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THIS picture of Vysoká pri Morave dates back to World War I. The village lies on the river Morava, which marks the border between Slovakia and Austria.
This village was a hive of activity. Fisherman exploited the river's abundant resources and built the first houses here.
A local bone of contention having to do with water rights is eloquently summarized in an old municipal document: "Whose are the Hochštetno waters?" (Hochštetno is the old name of the village.) The fishermen would often resolve this question in hand-to-hand combat with rivals from nearby Suchohrad.
Fishing, not to mention the lucrative crayfish trade, was worth fighting over - it turned a good profit.
The river Morava was a place that decided human fates throughout the 20th century. Smugglers used the river during the times of the First Republic, and later many risked their lives trying to flee Communism by crossing to Austria.
At present, this picturesque village is a popular destination for cyclists from Bratislava-Devin.
By Branislav Chovan,
Special to the Spectator
