Everyone has heard of the historic mining town of Banská Štiavnica. Textbooks, books and picturesque film classics have been written about it. Nicknamed the Slovak town of Verona, Banská Štiavnica offers a wealth of experiences for all ages, from the historic centre to the Calvary to the beautiful nature around the taichs, which also provides free swimming during the warmer months. In the following article, we will offer tips for spending time in Banská Štiavnica.
Banská Štiavnica abounds with its unique beauty in its simplicity. You can get lost in its cosy streets and experience the incredible. Original cafés (e.g. U Divnej pani Cafe) lined with night lamps breathing history. Small miners' cottages on the hills above the town. All these parts of the city are connected by romantic streets and paths that contain hundreds of steps. Don't forget to also visit the Štiavnické korzo - the Trotuár and the Rose Street. For a fantastic view of this historic centre, it's definitely worth a short hike to Calvary.
This Calvary is one of the most beautiful Baroque Calvaries in Europe. It can be seen from every side as it stands on the majestic Scharffenberg Hill. It is one of the most endangered monuments in the world, and thanks to the volunteers involved in its restoration, it can proudly hold its status as the most visited monument in the region.
The road to it has as many as 17 stops, and on the way, you pass two churches and one unique staircase - the Lower Church, the Upper Church and the Holy Stairs. It is a Stations of the Cross tracing Jesus' journey to his death and resurrection. Walking this Stations of the Cross is pleasant and comfortable and can be done at your own pace. You are rewarded with views of the whole town and the surrounding countryside.
Together with the Calvary, the New Castle is one of the important visual symbols of Banská Štiavnica. Its distinctive silhouette is unique in Europe and resembles the shape of a rocket. During the period of threat from the Turks, a fortress was built in the New Castle, which also served as a signal tower in the defence system of the Central Slovak mining towns. Today, it houses an exhibition about the battles against the Turkish troops, with displays of historical weapons offering a breathtaking view of the expansive surroundings. Nearby, you can also find the Jewish cemetery.
This church represents the old heart of the town and the compact history of the town in a nutshell. It was built as the first church, and its impressive nave could accommodate more than 1,000 people. With its strategic location, it was initially fortified and later completely rebuilt into a fortress. Today, it serves as a venue for various activities, such as a pipe workshop, a blacksmith's exhibition, the old torture chamber in the Himmelreich Tower and an exhibition of original sculptures from Calvary. You should definitely take the time to visit it!
The Bank of Love is a truly unique museum where you won't be bored. The city of love has its epicentre in this museum. Perhaps everyone has heard the poem Marína from the pen of Andrej Sládkovič. The verses of this love poem line the inside of the museum, and it's an imposing length - the poem itself is up to 2,900 verses and is housed in the Archive of Love.
The Love Bank is located in the original House of Marína - Andrej Sládkovič's love, Mária Pischlová, used to live there. You are drawn into the epicentre of their passion by the talking pictures, their romantic verses and the bittersweet taste of their unfulfilled love. Lovers who visit this place can measure their love with the help of the Love Meter.
Currently, the Love Bank is temporarily closed due to a major fire and intensive renovations are underway to once again open its doors to the world of romance and tender confessions.
Are you thinking of going to a mining town without going pharyngeal? That wouldn't even count! Since everything related to mining is dedicated to the mining town, it's no wonder that the entire town and the surrounding hills are interspersed with passageways and tunnels.
You can learn about mining in more detail at the open-air Mining Museum, about a kilometre from the historic centre. It is located below the Klinger Taich. The museum tour itself lasts about an hour and a half. It gives visitors a tour of the original mining areas and, as the oldest exhibition in Slovakia, shows the development of ore mining in Central Europe from the Middle Ages to the present day. Fun awaits even kids in the short Michal Shed, which can be walked through in just 10 minutes, and the whole family will be rewarded with a mineralogical exhibition with a tour of interesting and beautiful minerals.
Tickets can be purchased using the online booking form at this link. You will also need a helmet and raincoat to visit. Don't worry; you will receive these items on entry, or you can purchase your own raincoat separately.
The fame of Banská Štiavnica depended not only on its underground riches but also on the existence of the Mining Academy. This academy was founded by Maria Theresa in 1762 as the first university of its kind in the world and brought the best scientists and engineers of its time to it. Today, on the grounds of the historic Mining and Forestry Academy, you will find the Botanical Garden, an ideal place to relax during a town tour. Since the mid-19th century, native and non-native tree species have been cultivated here and are still there today - including mammoth redwoods and cedar trees, which are among the most interesting.
The Kammerhof was created in the 16th century by joining several townhouses. Successive alterations turned it into an impressive building with features of different building styles, which served as the centre of administration for miners, metallurgists and minters in central Slovakia. Today, in the Kammerhof's exhibitions, you can discover the history of the mining industry in Slovakia and the famous Mining Academy. Here, you will find models of mining equipment and laboratory equipment. There are also exciting workshops for the kids.
The Church of Saint Catherine, an example of late Gothic architecture, is one of the most beautiful churches in Banská Štiavnica. The original main altar of this church was the work of an unknown local master, and panel paintings from this altar are now scattered all over the world. A single painting from this valuable collection, namely the painting of the Nativity of the Lord, can be found in the Church of Saint Anthony. Two sculptures from the old altar are on display in the Joseph Kollar Gallery in Holy Trinity Square.
The museum is one of the most fascinating in Slovakia. Until 1944, the manor house in Saint Anthony served as a residence for the Bulgarian Tsar Coburg and has therefore been preserved in its original state. Its corridors are decorated with thousands of trophies, original wallpapers and paintings by famous painters—an impressive collection of old furniture crowns all this. A highlight is the Golden Salon, which Maria Theresa gave to her daughter Marie Antoinette as a wedding present. The entire ground floor is devoted to an exhibition on hunting. A beautiful park with a small lake surrounds the manor house, adding a unique charm.
Tickets are bought directly at the ticket office. If you are interested in an organised tour, you can contact us via telephone or e-mail, which can be found on the museum website in Saint Anthony.
Almost unknown to the public. The Štiavnica moving nativity scene stands out as exceptional among Slovakia's most beautiful and extensive nativity scenes. It is located in the heart of the town on the Town Hall Square. This Nativity scene deals with Christmas themes, but above all, it depicts the life of a medieval town and the work of miners and metallurgists. It is enormous, 21 metres long, and contains up to 800 wooden figures, 400 movable. Its creator is Peter Chovan.
In the deep Sitnian Hills, an old legend tells of cursed knights who will one day return to help the Slovaks. This area was where one of the first European hiking clubs created hiking trails and built an observation tower. From Sitno, you can experience a fantastic view of the surrounding area. This place has become iconic thanks to Lake Počúvadlo, one of the most beautiful in the region. There is boating and swimming and a mini zoo for children.
In addition to the Kammerhof mentioned above and the Michal Tunnel, one more surprise awaits the child visitor. Terra Permonia is a creative workshop for all ages. This area is suitable for a rainy day when you don't have to rush. Whether you prefer the trains in the Machine Shop or Lego, there really is something for every visitor - big or small.
