History talks - The Slovak Spectator

A romantic panorama of the High Tatras, a mountain range shared by Slovakia and Poland and considered one of Slovakia’s national symbols, with a cross in the foreground.

Wayside shrines of Slovakia

Small religious structures along the roads and paths are both a common sight and a defining feature of Slovakia's landscape.

Branislav Chovan

A maypole stands tall in front of the municipal office in Michaľany, Trebišov district, on 1 May 2022.

Changing traditions of the maypole

Is the maypole a symbol of what some say?

Branislav Chovan

Číž spa water once even sent to USA

A local accidentally discovered salty water on his land.

Branislav Chovan

The Gothic roots of Zvolen

Hares parade a hunter tied to a pole in this unusual gothic painting.

Branislav Chovan

Making a home in the wilderness

The local name for the village of Važec refers to the wild ox-like animal that once roamed there.

Branislav Chovan

In this postcard, we see Telgárt in the 1920s.

Ruthenian resistors

Protestant missionaries had to leave so they did not starve.

Branislav Chovan

Trnava found safety in heights

The bell tower guardian's rooster functioned as an alarm clock.

Branislav Chovan

Beer cellars and restaurants in Rimavská Sobota

When beer saved Rimavská Sobota

A refugee's family helped save the town that took him in.

Branislav Chovan

King of Slovak fairy tales

The rural countryside preserved oral storytelling; the myths were collected and published for the first time by Pavol Dobšinský.

Branislav Chovan

Even grand plans fail

The castle with a mysterious name never fulfilled its potential.

Branislav Chovan

Mountain meadow wars

The Spiš region is stunning, but also bloody.

Branislav Chovan

Painter who captured parts of Bratislava no longer existing

He drew this house, where simple twigs outside had an electrifying effect on passersby.

Branislav Chovan

A portal to Krupina's past

The Emperor ordered residents to work on the construction of the town fortification without pay.

Branislav Chovan

Postcard of wedding by Czech artist Jaroslav August.

For love or land, ideally both

The bride could be a "goat", but if she had land she could find a husband.

Branislav Chovan

In this postcard from 1916, we can see the pretentious regional centre, or Župný dom (County House), of the areas of Gemer and Malohont in Rimavská Sobota, a town in what is today southern Slovakia.

Residence of two regions—and multiple regimes

Slovaks protested using a word due to its connection with the Hungarian regime, though in reality it has Slavic origins.

Branislav Chovan

Kežmarok shaped by fire

The town hall of Kežmarok could serve as an illustrated guide to the history of European architecture, as it has been rebuilt so many times.

Branislav Chovan

In this postcard, published around 1940, we can see an alarm bell mounted on a pole on the far right.

Fire safety measures that transformed Slovak villages

A mandate issued by Maria Theresa aimed at fighting fires, and today the resulting bell towers are historical monuments.

Branislav Chovan

The forest history of Slovakia

Slovakia was covered with forest longer than more western European countries.

Branislav Chovan

History Talks: Time honoured tax dodging

Vineyards were affected by war...and taxes.

Branislav Chovan

History Talks: Most productive architect of the 20th century

Born of Slovak heritage in what is now Serbia, Harminc built over 171 structures in Slovakia alone.

Branislav Chovan

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