m̌ ḫ's photos with the keyword: 2023

Like a painting come to life, the view from Vlkolínec captures the essence of a Slovakian winter scene. The forests of the Veľká Fatra mountains are capped with strokes of white powder, the early snowfall dusting the peaks in the distance. Below, nestled in the foothills, lies a village lost in time. The winding cobblestone streets and weathered log cabins of Vlkolínec seem untouched by modern life. Situated 718 meters high on the slopes of the Carpathians, winters arrive early here, transforming the traditional homes into a winter wonderland long before the lower valleys see snow. The few residents go about their days, hardened to the cold and accustom to the hibernating tourism of the off-season. While the summer months attract more visitors with quaint shops, folk dances and festivals, the village holds a certain magic in the colder days. The snow-laden roofs, smoke billowing from stone chimneys, and the crunch of frost underfoot immerses you in winter as it was for centuries past. Vlkolínec remains an open-air folk museum, where the onset of winter reveals as much preserved beauty as the height of summer.

The UFO Tower in Bratislava, Slovakia is an iconic landmark situated atop the Bridge of the Slovak National Uprising (Most SNP). This unique flying saucer-shaped structure was constructed between 1967 and 1972 based on designs by architects J. Lacko and A. Tesár. Perched 95m above the Danube River, the 7th largest suspension bridge in the world, the UFO Tower has become an integral part of the Bratislava skyline. Originally opened in the 1970s and voted Building of the Century in Slovakia in 2001, the tower underwent renovations in 2005. A restaurant with 80 seats, two modern bars with capacity for 60 guests, and an observation deck with panoramic views up to 100km were added. The UFO Tower is now a member of the World Federation of Great Towers, recognised internationally as a symbol of Bratislava. The iconic tower can be spotted in the background of every postcard, an unmistakable fixture in the capital's urban landscape.