Banská Štiavnica

Banská Štiavnica boats of the richest set of mining monuments. The first accounts of primarily silver mining date back to the 11th and 12th centuries. The discovery of silver ores attracted settlers there. In the 13th century it was a showcase town with two big churches, a graveyard chapel and a number of dwelling houses.

The unusual ground plan of the town resulted from the mountainous topography. A small square, the so called Trinity Square is situated in the northern part of the town. Towards the south the square widens and continues further as a mere street towards the village of Antol.

The town castle, originated from a Romanesque church, was reconstructed around 1500. In 1546-1559 the church and Romanesque graveyard chapel was encircled by a high wall reinforced with turrets, an entrance tower and a gate. The town itself was not fortified, only the access roads were protected by gates. During the Turkish wars, the so called New Castle was erected in 1564-1571. It served as a watch tower.

Following conversion of the old parish church into the castle a new late Gothic church was built roughly in the town centre before 1500.

The high standard of mining was related to professional training. In 1735 a Mining School was founded here, in 1770 grew into a Mining Academy. In 1802, also the Forestry Institute was added.

The town´s medieval structures include large stone houses once owned by the so called Waldbürgers (Forest burghers). Gothic portals, windows and cornices are frequently supplemented with graffito or paintings with figure, plant or ornamental motifs.

In the late 18th century the mining began to decline and so did the town itself. Nevertheless, the formerly Gothic town-hall, a Calvary, Trinity column and in the end of the 18th century were build and repaired.

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