Slovak Spectator

News digest: They are coming back — sort of
Slovakia’s most heavily fined football club, Ružomberok’s iconic stepped streets, and why two Czech tourists could be fined up to €3,000.

Bratislava’s strangest traffic stop? Police intercept moving couch
The bizarre late-night ride ended outside the Bratislava Regional Police Directorate.

Italian beauty giant to open first-ever Slovak store
KIKO Milano will make its Slovak debut at Aupark Bratislava.

A Polish campaign backfires, and a drone story finds its black sheep
A monthly look at disinformation and hybrid threats across Central Europe, the Baltics and Romania.

A top-flight club fined every other game, becoming Slovakia’s most heavily penalised side
Spartak Trnava paid €54,650 in disciplinary fines during the 2025/26 season.

Virtual reality brings one of Slovakia’s finest Gothic churches to life
A new project in Štítnik will let visitors explore centuries of history, art and symbolism while creating a digital archive to support future research.

The town where locals still climb centuries-old staircases to get to the main square
Ružomberok’s network of steps has linked homes, churches and markets with its hilltop centre for generations.

Petržalka-Vienna rail services return to normal after train ban
Slovakia's transport regulator temporarily barred Austrian trains from entering the country last week over missing documentation.

Last Week: President Pellegrini faces a dilemma 
He must choose whether to appoint two contentious ambassadors. They wouldn’t be the first reprobates to represent their country abroad, but still... 

News digest: First Russia, now Belarus? Smer leaders continue their eastern approaches
Blanár visits Ukraine to discuss cooperation, volunteers expand roe deer rescue across Slovakia, and the economy grew modestly in early 2026.

Austerity measures push supermarket chain Billa into loss
Retailer blames higher taxes, rising labour costs and weaker consumer spending as profits swing to an €8 million loss despite higher sales.

EU deploys firefighting helicopter to Slovakia for wildfire season
Drought and weakening forests have increased concerns about wildfires in Central Europe.

When the lights go out, Wi-Fi is only the first problem
A major blackout would test Slovakia’s grid, companies’ contracts, and leaders’ ability to communicate. Experts say firms must prepare for a crisis in which digital channels may disappear.

Global music star spotted at Trenčín European Capital of Culture event
A selection of short feel-good stories from Slovakia.

News digest: Hungary borders itself. Slovakia disagrees
Britain’s The Telegraph criticises Slovak minister, tips for the perfect weekend, and where to find a new wave pool whose technology is also used by NASA.

‘So, if he had not been afraid of the ship, I would be an American?’
A visit to relatives in Slovakia helped me understand how one family’s decisions continue to shape generations on both sides of the Atlantic.

Tax property, build homes, reform schools: Brussels’ prescription for Slovakia
The commission says rising debt, an ageing population and weak innovation are testing Slovakia’s economic model.

Foreign students bring millions to eastern Slovak universities — and millions for recruiters
Eastern Slovakia is becoming a costlier study destination.

3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
A street festival, a classical music livestream from Berlin and a weekend celebrating gardens.

Mammoth tusk found at future battery factory site
Experts say the fossil belonged to one of the last woolly mammoths to roam Eurasia before the species disappeared.