History talks, page 7
Learn about Slovak history through stories of interesting people and places.
Germanised “nest”
EVEN a hundred years ago, publishers who produced postcards tried to stand out in order to sell more of their goods.
Co-discoverer of Dobšinská ice cave died 115 years ago
GUSTÁV Lang was a police official and hobby caver who co-discovered the Dobšinská Ice Cave. He died 115 years ago.
Middle Ages in Hájniky
THIS postcard from the 1920s features the village of Hájniky from central Slovakia. As the Slovak name hints – háj means wood – in the past, rulers’ forest guardians used to live here.
Krompachy rebellion 95 years ago cost six lives
A BIG protest started by wives of local ironworks employees 95 years ago got out of control, cost six lives and caused a massive rebellion and harsh crackdown.
Big marker from small town
THE RELATIVELY small town in south-western Slovakia, Galanta, contains one great historical monument: a local manor house which, however, has been dilapidating for years.
Carnival, or Fašiangy, symbolises time of merriment and feasts
CARNIVAL, called Fašiangy in Slovakia, is the time between Epiphany (January 6) and the movable Tuesday before the Ash Wednesday. This year, the end fell on February 9.
First Slovak Holocaust museum opens
THOSE who survived and were able to return to the former work- and concentration camp in Sereď, now turned into the first Museum of Holocaust in Slovakia, agree that it should have happened long ago.
Efforts of Professor Domin
IF WE could go back in time a century or two and saw the High Tatras, we might be surprised.
Memory of the Czech Route
BUKOVÁ is the last village of the Small Carpathian mountain range before it changes to a slightly taller chain, the White Carpathians. Unlike other villages in the Small Carpathians, this one lies not at the foot of the hills but directly in the middle.
Death of Štúr to be commemorated mid-January
SLOVAK political, cultural and revivalist activist Ľudovít Štúr (1815-56) will again be commemorated in mid January.
The oldest church in Orava
SLOVAK painter Janko Alexy used to roam around Slovakia in his young years, painting squares, churches, castles, and landmarks.
Lev used to be the lord of Levice
THE TOWN of Levice is the centre of the Tekov area; and the centre of this town has always been a lev (meaning lion in Slovak). The inn built in the mid 19th century was called the Proud ‘Lev’. One part – but luckily not the flagship – of the inn was the so-called Drunkards’ Pub for regulars who tended to come for cheap, low-quality booze.
Witches’ Days prepared by museum, hailing old traditions
HOW Slovaks’ ancestors protected themselves against evil powers, but also how they used the darkest period of a year for magic rituals and fortune-telling can be watched in the Upper Nitra (Hornonitiranske) museum in Prievidza.
Novohrad’s Halič Castle
HALIČ Castle looked this elegant more than hundred years ago, when its noble lords took care of of the castle and surroundings. In the front, we can see a well tended park that seems to have been planted only a short time ago.
Hygiene from a mill
JUST a stone’s throw from Bratislava lies one of the best preserved Medieval towns in Slovakia – Svätý Jur, or St. George. To this day, it is partially surrounded by the original walls and in some parts they even form a true town border, which is almost a rarity today.
Historical document read, procession re-enacted
A HISTORICAL document of the Trnava city office from November 20, 1710, concerning the special devotion of the city to the Virgin Mary, was read during a festive Mass on November 15. This was followed by a procession with the revered painting of the Virgin Mary.
Composer Franz Liszt had roots going back to Rusovce
THE GRANDPARENTS of famous pianist and composer Franz Liszt came from the current Slovak-Hungarian border region, as the entry in the parish registry of the Roman Catholic Church of St. Maria Magdalena in Rusovce proves.
Bathing with the enemy?
LOOKING at the picture of a neat and prosperous spa in Vyhne, one would be saddened to learn that it no longer exists.
WWI fatalities remembered at Bratislava Military Cemetery
A COMMEMORATION ceremony for soldiers who fought and died in the First World War was held at the military cemetery in the Bratislava borough of Petržalka on November 1, attended by representatives of Bratislava City Hall, foreign embassies, military attaches and the public.
Štúr’s 200th anniversary celebrated in his hometown
THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY of important Slovak political, cultural and revivalist activist Ľudovít Štúr (1815-56) was celebrated on October 24-25 in his hometown of Uhrovec (Trenčín Region), as a culmination of year-long festivities, exhibitions and events commemorating him.
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- Local fuming over plans to burn waste near famous mineral springs
- Parts of Bratislava to witness significant development in near future
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- Last Week: And then they came for the NGOs
- Parts of Bratislava to witness significant development in near future
- What abides: Giving a shit
- Foot-and-mouth outbreak hits major Slovak cattle farm near Austrian and Czech borders Photo
- News digest: PM Fico questions Europe's rearmament Photo
- China’s answer to Tesla has landed in Slovakia
- Don’t be afraid to use cash, say entrepreneurs as transaction tax begins
- Last Week: And then they came for the NGOs
- What abides: Giving a shit
- Slovakia brings back border checks with Hungary and Austria starting April 8
- Štítnik resumes hand-crafting Christmas ornaments after 25 years
- A partnership centuries in the making
- From Mexico to Slovakia – finding a new life Audio
- Strange romance: Slovak leaders’ affection for Russia has yo-yoed
- News digest: Crisis, what crisis? Culture minister's empty limousine tours Europe
- What abides: Giving a shit
- Last Week: And then they came for the NGOs
- Foot-and-mouth outbreak hits major Slovak cattle farm near Austrian and Czech borders Photo
- Slovakia brings back border checks with Hungary and Austria starting April 8
- From Mexico to Slovakia – finding a new life Audio
- Trading McDonald’s for the front lines
- A paper that wasn’t supposed to last
- Strange romance: Slovak leaders’ affection for Russia has yo-yoed
- Local fuming over plans to burn waste near famous mineral springs
- News digest: PM Fico questions Europe's rearmament Photo
- Slovak ice-hockey sensation helps her team secure US title Video
- China’s answer to Tesla has landed in Slovakia
- Parts of Bratislava to witness significant development in near future
- Last Week: And then they came for the NGOs
- Slovakia brings back border checks with Hungary and Austria starting April 8
- News digest: Crisis, what crisis? Culture minister's empty limousine tours Europe
