Stuff you don't find in guide books
Slovakia, as the eastern half of what used to be Czechoslovakia, is on political Europe’s eastern frontiers. Its rich history and gorgeous hiking trails make it one of Europe’s understated destinations.
It may not be that easy to get to, but the destination is worth the journey. From a historical perspective, it is the site of Slavic domination over central Europe, the site of Ottoman vs European battles and a source of conflict between Hungary and Slavic Europe.
Click on any region in this map to see my articles about that Slovak region alone.
Following the fall of the Iron Curtain Soviet troops started to leave Europe. Czechoslovakia, as it then still was, was happy that the ‘temporary deployment’ of Soviet troops was coming to an end.
This article looks at the intent behind the occupation, and the events leading up to the Soviet’s departure.
I don’t think there’s anyone who hasn’t heard of the Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe. The recent Sky drama reanimated people’s memories of those days. Few are aware there almost was a similar disaster in Bohunice, in what was then Czechoslovakia.
I grew up with a Mediterranean-centric view of history, so I’m fascinated by stories of Central and Eastern Europe. Learning them for the first time is part of the fun. Weaving the thread of history through the ages is incredible. This article describes the beginning of the region now called Moravia, in eastern Czechia.
We can only identify ancient civilisations by what they leave behind. It sounds obvious to say this in the absence of written records. Archeologists alsoRead More
Over the New Year, while I was peacefully driving through the hills and valleys of Andalusia, it occurred to me that I had not reallyRead More