Attractions in Banska Bystrica
Banska Stiavnica is a town in Slovakia. It is one of the oldest and most significant mining cities in Europe. The first mining settlement in the current area of Banska Stiavnica was located at the top of the Glanzenberg hill. It was most likely already established in the 11th century. The first written document about the excavation of precious metals in this area originated from 1156, and the name of the town was first mentioned in 1217.
Old Chateau
The Old Chateau is located above the Square of st. Trinity, in the town of Banska Stiavnica. It was originally a church, but during the Turkish invasion it was transformed into a fortress. The dominant element of the castle is is a gothic tower with an underpass, which used to be Gothic. The area of the Old Chateau includes st. Michael’s chapel, as well as several permanent museum exhibits, which are available for sightseeing. These exhibits include, among others, an archaeological exhibit, a collection of baroque sculptures and a smoking workshop.
The Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden in Banska Stiavnica is located in the gorgeous surroundings of the former building of the Mining and Forestry Academy, which was founded in 1762. The Botanical Garden in Banska Stiavnica was founded by Rudolf Feistmantl, who purchased the building and its adjacent land for the needs of the Forestry Institute in 1838. The Botanical Garden is an excellent place to organize trip for schools, as well as families with children. It occupies the total area 3545 hectares and showcases 220 species of trees.
The Mining Museum
The Mining Museum is an open-air museum located on the outskirts of the town of Banska Stiavnica. It has two exhibits – surface and deep. The surface exhibit show mining buildings and facilities, which were brought here from various areas of Slovakia, as well as mining machinery. At the deep exhibit, you can go down the shaft to the Bartholomew gallery, which you will visit in a mining helmet and with a lantern.
During the guided tour, you will learn about the mining works and old mining equipment from between the 17th and 19th centuries. Keep in mind that you’ll need to put on a jacket and sturdy shoes, even during the summer.
The Banska Stiavnica Nativity scene
The nativity scene in Banska Stiavnica is one of the largest wooden moving nativity scenes in Slovakia. It shows the history and traditions of Banska Stiavnica, which is considered one of the most gorgeous towns in the country. The nativity scene was created by Peter Chovan, who lived in a nearby village of Dekys. It consists of roughly 800 characters, 400 of which are movable. The scene also keeps getting new elements, because the author constantly finds new inspiration in the town’s history and architecture.
Klinger Lake
The region of Banska Stiavnica is full of natural pools and lakes. During the summer, tourists can choose from several places to cool off. One of the most popular such places is the Klinger Lake. It was first created as a source of energy for water pump machines of shafts, such as Ondrej and Zigmund. In the early 20th century, it became a popular recreational site.
The lake offers excellent conditions for swimming and water sports. It is also surrounded by trees which provide a shade to cool off. In the full season there also a buffet with refreshening food and drinks.