The Strašidlá na Smolenickom Zámku event. (source: TASR)
HALLOWEEN
Ghosts wherever you look
With Halloween just around the corner, this means that castles in Slovakia hold special dedicated events for this occasion.
The popular family weekend event Strašidlá na Smolenickom Zámku (Ghosts at Smolenice Castle) is once again going to return to the picturesque site in the Small Carpathian mountain range. The 8th edition will offer a new captivating story for visitors to delve into, as well as a rich programme including a fencing performance, ghostly photo booth, various ghosts, craft market and more. The event starts at 10:00 on both Saturday and Sunday. Find out more here.
Ghosts at Smolenice Castle. (source: TASR)
The picturesque Orava Castle will be holding special evening tours called "Are you afraid of the dark?" of both its interior and exterior premises, allowing visitors to experience them lit by candles. Old legends, mysterious creatures and ghosts are waiting for you. Get your tickets here.
Trenčín Castle will be hosting the Kráľovstvo Svetlonosov (The Jack-o'-lantern Kingdom) on Saturday, featuring carving of pumpkin lantern and a detective game that will take children across the premises of the castle. Learn more here.
In addition, Bratislava's borough of Devín, towns of Nové Sady, Kysucké Nové Mesto, Turčianska Teplička, Sliač will hold pumpkin carving and procession events of their own.
Also, the popular Bojnice Zoo will turn into a haunted one! Click here to learn more.
MISCELLANEOUS FUN
One for plastic model afficionados
Are you a collector of all things small such as model cars, trains, plastic and paper models, miniatures? Then don't miss the Nitra Model Show this Saturday. In addition to seeing amazing models, you will be able to build your own models, learn how to paint miniatures and more. Learn more here.
Illustrative image. (source: TASR)
One for bike buffs
Another Critical Mass ride will take place in Nitra. If you don't know, in cycling, Critical Mass events highlight and give space to people who want to safely ride bicycles on the streets of their town. On Friday from 18:00 to 20:00, one such event will take place in Nitra. The ride will take place no matter the weather. Learn more here.
TIP: If you happen to be in the High Tatras at the end of October and plan to hike to the Rysy mountain hut, .
Two for wine lovers
On Saturday, the town of Trnava is going to celebrate its wine making tradition by opening 26 wine cellars as part of its 21st edition. Taking place between 13:00 and 21:00, wine lowers will be able to enjoy a selection of the best Slovak and Moravian wines. The wine pass for the events costs €30. Learn more here.
The town of Skalica in the Záhorie region too has a wine making tradition. To celebrate it, the 15th edition of a special event called Deň Otvorených Búd (literally Open Shed Day, with shed denoting a place where wine is made) will take place on Saturday. Between 10:00 and 20:00, about 70 wine makers located on a 10-kilometre-long trail in the vicinity of the town are going to offer you a taste of their production. Some of the maker's histories go back over 100 years. Learn more here.
Illustratory image. (source: SME - Jozef Jakubčo)
MORE AND UPCOMING EVENTS
October 26:The Archaeology Day in Martin
October 26:Halloween at Topoľčianky Castle
October 27: The Nitrianska Hudobná Jeseň classical music festival in Nitra
October 27:The Halloween Carnival in Bojnice
October 27:The Snow Film Fest in Poprad
October 31:The haunting of Hlohovec Castle event
November 1-8: The Nitra Castle crypt will be made available
November 8-9:The Nitra Wine Festival
BEFORE YOU GO
WHAT TO DO FOR FREE: Join a group of foreigners on their small trip to the Haluzice village.
WHAT TO EXPLORE IN BRATISLAVA: Discover authentic Slovak folklore, last chance to attend the Slovak Press Photo festival, and more in this week's Top 10 events.
WHAT TO READ: Hockey legend with Slovak roots Stan Mikita started playing the game without knowing any English.
WHAT TO LEARN: Dusan Stevlik is a native of Bratislava but grew up in Germany after his parents fled communism. Inspired by his grandfather Jozsef’s career as a smuggler and slivovica salesman, he began selling Jozsef Stevlik Kosher Slivovitz, a plum brandy common in central and eastern Europe.
WHAT TO DISCOVER: Foreigners share their favourite running routes in Bratislava. The capital's diverse landscape and variety of routes cater to every runner.
That's it for this week. Take care, and have a nice weekend!
