Popular Cities Banská Štiavnica

The oldest mining town in Slovakia is called Banská Štiavnica (German: Schemnitz). It is located between Košice and Bratislava, making this place a wonderful opportunity to connect the two largest cities in Slovakia during your trip. Banská Štiavnica was already declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

Attractions

Below, we would like to present the unique attractions of the idyllic mining town, which you will encounter after a winding drive to Banská Štiavnica. Admire the historic old town and the wonderful view owed to the special location of Banská Štiavnica.

Historic Old Town

The historic old town is without a doubt the landmark of the mining town and houses many different buildings from long-gone eras. These include the Old Castle and New Castle, the Kammerhof, the town hall including the town hall square, Trinity Square, the Church of St. Catherine, the Parish Church of the Assumption of Mary, the Piargska Gate, and the Klopfturm (Knocking Tower).

Old Castle

Today's Old Castle is made up of various former buildings. The oldest part is the former Parish Church of the Virgin Mary. This was built together with the Cemetery Chapel of St. Michael in the 13th century, and together they form the three-aisled Romanesque basilica. In the 14th century, these buildings were supplemented with a protective wall, which laid the foundation for the future town castle. Further extensions were also made in the form of a bastion and an entrance gate to the tower. So the history of the castle we know today goes far back into the past! The basilica was converted into a Gothic church at the beginning of the 16th century, and in the 18th century it was changed to the Baroque style. Today, the Old Castle serves as the Slovak Mining Museum, and especially in the summer, its theater performances and cultural programs at the castle create a special incentive for adventurous tourists. The museum mainly covers topics on the history of the mining town and offers insights through an archaeological exhibition, a blacksmith's and pipe workshop, and a torture chamber. In particular, the archaeological exhibition "Miners Go…" attracts many history enthusiasts and displays treasures of bronze jewelry, tool boxes, and details of ancient clothing from around 900 BC.

Love Bank

The Love Bank, probably the most unique vault in the entire world, not only contains the longest poem in the world "Marína", but visitors can also store items such as photos, rings, or letters there to remind them of their loved ones. The Love Bank is open to everyone and is especially popular on Valentine's Day. The famous poem by the Slovak creative spirit Andrej Sládkovič was written between 1844 and 1846, when he learned that his beloved lady Marína was going to marry another man. The poem has been translated into eight languages, including English and German, and is considered a Slovak national treasure. The vault itself contains 100,000 small boxes, each with a single letter, punctuation mark, or space from the original manuscript of the poem, allowing visitors to immortalize their memories in the vault. Each of the many boxes is protected by a seal and is therefore secure. Interestingly, the Love Bank is located in the historic house of the beloved lady Marína, who secretly kept the poem at that time. A place you shouldn't miss on your trip and definitely a special kind of opportunity.

The Reservoirs: An Interesting Surrounding Area for the Mining Town

The mining town has been shaped by its long mining history and shows its visitors its magnificent heritage of many reservoirs. These reservoirs are often referred to as the Ponds of Štiavnica, which were built for the mines and are now used as swimming spots. The artificial lakes were built in response to the water shortage that existed at the time in the center of the mountains and served to collect rainwater. This water was channeled from the mountain slopes into a water basin via a complicated system of channels. Most of the ponds of Štiavnica visible today were created in the 18th century, but of the original 60 ponds, only 20 remain. However, even these 20 ponds offer plenty of opportunities for relaxation during the hot summer months. So, during your vacation, take the plunge into the cool water and enjoy the surrounding nature!

Near the Historic Mining Town

But it is not only the old mining town that offers many opportunities to discover traces of long-gone times. The surroundings of this unique town can also take your breath away. Explore Calvary Hill and become part of its history and its stations symbolizing Jesus Christ.

Calvary Hill

You can already spot Calvary Hill from the viewpoints of the mining town. This mountain is characterized by its Holy Staircase, its 2 churches, and 24 chapels, and tells the story of Jesus Christ through its various stations. You climb the mountain over more than 25 stations, and each individual station represents the life and suffering of Jesus Christ and his mother Mary.

What Do I Need to Know for My Trip to Slovakia?

In Slovakia, there is a vignette requirement, which is particularly important for tourists. The vignette is used to pay the toll, which applies, among other things, to motorways and expressways. You can find more information on the vignette requirement as well as penalties for not having a vignette in our guide. In addition to the vignette requirement, there is also the distance-based toll. If you're not familiar with the difference, feel free to check out our article on tolls in Slovakia!

The Europamaut Team Wishes You a Pleasant Journey!

We wish you a pleasant trip to Slovakia and lots of enjoyment while exploring this diverse country. You can find more information on tolls in Slovakia in our guide. Feel free to also use our route planner to optimally plan your trip and get suitable toll products displayed. If you have any questions, we are available anytime via email.