves around the world can offer the same aragonite crystal formations. A 145 m long pit leads to the entrance of the cave at the altitude of 642 m above sea level; 230 m of its total length of 300 m is now accessible to public (seeing it takes 30 minutes).

Most of the Slovak caves are open daily (except Monday) during warmer months (April – October), but some of them are open all year long.

Have you already some of these awesome caves in Slovakia? What is your favorite? Please comment below and share your experience.

Would you like to visit caves with a local guide? Don’t hesitate and drop us a line at hello@timeforslovakia.com and we prepare for you an unforgettable journey in Slovakia. And don’t forget to enjoy your trip!

The caves in Slovakia: An Underground paradise! See more at http://t.co/ynJ0TL9MnA pic.twitter.com/1qpJoDt81t

— TIME FOR SLOVAKIA (@time4slovakia) September 15, 2015

The post The Caves of Slovakia: An Underground Paradise appeared first on TIME FOR SLOVAKIA blog.

The Ultimate Guide to Orava Castle in Slovakia

Danka — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 11:33:25 +0000

Every time I want to describe part of Slovakia I need to check the Thesaurus for the best words. And the adjectives that would describe Orava the best are: magnificent, impressive, proud, majestic and lost in time. This description would fit nature as well as the local people.

You wouldn’t find another Slovak region that has preserved the traditions and habits of everyday life more than Orava. Hard work, strong moral values and importance of the family are the key values of every proud Oravak (someone who comes from Orava).

One of the most outstanding symbols of Orava is its castle – Oravsky Hrad (Orava Castle). It is one of the most beautiful and largest castles in Slovakia and it is situated on a high rock above the Orava river in the region of the North Orava. The village that has grown around the castle is called Oravsky Podzamok. It’s a cozy small place full of local restaurants and folk shops. People are friendly and ready to help you.

byTibX

As it usually goes with Slovak castles, also Orava castle was built in the place of a former fortified fortress. That was right after the Tartar raids, in the mid 13th century. A legend says that the castle couldn’t be built by any man, that’s why the rich nobleman who owned the fortress made a pact with a devil. The devil was supposed to build the most spectacular home for the nobleman in one night, otherwise the nobleman’s soul will end up in the hell. But the devil didn’t succeed and he wasn’t able to finish the castle in one night.

Orava Castle, also called eagle nest because of its position on the top of the cliff, was owned by many aristocrats, county heads and noblemen, protecting important road to Poland and serving as an administrative and military centre for the region. One of the most memorable owner was Francis Thurzo, close friend of Elizabeth Bathory (labelled by the Guinness World Records as the most prolific female murderer but that’s a different story) got the castle reconstructed extensively, added supporting walls to statically disturbed parts, annexed a palace and a new chapel.

by B. Török

In 1800, the castle burnt out after several days and nights of fire. Fortunately, it got repaired and reconstructed almost immediately. Shortly after that one of the first museums in Slovakia was established here. Currently the Orava castle hosts three different expositions: Historical, Archeological and the exposition of the natural history.

Before you get to the castle make sure you had a proper breakfast. You need energy for this trip. The place is pretty accessible and you can leave your car at the Castle parking lot down in the village. The only way how to get up there is the old fashioned walk. The castle itself is huge and well restored. You feel like walking back in time, right into the middle ages. The whole 17th-century atmosphere is completed by local students and actors wearing medieval clothes and behaving accordingly to their dress code. Be prepared for live performances like dancing, singing, instrument playing, fencing, archery, hawkers, and many more.

The tours around the castle are both in English and Slovak. The tour guides are pretty passionate about their jobs and would love to answer your questions and get some feedback. Please don’t be one of those zombie tourists who blindly follow the crowd. Ask and explore! There is so much to be seen and said. The castle rooms look great, you will get a chance to see the restored army rooms, living rooms, bedrooms or toilet.

by oravskemuzeum.sk

A special part of this article is reserved for the view from the highest part of the castle. Only for the bravest! To get there you will need to use some steep and narrow iron staircase, but the view is well worth it. Imagine all those noble men who spend nights there counting their money and planning the next battle strategy. Or all those peasant lovers who hide there to get their first kiss. The castle is full of stories of local people who lived and died there. Just keep your eyes and ears open and you might see the ghost of Elizabeth Bathory herself.

The castle is open daily whole year except April. The opening hours varies from month to month, depends on how long there is light outside (winter has shorter days and thus shorter opening hours). The tours should take place every 30 min. If you want to visit with a bigger group also private tours can be arranged. For an extra fee, there is an option to visit the castle chapel. You shouldn’t skip it.

On your way down from the castle, you will feel blown away and for sure hungry. Don’t forget to stop in the local restaurant where you can feast on Slovak traditional dishes and nice beer. Try some pyrohy or halusky. You won’t regret it. And then, when your tummy is full and the mood is up in the sky, turn around and look again at the majestic Orava castle. It’s simply beautiful! It almost makes you want to climb back on the top of it.

by T. Šereda

Would you like to visit Orava Castle? Drop us a line at hello@timeforslovakia.com and we prepare a trip with a local guide and a driver according to your wishes and preferences.

Orava castle is also included in the 7-day tour Highlights of Slovakia. Book your private tour now!

The post The Ultimate Guide to Orava Castle in Slovakia appeared first on TIME FOR SLOVAKIA blog.

Slovakia’s awesome wooden churches you’ve never heard of

admin — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 09:19:04 +0000

Slovakia’s location in Central Europe, at the crossroads of different cultures, is undoubtedly one of the reasons why we can find such a high number of wooden churches of original folk architecture. According to historical records, Slovakia had more than 300 wooden churches in which the Western Roman culture overlapped with the Eastern Byzantine culture. Currently, there are around 50 wooden churches coming from 16th to 18th century. Most of the churches are located in eastern Slovakia.

They were usually built outside the village, on places that looked very difficult to reach. The only inexpensive and available material that could be used was wood. The entire interior and exterior to the smallest detail was therefore made of this material. An interesting feature of these buildings is that not a single nail was used during their construction.

Eight wooden churches of the Slovak part of Carpathian Mountain Area were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2008. Their list consists of two Roman Catholic, three Evangelic and three Greek Catholic churches built between the 16th and 18th centuries.They bear testimony to the development of religious architecture and rich local traditions adapted to specific regional context.

The wooden church from Matysová

This wooden church originating from the village of Matysová is located in the open-air museum of folk architecture in Stará Ľubovňa. This Greek Catholic church was built in 1833 and transferred to the museum in 1979.

by D. Martincová

Saint Nicholas Church in Bodružal (UNESCO)

This is one of the oldest wooden churches in eastern Slovakia. The Greek Catholic Church of Saint Nicholas was built in 1658 in the village of Bodružal. The church was inscribed on UNESCO List of Cultural Heritage.

by Mimikla

The evangelical lutheran church in Svätý Kríž

This wooden church was built in 1693 in the village of Paludza in the shape of a cross. During the construction of the biggest water reservoir in Slovakia, Paludza and other twelve villages were completely inundated. More than 4000 people were forced to leave their houses to enable the construction of such a huge dam. Even one of the biggest wooden churches in Central Europe had to be moved to the nearby village of Svätý Kríž. The ground area of the church in the shape of a cross can accommodate an unbelievable number of 6 000 visitors!

by fotografovanie.info

The wooden church of St Michael the Archangel from Nová Sedlica

This Greek Catholic church was built in 1745 on the borders between Slovakia and Ukraine, in the village of Nová Sedlica. During WWII, the church was badly damaged. It was transferred to the Open air museum in Humenné in 1977.

by Przykuta

All Saints church in Tvrdošín (UNESCO)

Believe or not, this church was built in the second half of the 15th century. It is a Roman Catholic church situated in the local cemetery of the village of Tvrdošín. Every visitor falls in love with its wonderful dome paintings and a Gothic and Baroque interior.

by oravaregion

The church of Saint Nicholas from Zboj

The Greek Catholic wooden church of St. Nicholas belong to the most beautiful wooden churches in the region of Bardejov. It was built in 1775 in the village of Zboj and severely damaged during WWII, in the middle of the hardest battles. Despite the fact that the damaged church was later restored, local people built a brick church in the meantime. This wooden church from Zboj was dismantled in 1967 and rebuilt again in Bardejovské Kúpele museum.

by Michal a Peter Holent

The lutheran church in Hronsek (UNESCO)

This evangelical church is located in the central Slovakia, not far away from the town of Zvolen. It was built in 1726. It is the only wooden church in Slovakia exhibiting Scandinavian architectural influences, for instance in the beam connections and the arrangement of the columns. How these features, which have contributed significantly to the structure’s longevity, arrived in Hronsek is still a mystery.

by rozvojvidieka

The church of the Sleeping Most Holy Mother of God in Hunkovce

The Greek Catholic church in Hunkovce dates back to the end of 18th century. The church stand on the hill in the middle of the village, surrounded by a local cemetery.

by Traveltipy

The church of the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God in Miroľa

Built in 1770, the Greek Catholic church in Miroľa is dedicated to the Protection of the Mother of God. The church was completely renovated in 2005 – 2008 and houses very rare books from the 17th century.

The church of St. Francis of Assisi in Hervartov (UNESCO)

The Roman Catholic wooden church of St. Francis of Assisi stands on a hill in the middle of the village of Hervartov. It was built in the second half of the 15th century and together with other 7 wooden churches in Slovakia, it was also inscribed on UNESCO List of Cultural Heritage.

The church of the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God in Nižný Komárnik

The Greek Catholic church dedicated to the Protection of the Mother of God was built in 1938 on the place where the original church from the 18th century was burned down during the WWI. Although the village of Nižný Komárnik witnessed cruel fights during the WWII, the church was damaged only a little.

The wooden church of St. Cosmas and Damian in Lukov

The wooden Greek Catholic church dedicated to St. Cosmas and Damian s originally built in the village of in Nová Ves. It was bought, dismantled, transferred and built again in 1707 by the local people from the village of Lukov.

Evangelical Church of the Holy Trinity in Kežmarok (UNESCO)

This evangelical church belongs to the most preserved sacral buildings in Slovakia. It was built in 1717. The wooden building is made of yew and red spruce wood, without using a single nail. The ground plan is in the shape of a Greek cross. The interior of the church is built in Baroque style. One of the most valuable parts of the church is the organ with wooden pipes.

by B. Schreiber

The wooden church of St Michael the Archangel in Uličské Krivé

This wooden church of St. Michael the Archangel is located in the village of Uličské Krivé, only few meters from the borders of Slovakia with Ukraine. The Greek Catholic church was built in 1718 and it is a National Cultural Monument of Slovakia.

by L. Struhár

The wooden church of St Michael the Archangel in Ladomirová (UNESCO)

The wooden church in the village of Ladomirová belongs to the most representative Greek Catholic churches in Slovakia. It was built in 1742, and dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel. During WWII, the village and the church were severely damaged. After the restoration in 1946, the church was damaged again by a massive storm in 1957. It was renovated in 1958 and 2009.

by zelenarchitektura

The church of the Protection of Theotokos from Mikulášová

The original Greek Catholic wooden church was built in 1701 and destroyed by fire in 1727. Few years later, in 1730, the local people from the village of Mikulášová built the new wooden church on the place of the original one. The church was dedicated to the Protection of Theotokos. This church was transferred in 1931 to Bardejovské Kúpele.

by muzeumbardejov.sk

The church of St Michael the Archangel in Ruský Potok

This church was built in 1740 and dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel. Originally Greek Catholic church was transformed to an Orthodox church in 2000.

by H.Bielamowicz

The wooden articled Evangelical church in Leštiny (UNESCO)

This is one of the few wooden churches located in Orava region. It was built in 1689 as a simple wooden rustic structure without tower and bells. The beautifully painted interior dates back to the 17th and 18th century.

by krizom-krazom

The Greek Catholic wooden church of St Paraskieva from Nová Polianka

This wooden church was built in 1766 and dedicated to St. Paraskieva. During WWII, the church was vastly damaged, afterwards dismantled and transferred to the open-air museum in Svidník in 1961. Due to the lack of financial sources, it was only possible to build a true copy in 1986.

by langdale-associates

The church of the relics of St. Nicholas in Ruská Bystrá (UNESCO)

This small Greek Catholic wooden church was built in 1720 and it located in the small village of Ruská Bystrá, a few kilometres from the Ukrainian borders. The church is inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List, mainly because of its extremely well-preserved paintings and icons.

by B. Schraiber

The wooden church of St Paraskieva in Dobroslava

The Greek Catholic church of St. Paraskieva can be found in the tiny village of Dobroslava. It was built in 1705 but badly damaged in WWII. During the reconstruction, its architecture was enriched by two side chapels to get a floor plan in a shape of a cross. The last reconstruction took place in 2002 when the roof and the coat were replaced.