ABOUT 2001 - Proof - 500 Sk Národný park Malá Fatra

The Mala Fatra National Park is a remote mountain area in northwestern Slovakia. It was created in 1988, has an area of 22,630 hectares, and a relief, which is very varied in nature, and is a home to many animal and plant species. The mountain chain is approximately 23 kilometres long and 13 kilometres wide. The highest peak is Velky Fatransky Krivan (1709 m), however, Velky Rozsutec (1610 m) dominates the landscape, being one of the most beautiful Slovak mountains. The lowest point is Hradsky Potok creek (358 m) in the Strecnianska Tiesnava gorge, and the highest waterfall is Sutovsky Vodopad (38 m).

The area is used for recreation and sports, and the most visited places are Vratna Dolina valley, Janosikove Diery caves and Sutovsky Vodopad waterfall. Attractions of the area include Strecno and Starhrad castles, folk-architecture at Terchova, Stefanova and Zazriva villages, and the story of Janosik, the Slovak Robin Hood.

Description of the coin

Obverse:
The coat of arms is placed in the center of the obverse of the coin, surrounded by four depictions of the beetle Rosalia alpina. The name of the state SLOVENSKA REPUBLIKA appears around the margin of the coin. The year of issue 2001, is placed below the coat of arms. The mark of the designer Mgr. art. Patrik Kovacovsky is placed to the right and the mark of the Kremnica Mint to the left, in the lower part of the field.

Reverse:
The reverse of the coin is dominated by a depiction of the flower Cypripedium calceolus. In the upper half of the coin field, there is part of a tree with a view of Velky Rozsutec in the background. The name of the national park - NARODNY PARK MALA FATRA - appears on the margin of the coin. The value of the coin 500 Sk is shown in the lower half of the field.