Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
Last refreshed: 06/06/2026 15:39 · 51 articles added
Stories are refreshed at 05:30, 10:30, 15:30, and 21:30 UTC.

Other

View all1303 stories
Other

Banská Bystrica Creates Manual for Public Space Development

Banská Bystrica, a central Slovak city, has developed a comprehensive manual for public spaces to guide future urban development projects. The manual serves as a practical tool for the city administration, its technical departments, and private sector partners when designing, planning, and implementing public space projects. The document aims to standardize approaches to urban planning and ensure consistent quality in the development of parks, squares, streets, and other public areas throughout the city.

|
Other

Vienna Airport Reports 8% Passenger Drop in April

Vienna Airport recorded a significant decline in passenger traffic in April, with numbers falling by more than 8 percent compared to the previous period. The most dramatic decrease occurred on routes to the Middle East, where passenger numbers plummeted by 83.4 percent to just 16,925 travelers. The sharp reduction in Middle Eastern travel likely reflects ongoing regional tensions and security concerns affecting commercial aviation in those destinations.

|
Other

Local zoo planned for development in Lužianky

A local zoo is planned for construction in Lužianky, a town in western Slovakia. The proposed facility would occupy approximately 50,000 square meters, with the majority of the land already owned by the investor behind the project. The development represents a new tourist attraction for the region, though details about the timeline, animal species to be housed, or specific investment costs have not been disclosed.

|
Other

Drunk Driver Causes Crash in Poprad, Injuring Driving Student and Instructor

A driving school student and instructor were injured in a traffic accident in Poprad when a drunk driver collided with their vehicle. The at-fault driver had a blood alcohol level of 2.5 promille, more than five times Slovakia's legal limit of 0.5 promille. Police determined the drunk driver was not paying attention to traffic conditions when the crash occurred. Poprad is a city in northern Slovakia near the High Tatras mountains, popular with tourists visiting the region's ski resorts and hiking trails.

|
Other

Major reconstruction of Poprad's main square begins with nine-month timeline

The reconstruction of the main square in Poprad, a city in northern Slovakia, has begun with work scheduled to last nine months. The square will be closed in sections during the construction period to minimize disruption to the city center. Poprad, located in the High Tatras region, serves as an important tourism gateway and regional center, making the square's renovation significant for both residents and visitors to the area.

|
Other

Slovak Travel Article Promotes European City as Culinary Capital

A Slovak travel publication has highlighted an unnamed European city as a superior culinary destination compared to traditional favorites Rome and Milan. The article describes the city as having distinctive brick-red architecture and exceptional hospitality, positioning it as an ideal spring travel destination. The publication suggests this location offers a unique architectural style not found elsewhere in Europe, though specific details about the city's identity and culinary offerings were not provided in the available information.

|
Other

Gardenway.sk Offers Comprehensive Solutions for Garden, Terrace and Balcony Design

A Slovak company, Gardenway.sk, is providing comprehensive solutions for garden, terrace and balcony renovations as outdoor spaces gain increasing importance in modern lifestyles. The company responds to growing demand for outdoor areas that serve as spaces for daily relaxation, meetings and activities close to nature, reflecting changing lifestyle patterns among Slovak residents.

|
Other

Ocean Dream Diamond Sells for Record-Breaking 15 Million Euros at Auction

The Ocean Dream, a rare blue-green diamond, sold for a record-breaking nearly 15 million euros at auction, setting a new price record for this type of gemstone sold at public sale. The precious stone had previously been auctioned by Christie's in 2014, when it fetched approximately 8.5 million dollars (7.26 million euros), making the latest sale price nearly double its previous value.

|
Other

Police investigate construction entrepreneur for suspected official misconduct

Slovak police have launched a criminal investigation into construction entrepreneur Ferenčák on suspicion of obstructing official duties. The case centers on allegations that Ferenčák forged a document by signing it himself rather than obtaining proper authorization. The investigation falls under Slovakia's criminal code provisions for interfering with the work of public officials, which carries potential penalties including imprisonment. Details about the specific construction project or official process involved have not been disclosed.

|
Other

Controversial Caver Accused of Theft Appointed to Head Slovak Cave Administration

Branislav Šmída has been appointed as the new director of the Slovak Cave Administration, effective from the end of April 2026. Šmída, a geologist and speleologist, is known for significant cave discoveries including the Mesačný tieň (Moonlight Shadow) cave in the Tatra Mountains and caves in Venezuela's table mountains. However, his appointment comes amid controversy, as he has a reputation for conflict and has allegedly stolen backpacks from Czech colleagues, leaving them exposed to freezing conditions. The Slovak Cave Administration manages the country's extensive cave systems, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites and popular tourist destinations.

|
Other

High Tatras City Warns Residents Against Helping Abandoned Wildlife

The city of Vysoké Tatry has issued a public warning advising residents not to assist what they perceive to be abandoned wild animals. Mayor Jozef Štefaňák emphasized that female animals become aggressive during the period when they are caring for their offspring. The warning comes as wildlife activity increases during breeding season, when many people mistakenly believe young animals have been abandoned when they are actually being cared for by their mothers nearby.

|
Other

Three Geological Hazards Threaten Prešov Region Simultaneously

The Prešov region in eastern Slovakia is facing three simultaneous geological threats requiring urgent attention. A gymnasium has been buried by landslide material, a road has collapsed due to ground instability, and the historic Solivar salt mining area continues to experience dangerous subsidence. The Prešov Self-Governing Region, which oversees regional administration and infrastructure in eastern Slovakia, has allocated 440,000 euros specifically for slope stabilization efforts to address these mounting geological challenges. The convergence of multiple ground stability issues highlights the broader environmental and infrastructure vulnerabilities facing this part of Slovakia, where historical mining activity and natural geological processes are creating significant public safety concerns.

|
Other

Vatican Warns of Automatic Excommunication Over Unauthorized Bishop Ordinations

The Vatican has issued a warning against planned ordinations of four bishops without papal approval, which would result in automatic excommunication for all participants. The ordinations are being planned by the Society of Saint Pius X, a traditionalist Catholic organization that has been in conflict with Rome over liturgical and doctrinal issues. The Society, founded in 1970 by French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, has operated in a state of irregular canonical status since 1988 when Lefebvre ordained four bishops without Vatican permission, leading to his excommunication. The current situation represents a fresh challenge to Vatican efforts to maintain unity within the Catholic Church and prevent further schisms with traditionalist groups.

|
Other

Train Fatally Strikes Elderly Woman Near Eastern Slovak Village

An elderly woman died from injuries sustained when a train struck her near Letanovce, a village in eastern Slovakia. The woman was walking illegally on railway tracks when the accident occurred. She was taken to hospital but later succumbed to her injuries. Railway authorities regularly warn against unauthorized access to train tracks, which poses significant safety risks to pedestrians.

|
Other

District heating systems restart operations due to cold weather

Slovakia's district heating companies have resumed heating operations following a drop in temperatures. The thermal energy providers activated their systems to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures as colder weather arrived. Residents should note that radiators may not immediately become hot as the heating systems gradually warm up buildings throughout the distribution network.

|
Other

Land Registry Must Transfer Residential District to Kežmarok, Affecting 3,000 Residents

Slovakia's land registry office has been ordered to officially register that the Juh residential district now belongs to the town of Kežmarok, a change that will affect approximately 3,000 residents. The territory in question covers roughly 12 hectares and represents a significant administrative boundary adjustment for the northern Slovak town. Kežmarok is located in the Prešov region near the High Tatras mountains, and this territorial change will bring the residential area under the town's direct municipal administration and services.

|
Other

Land Registry Must Record Housing Estate as Part of Kežmarok Following Administrative Decision

Slovakia's land registry office has been ordered to officially register that the Juh housing estate belongs to the town of Kežmarok, affecting approximately 3,000 residents. The administrative decision concerns a territory covering roughly 12 hectares in this town located in northern Slovakia near the High Tatras mountains. The ruling resolves questions about the administrative boundaries and jurisdiction over this residential area, ensuring that residents living in the Juh estate are formally recognized as part of Kežmarok municipality for administrative and legal purposes.

|
Other

Man Breaks Into Apartment, Steals Cash in Eastern Slovakia

Police are investigating a burglary in Hanušovce nad Topľou, a town in eastern Slovakia, where an intruder carved a hole through an apartment door to gain entry and stole a substantial amount of cash from the resident. The incident represents the latest in property crimes affecting smaller Slovak communities, where break-ins targeting cash and valuables have become increasingly common security concerns for local residents.

|