Heinblog: Slovakia

Slovakia is a mountainous country with a complicated history and lots of castles. The Slovakian language is similar to Czech, but Slovakia was a territory of Hungary for over 900 years (the Hungarians built most of the castles). Germans were also very influential in the country. Pictured above is the Co-Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, located in Presov.

Slovakian culture is distinct, especially in the eastern half of the country.

The traditional food is best eaten after a long hike in the mountains.

Presov has not forgotten the sacrifice of Soviet soldiers during World War 2.

Spis Castle is located west of Presov and is easy to reach from the highway.

This is what the kitchen in Spis Castle may have looked like.

View from the castle

Spis Castle is one of the largest castles in Europe by area. It was built by Hungarian kings in the 13th century, was granted to a Hungarian noble family in the 16th century, and fell into disrepair in the 18th century. Many Hungarian nobles had their primary residencies in Slovakia during the Ottoman invasion of Hungary, and abandoned their holdings once Hungary was taken back.

The castle is still being excavated.

Orava Castle is perched on a rock outcropping overlooking the Orava River. It is located in the north-center of Slovakia near the Polish border.

Bojnice Castle was turned into a fairy tale castle by its last owner, Janos Palffy, in the early 1900s. In the 1500s it was owned by the Thurzo family, Hungarian nobles who dominated mining in Hungary.

The site of Trencin Castle has been occupied by Romans, Moravians, Hungarians, and Slovakians.

When you hike to the castles, signs show you how close the other castles are!

Cachtice Castle is famous for being the home of Countess Elizabeth Bathory, allegedly the world's most prolific female serial killer.

Cachtice Castle was built in the 13th century, and was destroyed when plundered by Hungarian freedom fighter Francis II Rakoczi in 1708.

This is probably not what the dungeon looked like.

The castle has excellent views of its surrounding domain.

Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is a strange place. It is located very close to the Hungarian and Austrian border, and a hour away from Vienna. Before World War 1 it was ~ 40% German, 40% Hungarian, and 20% Slovakian, and was known as Pressburg. It also has a strange statue of Hans Christian Andersen.