Western Slovakia

Western Slovakia

LOCATION:

Western Slovakia is in the region including the capital Bratislava, the Slovakian Danube River Valley and other lower-lying territory, bounded in the north by the Czech republic, in the west by Austria, in the south by Hungary. We can find two lowlands in here, one of them is the biggest one in Slovakia- the Poddunajská lowland and Záhorská lowland.

HISTORY:

- at the beginning of the era, outlying pickets of the Roman Empire were situated in its valleys.

- the Váh and Morava Basin were centres of the first state formation of our ancestors-the great Moravia which entered the european sceene in the first third of the 9^th century.It existed till the arrival of ancient Hungarians at the turn of the 9^th and 10^th century and our region became the part of the Hungarian kingdom for a thousand years´ period.

- in the 16^th century the whole administration of Hungary was moved to Slovakia. BA became its capital city and Trnava its religious centre.

HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Bratislava

- its permanent settlement from Celtic times is demonstrated by two outstanding dominants of the town-the Bratislava Castle and Devín Castle.They played a very important role of military and political power during Great-Moravian times. Devín is preserved in a form of ruins and Bratislava Castle has been reconstructed and serves cultural purposes.

- in the reign of king Matthew (15^th century) the first University- Academia Istropolitana was founded here.

- to valuable historical architecture belong the gothic Old Town Hall and grandiose sacral monuments.

Trnava

-second significant centre of this region.

-our oldest free royal town, so called Slovak Rome(for its number of ancient churches)

-the seat of archbishop

-the complex of University buildings namely the University Cathedral are the splendid evidence of the early baroque art.

Nitra

-it is here thet the history of Christianization our forefathers began to be written.

-the castle of Nitra was the seat of Svätopluk-the head of our first state.

Trenčín

-the majestic castle of Trenčín rises over the river Váh. Inscription engraved on the base of the castle rock proves the presence of the Roman Emperor Marcus Antonius and of his legions in Slovakia. 

Bojnice

-royal castle built in the 12^th century.

Červený Kameň

-its wealthy interior is admirable.

Archeological findings

-sculpture of Venus was found in the excavations near Piešťany. Its determined age is 22 000 years.

-Hallstadt-a 2600 years old fortified settlement-discovered near Smolenice.

NATURE BEAUTIES

-Danube- offers meadow forrests and unique fauna and flore. There are about 63 species of fish and its vegetation is like a jungle. Herons, divers, water hens, wild ducks have found their homes here.

-there are abour 4000 water mills in this region. Most of them are closed, but some of them serve as museums. E.g. water mill in Jelka.

-near theborder crossing in Medveďovo a large nature preserve Hamské tŕstie is spread out.

-in Topoľčanky there is a large arboretum that served as a summer residence for all our former presidents.

-Bojnice-the oldest zoo

-this region is represented by woodland, a huge deer enclosure and by the breeding of a herd of European bisons.

SPORT

Western Slovakia offers many opportunities for active relaxation.

-a network of tourist paths ast the foot of the Little Carpathians where you can wander for hours.

-if you prefer faster means of displacement, nothing hinders you from using one of the cycling routs and in winter the white tracks for ski runners.

-Little Carpathians are low mountains that´s why they are suitable for children and beginners. There are two ski centres in Bratislava- Kamzík and Rača + one ski resort near Pezinok called Baba.

-Danube offers opportunities for aquatic sports-from boating to canoeing at its rapid current.

-the labyrinth of dead arms of all these rivers creates bays, lagoons and islands which is a paradise for anglers.

-if you are a fan of bathing, surfing and windsurfing, you can find your own piece of paradise in Senecke jazera near Bratislava, on the dam Slňava near Piešťany and Duchonka near Topolčany.

TOURISM AND OTHER DISTINCTIVE FEATURES WORTH SEEING

-curative and leisure centres-Kráľová near Senec,Dunajská Streda, Čalovo, Komárno, Patince, Štúrovo, Nové Zámky.

-Piešťany-famous for its reumatic treatment.

-Spas in Trenčianske Teplice and Smrdáky- curative processes of dermal diseases.

-Nitra-called as Mecca of Agriculture in Slovakia. Every September 1000 visitors come to the inernational fair Agrocomplex.

-this region is famous for wine growing. Wine-growing centres: region of Skalica and Záhorie, Little Carpathian region, Hlohovec, trnava and Danubian region. Each of them have their own brand and sort of wine+distinctive winecellars and winehouses whicha re open to public.

-The Viticultural Museum in Bratislava and the Slovak Agricultural Museum in Nitra offer not only data, but also interesting exhibits of viticulture in our region.

-bee-keeping has its traditions in this region from great Moravian times. Most popular open-air bee-keeping museum is in Kráľová near Senec.

- characteristic for Western Slovakia are its ceramic products. Majolica in Modra-where you can find the ceramic figure production of Ignác Bismayer.