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 of Slovakia during your trip. Banská Štiavnica was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993.
Below, we would like to present the unique sights of the idyllic mountain town, which you will encounter after a winding drive to Banská Štiavnica. Admire the historic old town and the beautiful views due to Banská Štiavnica's special location.
The historic old town is undoubtedly the landmark of the mountain town and houses many buildings from long ago. These include the Old Castle and New Castle, the Kammerhof, the Town Hall including the Town Square, the Holy Trinity Square, St. Catherine’s Church, the Assumption of Mary Church, the Piargska Gate, and the Knock Tower.
The current Old Castle is made up of various former buildings. The oldest part is the former Parish Church of the Virgin Mary, which was built in the 13th century along with the Cemetery Chapel of St. Michael, and together they form a three-aisled Romanesque basilica. In the 14th century, these buildings were supplemented by a protective wall, which laid the foundation for the future castle. Further expansions took place in the form of a bastion and a gate to the tower. The history of the castle we know today goes back a long way! The basilica was converted into a Gothic church in the early 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 summer, its theater performances and cultural programs provide a special incentive for curious tourists. The museum mainly covers the history of the mining town and offers insights through an archaeological exhibition, a blacksmith workshop, a pipe workshop, and a torture chamber. In particular, the archaeological exhibit “Miners Go…” attracts many history enthusiasts, showcasing treasures like bronze jewelry, toolboxes, and details of ancient clothing from around 900 BC.
The Love Bank, probably the most unique vault in the world, not only contains the longest poem in the world “Marína”, but it is also a place where items such as photos, rings, or letters can be stored, serving as reminders of loved ones. The Love Bank is open to everyone and is especially popular on Valentine’s Day. The famous poem by Slovak creative mind Andrej Sládkovič was written between 1844 and 1846 when he learned that his beloved 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 sealed and thus secure. Interestingly, the Love Bank is located in the historic house of the beloved Marína, who secretly kept the poem at the time. It is a place you should not miss on your journey and definitely an opportunity of a special kind.
The mountain town was shaped by its long mining history and showcases its magnificent heritage of many reservoirs. The reservoirs are often referred to as the ponds of Štiavnica, built for the mines and now used for swimming. The artificial lakes were constructed in response to a water shortage in the center of the mountain range and were used to collect rainwater. This water was channeled through a complex system of ditches from the mountain slopes into a water basin. Most of the visible ponds of Štiavnica were created in the 18th century, but of the original 60 ponds, only 20 remain. However, these 20 ponds still offer plenty of opportunities for relaxation during the hot summer months. So, take a dive into the cool waters during your holiday and enjoy the surrounding nature!
But not only the old mountain town offers many opportunities to discover traces of long-gone times. The surroundings of this unique town can also take your breath away. Explore the Calvary Hill and become part of the history and its stages as a symbol of Jesus Christ.
You can already discover Calvary Hill from the viewpoints of the mountain town. This hill is distinguished by its Holy Steps, two churches, and 24 chapels, and it tells the story of Jesus Christ with its various stations. Over 25 stations, you will ascend the hill, with each station representing the life and suffering of Jesus Christ and his mother Mary.
In Slovakia, there is a vignette requirement, which plays a significant role for tourists. The vignette is used to pay tolls, especially on highways and expressways. For more information about the vignette requirement and penalties for not having a vignette, please refer to our guide. In addition to the vignette requirement, there is also a distance-based toll. If you don't know the difference, feel free to check out here!
We wish you a great time during your trip and are always ready to assist with any questions about the vignette or distance-based tolls!
