Europe Place - Komarno in Slovakia

While Slovakia as a country may seem uncertain about its future orientation – west to the European Union or a return eastwards? – Komarno knows exactly what it wants. And contrary to what nationalist politicians believe, it does not want a Greater Hungary.

Europa Place

Komarno simply wants to be a part of Europe.

The city’s Euro-attitude is embodied by its newest attraction: Europe Place. The recently constructed square in the city centre consists of buildings designed in architectural styles distinct to different European countries and beyond. The Hungarian building is found next to the Slovak, the French next to the Russian, the Austrian next to the Spanish. Everyone is included here, from Greenland to Turkey, the Vatican to Transylvania.

The square was opened in December 2000 and covers 6,500 square metres of land. There is an underground car park, and ‘Euro Alley’, a shopping complex below the square. The centrepiece is the Millennium Fountain. On the whole, the square is dazzling, a dizzying swirl of colour and fine detail.

Ironically, this project of unity is found in an area that has long been divisive for Slovaks. Populists love to paint the predominantly ethnic-Hungarian residents as anti-Slovak, saying that they have the interests of Hungary dearer to their hearts than those of Slovakia. Who can ever forget an allegedly drunk Ján Slota, the former head of the Slovak National Party, making his impassioned call in 1998 for Slovaks to man their tanks and storm Budapest?

Controversy also arose in 2001 when the ethnic-Hungarian party, SMK, demanded the formation of a ‘Komárno County’ during public administration reform. The district’s voters would have been predominantly Hungarian. Party leaders said it would allow locals a louder voice in regional governments; nearly every other Slovak politician was opposed, saying the creation of such a county would be tantamount to dividing the country along racial lines.

The most recent row originated in Budapest. In summer 2001, Hungarian legislators passed a Status Law that would give ethnic Hungarians living in neighbouring countries special privileges, including subsidies for education at Hungarian schools in Slovakia. Bratislava charged the Hungarians with imposing a foreign law on a sovereign state, a law that would no less discriminate against ethnic Slovaks. Budapest responded by hinting that they would block Slovakia’s Nato entry.

Considering all the above, one almost expects to find a city on the edge, where ethnic Slovaks and Hungarians are constantly at each other’s throats (the racial division is approximately 65% Hungarian, 35% Slovak). This of course is not the case. Komárno is peaceful and friendly – and surprisingly indifferent to disparaging comments made up north about southern Slovakia.

“People like Slota have blinders on,” said Cszaba (pronounced Cha-ba), an ethnic-Hungarian I met at Europe Place. “When they say the things they say, what can we do but shrug our shoulders? We just ignore it down here. Every country has its nationalists. Slovakia is no different.

“What they don’t seem to realise is that it is all about money. If the Slovak economy were better, Hungarians in Slovakia would not be a problem. But nobody has money. Unemployment is everywhere. So they pick on us. They say we’re trying to undermine the state, that we’re not loyal, that we want to be a part of a Greater Hungary. If we all had some more money, though, this would not be an issue.”

Unemployment has been particularly devastating in Komárno. Because it sits at the confluence of the Danube and the Váh, Slovakia’s longest river, the economy has been based around shipbuilder Slovenské Lodenice Komárno (Slovak Shipyards Komárno). But mismanagement in the late 1990s forced the firm to cut its workforce, from 5,500 before the revolution to about 800 today. The effects are felt all around town: Unemployment is at about 25%, and in the Euro Alley shopping complex only a quarter of the retail space has been opened as traders wonder who they would sell to.

The problems here are no different from in the rest of the country, says Cszaba, who is tired of speaking about these issues. “How many times do we have to say we don’t want to go back to Hungary? These nationalists up north are pointing their fingers at Hungarians and thumping their chests for Slovaks, but what we should all be doing is working together for the EU. I prefer politicians like [Foreign Minister] Eduard Kukan. He looks around and says, ‘Okay, how can we all – Hungarian, Slovak, whoever – work together to improve our lives and our country. I like Kukan. But I don’t like politicians with tunnel-vision.”

Komárno may surprise first-time visitors. It is not anti-Slovak, the people are not pining for a Hungarian reunion. And contrary to popular ethnic-Slovak belief, everyone here speaks Slovak. The language of choice may be Hungarian, but people addressed in Slovak switch over with neither hesitation nor irritation. In public places, visitors are greeted with the bilingual “Jó napot. Dobrý deň.” The Irish Pub on Europe Place even has a waiter who throws in a ‘Good day’. (He speaks German, too.)

“Everyone has to learn the national language,” an elderly man told me in Slovak. “Sure, we mainly speak Hungarian here, but if I go 100 kilometres north, nobody does. I hate that term ‘Na Slovensku, po slovensky’ (In Slovakia, speak Slovak). But – without the silly nationalist rhetoric behind it – it is true… to a certain extent.”

Euro Place. Multilingual and open-minded people. A firm western orientation. Could it be that Komárno – so often the target of national ire – is more prepared for the European Union than is the rest of Slovakia?

Unique wooden churches

are found in Slovakia. Very specific was the way they were built – all parts had to be made of wood and no nails were allowed. According to historical records there were more than 300 wooden churches in Slovakia. Their architecture combined elements of the western, mainly Roman Catholic tradition and of the Byzantine culture. At present, there are around 50 sacred monuments which were built during the 16th – 18th century.

Wooden Churches in Slovakia

Carpathian Wooden Churches is the name of a UNESCO World Heritage Site that consists of nine wooden religious buildings constructed between the 16th and 18th centuries in eight different locations in Slovakia. They include two Roman Catholic  wooden churches (Hervartov, Tvrdošín), three Protestant wooden churches(so-called Articular churches in Hronsek, Leštiny, Kežmarok) and three Greek Catholic wooden churches (Bodružal, Ruská Bystrá, Ladomirová) plus one belfry in Hronsek. In addition to these wooden churches there are about 50 more wooden churches in the territory of present-day Slovakia mainly in the northern and eastern part .

Roman Catholic Gothic wooden church of All Saints in Tvrdošín was built in the second half of the 15th century and modified in a Renaissance style in the 17th century. Baroque main altar depicting All Saints is from the end of the 17th century. Remaining part of the original Gothic altar with St. Peter and St. John the Baptist ended up in muzeum in Budapest after the World War I. Worth of notice are also ceiling paintings depicting the starry heaven, as well as many religious artefacts from the 17th century.

Articular Protestant wooden church in Hronsek

Severe restrictions embodied in the articles of the Congress of Sopron (1681) that enabled building of Protestant, so called articular, churches caused their extraordinary appearance. They must have been built within the single year, without any metal parts such as nails, and without any tower. Thus the construction of the church in Hronsek began on 23 October 1725 and was finished in the autumn of the 1726, the same year when the adjacent belfry was built as well. Church is 8m high and has a shape of the cross with arms 23 and 18m long. As there are many unusual motives from Scandinavian architecture, it is assumed that craftsmen from Norway and/or Sweden participated on the construction site. Unique is also the ordering of the benches on the choirs so that the church can accommodate 1100 worshipers through its 5 doors. The altar has 6 tables from 1771 by Master Samuel Kialovič.

Construction of the wooden evangelical articular church in Leštiny in the Orava region of Slovakia was ordered by Jób Zmeškal and finished in 1688. Interior dates back to the 17th and 18th century nad it is whole beautifully painted. Main altar is from the 18th century and the famous Slovak poet Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav was baptised here as well.

Articular wooden church in Kežmarok

Built in 1717, wooden church in Kežmarok with one of the most fascinating interiors with exceptional wall paintings as well as wood carvings is considered to be the most beautiful of the last 5 remaining articular churches in Slovakia. In order to raise money for the construction of the church, fund-raising campaigns were conducted in many parts of Europe, e.g. Sweden and Denmark. The architect of the church was Juraj Müttermann from Popradu and with its width of 30.31m, length of 34.68m, and height of 20.60m, it together with 6 side choirs it can serve more than 1500 worshipers, which is quite an achievement for a wooden church. Ceiling paintings started in 1717 and continued for several decades. They depict blue heaven, 12 apostles, 4 evangelists, plus the Holy Trinity above the altar. Ján Lerch from Kežmarok made the altar between 1718 and 1727 with the central motive of the Calvary. Extraordinary masterwork is also the organ built between 1717 and 1720 by Vavrinec Čajkovský, and extended in 1729 by Master Martin Korabinský from Spišská Nová Ves. After general restoration in the 1990s services are again regularly hold there.

Greek Catholic wooden church of St. Nicholas in Bodružal built in 1658 consists of three interconnected square-shaped parts along the east-west axis with 3 towers (the biggest one with the bells) topped with little onion domes and iron crosses. Artistically it belongs to folk Baroque style. Church is surrounded with the cemetery, wall, and the belfry from the 19th century. Some of the 18th century wall paintings are still preserved as well as iconostasis, and other icons from the same century. Altar was reconstructed in 1990s and the whole building subsequently in the 2004. Two of the three bells was melted down in the World War I and replaced only in the second half of the 1920s. From 1968 until the middle of the 1990s the church was biritual, i.e. holding Greek Catholic as well as Eastern Orthodox services. nowadays it belongs only to the Greek Catholic Church.

Wooden Church of St. Nicholas in Ruská Bystrá built at the beginning of the 18th century has just 2 towers and the shape of its almost perfect geometric roof resembles traditional houses of peasants. Interior with religious artefacts dates back to the 18th century as well.

Wooden Church of Archangel Michael in Ladomirová built in 1742 without a single nail has basically the same design as the one in Bodružal including its surroundings (wall, cemetery, belfry).

Discover Levoca and Spis region’s Hidden Gothic Gems

Discover hidden gems in Levoca

Discover Levoca and Spis region Hidden Gothic Gems,  in Eastern Slovakia. You’ve probably heard the word before Bratislava. You might even know that really is a city somewhere in Eastern Europe like Levoca. However, very few people know that, in Bratislava, Slovakia, comfortable capital city is very attractive, unique and well-preserved old town and back to back to the times before Christ was born.

Our Little Big City Levoca was hidden behind the Iron Curtain for many years. However, even the long rule of the communist regime could not destroy the unique character of the city on the Danube. Bratislava was unveiling itself recently become very popular with tourists. The main low-cost airlines, plus the destination list, Bratislava, more and more visitors to find out what gem Bratislava.

Over the past decade, tremendous growth in the number of countries traveling an expanding European Union and the Eastern Slovakia was particularly popular. People have discovered what a fabulous city of Bratislava, for example, and only 60 km from Vienna, it is easily accessible to many people. Now is a real enthusiasm for exploring the less well-known in this fascinating, landlocked country is – a small town Levoca fabulous selection.

Levoca and the Spis Region , with less than 15,000 inhabitants, is a historical Slovakia at its most picturesque and attractive. Approximately 370 km from Bratislava, and part of what is called “Gothic Route Levoca is extremely picturesque Spiš heart. Close national parks Slovak Paradise and the High Tatras, which are popular in both summer and winter tourists Levoca makes an ideal base for exploration of all of this attractive area.

Slovakia Online will show you that Levoca and the Spis region is the only city that was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage list since June, 2009 – but the visitors quickly appreciate the fact that this recognition was well deserved. Well-preserved city walls – 6 watch towers, still the same old three gates – the majority of buildings in the city center still have their original walls dating back to the Middle Ages.

The main portal of the city, Kosice gateway is directly behind the ornate Baroque church and monastery from the eighteenth century. Town Square, which is a photographer’s dream location, home of the 14th century St. Jacob’s church, Town Hall, dating back to 15th century, parts, and several other impressive buildings and grand symbolic and strange “shame” Cage.

The medieval old town is quite small, but it is packed with historical monuments, shops and nice cafes, restaurants and bars creates a unique atmosphere. It’s great just to sit in cafes and soak up the spirit of the place.

Unlike the crowded colorful neighborhood in Prague, Vienna and Budapest, you can actually enjoy the local flavor in Levoca and the Spis region. Come and experience the unique atmosphere of this Little Big City.

Levoča is located in the historical region of Spiš (formerly Szepes), which was inhabited as early as the Stone Age. In the 11th century, this region was conquered and, subsequently, became part of the Kingdom of Hungary and remained such until 1918. After the Mongol invasions of 1241/1242, the area was also settled by Germans. The town became the capital of the Association of Spiš Germans, with a form of self-rule within the Kingdom of Hungary. The oldest written reference to the city of Levoča dates back to 1249. In 1317, Levoča (at that time generally known by the German name of Leutschau – see Chronology below for lists of changing names) received the status of a royal town. In 1321 a wide storing right was granted enticing merchants, craftsmen and mine owners to settle in this town.

In the 15th century the town, located on an intersection of trade routes between Poland and Hungary, became a rich center of commerce. It exported iron, copper, furs, leather, corn, and wine. At the same time the town became an important cultural centre. The English humanist Leonard Cox taught around 1520 in a school in Levoča. The bookseller Brewer from Wittenberg transformed his bookstore in a prolific printing plant, that lasted for 150 years. Finally, one of the best-known medieval woodcarvers Master Paul of Levoča settled here.

The town kept this cultural and economic status until the end of 16th century, in spite of two damaging fires : the first in 1550 destroyed nearly all of the Gothic architecture and another in 1599. In this period of prosperity several churches were built and the town had a school, library, pharmacy, and physicians. There was a printing press as early as 1624. Levoča was a center of the Protestant Reformation in Northern Hungary. The town started to decline during the anti-Habsburg uprisings in the 17th century.

In a lurid sequence of events in 1700, the mayor of the town was accidentally wounded by a local nobleman during a hunt, generating a series of revenge attacks, finally resulting in the murder of the mayor, Karol Kramler, a Saxon magistrate. The mayor’s arm was then cut off, embalmed, and preserved in the town hall as a call to further revenge. This became the subject of a Hungarian novel about the town, The Black City, by the writer Kálmán Mikszáth.^[2]

The economic importance of the town was further diminished in 1871 when the important new Košice–Bohumín Railway was built just 8 km (5.0 mi) to the south, bypassing Levoča and going through the nearby town of Igló, (today known by its Slovak name, Spišská Nová Ves). Later, in 1892, only a spur line was built from Spišská Nová Ves railway station to Levoča.

After the Treaty of Trianon and the dismantling of the Kingdom of Hungary, the city became part of the newly formed Czechoslovakia and its Slovak name Levoča was formally adopted. Later, during World War II, under the auspices of the First Slovak Republic, 981 local Jews were deported from the town to concentration camps.

On July 3, 1995 Levoča was visited by Pope John Paul II. He celebrated a mass for 650,000 celebrants at the traditional pilgrim site of Mariánska hora, a hill about 2 km north of Levoča with a spectacular view of the town.

This page contains a list of tourist regions in Slovakia. Click to hyperlink under a region and you will find an accommodation in chosen region.

Bratislava and Slovakia regions

Bratislava (until 1919 Slovak – Presporok/Presporek, Lat. – Posonium, Greek in the Middle Ages – Istropolis, colloquial – Blava) is the capital and the biggest city of Slovakia as well as seats of The Bratislava Self-Governing region, Government, Parliament, Ministries and various offices. Several universities, theatres, museums and other cultural institutions (e.g. world-known Slovak Philharmonic, Slovak National Gallery) are settled also here…

Horehronie is Slovak region lied on territories of Banska Bystrica and Brezno westerly from Lubietova and easterly to village Telgart. The region is one of the most scenic parts of Slovakia due to variety of natural beauties, rich culture as well as traditions. Territory of Horehronie involves many cultural beauties and tourist options. There are 14 ski slopes with ski lifts in the district of Brezno…