Vysoké Tatry (High Tatra) - Slovakia

Extent: 74111 ha

In north part of Slovakia, along borders with Poland, in districts of Kežmarok, Liptovský Mikuláš, Poprad and Tvrdošín, there is situated mountain range of special character – High Tatra. It belongs, together with Belianske Tatra, to complex of East Tatra Mountains.

Highest peak: Gerlachovka (2655 m).

Surface: it is formed with dense forests, pine woods. In higher sites, there are to be found dwarfish pine woods, plough-tails and lichens. Alp-meadows are located in places where the trees are missing.

Climate: mostly cold, 0 Celsius degrees. The snow remains on surface nearly all year round, on some places does not thaw at all.

Mountain nucleus is formed with granites and crystalic slates, on surface with limestones and sandstones, with appearance of quartz.

Mountain relief is very rough, including steep shields and combs.

We find here caves with karst appearances, waterfalls, lakes (plesa), healing springs, rare plants and many animals, in form of great mammalia.

High Tatra Mountains were declared as Tatra National Park in 1948. Later, in 1993, declared as biospherical reservation within scope of international UNESCO programme.

Published: 21.2.2013

Today we will continue in our tour de cottages in Tatras. This time we will go to the Rocky Cottage (1751 meters above the sea level) that is located under the second highest peak of the High Tatras – Lomnický peak – and above the settlement of Tatranská Lomnica.

Published: 14.2.2013

Dear readers, today we will return again to the Cottage by Zelené pleso. In the previous article we talked about its predecessor – Egida’s cottage, its construction, reconstruction and other hardships. Today we will focus on the fate of the cottage itself. The cottage remained until present something like a guardian of Zelené pleso.

Published: 31.1.2013

In the previous article we began walking our tour of knowledge about cottages in the Tatras. We found out how they developed from simple sheds to regular cottages that are mostly parts of some settlements today. Now we will move a step ahead. We will examine the past not that distant.

Published: 24.1.2013

Perhaps every one of us has visited the High Tatras. Beautiful enchanting nature, noble and sharp peaks of mountains or crystal clear lakes give the place its unique feeling that you wouldn’t find anywhere else. Today alpine cottages enrich this scene. We will examine their history on the following lines.

Published: 11.12.2012

Every true Czechoslovak visited Štrbské Pleso. This Slovakian prides is located in High Tatras and is strictly demarcated by nature. It requires no physical endurance and despite cold it is a cozy place opened to everyone who comes to see it.

Published: 6.12.2012

Again after two years had been held a popular and extraordinary Slovakian festival devoted to amateur production on mountains – Horalfest. Dozens of visitors, Slovakia movie premieres, interesting workshops, and amazing atmosphere – this is what enhanced the motto of the festival – Found yourself in mountains.

Published: 22.11.2012

Tomorrow starts great and unique (in Slovakia) 7th year of Horalfest, which takes place in the High Tatras. The festival is devoted to amateur production on mountains and the event will take place in Teniscenter in Tatranská Lomnica during two following days (November 23rd and 24th 2012). The event is under the patronage of High Tatras mayor Ing. Ján Mokoš.

Published: 25.10.2012

In the first part of articles about Tatra railway we wrote about the beginning of its history and we learned about the technical world unique -"Tatra intercity trolleybus." Today we will focus on the modern railway history from the early 20th century to the present.

Published: 18.10.2012

Tatra electric railway as we know it today, keeps only a piece of the rich history of this unique monument. In the following lines we look at the development of the first trolley in the world to contemporary electrified railway.

Published: 20.9.2012

City of Vysové Tatry is in terms of cadastral area the largest city in the Slovak Republic. It consists by fourteen settlements, of which perhaps the best known and most sought after tourist are two villages called Smokovec.