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Dominate the northern part of Slovakia.They form part of the massive Karpaty Mountain span,1200 km long and form its highest mountain range.The Tatras form a natural frontier between Slovakia and Poland.The Tatra Mountains,a relatively small area spreading 786 sq. km,550 sq.km in Slovakia,are abundant in natural monuments,rich and individual fauna and flora species.The Tatra Mountains are 78 km long and 17 km wide and are divided into the West Tatra and East Tatra Mountains. The East Tatra Mountains are further divided into the Vysoke and Belianske Tatry Mountains.Regardless of your actual location,you will surely succumb to its magic and be overwhelmed with the desire to familiarize yourself with the Tatra Mountains. Since the beginning of time,man has been drawn to the sky.In the Tatra Mountains you can really enjoy the excitement that the elevation gives you.In the company of experienced guides,less experienced tourists can also conquer the high peaks of Slovakia,eleven of which exceed a height of 2,600 m.It is a unique experience to ascend the highest peak of the High Tatras,the Gerlachovsky stit (peak)(2,655 m above sea level).In the sunshine,you can enjoy a breathtaking view not only of Popradska kotlina (basin),with its small towns and villages,but also an immense part of the Slovak country in the distance. The Tatras are ideal for family holidays.Due to their exquisite natural scenery,the Tatras offer many possibilities to enjoy moments of relaxation, entertainment and physical exertion in the fresh air.In summer,the Tatra Mountains offer not only ideal terrains for mountaineering,a dense network of tourist and cycling tracks of all levels of difficulty,but also terrains for skating,paragliding,bungee jumping,horseback riding,tennis,fishing and many other sport activities.In winter,the nine ski-resorts offer excellent downhill courses and tracks with regularly maintained ski slopes spanning 5 to 50 km,for all age groups and degrees of difficulty.Our modern,rushed lifestyle drives many people to continuously strive for personal records and set themselves higher and more bolder objectives.The area of the Tatras also offer optimal conditions for the devotees of extreme sports and alpine tourism.The visitors must,for security sake,observe the Visiting Order of the Tatra Mountains. We must not forget another important phenomenon:the alpine air.In the 19th century Mikulas Szontagh discovered its extraordinary curative effects,and established climatic sanatoriums in Novy Smokovec,which welcomed its first balneal guests in 1876.These sanatoriums became very popular with guests from all over Europe.Many therapeutic facilities specializing in the treatment of the upper airways,bituminosis and pneumonic surgery are situated in the Tatras. The foothills of the Vysoke Tatry,are dotted with villages and settlements maintaining the folk tradition.The villages have kept their original architecture,folklore and customs.Castles and manor-houses with splendid collections of old furniture and objects of art,royal towns with preserved town centres,museums and open-air museums are situated in the close surroundings.Many restaurants offer refreshments,from the most luxurious,to original shepherd huts,well-known for their grilled specialities and Gipsy music;self-services,small bistros and friendly coffee-houses. Come and enjoy the Tatra Mountains!The magic atmosphere of the smallest alpine mountains in Europe will refresh you and invigorate you with the optimism and energy you need to overcome the demanding days ahead. 1.The surroundings of Strbske Pleso offers visitors various tourist programmes during each season. 2.It is very rare for tourists to observe such performances;at present only about 50 bears live in the Tatras. 3.The Belianska jaskyoa,the largest,single accessible cave in the Tatras,is situated in the limestone slope over the Tatranska Kotlina (fold). 4.The valley Dolina Kezmarskej Bielej vody,mostly wooded in the eastern part is 7.5 km long. 5. One of the most attractive cycling tours leads from Tatranska Lomnica to the cableways. The rocky world of the Tatra's peaks rises from the dark green of the forest and dwarfpine belt.The most advantageous way to view and enjoy the highest peaks are from an airplane or balloon.If you are not keen on this type of adventure,you can ascend the peak Lomnicky stit (situated 2,632 m above sea level)by aerial cable- way.The other peaks you must climb by yourself,however.You can try mountaineering in the training areas or directly in the mountains themselves,under the supervision of experienced leaders.They will teach you how to use a climbing rope and move safely along the terrain. The magnificent views from the highest peaks of Slovakia can hardly be surpassed.You will also experience unforgettable moments on the alpine tour to Mlynicka dolina (valley),at the impressive Skok Waterfall or in the neighbouring Mengusovska dolina (valley),containing the largest lake in the Tatras,the Hincovo pleso (lake),extending to 20.08 ha and 53.7 m.deep.Do not forget the ground cable- railway from Stary Smokovec to Hrebienok,totalling 1,352 m in length,following one of the most attractive routes in the Vysoke Tatry.On some paths leading to the mountain chalets,constructed "in the sky",you can meet mountain porters who supply chalets with the necessary supplies and foodstuffs. 1..Facilities at the highest weather station in Slovakia,at Lomnicky stit,situated on a plateau,2,635 m above sea level. 2..Paragliding enables one to enjoy a bird's eye-view of the Tatra Mountains. 3..Skiing on slopes of the Tatras is a real delight. 4..On ascending the slope,ski must be carried on,on descending - fastened to yout feet. 5..The FIS Sport Resort in Strbske Pleso village offers ideal conditions for snowboarding. 6..Crawling in the ice-fall is one of the most exciting experiences. The highest located holiday resort in the Tatra Mountains is the Strbske Pleso village (situated 1,335 m above sea level).The village is situated around the lake of the same name.In summer,its perfect location offers many day trips and in winter, excellent ski conditions.Cross-country raceways,so-called Health Ski Lanes are very popular. The largest village in the Tatras is Tatranska Lomnica.It is home to the company The State Forests of the Tatras National Park and the TANAP Museum,housing expositions of the flora of the Tatra Mountains.Visitors can make use of the picnic spots,sports grounds,horse racing tracks,tennis courts and the skating-rink. The oldest village is Stary Smokovec,being also the transport crossroad, connecting villages in the Tatras with Poprad,the most important foothill town of the region.Stary Smokovec is the spa and ski,administrative,business and cultural centre of the region. The architecture of the villages is mainly modern,but decorative balconies, towers,steep roofs and stud walls from the beginning of the 20th c.attract the attention of the visitor.The region offers all categories of accommodation,as well as four-star hotels and stylish chalets,totalling 12,980 beds. 1..Favourite means of transport is the cog railway. 2..Folk music adds ambience to any meal. 3..The TANAP-Museum in Tatranska Lomnica,shelters extensive natural science,ethnographic and historical collections. 4..It is also possible to play chess in such exquisite environs. 5..After a day-trip,it makes good sense to enjoy a rest on a summer terrace. 6..The Teryho chata in the valley Mala Studena dolina is the highest situated chalet in the Tatras (2,015 m),open all year round. 1.The lovely Gothic-Renaissance manor-house in Strazky houses expositions of the Slovak National Galery. 2.The gothic altar detail by Master Pavol from Levoea. 3.During the summer folklore festivals,visitors can admire the vivacious folklore dances of mountaineers. 4.The ruins of one of the largest castles in Middle Europe,Spissky hrad,spreads over 4,2 hectares. 5.The picturesque Zdiar village,is situated directly at the foot of the Belianske Tatry Mountains,and its distinctive rustic houses are unique in Europe. 6.The square of the royal town Levoea,is dominated by town hall,constructed in the 15th century. The Vysoke Tatry Mountains form part of the historic Spis and Liptov Region,where exquisite nature supplements the jewels of folk architecture and the artistic building industry, concentrated mainly in Poprad,Levoea,Kezmarok,Spisska Bela and the neighbouring surroundings.Visitors to Levoea can admire the beautiful woodcarvings of Master Pavol,the most important craftsman of Spis,whose supreme piece of work is the carved altar of the St.Jacob Cathedral (1508 - 1517)),the highest gothic carved altar in the world (18.6 m).In Spisska Sobota,in the Poprad area,the listed preserve with the Late Roman church of St. George,dated 1273 and well-preserved Renaissance houses is situated.The historic Spisska kapitula (chapter),the seat of the Spis archbishop,The Liptov Village Museum at Pribylina,the natural amphitheatre in Vychodna,Gothic Carthusian Red Closter in the Eerveny Klastor village,Betliar and Strazky manour-houses,castles in Kezmarok,Krasna Horka and Stara ?ubovoa or ruins of the Spissky hrad (castle)are also worth seeing.Near at hand are the natural jewels of the Dobsinska ?adova jaskyoa (ice cave),Demanovska jaskyoa (cave),Vazecka jaskyoa (cave)and Belianska jaskyoa (cave). |
        
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