85 Amazing Facts About Slovakia

Facts About Slovakia: Slovakia is a country located in the continent of Europe. The republic was formed after secession from Czechoslovakia. The capital is Bratislava.

Slovakia is officially a landlocked country in the Central Slovak Republic of Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, and Hungary to the south. Slovakia has an area of about 49,000 square kilometres (19000 sq mi) and is mostly mountainous. The population is over 5 million and consists mostly of ethnic Slocons. The capital and largest city is Bratislava. The official language is Slovak.

The Slavs came to present-day Slovakia in the 5th and 6th centuries. In the 7th century, they played a key role in the creation of the Samoan Empire and in the 9th century, they established the Ritciplite of Nitra. In the 10th century, the region was unified into the Hungarian state. After World War I and the disintegration of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Slovaks and Czechs established Czechoslovakia.

A separate (first) Slovak Republic (1939-1945) existed in World War II as a client state of Nazi Germany. In 1945, Czechoslovakia was re-established and became a Soviet satellite under communist rule. In 1989, the Velvet Revolution ended communist rule in Czechoslovakia. Slovakia became an independent state on January 1, 1993, following the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia.

Slovakia is a high-income economy with a very high human development index, a combination of a high quality and market economy with a comprehensive social security system in the country of civil liberties, freedom of the press, freedom of the Internet, democratic governance and peace. Slovak citizens are granted universal health care, free education and the longest paid maternity leave in the OECD.

The country joined the European Union in 2004 and the Eurozone on 1 January 2009. Slovakia is a Schengen area, NATO, United Nations, Is also a member of OECD, WTO, CERN, OSCE, Council of Europe and VCGrad Group. The Slovak economy is one of the fastest growing economies in Europe and the third fastest in the Eurozone. Its legal tender, the euro, is the world's second-largest currency. Despite high regional income inequality, 90% of citizens own a home.

In 2016, Slovak citizens were granted visa-free or visa-on-peace access to 165 countries and territories, ranking Slovak Passport 11th in the world. Slovakia is the world's largest per capita car manufacturer, producing only 1,040,000 cars in the country in 2016, and the 7th largest car manufacturer in the European Union. The car industry accounts for 43 percent of Slovakia's industrial production and a quarter of its exports.

85+ Strange Facts About Slovakia

The national tree is small-leaved lime.
Slovakia has more than 1300 mineral springs.
The longest river in Slovakia is Vah, 403 km.
The national alcohol is Borovička and TatraTea.
Košice also has the largest zoo in Central Europe.
The Shortest river is Slovakia is the Čierna voda.
The largest and deepest lake is the Wielki Staw Hińczowy.
The highest situated town in the country is Vysoké Tatry.
World’s highest number of castles and chateaux per capita.
Slovakia’s name, in theory, means the “Land of the Slavs”.
In 2018 the median age of the Slovak population was 41 years.
Slovakia has 9 national parks and 14 protected landscape areas.
Don’t let the horror movie Hostel, set in Slovakia, put you off.
The highest peak in Slovakia is Gerlach, 2655 m above sea level.
The Estimated population of Slovakia is 5.45 million, as of 2020.
In 2019, Zuzana Čaputová became Slovakia’s first female president.
After Austria, Slovakia has the largest natural freshwater supplies.
An adult Slovakian person smokes an average of 117 cigarettes a month.

Facts About Slovakia Culture

The official language is Slovak, a member of the Slavic language family.
The most-watched sports in Slovakia are football, ice hockey and tennis.
Because Slovakia has none. It is one of the world’s 45 landlocked countries.
Slovakia is a member of the European Union and part of the Eurozone Currency.
The lowest located place in Slovakia is the Bodrok River, 94 m above sea level.
In Košice, the second of the oldest marathons in the world takes place annually.
On March 29, 2004, Slovakia joined the political and military organization, NATO.
Slovakia boasts the highest number of castles and chateaux per capita in the world.
The Slavic tribes settled in the territory of present-day Slovakia in the 5th century.
Slovakia and Poland have the biggest households in the EU, with 3.1 people per household.
Vehicle production comprises almost 50 per cent of Slovakia’s total industrial production.
Slovakia became a fully independent nation in 1993. It later joined the European Union in 2004.
The highest temperature was measured in Komarno on July 5, 1950. The thermometer showed 39.8 °C.
About 90 per cent of Slovaks have secondary education, this is one of the best results in Europe.
The Tatra mountain range is represented as one of the three hills on the coat of arms of Slovakia.
Kolárove has the longest bridge in Europe with a completely wooden structure. It is 85 meters long.

Bad Things About Slovakia

Slovakia, along with the three Baltic countries, has the highest death rate for heart diseases in the EU.
Štefan Banič, born in Smolenice, Slovakia, invented the first actively used parachute, patenting it in 1913.
"Travel in Slovakia – good idea" is the country’s tourism slogan. Doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, does it?
Around 80 per cent of Slovakia lies more than 800 metres above sea level, and its crowning glory is the Tatras.
Hotel Spirit in Bratislava looks like it was heaved up by Gaudi's less talented half-brother. Pack your sunglasses.
The picturesque village of Čičmany in Northern Slovakia has a status of world’s first reservation of folk architecture.
The Slovak Academy of Sciences has been the most important scientific and research institution in the country since 1953.
The Celts started to settle the area of modern-day Slovakia in 450 BC. They created the first system of writing known as Biatec.
Slovakia signed the Rio Convention on Biological Diversity on 19 May 1993 and became a party to the convention on 25 August 1994.
The old medieval town of Levoča is a home of the highest wooden altar in the world. This remarkable work was created by Master Paul.
Near the village Kremnické Bane in Slovakia, right next to the St. John Baptist Church, is located the geographical midpoint of Europe.
The Slovak climate lies between the temperate and continental climate zones with relatively warm summers and cold, cloudy and humid winters.

Facts About Slovakia Food

The oldest surviving human artefacts from Slovakia are found near Nové Mesto nad Váhom and are dated at 270,000 BCE, in the Early Paleolithic era.
The capital of Slovakia, Bratislava, lies on the borders with Austria and Hungary. That makes it the only capital in the world bordering two countries.
The astronomical clock in Stara Bystrica is said to be the most accurate astronomical clock in the world. It is also the largest wooden statue in Slovakia.
In 2020, Slovakia was ranked by the International Monetary Fund as the 38th richest country in the world, with purchasing power parity per capita GDP of $38,321,
Human rights in Slovakia are guaranteed by the Constitution of Slovakia from the year 1992 and by multiple international laws signed in Slovakia between 1948 and 2006.
The highest statue of a horse in the world, measuring almost 9 meters in height and made of stainless steel is located in the Sport and Congress Center in Samorín-Cilistov.
Slovakian women have 1.3 children, on average, according to the World Bank, one of the lowest rates in the world (it’s 1.8 in the UK, while in Niger, which tops the ranking, it’s 7.6).
The country’s national drink is flavoured with juniper berries and similar to gin. The national dish, meanwhile, is bryndzové halušky, a hearty combination of potato dumplings and soft cheese.

Historical Facts About Slovakia

The pop art master’s parents came from Medzilaborce, an obscure Slovakian town. As a result, it is now the unlikely home of the world's second-largest collection of his works (after Pittsburg).
“The only thing I know about Slovakia is what I learned first-hand from your foreign minister, who came to Texas,” George W Bush once said. Except he’d met the Slovenian minister, not the Slovakian.
Slovakia is a member of the Schengen Area, NATO, the United Nations, the OECD, the WTO, CERN, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Council of Europe, and the Visegrád Group.
With seven listed attractions, Slovakia - a country of just 5.4m people - punches well above its weight in the Unesco stakes. Malaysia, Venezuela, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, each with more than 30 million residents, have fewer.
More than six thousand caves have been discovered in Slovakia. Ochtinska Aragonite Cave is the only one aragonite cave located in Europe and a huge 34 m high sinter column in Krasnohorska cave is even listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
Slovakia is one of the 10 booziest nations on the planet, according to the World Health Organisation, with the average adult consuming the equivalent of 13 litres of pure alcohol each year (Belarus, at 17.5 litres per capita, is number one).
FlyNiki, based in Vienna, once claimed to run the world’s shortest international service, a 30-mile trip from the city to Bratislava. The journey took 10 minutes by air – but has been discontinued. Vienna and Bratislava are Europe’s closest capitals.

Weird Facts About Slovakia

Slovakia and the Czech Republic have been two separate nations since January 1, 1993, after the Velvet Revolution was followed by the Velvet Divorce. The only newer countries are Eritrea, Palau, Timor-Leste, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo and South Sudan.
Chris Leadbeater explains: “Bratislava stands as a protector of the tree-swathed Europe of medieval lore thanks to Bratislava Forest Park: 10 square miles of treescape on the northern flank of the city, in the foothills of the Little Carpathians range, where hiking trails meander.”
“Slovakia is getting more attention as a ski destination, thanks to low prices, recent investment in resorts – and big mountains,” says Cat Weakley. “There are several small resorts, but it’s Jasná and its 49km of mostly intermediate pistes that’s the most attractive destination for international visitors.”
Largely overshadowed by its neighbours Poland, Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary, which each received more than 10 million tourists last year, Slovakia, which attracts around six million annual visitors, has ground to make up. But income from tourism rose by an estimated 16.9 per cent in 2016, so it’s on the right track.
There are direct flight from the UK to three Slovakian cities: Bratislava (from London, Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh, all with Ryanair), Kosice (from London and Doncaster/Sheffield, thanks to Wizz Air), and Poprad, gateway to the Tatras and home to a vast eco-resort called AquaCity (from London, also courtesy of Wizz).
Slovakia is not only a member of the European Union but also belongs to the Eurozone countries. In 2009, the Slovak Koruna (SKK) was retired from circulation after 16 years of using and replaced by a new currency – Euro (EUR). All surrounding countries except Austria use their own currencies, what gives Slovakia a big advantage for foreign tourists.
The capital of Slovakia, Bratislava, lies on the borders with Austria and Hungary. That makes the city the only one capital in the world that borders two independent countries. Moreover, Austrian capital Vienna is distant only 60 km! Both cities are stretched on the banks of Danube river and the boat cruise from Vienna to Bratislava takes only 90 minutes.

Quick Facts About Slovakia

Old medieval town of Levoča is a home of the highest wooden altar in the world. This remarkable work was created by Master Paul. It is located in Church of St. James right in the historical centre of Levoča. 18,6 m high and 6 m wide altar was made without the use of a single nail! The entire town centre is also included in the List of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Around 80 per cent of Slovakia lies more than 800 metres above sea level, and its crowning glory is the Tatras. The highest range in the Carpathians, they form a natural border between Slovakia and Poland, are a designated Unesco Biosphere Reserve, and contain some 100 high-altitude lakes and a clutch of waterfalls. They can be explored via a network of hiking paths.
In Slovakia, every day of the year is assigned one or two names. When your nameday come up, you can expect well wishes, cards and sometimes even gifts. It’s taken pretty seriously in Slovakia, and people will often postpone celebrations for a big bash at the weekend. The tradition’s origins can be traced back to the Catholic calendar of saints but today it’s a more secular affair.
“There is a raw, magical quality to the Tatra Mountains: a sense of living folklore,” wrote Rosemary Griffith, a Telegraph Travel reader, after a visit in 2013. “The air is almost metallic in its purity, the pastures a brilliant shade of green. Houses nestle on the slopes, their red roofs steep and long to accommodate heavy snow. Wild boar, wolves and brown bears roam the forests.”
According to the fine people at the Japanese Association of Travel Agents (JATA), Vlkolinec is one of the 30 most beautiful towns in Europe. A World Heritage Site, the small hamlet is “a remarkably intact settlement of 45 buildings with the traditional features of a central European village,” says Unesco. “It is the region’s most complete group of these kinds of traditional log houses.”
The picturesque village of Čičmany in Northern Slovakia has a status of world’s first reservation of folk architecture. Surrounded by mountains the village is famous especially for its traditional wooden houses. The walls of these timber houses are decorated with white geometrical patterns, same shapes can be found on the folk costumes of the villagers. More than 130 houses belong to the historic preservation area.
More than six thousand caves have been discovered in Slovakia so far! Most spectacular caves can be found in the national parks of Low Tatras, Slovak Paradise and Slovak Karst. Many of them represent unique natural wonders. Ochtinska Aragonite Cave is the only one aragonite cave located in Europe and a huge 34 m high sinter column in Krasnohorska cave is even listed in the Guinness Book of Records.

Interesting Facts About Slovakia Castles

The pop art master was born in Pittsburg, but his parents came from Medzilaborce, a small town in the northeastern region of Slovakia. Thanks to this, the country now houses the second-largest collection of his works in the world. Warhol (originally Warhola) never visited Slovakia but his brother helped establish the museum. It opened in 1991 and now displays 160 originals from one of the most famous creative forces of the 20th century.
Speaking of Kosice, Slovakia’s second city was European Capital of Culture in 2013, and retains some of this spirit in the sculpture and painting of the Muzeum Vojtecha Lofflera (dedicated to the prominent Slovak artist, who was born in the city in 1906). Elsewhere, St Elizabeth Cathedral is a splendid Gothic masterpiece which dates to the 14th century – while gilded Art Nouveau flourishes are to be found in the likes of the Hotel Slavia.
Slovakia with its 9 national parks and 14 protected landscape areas is literally a paradise for tourists. No trip to Slovakia would be complete without a visit to the wonderful mountains of High Tatras with peaks over 2500 m and glacier lakes that have been formed thousands of years ago. Other spectacular places are undoubtedly Slovak Paradise with its wild canyons, Low Tatras with lush alpine meadows and beautiful valleys in Little Fatra and Pieniny.
Near the village Kremnické Bane in Slovakia, right next to the St. John Baptist Church, is located the geographical midpoint of Europe. Unfortunately, due to the different types of calculations, Slovakia is not the only country which is proud of its geographical middle of Europe. Another 7 European villages claim to host this hypothetical midpoint as well. Famous recreational site in the ski resort Krahule near the village Kremnické Bane is named‚ The Centre of Europe‘.
Since November 2014 all children, full-time students less than 26 years old, widowed or disabled pensioners under 62 and seniors 62 and older are eligible to travel by train for free using the national railways. It is available only for citizens or permanent residents of countries that are member states of the European Union. All you need is a quick registration at cash desks to obtain your personal customer card. Afterwards, you ask for a zero-fare ticket for a specific train and enjoy the ride.
Slovakia has incredible sources of mineral water and healing thermal springs. Most of them are actively used for therapeutic and recreation purposes within 21 spa resorts. While, for example, the US thermal springs are mostly viewed as the luxury and they are generally expensive, Slovakia’s spa resorts and aquaparks are affordable thanks to their long-lasting traditions. Romans, Celts and also famous Ludwig van Beethoven visited spa town of Piešťany to enjoy the healing effects of town’s thermal water.
And the perfect alternative to Prague, reckons Telegraph Travel’s Gavin Haines. “Estranged from Prague during the Velvet Divorce, Bratislava has long been considered a poor relation to its more popular sibling,” he says. “There are some striking similarities between the two cities, though, not least in the grand civic architecture, cuisine and meandering River Danube, which, like the Vltava in Prague, slices the city in half. There’s a shared history too, of course, but you’ll find far fewer crowds in Bratislava.”
Located in the tiny Slovakian village of Stará Bystrica is the world’s most accurate astronomical clock. It was built in 2009 by the sculptor Viliam Loviška and architect Ivan Jarina. An intricate satellite-controlled software powers the horologe, which enables it to display true solar time. It’s got more than excellent time-keeping functions too. It’s also a real sight to behold. Towering above the central square, the colourful clock displays bronze busts of historic Slovakian figures, as well as an hourly parade of small statues representing saints.
This is one of the most interesting facts about Slovakia that surprises travellers who have never visited Slovakia. Just imagine an incredible number of 180 castles and 425 chateaux in a country with the entire population far smaller than the city of New York! The most popular castles such as Bratislava castle, Orava castle or Bojnice castle draw thousands of visitors every year. The real highlight amongst Slovak castles is undoubtedly medieval Spiš Castle, which belongs to the largest castles in the Central Europe and was included in the UNESCO List of World’s Cultural and Natural Heritage.

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