Tatra mountains

     Tatras occupy an area of 750 km² , of which the greater part (600 km²) lies in Slovakia. To the north of the country close to the Polish border, are the High Tatras which are a popular hiking and skiing destination and home to many scenic lakes and valleys as well as the highest point in Slovakia, the Gerlachovský štít at 2,655 metres (8,711 ft) and the country's highly symbolic mountain Kriváň. To the west are the Western Tatras with their highest peak of Rysy at 2,503 metres (8,212 ft) and to the east are the Belianske Tatras, smallest by area.

     Separated from the Tatras proper by the valley of the Váh river are the Low Tatras, with their highest peak of Ďumbier at 2,043 metres (6,703 ft).

     The Tatra Mountains are home to many species of animals. The most notable mammal is the Tatra chamois.

     The Mountains have a diverse variety of plant life.   They are home to more than  1,000 species of plants.

Slovak national dish - potato dumplings with sheep's-milk cheese (Bryndzové halušky)

     This meal consists of boiled lumps of potato dough similar in appearance to gnocchi and bryndza. Bryndza is a salty cheese made of a sheep milk, characterized by a strong taste and aroma. This meal is optionally sprinkled with cooked bits of smoked pork fat/bacon.

     Bryndzové halušky must be on the menu of every traditional Slovak restaurant. It‘ s usually served with a glass of sour milk called žinčica.

Slovak caves

     Slovakia has hundreds of caves and caverns under its mountains, out of which 15 are open to the public.  Some caves are interesting by their rich and unique decoration, others by archaeological excavations. There are currently five Slovak caves under UNESCO's World Heritage. They are Dobšinská  Ice Cave, Domica, Gombasek Cave, Jasovská Cave and Ochtinská Aragonite Cave.

Castles in Slovakia

     Most of the Slovak castles were built before the half of the 15th century. Bratislava Castle, the landmark overlooking the Capital, was built in the 9th century. It  is the main castle of Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. The massive rectangular building with four corner towers stands on a  rocky hill  directly above the Danube river in the middle of Bratislava. It is an outstanding feature of the city.

Caves dwellings in Brhlovce

     Brhlovce is famous in Slovakia for its 'cave dwellings'  Despite the name, these are not the remains of a prehistoric civilisation, but the product of some ingenuity in exploiting the local geography. Each cave-house in the village now has a more conventional dwelling in front of it, though several of the caves are reportedly still inhabited. One, though, has been turned into a museum.

Trenčín castle

     The castle houses exhibitions of the Trenčín Museum, documenting the history of the region and of the castle – exhibitions of historic furniture, weapons, pictures and other artifacts as well as a castle gallery, archaeological collections and findings. The castle is protected as a National Cultural Monument of Slovakia. 

     There is a legend of Turkish nobleman´s love to lovely Fatima, who was the Castle lord´s Štefan Zápoľský´s captive, being combined with the Well of love (called Love because of Omar´s love to Fatima). 

     So that Omar could set Fatima free from the Castle, he promised to dig in the stony Castle rock a well. For three years he had been digging with his companions till the rock truly gave water off. Only a few of the diggers had, however, stayed alive. A first goblet of water Omar handed over to Zápoľský, saying so, ´You truly have water, Zápoľský, but you have no heart.´ When Omar and Fatima were leaving free the Castle, her veil had been torn off on a rose-bush. Till nowadays, the oldest inn has had there its place and though now it´s called Fatima, before they called it "The Veil".

The Čachtice Castle

     The Čachtice Castle  is a castle ruin in Slovakia  next to the village of Čachtice .  It stands on a hill  and has been declared a national nature reserve for this reason. The castle was a residence and later the prison of the Countess Elizabeth Báthory, She was part of the powerful Hungarian Bathory family. She is known to many as  “Blood Countess” She has been labeled the most prolific female serial killer in history, Later writings about the case have led to legendary accounts of the Countess bathing in the blood of virgins to retain her youth.