Visiting a country, it is often hard to get a picture for the history of the people. We’re not talking about the nobility, historical events or even war – we’re talking about understanding the history of the people and how their lives evolved and changed. Villages like Vlkolinec, Slovakia can provide insights into the people of the Carpathian Mountains.

READ: Vlkolinec: Traditional Village Life in Slovakia

The town of Banska Stiavnica, Slovakia is a jewel in the Carpathian Mountains. This small-town is an amazing specimen of medieval life in the greater Hungarian Empire. These days, the town offers a slower pace of life that is downright serene. However, just beneath the surface, you see how the town of Banska Stiavnica changed the world.

READ: Sampling the Serene Life of Banska Stiavnica

On the north slope of the Carpathian Mountains, a unique architectural and artistic tradition was born: ornate wooden churches. The Slovakia Wooden Churches date from a period when most Christian churches were being built from stone, these buildings are truly unique and reflect a mix of theological and architectural traditions.

READ: The Slovakia Wooden Churches of the Carpathian Mountains

Throughout much of Central Slovakia, the mountainous geology yields a significant amount of geothermal activity and a robust spa culture has developed around these hot springs. We visited the Kupele Sklene Teplice spa on a breezy fall day for a relaxation.

READ: Relaxation at The Kupele Sklene Teplice Spa in Central Slovakia

While the town of Banská Štiavnica is a remarkable specimen of medieval small-town life in central Slovakia, it is unlikely the town would be much more than a few small huts if it weren’t for its unique geology. Banska Stiavnica sits atop The Theresa Vein – one of the world’s most lucrative silver deposits in the Middle Ages. The mines are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the significant technical developments that took place here over the last 350 years.

READ: Being a Miner For a Day at the Slovak Mining Museum

Bratislava. The capital of the Slovak Republic is less than 60 miles (100km) from Vienna, making them the two closet capital cities in the world. Bratislava …

READ: A Day Trip to Charming Bratislava, Slovakia