Every week The Slovak Spectator brings you a selection of three short stories from across Slovakia from which pessimism and negativity are absent.
Irish tabloid praises Slovak spa gem Piešťany as a top European getaway
The Thermia Palace Hotel in Piešťany (source: Courtesy of Spectacular Slovakia)
In a glowing feature, Irish tabloid newspaper The Irish Sun has spotlighted the Slovak town of Piešťany as one of Europe's best hidden resort destinations. The article highlights the spa city's "year-round good weather" – Piešťany presumably benefited from being compared to Ireland in this respect – the comparatively cheap beer in Slovakia, and Ryanair flights (from Dublin to Bratislava) from just €25, calling it a perfect summer escape.
Located in western Slovakia, Piešťany impresses with its healing thermal springs, elegant architecture, lush parks and unique attractions, like the Colonnade Bridge and Balneological Museum. It's also home to rare wildlife, a military history museum, and a spa tradition valued by visitors for over a century.
Slovak Leo Sauer is among Europe's top 100 young footballing talents
Leo Sauer (source: X/Lera)
Rising Slovak football star Leo Sauer has earned a place on the prestigious Golden Boy Top 100 list, which ranks the world’s most promising players under the age of 21, the Sportnet portal reports.
Published annually by Italian sports daily Tuttosport, the Golden Boy Award recognizes Europe's brightest young footballers. A panel of respected journalists from major outlets such as L’Équipe, Bild, France Football, Marca and The Times selects the winner.
To qualify, a player must be under 21 and registered with a European club. Sauer, ranked 76th, plays for Feyenoord Rotterdam, and spent last season on loan to NAC Breda, where he scored seven goals and was the most productive teenager in the Dutch league. At just 19, Sauer is considered a key player for Slovakia’s Under-21 team, which will compete on home soil at the upcoming UEFA U21 European Championship.
Bratislava unveils Slovakia’s first 3D-printed bus stop
Bratislava’s first-ever bus stop created using 3D concrete printing technology is located in Dúbravka. (source: Dano Veselský, FOTO Dano Veselsky)
A futuristic sign of the times has appeared in the Bratislava district of Dúbravka — the first 3D-printed bus stop in Slovakia. Designed as an elliptical cylinder, the structure combines modern aesthetics with high functionality.
The stop was assembled on site from just four prefabricated concrete parts. This innovative method resulted in lower material use, minimal waste, and reduced environmental impact. The project was a collaboration between Czech architectural studio Collarch, Slovak firm Šebo-Lichý Architekti, and ICE Coral 3D Printers.
The minimalist shelter features a glass roof for natural light and a 3D-printed bench topped with larch wood slats for comfort.
Some feel-good stories published by The Slovak Spectator for you to enjoy:
From London to Poland, and now to Slovakia, this story shows how languages can open doors — to careers, cultures, and even love. Why a British teacher chose Slovakia as his home.
Slovaks run a successful brewery in Porto, where people still ask for beer inspired by a famous Slovak wafer.
The Slovak Chamber of Auditors introduces Europe’s first AI platform for auditors.
After years of patchy service, a new cross-border bus now links the Slovak and Polish High Tatras year-round.
Zdeno Chára was inducted into World Hockey Hall of fame.
Meme of the week
Caption: Next time you hear someone complaining about how nothing was built with EU funds, show them these photos of Smer MPs' villas in Croatia.
This week's meme, by the satirists at Zomri, alludes to the ever-lengthening list of governing party politicians, their partners and hangers-on who have mysteriously acquired luxury apartments and villas on the Adriatic, along with extensive recent reporting of incidences of EU funds apparently being diverted into private property. When asked to account for such assets, the acquirers typically accuse journalists of seeking to smear them – but never address the core question of where the money came from.
You can send me your tips for good news stories about Slovakia or funny memes at: kseniia.husieva@spectator.sk. Thank you!
