Mount Kriváň (Polish: Krywań, German: Kriwan, Hungarian: Kriván) is a mountain peak at the end of a spur that branches off from the main ridge of the High Tatras in Čubrin. It lies above the Nefcerka, Kôprová and Važecká valleys on its south and southwestern outcrops extending into the Liptovská basin. It is one of the highest mountains in Slovakia. It reaches a height of 2 494,7 m above sea level. Since the 19th century it has been an unofficial symbol of freedom of Slovaks and Slavic cohesion.
Between 1960 and 1990 it was depicted with a bonfire on the emblem of Slovakia in the national emblem of Czechoslovakia. It temporarily replaced the traditional Slovak coat of arms with a triple-peaked cross, which is now in the state symbolism of the Slovak Republic. In 2005, it was decided that it would also be depicted on Slovak euro coins. The asteroid (24260) Kriváň is also named after Mount Kriváň.
Did you know that there are some interesting stories about Mount Kriváň?
About the Angel and the scattered sack of beauty
Once upon a time, long, long ago, there was a heavenly traffic accident. On the day God created the world, He looked around at His handiwork. He did not yet find it perfect, but rather that it lacked something. He called a clever angel to throw one more bag of natural beauty around the world. When the angel flew to the mighty and high peaks, he was surprised by the height of one extreme limb, and stuck his wing against the top of it. The shield bent and remained crooked, hence the name Kriváň. In this accident, the angel's sack that he had with him was torn. Forests, meadows, lakes, streams and waterfalls spilled out onto the rocky hills and mountains, and marmots, chamois, bears, even lynxes and many other animals were thrown into the mountainous landscape. The mountain range, which was given the name of the Tatra Mountains, was thus given many more natural beauties and gems than other parts of the world. And the reason is actually Kriváň...
