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Classification of higher level vegetation units (orders and alliances) based on numerical methods often yields different results than traditional plant community classification concepts. We performed a numerical cluster analysis of phytosociological relevés from the class Festuco-Brometea in Slovakia with the aim of identifying areas of overlap between the two classification approaches. The research was carried out using a database of approximately 1500 phytosociological relevés sampled in the period between 1927 and 2004. The outputs of the numerical classification form six clusters. Diagnostic taxa of individual clusters were determined using species constancy and fidelity. The cluster analysis enabled us to differentiate the alliances Seslerio-Festucion pallentis, Diantho lumnitzeri-Seslerion albicantis, Festucion valesiacae, Cirsio-Brachypodion pinnati and Asplenio septentrionalis-Festucion pallentis (inch Festucenion pseudodalmaticae). However, it did not permit the differentiation of the alliances Koelerio-Phleion phleoidis and Bromion erecti. It also did not allow us to differentiate the orders Brometalia erecti and Festucetalia valesiacae. The reason for this may be the peripheral occurrence of plant communities of Brometalia erecti in Slovakia.