Gorgeous Images Of Central Europe Reveal A Region Teeming In History

Located directly in the heart of Europe , the nation of Slovakia , the Czech Republic and Austria have been tangle in some of the most polar moments in history . From the Second Coming of Christ of Slavic Catholicism and the rise of the Hapsburg Empire to the start of the Great War and the fall of communism , these photograph show where it all happened .

This preceding August , I accept my class to Slovakia , my parent ’ birthplace . It had been 27 yr since my last and only visit to this small central European country . From here , we also ventured into the Czech Republic and Austria — countries that were all merge under Austria - Hungary , but divided during the Cold War . Indeed , Central Europe is a realm fertile in story — and the sign of the zodiac of its historied past are nigh everywhere . Here ’s a sampling of some photos I direct during our travel .

Franz Ferdinand’s Home

This is Konopiste Castle , the base of Franz Ferdinand and his wife , Sophie Chotek . His assassination in 1914 sparkle the Great War — along with this beer commemorating the disastrous “ Seven Bullets . ”

Bratislava Castle

describe as the “ little big city ” , Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia . It features this gorgeous castling that overlooks the Danube River .

Ignored for decades under the communists , archaeologists have commence to excavate some of the areas in - and - around the palace .

This bridge in Bratislava was retrace under the communists , but they knocked down a number of cute building in the operation , include an historic synagogue .

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Monument to the Slovak National Uprising

In 1944 , a telephone number of Slovak citizens rose up against the Nazis . It ’s estimate that around 10,000 Slovaks were either killed or wounded during the partisan actions .

The Soviet War Memorial in Vienna

A reminder to the citizenry of Austria that it was the Soviets who liberated them from Nazi Germany .

A Site of One of Napoleon’s Greatest Victories

It does n’t see like much today , but back in 1805 it was here during the Battle of Austerlitz where Napoleon crush the Third Coalition , a power made up of Austrian and Russian troops .

Beautiful Prague

Unlike many European cities , Prague was leave ( relatively ) untasted by the ravages of the Second World War .

The famous astronomical clock of Prague , the Orloj .

Pro - Israeli contestant outside St. Wenceslas Square .

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The Ruins of Topolcany Castle

Slovakia is home to many castling , including those in pristine condition — and those leave to moulder . These ruins near Topolcany were peculiarly spectacular .

Harrowing Tales

This is Emil , the male parent of my uncle - in - legal philosophy . He order me stories about Nazi atrociousness that made my hair resist on close . Here’sa listing of Jewswho were pour down in the Topolcany region during the Holocaust ( which is where my parents come from ) .

Štefánika Chalet, Tatra Mountains

Located at 1,740 meters in the Tatra lot , this is a pop destination for hikers attend for some classic Slovak cuisine or a place to slumber . But back during the forties it was used as a partisan safehouse and a billet to obliterate weapon . alas , it was finally notice by the Nazis , who shot the proprietor stagnant in the entranceway .

The scene from Chata Štefánika .

The Oldest Slavic Catholic Church

It ’s in Nitra , Slovakia , where Catholicism first took tooth root among the Slavic people back in the 880 ’s . This castle dates to around the time — and it ’s still standing .

A Place of Refuge

This vacate estate of the realm once belonged to a wealthy baron ( both my grandad and great - granddaddy worked for him ) . But during the Second World War , a Jewish human being — unbeknownst to anyone — hid in the garret for years . That windowpane up top was his only view of the world for month on end .

The Highest Castle In Slovakia

This is Orava Castle , one of the most beautiful castling in all of Central Europe . It ’s settle near the borderline with Poland and was once home to Hungarian king . Back in 1922 it was used as a curing during the motion-picture photography of Nosferatu .