These articles were published in the Spectacular Slovakia travel guide, published annually by The Slovak Spectator since 1996. The latest editions can be obtained from our online shop.


Zvolen

Gaining recognition

By Chris Togneri and Matthew Evans

Although Zvolen has for centuries been overshadowed by its northern neighbour Banská Bystrica, this regional transportation hub is not a bad place to spend a few hours. With its lego-like castle, modest main square, and the country's best ice hockey team for the year 2001, Zvolen is gaining recognition.

Zvolen Castle, built by Louis the Great of Hungary in the 14th century, was originally a two-story Gothic hunting lodge designed after Italian manor houses. Today a national cultural monument, the castle was made over in the Renaissance style in 1540, when the corner bastions were erected. The castle houses a branch of the Slovak National Gallery, with an exhibition that includes wood carvings by Master Paul of Levoča, and an assortment of 16th to 18th century European paintings.

Across the busy intersection from the castle sprawls Námestie SNP (SNP Square), lined with a collection of brightly painted burgher houses. It was here in the city centre where locals held an impromptu celebration in April, 2001, when the local hockey club pulled off a mild upset by defeating Slovan Bratislava to claim the National Hockey Championship in the country's premier league. The victory has been a major source of pride for Zvoleners, natives of a country which takes its hockey very seriously: indeed, in 2000, when the national team lost the Ice hockey World Championship match to the Czechs 5-3, over 30,000 people celebrated the silver medal (Slovakia's best ever finish) by dancing and partying the night away on Bratislava's SNP square, awaiting the return of their hockey heroes from Moscow.

The centrepiece of Zvolen's SNP square is a black obelisk commemorating the Soviet soldiers who died liberating Slovakia during World War II. The charming Gothic Church of St. Elizabeth the Widow was built in 1381.

Another site worth a quick look is the park just west of the castle, across the street. Follow the foot path to the bottom of the hill and check out the camouflaged cars from an armoured military transport train used during the Slovak National Uprising.

These articles and related information were published in Spectacular Slovakia 2001.


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