Slovakia trivia: 46 questions and answers

Bratislava. Bratislava is the capital and largest city, on the Danube in the far west of the country.

True. True. Slovakia replaced the koruna with the euro on 1 January 2009, as the 16th member of the eurozone.

Gerlachovský štít. Gerlachovský štít, 2,655 m in the High Tatras, is the highest peak in Slovakia and in the whole Carpathian range. Kriváň and Ďumbier are lower, and Triglav is in Slovenia.

False. False. Slovakia is landlocked. Its neighbours are Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic.

The Váh. The Váh, about 406 km long, rises in the Tatras and flows into the Danube at Komárno. The Hron, Nitra and Ipeľ are all shorter.

Cyril and Methodius. Cyril and Methodius, Byzantine missionaries, came at Prince Rastislav's request and created the Glagolitic alphabet.

A Frankish merchant. A Frankish merchant: Fredegar says Samo came from Sens and led the Slavs in a revolt against the Avars.

True. True. Bratislava was the capital of Hungary from 1536 to 1783, and Hungarian kings were crowned in St Martin's Cathedral.

Ľudovít Štúr. Ľudovít Štúr and his friends based written Slovak on the central Slovak dialects. With small changes, it is the Slovak written today.

False. False. Dubček was a Slovak. He led Czechoslovakia's communist party and promised 'socialism with a human face' until the Warsaw Pact invasion of August 1968.

Banská Bystrica. Banská Bystrica was the centre of the uprising, which began on 29 August 1944 and was crushed after 60 days of fighting.

The Velvet Divorce. The Velvet Divorce, a play on the Velvet Revolution of 1989 that ended communist rule.

Bryndza, a soft sheep's cheese. Bryndza, a soft sheep's cheese with a strong, tangy taste, usually topped with crisp bacon.

Stewed sauerkraut. Stewed sauerkraut: strapačky are the same dumplings as halušky, served with cabbage instead of cheese.

True. True. Oštiepok is traditionally made from sheep's milk, though today cow's milk is often mixed in. It is protected in the European Union as Slovenský oštiepok.

A snail-shaped spiral of strips. A snail-shaped spiral of strips: the steamed cheese is made in strips and rolled up, usually lightly smoked.

Skalica. Skalica: Skalický trdelník was registered as a protected geographical indication in December 2007.

True. True. It was invented at a Czechoslovak research institute in 1959 to use surplus caffeine from coffee roasting and went on sale in 1960.

True. True. Most of the Tokaj region is in Hungary, but seven villages in south-eastern Slovakia make Tokaj wine, and EU rules allow both countries to use the name.

Košice. Košice, with about 230,000 people, is second after Bratislava. Prešov is third and Žilina fourth.

Trnava. Trnava, 47 km north-east of Bratislava, has so many churches inside its walls that it is called 'Little Rome'.

Banská Štiavnica. Banská Štiavnica lies in a huge caldera. In the Middle Ages it was the main producer of silver and gold in the Kingdom of Hungary.

True. True. They are about 55 km apart along the Danube. Apart from Rome and Vatican City, no two European capitals are closer.

A replica of the Hungarian crown. A replica of the Hungarian crown recalls the coronations held in the cathedral between 1563 and 1830.

A carved wooden altar more than 18 metres high. A carved wooden altar more than 18 metres high: the main altar, by the workshop of Master Paul of Levoča, was finished in 1517 and is 18.62 metres tall.

The Morava. The Morava flows into the Danube below Devín Castle, on the border with Austria.

True. True. As of 2026, it belongs to the site 'Levoča, Spišský Hrad and the Associated Cultural Monuments'.

False. False. As of 2026, Slovakia's World Heritage Sites include Banská Štiavnica, Levoča and Spiš Castle, Bardejov and Vlkolínec, but not Bratislava Castle.

An inscription. An inscription recording the Second Legion's victory at Laugaricio, the Roman name for Trenčín.

True. True. In 2023 Slovakia made about 1.08 million cars, with a population of about 5.4 million.

Austria and Hungary. Austria and Hungary: Bratislava lies right where the three countries meet.

Andy Warhol. Andy Warhol's parents came from Miková, and a museum of his work opened in nearby Medzilaborce in 1991.

An early parachute. An early parachute: his patent was granted on 25 August 1914.

A very long shepherd's flute. A very long shepherd's flute, 160 to 200 cm long with only three finger holes, recognised by UNESCO as intangible heritage.

True. True. The hills stand for the Tatra, the Fatra and the Matra, and the Matra is in Hungary.

Thank you. 'Ďakujem' means thank you, and you answer with 'prosím', you're welcome.

A castle. A castle: 'hrad' means castle, as in Spišský hrad, Spiš Castle.

False. False. 'Nie' means no, and 'áno' means yes.

Dobrú chuť. 'Dobrú chuť' means enjoy your meal. 'Na zdravie' is cheers, 'Dobrú noc' good night and 'Do videnia' goodbye.

Koľko to stojí?. 'Koľko to stojí?' means how much is this? The others mean how are you?, do you speak English? and where are the toilets?

112. 112 is the official emergency number for all services, as across the European Union. 155 reaches only the ambulance, 158 only the police and 150 only the fire service.

A prepaid electronic vignette. A prepaid electronic vignette, bought online at eznamka.sk or at a point of sale. Driving without one can bring a heavy fine.

False. False. Slovakia has a zero limit: any alcohol in a driver's blood can bring a fine of up to 1,300 euros and the loss of the licence.

Mountain rescue can cost up to 1,000 euros. Mountain rescue can cost up to 1,000 euros if the Mountain Rescue Service (HZS) has to help you, so check that your insurance covers it.

Rounding up, around 5 to 10%. Rounding up, around 5 to 10% of the bill is customary, but it is not compulsory.

True. True. They close for about seven months over winter and spring. In 2026 they reopened on 1 June.