Itinerary of a visit to Bratislava or Slovakia

„The heart of Europe“ – that is the title for Slovakia, one of the smallest states at this continent. Slovakia is the country, where I live, so let me introduce it to you as it is the country very interesting and worth visiting.
The backround of this, already independent, state is pretty rich and compelling, as the Slovak republic had been in pastness the part of a few monarchies and empires. After membership in Great Moravian empire, it had become the part of Austro-Hungarian monarchy, which lasted till the end of the First World War.

Then, in 1919, Slovakia had become for the first time, an independent state and this had been broken in 1946, when Czech and Slovak republics joined and had created one state Czechoslovakia. In 1948, the communist regim had been appaled and this subjugation had lasted for fourty years.
Eventually, in November 1989, the Velvet Revolution had broken communism and Czech and Slovak Republic reached for their freedom and democracy and had formed the federated republic. The 1st January 1993 had been the date when these two countries had separated and each of them has become independent state.
Slovakia, then, has begun to develop individually not only in politic and economic side but also in tourism. This country has got, thanks to its long and rich history, not only an immense amount of historical places and monuments to show but it is also great stock of beauties of our nature. Moreover, beautiful caves, mineral natural springs, folk arcitecture, all of these can Slovakia offer to its visitors.

Let me, first, guide you through the places created by God, grand beauties of mountains, shining water of rivers and lakes and grass with morning dew in the valleys.
For those, who like mountaneering, skiing, fresh air, tours and want to spend their holiday or just a weekend actively, Slovakia is full of natural beauty suitable for both relaxing and active rest.
The best-known in Slovakia probably are The High Tatras. These highest mountains in the country, which create a border between Slovakia and Poland in the north, abound with beauties on every step. With the highest peak, Gerlachovsky stit, with its height of 2 654,4 m, boasting high above all the beauty, this mountains hide beautiful woods, another lower peaks, touristic centres, and all of these is worth of visitor´s eye. Except The National Park of High Tatras, in which, by the way, it is still possible to see a bear, a lynx, wild cats, otters, mountain eagles, chamois, a marmot and other animals and about 1500 species of various plants, our attention shouldn´t miss other places too.

If you get to The High Tatras, don´t pass over the opportuninty to ascend so many beautiful, powerful higer or lower peaks like Lomnický štít, Kriváň, Rysy, Hrebienok, Solisko and many, many others. You can reach their summits either on foot or by cable railways. Among the breathtaking places we can also put numerous valleys with more than 90 lakes in them. The most famous are probably lake Štrbské Pleso, situated in the height of 1355 m and the largest and deepest one – Veľké Hincovo Pleso, 53 metres deep. The best-known touristic centres with hotels, shops, skiing centres, restaurants and cultural places are these ones: Podbanské-a good place for starting many tours to surrounding mountains, Tatranská Polianka, where spa buildings are and respiratory conditions are treated, Tatranská Lomnica-the largest settlement full of accomodation from camping to luxurious hotels, ski slopes, casinos, fitness centres, horseracing track and other activities for tourists. Veľká and Malá Studená dolina, with Studenovodské waterfalls, is one of the most beautiful mountain hikes.

But Slovakia is not only The High Tatras. All of these, what you get there, you can see and get also in The Low Tatras, situated exactly under the High Tatras. The highest peak is Dumbier with 2 043 meters. Places like Jánska Dolina with termal swimming pools, Chopok, the second highest peak, National Park of Low Tatras, Kráľova Hoľa or Demänovská valley are the most visited localities here and in the middle of this valley you can visit beautiful Demänovska cave.
Slovakia, as the tiny teritory with perhaps the highest concentration of beauty, offers also next:
The Slovak Eden-beauty hidden in caves, roaring waterfalls, vast plains, maple trees and the richness of fauna, flora and beatiful sceneries provides an atractivity for tourists.
But what about places smaller, but not smaller in beauty?
Donovaly, for example, is famous ski centre and The World Championship in a competition of teams of dogs is held every year there. Rivers Danube, Morava, Váh, Hron, are good for walks along them, water reservoirs Hrušov, Orava, Liptovská Mara, Zempínska Šírava are the best places where to spend your holiday in summer and these great recreation centres are full of atractions both for adults and children too.
Slovakia is, in the world, also famous for its many mineral and thermal springs and of course for out spas. There are these ones: the most famous in Piešťany with „mud-bath procedure“, Trenčianske Teplice, Bardejov, Sliač, Dudince, Smrdáky and open air spas in mountains Štrbské Pleso and Nový Smokovec.
If you are a historian, you will not get bored as well here. This country, with its rich history, is, from the west to the east, full of gorgious castles and towns with historical buildings.
Let´s have a look at it more at close quarters. Towns Pezinok and Modra are the largest producers of wine, Trenčín, which was in the past the seat of famous Matúš Čák Trenčiansky, is nowadays the town of fashion industry, but famous is mostly fot the castle towering over it.

Zvolen, next Slovak city, is known for the Castle of Zvolen, where Gothic art museum we can find. Levoča, the old historical town is very famous for beautiful wooden works, shown in churches in this town, of a wood-carver Master Paul. Kremnica is called „the gold town“ for its mining history and Banská Štiavnica is known as „the silver town“. It is a beautiful historical place with wonderful Štiavnické lakes around it. And what about other places? Well, let me name them, as I think they are worth at least to mention them and for tourists to visit them when they come to Slovakia.
First of all it is Spišský Castle-the largest castle in Slovakia and one of the largest in central Europe. Orava Castle is a place of Orava museum. It is built on an abrupt limestone cliff and it belongs among the largest in this country. Its interior is furnished in gothic, renaissance and romatism style. After these two follow castles Červený Kameň in Malé Karpaty-the national cultural monument, Lednice Castle-which was in the past the hardest accessible castle in Slovakia, Castle Nitra, residence of clerical institutions and the Archeological institute and at the and the romantic, beautiful Castle Bojnice well-known for its ghosts and atractions connected with them, which attract not only children but each of visitors.

What I can recommend you as well is place called Východná – every-year home of Slovak folklore and old carving and other hand works typical for this country.
Finally, I cannot forget to mention and introduce you our capital – Bratislava. It lies on the river Danube lowland and is a gate to Slovakia from Austria and Hungary. In the past, it was an important junction of the main trades. Its history dates back to the 5th century. At that time the first Slovanic tribes arrived into this locality and in the 9th century it was a part of Great Moravian Empire. In 1291 Bratislava became a free royal town.
Nowadays, as it is our capital, it is the administrative, political, economical and cultural centre with lots of opportunities for everybody. This city is also called the students´city, because there are probably tho most universities out of all Slovak cities and towns. Its seat has there also the first university – Academia Istropolitana founded in 1467 by Matias Korvin.
Similarly to the whole country, you will not get bored here as well. However Bratislava cannot equal to some other European cities yet, it still has much to offer either from cultural, sport, or historical side. If you like night life, sport or entertainment, don´t hesitate and visit one or more of many cinemas, theatres, for example Slovak National Theatre, Small Stage, New Stage, then Slovak Philharmonic orchestra, lots of night clubs, pubs and sport and fitness centres. If you are, on the other hand, curious about what this city can offer you from historical side, let´s look at it now. One of the most visited places is the Michael´s Gate, which stands there as a memory of large walls around the town.

It was the fortification from the 13th century. Nowadays we can find there the exhibition of arms and also three architectural styles – gothic, baroque and reneissance. The Bratislava Castle, typical symbol of Bratislava with four towers, is a home of various archeological and historical expositions and in its space there are also reception rooms of the Slovak National Council and Government. Furthermore, the residence of our president is also a historical monument. It is called the Grassalkovich Palace. In The Old Town Hall, from the 13th century, is nowdays the museum of valluable collections of books and archeological foundings. What you cannot miss in this town is The St. Martin´s Cathedral in a gothic style of 13th century where 10 members of Habsburgs were crowned.

At, last, but not least in importance, I want to mention romantic walks along the river Danube, a visit in the Botanic garden and for kids it is fun in the ZOO and the entertainment park on one of the banks of Danube.
Whether you are rich or not, you don´t have to worry, as far as accomodation is concerned, you´ll find the place suitable for you here. Bratislava can affer hotels, expensive, less expensive, hostels or motels, so, nobody will sleep on the street. With this are joined lots of restaurants, shops, shopping centres and other killers of time, so to get bored here, in Bratislava, is, I dare say, impossible.
Well, that is my guide through beauties of my country – Slovakia. It is very little piece of land but with ilimitable richness of history, natural beauty and kind people living here, so, in my opinion, it is, really, worth visiting.