Central Slovakia

Introducing Central Slovakia

Here among the forested hills and stony mountains lies the consciousness of a nature-oriented nation. And no wonder, the landscapes of Central Slovakia are as accessible as they are stunning. Stand on the high plain beyond Liptovský Mikuláš and on a clear day you can see no fewer than five mountain ranges: the Western Tatras, the smaller but no less impressive Low Tatras, the very accessible Malá and Veľká Fatras, and in the distance, the mighty High Tatras. The ranges are blanketed with trees – at more than 50% coverage, Central Slovakia is the most heavily wooded part of either republic – and carved with deep valleys, the most magical of which are the Vrátna valley in the Malá Fatra and the Demänova valley in the Low Tatras.

A rich vein of history runs through Central Slovakia. In the 19th century, literary organisations in Martin helped to create a standardised language and national awareness. Below the mountains, mining brought wealth to the region and Banská Štiavnica contains wonderful examples of centuries-old architecture. Folk villages, such as Čičmany and Vlkolínec, represent another kind of treasure. And of the multitude of castles scattered along the length and breadth of Slovakia, the two most complete and ornate are here: Orava, impossibly perched on a high, rocky outcrop; and Bojnice, more like a fairy-tale than Walt Disney could ever have imagined.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009