Flags, Symbols & Currency of Slovakia
The National Flag of Slovakia was officially adopted on September 3, 1992. The flag has been designed by Ladislav Cisárik and Ladislav Vrtel.
The National Flag of Slovakia is a tricolor and features three equal horizontal bands of the traditional Pan-Slavic colors: white (top), blue, and red. The Coat of Arms of Slovakia is present towards the hoist-side where it starts from the edge of the white band to continue through the blue band and extend into the upper portion of the red band. The Pan-Slavic flag colors symbolize Slavic unity and independence. The flag has a width-to-length ratio of 2:3.
History of The Flag of Slovakia
In the 10th century, the area that is now part of modern-day Slovakia came under the control of the Kingdom of Hungary. During these times, other flags similar in design to the current day flag were in use in Slovakia. The first such flag design was used in 1848 during a revolution in the Habsburg region. Following the First World War, Czechoslovakia was established by the Czechs and the Slovaks. During WWII, similar flags were also used in Czechoslovakia and the Slovak Republic. These flags used the same colors as the current day flag of Slovakia but had a different coat of arms or were plain tricolors. This flag design was modified and a new coat of arms was added, which was accepted on March 1, 1990, as the flag of Slovak Republic within Czechoslovakia. The current version of the national flag of Slovakia was adopted on September 3, 1992.
Historical flags of Slovakia
Flag of Slovaks
Flag of Czechoslovakia
Symbols of Slovakia
The National Coat of Arms of Slovakia
The current National Coat of Arms of Slovakia was adopted on March 1, 1990. The coat of arms is in the shape of an inverted red shield bordered in white and bearing a white double-barred cross of St. Cyril and St. Methodius surmounting the middle peak of a three-peaked blue mountain. The double-cross of the Coat of Arms symbolizes the Christian faith of the country. The three blue mountain peaks are a symbolic reference to the Tatra, Fatra, and Matra mountain ranges.
National Anthem
- Anthem Title: “Nad Tatrou sa blýska” (“Storm Over the Tatras”)
- Music Composer: Unknown
- Lyricist: Janko Matúška
- Date of Adoption: January 1, 1993
“Nad Tatrou sa blýska” (“Storm Over the Tatras”) is the national anthem of Slovakia. The muisc composer of the anthem is still unknown. The lyrics of the anthem have been authored by Janko Matúška. The anthem was officially adopted on January 1, 1993.
“Nad Tatrou sa blýska” (Slovak)
1.
Nad Tatrou sa blýska,
hromy divo bijú.
Nad Tatrou sa blýska,
hromy divo bijú.
Zastavme ich, bratia,
veď sa ony stratia,
Slováci ožijú.
Zastavme ich, bratia,
veď sa ony stratia,
Slováci ožijú.
2.
To Slovensko naše
posiaľ tvrdo spalo.
To Slovensko naše
posiaľ tvrdo spalo.
Ale blesky hromu
vzbudzujú ho k tomu,
aby sa prebralo.
Ale blesky hromu
vzbudzujú ho k tomu,
aby sa prebralo.
“Storm Over the Tatras”
1.
There’s lightning over the Tatras,
thunderclaps wildly beat.
There’s lightning over the Tatras,
thunderclaps wildly beat.
Let us stop them, brothers,
They’ll just disappear,
the Slovaks will revive.
Let us stop them, brothers,
They’ll just disappear,
the Slovaks will revive.
2.
That Slovakia of ours
has been fast asleep so far.
That Slovakia of ours
has been fast asleep so far.
But the thunder’s lightning
is rousing it
to come awake.
But the thunder’s lightning
is rousing it
to come awake.
The Currency of Slovakia is the euro
The current official currency of Slovakia is the euro. The euro banknotes maintain the same design for all member EU States. Like other European member states, Slovakia is allowed to issue its euro coins. One side of the euro coins has a design that is common for all member EU States, the other side has a design that is specific for each EU Member State.
Coins
Currently, coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents and 1 and 2 euro are in circulation.
Banknotes
Currently, banknotes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 euros are in circulation.
euro Banknote
euro Coin
Historical currencies of Slovakia
In 1993, the Czechoslovak Federation was split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czechoslovak koruna was split into the Czech koruna and the Slovak koruna. The currency Slovak koruna (SKK) had been used in Slovakia since 1993 when the country attained its independence. The koruna was divided into 100 subunits known as haliers. It was replaced by the euro in 2009 as the official currency of Slovakia.
Slovak koruna Banknote
Slovak koruna Coin
