Eastern and Central Europe (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

CENTRAL EASTERN EUROPE 297

Landlocked at the heart of Central

Europe, Slovakia combines a

dynamic economy with a wealth of

natural assets – mountains, lakes,

unspoilt valleys and spectacular ice

caves. Beautiful churches ranging,

from the Romanesque to Art

Nouveau, are a feature of its towns

and cities, while numerous castles

and ruined fort resses stand

testimony to the region’s turbulent

history. Slovakia, nevertheless,

remains a relatively little-known

country, with few visitors.

HISTORY

During the 5th and 6th centuries

the Slavs arrived in the Danube

Lowlands, but they were later

con quered by the nomadic Avars. In

795 the Avars were beaten by

Charlemagne (r. 742–814), at the

head of an alliance of Franks and

Moravians. This cleared the way for

the establishment of two Slavic

principalities, out of which grew the

Great Moravian Empire. By 885, this

incorporated parts of present-day

Slovakia, Germany and Poland, as

well as Bohemia and Moravia. The

Moravian Empire was destroyed in

the 9th century by the invading

Magyars, who took control of the

Danube Lowlands, including much

of modern-day Slovakia. From this

period the Czechs and Slovaks were

exposed to different cultural and

political influences. In 1025, the

SLOVAKIA

A

province of the kingdom of Hungary for nine centuries and

part of Czechoslovakia for 70 years, Slovakia has had a

tumultuous past. It gained independence in 1993 and

is now one of Europe’s youngest countries. With diverse topo-

graphy, beautifully preserved architecture and rich folk culture,

the country holds great appeal to visitors.

Breathtaking view of the Tatra Mountains, central Slovakia

A vintage tourist bus in Bratislava’s Old Town