The High Tatras

Fülszöveg

The High Tatras and Spis: the smallest, but for that no less
spectacular; high-mountain range in Europe, ?md st/// virtually
unkown cultural landscape that is among the continents richest.
In the first book devoted exclusively to them these two jewels of
the newly independent Slovakia invite lovers of nature, sport and
art alike to discover their untold charms.
THE HIGH TATRAS
For decades a favourite holiday destination
for the peoples of Eastern Europe, the
High Tatras - the smallest high mountains
in Europe - and their stunning setting in
the now independent Slovakia are playing
an ever increasing role in organised
tourism, while continuing to be a high
priority for demanding visitors making
their own itineraries. Renowned health
resorts such as Tatranska Lomnica,
Smokovce and Strbske Pleso - host to the
World Championships in the nordic
disciplines, among other events - nestle at
the foot of the mountains and make ideal
bases for excursions to the... Tovább

Fülszöveg

The High Tatras and Spis: the smallest, but for that no less
spectacular; high-mountain range in Europe, ?md st/// virtually
unkown cultural landscape that is among the continents richest.
In the first book devoted exclusively to them these two jewels of
the newly independent Slovakia invite lovers of nature, sport and
art alike to discover their untold charms.
THE HIGH TATRAS
For decades a favourite holiday destination
for the peoples of Eastern Europe, the
High Tatras - the smallest high mountains
in Europe - and their stunning setting in
the now independent Slovakia are playing
an ever increasing role in organised
tourism, while continuing to be a high
priority for demanding visitors making
their own itineraries. Renowned health
resorts such as Tatranska Lomnica,
Smokovce and Strbske Pleso - host to the
World Championships in the nordic
disciplines, among other events - nestle at
the foot of the mountains and make ideal
bases for excursions to the distinctive "sea
eyes" or small mountain lakes bequeathed
by glaciers.
The distinguished Slovak photographer
Karol Kallay and Ernst Hochberger,
a native and connoisseur of the region,
here guide us in pictures and words
through the beauties of the High Tatras
and introduce us to people whose lives are
still governed by the rhythms of grazing
and by rich folklore traditions such as
those, for example, in and around Zdiar.
Sheltered by the mountain chain and
benefiting from mining and proximity to
the trade routes to the east, powerful and
opulent towns had already emerged by the
12th and 13th centuries. In fact, Spis is one
of the major medieval settlement areas in
the east of Europe, and one whose rise
owed much to German colonists. Towns
such as Kezmarok, Spisska Sobota, Poprad
and, even more so, Levoca and Spisska
Kapitula still offer medieval charm and
Gothic woodcarving in abundance. And,
overseeing all, stands one of the largest
strongholds in Europe, Spis Castle (Spissky
hrad). The little town of Spisska Nova Ves,
for its part, is the portal to the karst area of
Slovak Paradise (Slovensky Raj) with its
plethora of extravagant gorges. Vissza