FAQ · History 27

Early settlers in the plain had few local sources of stone or metals. When archaeologists find objects made of gold, copper, obsidian, or chert, they gain unique opportunities to interpret ancient trade pathways. Various different peoples inhabited this plain throughout its history. These findings help explain how different groups interacted and moved through the area. This provides a deeper understanding of the region's early development.

Slovakia is home to parts of the Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe. This UNESCO World Heritage Site protects large, undisturbed forests dominated by the beech tree. In the Carpathian regions, these forests have persisted without interruption since the last ice age. The site includes areas such as the Poloniny Ridge and the Vihorlat Mountains. Some specific locations like Stužica offer hiking trails for visitors to explore these ancient stands.

Bojnice Castle is a medieval castle in Slovakia that was first mentioned in written records in 1113. Originally built as a wooden fort, it was gradually replaced by stone with walls shaped by the rocky terrain. The castle features Romanesque architecture along with some original Gothic and Renaissance elements. Throughout the middle ages, it was owned by Hungarian kings and noblemen, including King Matthias Corvinus. This historic site remains one of the most visited castles in the country today.

The first known Slavic states on the territory of present-day Slovakia were the Empire of Samo and the Principality of Nitra. These were founded sometime in the 8th century. Later, Great Moravia existed as a Slavic state during the 9th and early 10th centuries. This state was created by the ancestors of the Czechs and Slovaks. It was a period of important developments, such as the mission of Byzantine monks Cyril and Methodius. This era also saw the development of the Glagolitic alphabet and the use of Old Church Slavonic.

Slovak nationalism grew intense, leading to demonstrations demanding independence from Czecho-Slovakia. Slovak leaders met with German officials in Berlin, where it was made clear that Slovakia could declare independence or face a takeover by Hungarians. Consequently, the Slovak parliament proclaimed independence during the afternoon and night of 14 March. This occurred just before Hitler sent troops into Bohemia and Moravia on 15 March 1939. The proclamation of independence followed these significant political pressures and demonstrations.

During World War I, the Slovak cause grew stronger in its determination to leave the Dual Monarchy and form an independent republic with the Czechs. This movement was heavily backed by organizations of Slovaks living in the United States, Russia, and other neutral countries. A key figure in this effort was Milan Rastislav Štefánik, a French general of Slovak origin who represented the Czecho-Slovak National Council in Paris. Although Hungarian authorities increased harassment and censorship at home, news of these international efforts reached Slovakia with great satisfaction. Eventually, political representatives within the country also gave their support to the leadership of Masaryk, Beneš, and Štefánik.

Slovaks living in foreign countries played a vital role in the movement to form an independent republic. Large organizations were formed by Slovaks in the United States, as well as in Russia and neutral countries, to back the Czecho-Slovak cause. A key figure was Milan Rastislav Štefánik, a French general of Slovak origin who represented the Czecho-Slovak National Council in Paris. His contributions were decisive to the success of the movement. Even with censorship and harassment from Hungarian authorities, news of these international efforts reached the people in Slovakia.

Juraj Vaculík was one of the key persons in the Student Movement during the Velvet Revolution in 1989. This movement ended the communist era in former Czechoslovakia and started the process of democratization. His involvement helped establish a new post-revolution government in Slovakia. Following these historical events, he transitioned into a career in the advertising and media industries. He later became a business executive and an angel investor.

The Constitution of Slovakia came into effect on 21 July 1939 after being voted by the National Assembly. While it appeared to include a separation of powers with a term-limited President and an elected National Assembly, it functioned differently in practice. The State Council held the sole right to select parliamentary candidates, which allowed the Slovak People's Party to turn the nation into a de facto one-party state. This constitution was based on the Austrofascist constitution of the Federal State of Austria. Ultimately, the system allowed the state to become a puppet of Nazi Germany before being subsumed back into Czechoslovakia.

On 14 March 1939, the Slovak Parliament declared independence from the Czecho-Slovak Republic. This new Slovak State functioned as a protective state of the German Reich for the following six years. Under a protection treaty, Slovakia agreed to conduct its foreign policy and army building in close agreement with Germany. The country also provided a protection zone in its western part for Wehrmacht military installations and garrisons. Despite these agreements, Germany did not protect Slovakia when it was invaded by Hungarian troops. Consequently, Slovak politicians maintained strict compliance with Germany to avoid jeopardizing their state's existence.

In October 1944, the Soviet army occupied Carpathian Ruthenia and expelled German and Hungarian military forces. The territory was temporarily organized as an independent transitional state known as Transcarpathian Ukraine between 1944 and 1946. During this time, a Czechoslovak delegation attempted to mobilize the local population and prepare for elections. However, Soviet military forces prevented the printing and posting of Czechoslovak proclamations. This interference led much of the local population to believe that Soviet annexation was imminent. The territorial dispute between Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union was eventually settled in 1946.

The Party of the Hungarian Coalition (SMK) and Most–Híd are the major Hungarian minority parties in Slovak politics. Since 1993, a Hungarian minority party has always been a member of the parliament. As of 2012, these parties had spent 10 out of 19 years in government. They fight for minority rights, such as the right to dual citizenship. During the era of Communism, the Hungarian minority issue was largely ignored. However, the fall of Communism reinforced national identities and changed the political landscape.

Zuzana Čaputová was elected as the president of Slovakia in 2019. She ran as the candidate for Progressive Slovakia after announcing her bid in March 2018. Her decision to run for the presidency was motivated by the murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak. She won the second round of the election by receiving over 58% of the vote. Her official inauguration took place on 15 June 2019 in Bratislava.

Slovakia is a high-income advanced economy with one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe. The country maintains a market economy that includes universal health care and a comprehensive social security system. A major driver of the economy is the car industry, which represents 43 percent of the industrial output. In fact, Slovakia is the world's biggest per-capita car producer. The nation also joined the Eurozone in 2009 and uses the Euro as its legal tender.

In February 1948, Communist rule was established following the 1948 Czechoslovak coup d'état. This period of governance lasted until the Velvet Revolution in November 1989. Following these major political changes, Czechoslovakia underwent a peaceful breakup. This process eventually led to Slovak independence in 1993. These historical events significantly shaped the political landscape of the country.

Slovakia became a member of the United Nations on 19 January 1993. The country maintains close ties with the Czech Republic as European allies and cooperates with Hungary and Poland within the Visegrád Group. The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs is responsible for managing the nation's external relations and international diplomatic missions. This ministry oversees bilateral relations with individual nations and representation in various international organisations. Additionally, Slovakia joined the European Union and NATO in 2004.

Dual citizenship can strengthen the ties between migrants and their countries of origin. It often increases the propensity of the diaspora to remit funds back to their home communities. This legal status can also have positive effects on diasporic identification and commitment to causes in the homeland. Furthermore, it eases transaction processes and reduces costs and risks for those investing or conducting business. Such connections are often maintained by countries with high emigration rates that permit multiple citizenships.

After the war, a Czechoslovak law was created to negate property transactions that arose from Nazi persecution. However, the autonomous Slovak government refused to apply this specific law. In 1947, heirless property was nationalized into the Currency Liquidation Fund. Many people who had stolen Jewish property were reluctant to return it to the rightful owners. This conflict over restitution led to various instances of intimidation and violent attacks.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites are recognized because they possess significant cultural or natural importance. Cultural heritage includes monuments, groups of buildings, and archaeological sites. Natural heritage involves physical and biological formations, geological features, or sites important for science and beauty. Slovakia ratified the relevant convention in 1993, making its historical sites eligible for inclusion. Currently, the country features six cultural sites and two natural sites on the list.

A famous piece of ceramics dated to 2600 BC features an astral calendar. This is the first one found in Europe that shows the year starting at the dusk of the first day of spring. The calendar is based on an Orion cycle shown by a precise sequence of constellations on a vessel. Each of the four lateral bands on the vessel represents one of the four seasons. These bands are divided into twelve boxes, which make up twelve weeks for each season.

The legend tells of the Hungarian hero Lehel who was imprisoned after the battle at the Lech field in 955. When the emperor offered him a choice of death, Lehel asked for his horn to blow before replying. As he prepared to blow it, he struck the emperor so forcefully that the ruler died instantly. Lehel claimed the emperor would serve him in the other world, following a common Scythian belief. This story was recorded in the 14th-century Chronicon Pictum and may have re-interpreted the actual death of Duke Henry of Bavaria. A Byzantine ivory horn known as Lehel's Horn is currently on display in a museum.

Slovak folk tradition is deeply rooted in the country and is visible in its music, dance, literature, and architecture. A famous figure in Slovak mythology is the hero Juraj Jánošík, who is often compared to Robin Hood for taking from the rich to give to the poor. You can experience these traditions at the Východná Folklore Festival, which is the largest nationwide event of its kind. The country also preserves remarkable wooden folk architecture, including UNESCO World Heritage sites like the village of Vlkolínec. Additionally, the Prešov Region is home to some of the world's most notable folk wooden churches.

The Slovak Constitution has undergone several significant changes since the late 1990s. One major amendment in 1999 changed the President from being voted by Parliament to being elected by popular vote for five years. A massive amendment in 2001 focused on preparing for the European Union and introduced the ombudsman to the legal system. Other changes have included expanding the authority of the Supreme Audit Office and defining marriage as a bond between one man and one woman in 2014. Various minor amendments have also addressed electoral laws and the powers of the Constitutional Court.

Slovakia implemented some of the strictest precautions in Europe when the virus was first confirmed in March 2020. The government banned all personal international flights, rail, and bus travel while also closing all schools nationwide. Border checks were reinstated and a compulsory 14-day quarantine was required for everyone returning from abroad. Additional measures included declaring an emergency in health care and making face masks compulsory in public. Non-essential stores were also closed as part of the response to the pandemic.

The 2024 European Parliament election was held in Slovakia on 8 June 2024. This marked the fifth time the country has participated in these elections and was the first one held after Brexit. Slovakia is entitled to 15 members in the European Parliament following recent seat redistributions. Both Slovak citizens and other EU citizens residing in the country are entitled to vote. While Slovak citizens do not need to register, other EU citizens must register in their municipality at least 40 days before the election.

A major diplomatic and energy security crisis began on January 1, 2025, due to the Slovakia–Ukraine gas dispute. This crisis followed the expiration of a five-year natural gas transit contract between Gazprom and Naftogaz. The cessation of gas transit through the Ukrainian pipeline network put immediate economic pressure on Slovakia. The country relied on this pipeline for a significant portion of its gas supply and earned hundreds of millions of euros in transit fees. This halt meant that roughly 5% of the European Union's total gas supply needed to be replaced by alternative routes.

Slovakia competed at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, from 6 to 22 February 2026. Tomáš Tatar and Viktória Čerňanská served as the country's flagbearers during the opening ceremony. For the closing ceremony, Jakub Šiarnik and Rebeka Cully carried the flag. Although the country failed to secure a single Winter Olympic medal for the first time since 2002, the men's ice hockey team made headlines. This team achieved a notable result by finishing 4th in the men's ice hockey tournament.