Banská Štiavnica is a unique city in a unique region. By no mistake it is inscribed into UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. So what you should not miss while trying to experience all interesting features of Štiavnica?
The most famous ages of Banská Štiavnica are connected with mining activity. In certain times Banská Štiavnica region belonged among world's most productive centers of gold and silver mining. Entering two of hundreds of original mines originating in medieval ages is a part of essential explorations of Banská Štiavnica treasures.
Currently there are two mines open for public:
1. Bartolomej Gallery
Bartolomej Gallery is a part of a unique open-air mining museum located at the outskirts of the town, direction „Štiavnické Bane“. Before you enter the mine, you will receive a helmet, lamp, water resistant jacket and you are ready to look for remaining gold and silver under the ground. During the underground route long 1200 meters, as deep as 33-41 meters, you can explore artifacts and information related to the work of miners dating back to pre-historic times till nowadays.
The open air mining museum is located approx. 20 minutes of walking distance, or 2 minutes of driving from the center of Banská Štiavnica, on route to Štiavnické Bane and Levice. Parking spaces are located in the museum. For more information please visit http://www.muzeumbs.sk/?page_id=100
2. Glanzenberg Gallery
Interestingly enough, you can walk through the center of the town underground – through the Glanzenberg Gallery. One of entrances of the gallery is located approximately 500 meters from the center of the town, and at its end – approximately under the very center of the town – is located an underground hall, that has been visited by numerous dignitaries during centuries. Memorial plagues are reminders of visits of kings, princes, statesmen and other important personalities. Visiting the mine is possible by reservations only.
Information: http://www.muzeumbs.sk/?page_id=106
Just about 6 kilometers away from Banská Štiavnica is located interesting village named by St. Anton. The village is most known for its picturesque chateau, which houses museum of original historical furniture, as well as a museum of fishing and hunting. The chateau is surrounded by a beautiful park which is a great place to relax during busy days.
Information: http://www.msa.sk/
Banská Štiavnica used to me amazingly rich town, it had been a seat of numerous institutions related to mining, science, education, and it used to be a city full of flourishing business. All this is imprinted in its streets, in sights from hills surrounding its center, in hidden corners of its medieval palaces, or steep, narrow streets of its mining settlement. Guided tour of historical center of the town will bring you stories about the life of the medieval town centuries ago and today. You will experience life and importance of this place from „the other side“, not just from shining cover pages of tourist guides.
Guided city tours: http://www.bstiavnica.sk/
A Banská Štiavnica unique water management system, created by a patchwork of water reservoirs and channels, is truly a „must see“ phenomenon. „Tajch“ - or better to say – water reservoirs look like beautiful natural lakes, however, they are part of man-built water management system developed by skilled builders and craftsmen as early as in 18 th century. The purpose of the water management system was to accumulate water mass, which used to serve as an energy source powering numerous mining machines and facilities. Although there were as many as 60 reservoirs built and interconnected by a network of feeding channels and galleries, only 22 reservoirs survived till the present time. Lakes are well visible in unique natural landscape „patchwork“ and are part of numerous, comfortable routes beloved by hikers, mountain bikers and cross-country skiers. Of course, during summer seasons, you can swim and enjoy water sports – with a choice of busy recreational resorts, or quiet little lake hidden in woods, that feels like it „belongs only to you“. The choice is yours....
Information and guided tours: http://www.bstiavnica.sk/
Bicycle and ski rental shop: http://www.tanadsport.sk/
It is no wonder that you can find traces of mining activities scattered though the countryside. Sometimes they are represented by craters or holes that point out to collapsed excavated gold and silver veins underground, sometimes they are presented by galleries, channels, or remains of old mining technologies. Well prepared tour around Banská Štiavnica will enable you to see things you have had no idea they exist.
Information and guided tours: http://www.bstiavnica.sk/;
Exposition of a history of mining in the „Kammerhof“ building offers an overview of history of mining in the region,
it presents its high achievements as well as problems. You can learn about numerous stories of a simple life of poor miners, or discoveries of top scientists that used to live in Banská Štiavnica. Many visitors take interest in learning about how certain machines worked by seeing their functional miniature models, documenting unbelievable amount of knowledge and skill accumulated in times when there was no computer, calculator, laser, electrical energy or fossil fuel engine.
Just visiting the Kammerhof – the building itself – the largest building complex in the town which used to be a seat of highest mining dignitaries, is well worth the visit.
Information: http://www.muzeumbs.sk/?page_id=105
Banská Štiavnica used to be not just a center of mining, but also a center of top natural and technical sciences.
That is the reason why in 1764 there was established the first technical university in the world, which was gradually built into a scientific and technological center of the highest importance. Prominent professors and scientist in mining, geology, forestry, water management, metallurgy and other related fields of science used to work and teach here. And when the Mining and Forestry academy grew bigger, there was new beautiful campus area build in 19 th century, surrounded by a botanical garden. You can take pictures under beautiful sequoia trees, as you know them from the American continent.
Information: http://www.bstiavnica.sk/
The Old Castle – one of the most dominant buildings in the town, is distinguished from other castles and fortresses by both its past and its present. Originally, it used to be a church, which was later fortified and re-built into a fortress. This interesting architectural feature is well visible even today – as you enter the fortress, suddenly you notice that you entered a „church without a roof“...
Today the Old Castle offers interesting expositions, for instance, you can learn how well known pipes used to be produced, and you can see master pieces of skilled craftsmen processing wood or metal. One of highlights of the exhibition is copy of baroque altar made by mysterious person signed as „Master MS“.
Information: http://www.muzeumbs.sk/?page_id=101
Štiavnica's Wooden Betlehem
Monumental piece of woodcarving shows Banská Štiavnica as Betlehem. There are a lot of objects, buildings, persons in the Štiavnica's Betlehem, you can see hard work of miners, mines, technologies, miners' customs and much more. Betlehem is mechanized so you can watch arrival of shepherds to Jesus Christ, but also the Salamander procession on Trotuar (main street in Banská Štiavnica), pumping of undreground water and much more.
Betlehem is located in the yard of the Evanjelic Church, entrance is at the Radničné námestie, behind the City Hall.
Banská Štiavnica offers a whole lot more than we mentioned here. Sure, attractive locations described above are among those you simply must see, but there are other sights that are well worth the visit – among them „The New Castle“, gothic St. Catharine's Church, „Seven Wonders of Banská Štiavnica“, Mt. Sitno with great views of natural landscape, gothic church in Ilija village, small, picturesque villages located in Štiavnica mountains …. and many more. If you are interested to learn about the region more, or have any question, just ask us please....
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