SLOVAKIA ~ The basilica of St James - Levoča - UNESCO ~

... Nice church view located in the historic centre of Levoča, a town in the Spiš region... one of the most important and the second largest Gothic church in Slovakia... especially known for its spectacular wooden high altar, created by the famous Master Paul of Levoča in 1517... which at almost 18 metres is the tallest Gothic wooden winged altar in the world... a very pretty town with a picturesque main square with Gothic and Renaissance townhouses and stunning palaces with ornate facades... the beautiful historical centre is encircled by the medieval city walls that have been preserved almost in their entirety... this ancient town is a cultural and historical treasure among Slovak cities... Thanks Michal!ヽ(ヅ)ノ

Photo ©Vladimir Malac © Mesto Levoca
The Spiš town of Levoča  situated in the east of Slovakia below the mountain range Levočské vrchy. The city was first mentioned in a deed from 1249 as Leucha.  The citizens of Levoča traded with Krakow, the Hanseatic towns and even with Venice. The craftsmen of Levoča produced not only for local consumption but also for the markets and fairs throughout Old Hungary and Poland. Later Levoča became one of the main centres of the Renaissance and humanism in Old Hungary.

The church was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Levoča, Spiš Castle and the associated cultural monuments in 2009.

 

Stamps:

Definitives - Slovak Applied Arts - Glassware (Issued 04-01-2021)

Personalities 

(Issued 28-02-2025)

SLOVAKIA ~ Dobšiná Ice Cave - UNESCO ~

... Great views of the largest ice cave in Slovakia and one of the largest in Central Europe... Dobšiná's Ice Cave stands as a rare natural monument carved by time and ice deep within the Slovak Paradise National Park... the cave itself feels like a cold cathedral, 1,483 meters long and 112 meters wide, with ice walls up to 26 meters thick... its ice filling includes stalactites, stalagmites, ice falls, waterfalls and floor ice... it is one of the best caves to visit in Slovakia if you want to experience nature’s frozen architecture... unfortunately the Cave is warming up and experiencing significant ice loss due to rapid climate change😔, specifically the rise in year-round surface temperatures and increased precipitation... Thanks a lot Natasa! (•‿•)

"Our greatest threat in thousands of years. Climate change. If we don't take action, the collapse of our civilisations and the extinction of much of the natural world is on the horizon."

                                                                                                                David Attenborough

The cave was discovered in 1870 by the mining engineer E. Ruffini and a year later local enthusiasts opened it to the public. In 1882, it became the first electrically lit cave in Hungary.

Located in the Northeast part of the Slovak Ore Mountains, Slovak Paradise National Park covers a 194.14 km2 area with a 54.75 km2 protected buffer zone, making the total area 248.89 km2. It became a national park in 1988.

Since 2000 it has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage list as a part of the Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst site.

Stamps:

Slovak Applied Arts - Glassware

(Issued 04-01-2021)

Klára Jarunková, 1922-2005 

(Issued 28-04-2022)

The 20th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations with South Korea 

(Issued 31-05-2013)

:

SLOVAKIA ~ Čumil - Bratislava ~

... Nice view of Čumil, an iconic bronze statue and a beloved symbol of Bratislava representing the playful and quirky spirit of the city... this figure, emerging from a manhole cover and peering curiously at passers-by, has captured the hearts of both locals and tourists alike... it was part of a series of humorous sculptures placed throughout the city to add a touch of fun to the urban landscape... its unique design and humorous nature make that many people enjoy interacting with the statue... posing with it for photos or simply admiring its quirky charm... this is actually one of the most photographed objects in the city... you cannot visit Bratislava without saying hi to Čumil😄... Thanks a lot Gian Luca and Raffaella! (✿◠‿◠)  

Čumil is one of many statues in the Old Town of Bratislava. Other statues include Paparazzi, Schöner Náci, and Napoleon’s Soldier. These statues appeared in 1997, a couple of years after Slovak independence. This was at a time when the city was polishing its image after its Communist past. Čumil is the work of Slovak sculptor Viktor Hulík, the Slovak word actually means “watcher”.

Stamp:

EUROPA  - Celtic Findings at Bratislava Castle 

(Issued 30-04-2025)

SLOVAKIA ~The Church of the Holy Spirit - Žehra - UNESCO~

... Nice view of a small church built on a hill in a peaceful, serene environment overlooking the village... surrounded by natural beauty, this white church looks very simple from the outside, but its inside walls are very colorful... the church is unique for its rare well-preserved medieval murals from the five periods from the end of 13th until the 15th centuries... the most famous scene is the tree of life.. there are also many gothic sculptures and a stone baptismal font next to the altar... this parish church, which in the cross section of history served both Catholics and Lutherans, is fortified with 93 steps of travertine leading up to it... Thanks a lot Michal!ヽ(ヅ)ノ 

© Alexander Jiroušek
This church was built in late-Romanesque and early Gothic styles between 1245 and 1275. Over the centuries it has been modified several times to produce its present-day appearance.

In 1993 the church of the Holy Spirit as part of Spiš castle and Levoča region inscribed on the UNESCO world Cultural Heritage list.

 

Stamps:

Definitives - Slovak Applied Arts 

(Issued 04-01-2021)

2X The Christmas Mail

(Issued 31-10-2024)

SLOVAKIA ~ Vlkolinéc - UNESCO ~

Nice view of a small village... located on a high plateau in the backdrop of the Carpathian mountains, surrounded by green meadows and forests... where historical traditions, houses, habits and craftwork are preserved until today... a gem and a true beauty of Slovak rural architecture... this it’s not a museum but a living village... a few houses are permanently inhabited, others are used as weekend cottages...you can even book a stay in some them... it is the region’s most complete group of these kinds of traditional log houses, often found in mountainous areas... Thanks Adri! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

Vlkolínec, which in Slovak means Wolf’s place, is situated in the hilly landscape of Veľká Fatra (Big Fatra) in the centre of Slovakia. 

The village is an ensemble of about 40 colourful painted log houses, built on stone footings, the roofs covered with wooden shingles. The current buildings date mainly from the 19thC, but the origins of their architectural type go back several centuries earlier. Among the remaining buildings are a church, a school and a shop. The rest are farmhouses. 

Vlkolínec was made a UNESCO WHS site in 1993.

Stamps:

Cultural Heritage of Slovakia

(Issued 04-01-2010)

Christmas 

(Issued 12-11-2021)

SLOVAKIA ~ Vlkolínec - UNESCO ~

... Nice views of a picturesque village... located on a high plateau in the backdrop of the Carpathian mountains, surrounded by green meadows and forests... where historical traditions, houses, habits and craftwork are preserved until today... a gem and a true beauty of Slovak rural architecture... this it’s not a museum but a living village... a few houses are permanently inhabited, others are used as weekend cottages...you can even book a stay in some them... it is the region’s most complete group of these kinds of traditional log houses, often found in mountainous areas... Thanks Miso!¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

Vlkolínec, which in Slovak means Wolf’s place, is situated in the hilly landscape of Veľká Fatra (Big Fatra) in the centre of Slovakia.

The village is an ensemble of about 40 colourful painted log houses, built on stone footings, the roofs covered with wooden shingles. The current buildings date mainly from the 19thC, but the origins of their architectural type go back several centuries earlier. Among the remaining buildings are a church, a school and a shop. The rest are farmhouses. 

During the 2nd World War the village was a major site of the Slovak National Uprising. A third of the houses were burned down subsequently by the Nazis in retaliation. These weren't rebuilt.   

Vlkolínec was made a UNESCO WHS site in 1993.

Stamps:

2X  Cultural Heritage of Slovakia

(Issued 02-01-2009)

SLOVAKIA ~ Malá Fatra National Park ~

... Another great postcard of one of the 9 national parks in this small Central European country... this area is known for its gorges, waterfalls, rocky peaks and ridge hikes with beautiful views from its main ridge...  home to bears, lynxes and wolves and fascinating flora and fauna... also a wide variety of downhill skiing in winter... Big Thanks once more Laco!!【ツ】

The card shows part of the Vratna dolina "Vratna valley" (vratna means that you will come back). The dolomite formations on the left are called Tiesňavy.

The National Park of Mala Fatra (also called Little Fatra), is situated in the westernmost Slovak high mountains Mala Fatra.The park nowadays spreads over 226 sq. km. Mala Fatra has legal protection since 1967 as a Protected Landscape Area Mala Fatra and in 1988, this territory was declared as a National Park.

Stamp:

The 25th Anniversary of the National Cancer Institute
(Issued 05-11-2015)

SLOVAKIA ~ Demänovská Ice Cave - Low Tatras National Park - UNESCO ~

... Great new National Park... stunning view of an underground natural wonder...one of Europe's oldest known caves and the second largest of its kind in the country... its ice filling is about 400-500 years old... the lower part is called the "Freezer" with beautiful icicles and ice waterfalls... Slovakia is full of caves and this ice cave is one of 44 cave systems in this small eastern European country... Big Thanks once more Laco!!【ツ】

Photo: Ing. M. Rengevic
The Demänovská Ice Cave is located in the northern part of the Low Tatras in the Demänovská Valley and was first mentioned in 1299. After the opening of Demänovská jaskyňa Slobody in 1924, interest in this cave declined. It was reopened to the public after the reconstruction of wooden stairs and electrical lighting in 1952, with 680m accessible out of the 1.975m.

In the cave is a long-known find of bones of various animals, including cave bear, which were once considered as dragon bones - that's why the second name of Demanovska ice cave was the Dragon's cave. Ten species of bats live in this cave.

Low Tatras National Park in Central Slovakia is with its area of 728km²  the largest national park in Slovakia and was established in 1978. It is home to some of the most beautiful caves in the country (Demänovská Ice Cave and Demänovská Cave of Liberty).

Since 2000 it has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage list as a part of the Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst site.

Stamps:
Cultural Heritage
(Issued 02-01-2009)

Europa stamp - Astronomy
(Issued 28-05-2009)

SLOVAKIA ~ Slovak Paradise National Park ~

... Great new National Park... very popular amongst the Slovak national parks... nature-wise, this place is a real gem... pristine gorges, wild canyons, clean water, woodland, wildlife and beautiful views... renowned for its "Gorge Walks"... here are 300 km of marked trails over rugged canyons which you can cross climbing up ladders and holding on to the chains over dizzying heights, cascades and boulder-strewn stream beds... probably not for people with fear of heights o͜͡o... Thanks again Laco!! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Slovak Paradise National Park is one of the nine national parks in Slovakia, situated in East Slovakia.

It protects the area of the Slovak Paradise mountain range, which is located in the north of the Slovenské rudohorie Mountains. Its been a NP since 1988.

 It covers the area of 19.763 hectares and its preserved zone extends on 13.011 ha. Eleven national nature reserves and eight nature reserves are situated in the park.

The Slovak Paradise contains about 350 caves, but only the Dobšinská Ice Cave, which is since 2000 a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is open to the public.

Stamps:

Cultural Heritage
(Issued 02-01-2009)

EUROPA Stamps - Old Toys
(Issued 05-05-2015)

SLOVAKIA ~ High Tatras National Park ~

.... My second nice view of this National Park... there are about 600 km of marked tourist trails leading tourists through  the most attractive places of this mountain region...  this postcard shows the yellow marked tourist trail that leads from Strbske Pleso through Mlynicka valley to Furkotska valley... Thanks a lot Laco!! ✿◕ ‿ ◕✿

 This National Park protected area was founded in 1949. High Tatras Mountains are one of the smallest mountain ranges in the world, nevertheless, they are the highest and the only mountain range of alpine system in Slovakia.

Tatra(s) National Park is situated in North Central Slovakia in the Tatra Mountains on the border with Poland.


The Furkotská Valley is 5,5 km long, narrow terraced valley surrounded by the ridge Ostrá and Solisko. It ends at the Furkotský Peak. Furkotska Valley is located on the south side of the High Tatras.



©Photo: Ladislav Janiga

Stamps:

Cultural Heritage
(Issued 02-01-2009)

EUROPA Stamps - Palaces and Castles
(Issued 05-05-2017)

SLOVAKIA ~ High Tatras National Park ~

...My first National Park postcard of Slovakia and the oldest one in the country... only 8 more to go ◔͜͡◔...with lovely views of the chamois... symbol of both the Slovak and Polish Tatra National Park... and under strict protection... Thanks a lot Vladimir! ㋡

Photo © Ladislav Janiga
Tatra(s) National Park is situated in North Central Slovakia in the Tatra Mountains on the border with Poland. The park is important for protecting a diverse variety of flora and fauna, with many endemic species, including the Tatra chamois.

This National Park  protected area was founded in 1949. High Tatras Mountains are one of the smallest mountain ranges in the world, nevertheless, they are the highest and the only mountain range of alpine system in Slovakia.

The chamois is one of the most precious species, as it developed in isolation since the glacial age. This is the reason why it differs from its relatives living in the Alps or Apennines. Its protection is extremely strict because only ± 1300 animals survive at present.

Stamp:

The 450th Anniversary of the Birth of Jan Jessenius, 1566–1621 - Joint Issue with Czech Republic, Hungary & Poland
(Issued 22-06-2016)

SLOVAKIA ~ Čachtice Castle of the Blood Countess

...Beautiful postcard showing the ruin of the “mysterious castle ”  placed on a hill with  breathtaking view...
and  a horrible legend about the Countess... Thanks a lot Petra!!

Photo: Ladislav Renner From backside card:
Within the Trenčín Region, lies the ruins of Cachtice castle (a National Cultural Monument). The best known owner was the infamously cruel Countess Elizabeth Báthory. Legends tells about her bathing in the blood of young virgins to retain her beauty. However she did not escape punishment...

 The castle became later the prison of the Countess Elizabeth Báthory, who is alleged to have been the world's most prolific female serial killer. After her trial Elizabeth lived in the wall for four years, without any light or fresh air. She died on 21 August 1614 at the age of 54 years.

The Čachtice Castle stands on a hill featuring rare plants, and has been declared a national nature reserve for this reason.


Stamp:
Europe 2009 - Astronomy
(Issued 28-05-2009)

SLOVAKIA

Received this wonderful and peacful lake view yesterday.... But I didn't had time to post it on my blog, so here it is.... The building on the card is hotel Patria. I think it must be a great place for a holiday!
Tomorrow we celebrating Pentecost and everyone has another day of from work on monday. Again a day without post...

Štrbské pleso is a picturesque mountain lake of glacial origin and a top tourist destination in the High Tatras, Slovakia.