🇸🇰 Slovakia

Slovakia is a landlocked country located in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, and Austria to the southwest. The capital city is Bratislava, and the official language is Slovak. The country has a population of around 5.5 million people.

Slovakia has a rich history that dates back to prehistoric times. The area was settled by various tribes including Celts and Germanic tribes, and later became part of the Great Moravian Empire, which emerged as a powerful state in the 9th century. In the 10th century, the kingdom was conquered by the Magyars and became part of the Kingdom of Hungary.

During the medieval period, Slovakia was ruled by the Hungarian kings and it became an important center of trade and culture. In the 16th century, the Habsburgs inherited the Kingdom of Hungary and they brought in many innovations to Slovakia, like the spread of the Reformation, and the development of mining, metallurgy and new crafts.

During the 19th century, the Hungarian half of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, of which Slovakia was a part of, underwent a period of modernization, and a strong sense of Slovak nationalism emerged. After World War I and the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Czechoslovakia was formed as a republic in 1918, of which Slovakia was a part of.

After World War II, Czechoslovakia became a communist country and remained so until the fall of communism in 1989. In 1993, Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and Slovakia became an independent country. Since then, Slovakia has undergone a period of political and economic transformation and it has become a stable democracy with a market economy. Slovakia joined the European Union in 2004, and the eurozone in 2009.

Slovakia Popular Food

#Kapustnica #Sauerkraut #Parenica #Bryndzové Halušky #Slovak Guláš #Vyprážaný Syr #Koláče

Kapustnica

a traditional soup made of sauerkraut, meat, and often with mushrooms.

Sauerkraut

it is a staple side dish in Slovakian cuisine, it is often served with meat dishes, and also used in soups and stews.

Parenica

a traditional Slovakian sheep cheese, it is usually served as an appetizer, it can be eaten alone or as a sandwich.

Slovakia Travel Taboo

Slovakia is a welcoming country and visitors should have a pleasant and respectful experience while traveling there. However, as with any destination, it's important to be aware of and respect local customs and traditions. Some things to keep in mind while traveling in Slovakia include:

Respect for personal space: Slovaks tend to have a more reserved demeanor and they value their personal space, so it's important to avoid invading people's personal space or asking too many personal questions.
Respect for religious customs: Slovakia is a predominantly Catholic country and many of its people are religious, so it's important to be respectful of religious customs and traditions, particularly when visiting churches or other religious sites.
Respect for punctuality: Slovaks are generally punctual, so it is important to be on time for appointments and meetings.
Respect for the environment: Slovaks take great pride in the natural beauty of their country, so it is important to be mindful of the impact that tourism can have on natural areas and to follow the Leave No Trace principle.
Respect for dress code: Slovakia is a casual country but it is still polite to dress appropriately for the occasion, particularly when visiting upscale restaurants or religious sites.
Respect for smoking laws: Slovakia has strict smoking laws, smoking is not allowed in enclosed public spaces or in many outdoor spaces.
Respect for flag: It is considered rude to desecrate the Slovakian flag, so be careful when taking photos or souvenirs.
By being respectful of local customs and laws, visitors to Slovakia can ensure a safe and pleasant trip.

Slovakia Local Food

Slovakia has a diverse and delicious cuisine that reflects its unique geography, culture, and history. Some popular local dishes include:

Kapustnica: a traditional soup made of sauerkraut, meat, and often with mushrooms.
Sauerkraut: it is a staple side dish in Slovakian cuisine, it is often served with meat dishes, and also used in soups and stews.
Parenica: a traditional Slovakian sheep cheese, it is usually served as an appetizer, it can be eaten alone or as a sandwich.
Bryndzové Halušky: a traditional dish made of potato dumplings topped with sheep cheese and bacon.
Slovak Guláš: a hearty stew made from beef or pork, onions, and a paprika-based sauce.
Vyprážaný Syr: a traditional dish of deep-fried cheese, often served as a starter or a side dish.
Koláče: traditional Slovakian pastries that can be filled with a variety of fillings such as sweet cheese, poppy seeds, or fruit jams.

Slovakia Festiaval

There are many local festivals that take place in Slovakia throughout the year. Some examples include:

The Slovak National Uprising (SNP) Festival in Banská Bystrica: This festival takes place every August and celebrates the 1944 rebellion against the fascist regime during World War II. It includes military parades, reenactments, and cultural performances.
The International Folklore Festival in Východná: This festival takes place every August and features folklore ensembles from around the world.
The Pohoda Festival in Trenčín: This is an annual music festival that takes place in July and features a diverse lineup of international and domestic acts, including indie rock, electronic, and folk music.
The Top Fest in Nitra: is an annual music festival that takes place in June and features a diverse lineup of domestic acts and music in various genre, pop, rock, hip hop and electronic

Slovakia History

Slovakia has a rich and complex history that spans thousands of years. The earliest known human settlements in what is now Slovakia date back to the Neolithic period, around 5,500 BC. During the Bronze and Iron Ages, various tribes and kingdoms inhabited the region, including the Celts and the Romans.

In the 5th and 6th centuries, Slavic tribes migrated to the region and established settlements. The Principality of Nitra was one of the early Slavic political entities in the region, and it was conquered by the Principality of Moravia in the 9th century.
In the 10th century, the region came under the rule of the Magyar tribes from the Ural Mountains, and it was part of the Kingdom of Hungary for the next several centuries. During this time, the area that is now Slovakia was known as "Upper Hungary" and it was a semi-autonomous region with its own assemblies and legal codes.
In the early 20th century, Czechoslovakia was established as an independent country, comprising of the Czech lands and Slovakia. During this time, Slovakia was an autonomous region within Czechoslovakia. After the Munich Agreement in 1938, Czechoslovakia was forced to cede a large portion of the country to Nazi Germany, and Slovakia became a separate, client state of Germany. After WWII, Czechoslovakia was restored under Soviet influence and remained so until the Velvet Revolution of 1989 which led to the creation of two independent countries, the Czech Republic and Slovakia on 1st January 1993.
Since then, Slovakia has been a democratic country with a market-based economy. It has been a member of the European Union since 2004 and the Eurozone since 2009.