According to archaeological findings, the first inhabitants were present in the territory of the present-day Slovak Republic in Early Palaeolithic. An imprint of a Neanderthal man’s skull was found in the village of Gánovce (in the north of Slovakia). A small statue of Venus made of a mammoth bone was found in the village of Moravany nad Váhom. In 179 A.D, the Roman legion inscribed the word "Laugaritio" on the rock of the Trenčín castle – the most northern point of their stay in Europe.
A Roman inscription at the castle hill of Trencín (178-179 AD) - source
The history of Slovakia has been affected by various struggles for gaining of control over the divine nature surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains and Danube lowlands. Therefore the history of Slovakia was often connected with history of bigger state formations for the whole centuries. In the 7th century, the first political formation of Slavs was created – the Samo’s empire. In the 9th century the Great Moravian Empire spread on the territory of the present-day Slovakia.
| Great Moravia - source |
Central Slovakia was very advanced, what is proved by gothic cathedrals and fortifications of rich towns, as well as by gold, silver and copper mining in Kremnica and other towns. Bratislava has entered the history in 1536 as the capital of Ugria, in which 19 kings and queens were crowned. In the 16th century Slovakia became a part of the Hapsburgs Monarchy and until 1918 it belonged to the Ugrian Kingdom. At the end of the First World War Slovakia became a part of the Czechoslovak Republic. The new chapters of the Slovak history started in 1968 and in 1989. January 1, 1993 has been the most important milestone in the history of Slovakia; so far independent Slovak Republic was established. In 2004, the Slovak Republic became a part of the European Union ant it acceded to NATO. Historic and sight enthusiasts will find many interesting historical objects in Slovakia which definitely worth visiting.