Travel guide Slovakia

Slovakia is a paradoxical country when it comes to automobiles. It is one of the three EU countries with the lowest number of cars per capita; conversely, it produces the most cars per capita. The combination of tax benefits, wages and worker qualifications led Peugeot, Volkswagen and Kia to set up their factories there.

Among the many Christmas traditions in Slovakia, one may seem somewhat surprising. Carp is a compulsory food on the evening of the Nativity. However, it is bought alive and left in the bathtub, before being killed at the last moment. The fish is then fried or breaded and served with potato salad.

Don't tell Slovaks that they are from Eastern Europe, because the centre of Europe is at home! It is exactly at the top of the Krahule hill, near the city of Kremnica in central Slovakia. They are at the centre of a Europe that stretches from the Atlantic to the Urals and includes Ukraine and Belarus, and they are attached to it.

They are two Greek evangelizers, sent in the 9th century to Great Moravia to spread Byzantine Christianity. Cyril invented for the Slavs, a people without writing, the glagolitic, alphabet that became Cyrillic. Method translated the Bible. They are the founders of Slovak knowledge and culture, their cross adorns the flag.

Very long flute made of elderberry wood with three holes originally used by Slovak shepherds. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the fujara gradually moved from being a working tool to a musical instrument, thanks to the spread of folk music. This instrument was inscribed on the UNESCO heritage list at the end of 2005.

A geological strangeness, the Tatra range rises to 2,655 m in a surreal vision of a long plain surrounding the town of Poprad. Its craggy, violently rugged peaks are a veritable paradise for hikers and mountaineers. The beauty of these peaks is the pride of the Slovaks, who make them national symbols.

He is considered Slovakia's Robin Hood. A rebel and brigand, ex-army soldier, he reigned until he was sentenced to death in 1713. During this troubled period of aristocratic rebellion, he forged his legend by "taking from the rich to redistribute to the poor". His story has inspired numerous novels, plays and films.

"Bar" or "tavern". This word comes up quite often in discussions (Ideme do krčmy, we go to the bistro). Taverns in Slovakia are important places of social life, mainly in small villages. It is the traditional meeting place for the entire population who gather here for a beer rather than at home.

Osada means "locality", but would translate more accurately as "gypsy ghetto". Deeply discriminated against, Roma populations live on the economic and often geographical bangs of Slovak cities. Mainly in the east of the country, almost every town has its own osada, physically separated from other districts by a road, a river or a wall.

In Slovakia, as is often the case in Central European countries, people introduce themselves or are introduced by their title. You will find the diminutives Ing (Inžinier/engineer), Dr or PhD on the mailboxes. (Doktor for PhD holders) followed by the surname. These titles are just as important orally as they are in writing.

Signed on 4 June 1920 following the First World War, this treaty led to the dismantling of the Kingdom of Hungary to the benefit of Slovakia in particular. Today, almost 9% of the population is still Magyarophone and remains very attached to Hungary. After periods of tension, the situation seems to have calmed down since EU integration.

Traditional Carpathian shepherd's axe. Richly ornamented and up to a metre high, it was used as a sidearm and walking stick. Today, this axe is most often found in folk art museums. Lighter versions are still used in folk dances (such as the ozdemok dance).