Banská Štiavnica
Encyclopedia
Banská Štiavnica is a town in central Slovakia
, in the middle of an immense caldera
created by the collapse of an ancient volcano. For its size, the caldera is known as Štiavnica Mountains
. Banská Štiavnica has a population of more than 10,000. It is a completely preserved medieval town. Because of their historical value, the town and its surroundings were proclaimed by the UNESCO
to be a World Heritage Site
on December 11, 1993.
ore. According to evidence from excavations, the site was settled during the Neolithic
period.
The first mining settlement was founded by Huns
in the 3rd century BC. It was probably occupied by the Huns
tribe. Roman
authors mentioned mining activities of the Huns, who had lived in present-day central Slovakia until they were deported to Pannonia within the Marcomannic Wars
by Rome. The site was also settled by early Slavs and a Slavic fortified settlement was situated here in the 10th and 11th century.
In the High and Late Middle Ages
, the town was the main producer of silver and gold in the Kingdom of Hungary
. The town was called “terra banensium” (the land of miners) as early as in 1156. The original Hungarian population was joined by skilled German
settlers who started arriving in the 13th century. Banská Štiavnica gained the status of a royal town in 1238, as one of the first towns in the Kingdom of Hungary.
During the Ottoman Wars
, the Turks made concerted efforts to conquer rich mining towns in Upper Hungary
(Banská Štiavnica, Banská Bystrica
, and Kremnica
). This new threat led Banská Štiavnica to build powerful fortifications, including two castles, in the 16th century. As one of the most important centers of Protestant Reformation
in the country, the town belonged to the Protestant "League of Seven Mining Towns" together with Banská Belá
, Banská Bystrica
, Kremnica
, Ľubietová
, Nová Baňa
, and Pukanec
.
The town was also a foremost center of innovation in mining industry. In 1627, gun powder was used here for the first time in the world in a mine. To drain water from the flooded mines, a sophisticated system of water reservoirs and channels, known as tajchy
, was designed and built by the local scientists Jozef Karol Hell
, Maximilian Hell
, and Samuel Mikovíny
in the 18th century. Tajchy not only saved the mines from being closed, but also provided energy for the early industrialization. In 1735, the first mining school in the Kingdom of Hungary
was founded there by Samuel Mikovíny. In the years 1762-1770, the Hofkammer in Vienna
, with support from Queen Maria Theresa
, transformed the school into the famous Mining Academy, creating the first technical university in the world. In 1919, after the creation of Czechoslovakia
, the Academy was moved to Sopron
in Hungary
. The student traditions of the Academy are still living in the "successors": University of Miskolc
, and colleges in Sopron, Székesfehérvár
, and Dunaújváros
.
In 1782, Banská Štiavnica was the third biggest town in the Kingdom of Hungary (with 23,192 or incl. suburbs 40,000 inhabitants), after Pozsony
(today Bratislava
) and Debrecen
. But the town’s development was too closely linked to the mining activity which had been progressively declining since the second half of the 19th century. Nowadays, Banská Štiavnica is an important center of recreation and tourism, benefiting from its rich historical heritage.
The heart of the town is the historical Trinity Square dominated by a monumental plague column
. The square is used for frequent cultural events and there is also a mineralogical museum. Two castles, the so called “old” one (Slovak: Starý zámok) and “new” one (Slovak: Nový zámok
), have been transformed into museums.
The open air mining museum offers a two kilometers long underground excursion in mines dated to the 17th century. Another ancient mine open to the public (Slovak: Glanzenberg) is even older. This mine, situated just under the center of the town, has attracted numerous famous visitors, from Emperor Joseph II
to Prince Albert of Monaco
.
The town is surrounded by ancient artificial mining water reservoirs called tajchy
. Sixty reservoirs were built in the 15th through 18th centuries in order to provide energy for the booming mining industry. They are connected by a more than 100-kilometres long network of channels. These extraordinary historical monuments are now used mainly for recreation.
, 93.9% of inhabitants were Slovaks
and 2% Roma people. Many people are descendants of the Carpathian Germans
, who played a very important role in the medieval history of the town. The religious makeup was 65% Roman Catholics, 18.9% people with no religious affiliation, and 7.6% Lutherans.
Moravská Třebová
, Czech Republic
Ptuj
, Slovenia
Soragna
, Italy
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
, in the middle of an immense caldera
Caldera
A caldera is a cauldron-like volcanic feature usually formed by the collapse of land following a volcanic eruption, such as the one at Yellowstone National Park in the US. They are sometimes confused with volcanic craters...
created by the collapse of an ancient volcano. For its size, the caldera is known as Štiavnica Mountains
Štiavnica Mountains
The Štiavnica Mountains are a volcanic mountain range southern central Slovakia. They are part of Inner Western Carpathians and the Slovenské stredohorie Mountains...
. Banská Štiavnica has a population of more than 10,000. It is a completely preserved medieval town. Because of their historical value, the town and its surroundings were proclaimed by the UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
to be a World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
on December 11, 1993.
History
The fate of Banská Štiavnica has been closely linked to the exploitation of its abundant resources of silverSilver
Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal...
ore. According to evidence from excavations, the site was settled during the Neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
period.
The first mining settlement was founded by Huns
Huns
The Huns were a group of nomadic people who, appearing from east of the Volga River, migrated into Europe c. AD 370 and established the vast Hunnic Empire there. Since de Guignes linked them with the Xiongnu, who had been northern neighbours of China 300 years prior to the emergence of the Huns,...
in the 3rd century BC. It was probably occupied by the Huns
Huns
The Huns were a group of nomadic people who, appearing from east of the Volga River, migrated into Europe c. AD 370 and established the vast Hunnic Empire there. Since de Guignes linked them with the Xiongnu, who had been northern neighbours of China 300 years prior to the emergence of the Huns,...
tribe. Roman
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
authors mentioned mining activities of the Huns, who had lived in present-day central Slovakia until they were deported to Pannonia within the Marcomannic Wars
Marcomannic Wars
The Marcomannic Wars were a series of wars lasting over a dozen years from about AD 166 until 180. These wars pitted the Roman Empire against the Marcomanni, Quadi and other Germanic peoples, along both sides of the upper and middle Danube...
by Rome. The site was also settled by early Slavs and a Slavic fortified settlement was situated here in the 10th and 11th century.
In the High and Late Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, the town was the main producer of silver and gold in the Kingdom of Hungary
Kingdom of Hungary
The Kingdom of Hungary comprised present-day Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia , Transylvania , Carpatho Ruthenia , Vojvodina , Burgenland , and other smaller territories surrounding present-day Hungary's borders...
. The town was called “terra banensium” (the land of miners) as early as in 1156. The original Hungarian population was joined by skilled German
Carpathian Germans
Carpathian Germans , sometimes simply called Slovak Germans , are a group of German language speakers on the territory of present-day Slovakia...
settlers who started arriving in the 13th century. Banská Štiavnica gained the status of a royal town in 1238, as one of the first towns in the Kingdom of Hungary.
During the Ottoman Wars
Ottoman wars in Europe
The wars of the Ottoman Empire in Europe are also sometimes referred to as the Ottoman Wars or as Turkish Wars, particularly in older, European texts.- Rise :...
, the Turks made concerted efforts to conquer rich mining towns in Upper Hungary
Upper Hungary
Upper Hungary is the usual English translation for the area that was historically the northern part of the Kingdom of Hungary, now mostly present-day Slovakia...
(Banská Štiavnica, Banská Bystrica
Banská Bystrica
Banská Bystrica is a key city in central Slovakia located on the Hron River in a long and wide valley encircled by the mountain chains of the Low Tatras, the Veľká Fatra, and the Kremnica Mountains. With 81,281 inhabitants, Banská Bystrica is the sixth most populous municipality in Slovakia...
, and Kremnica
Kremnica
Kremnica is a town in central Slovakia. It has some 5,700 inhabitants. The well-preserved medieval town built above important gold mines is the site of the oldest still-working mint in the world.-History:...
). This new threat led Banská Štiavnica to build powerful fortifications, including two castles, in the 16th century. As one of the most important centers of Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
in the country, the town belonged to the Protestant "League of Seven Mining Towns" together with Banská Belá
Banská Belá
Banská Belá is a village and municipality in Banská Štiavnica District, in the Banská Bystrica Region of central Slovakia. It has a population of 1,234.-History:...
, Banská Bystrica
Banská Bystrica
Banská Bystrica is a key city in central Slovakia located on the Hron River in a long and wide valley encircled by the mountain chains of the Low Tatras, the Veľká Fatra, and the Kremnica Mountains. With 81,281 inhabitants, Banská Bystrica is the sixth most populous municipality in Slovakia...
, Kremnica
Kremnica
Kremnica is a town in central Slovakia. It has some 5,700 inhabitants. The well-preserved medieval town built above important gold mines is the site of the oldest still-working mint in the world.-History:...
, Ľubietová
Lubietová
Ľubietová is a village in central Slovakia. Originally an ancient mining town, it is known for precious minerals. It has less than 1,000 inhabitants.-Geography:...
, Nová Baňa
Nová Bana
Nová Baňa is a small town in the west of central Slovakia and the largest town of the Žarnovica District, located in the Banská Bystrica Region.- Geography :...
, and Pukanec
Pukanec
Pukanec anz, ; ) is a village and municipality in the Levice District in the Nitra Region of southern Slovakia.-History:In the past, it was one of the nine free royal mining towns, where silver and other precious ore was mined....
.
The town was also a foremost center of innovation in mining industry. In 1627, gun powder was used here for the first time in the world in a mine. To drain water from the flooded mines, a sophisticated system of water reservoirs and channels, known as tajchy
Tajchy
Tajchy are artificial water reservoirs in the Štiavnica Mountains, in central Slovakia. Most of them were built in order to provide energy for the silver mines of Banská Štiavnica in the 18th century. At their height, tajchy comprised a sophisticated system of 60 reservoirs, connected to each...
, was designed and built by the local scientists Jozef Karol Hell
Jozef Karol Hell
Jozef Karol Hell was a Hungarian mining engineer and inventor, who invented the water-pillar in 1749 . It is mainly used today for oil extraction...
, Maximilian Hell
Maximilian Hell
Maximilian Hell, S.J. was a Hungarian astronomer and an ordained Jesuit priest from the Kingdom of Hungary.- Biography :...
, and Samuel Mikovíny
Samuel Mikovíny
Samuel Mikovíny or Mikoviny Sámuel was a renowned Hungarian mathematician, engineer, map maker, and professor. He was a leading representative of science and technology in the 18th century Kingdom of Hungary and Habsburg Monarchy...
in the 18th century. Tajchy not only saved the mines from being closed, but also provided energy for the early industrialization. In 1735, the first mining school in the Kingdom of Hungary
Kingdom of Hungary
The Kingdom of Hungary comprised present-day Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia , Transylvania , Carpatho Ruthenia , Vojvodina , Burgenland , and other smaller territories surrounding present-day Hungary's borders...
was founded there by Samuel Mikovíny. In the years 1762-1770, the Hofkammer in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, with support from Queen Maria Theresa
Maria Theresa of Austria
Maria Theresa Walburga Amalia Christina was the only female ruler of the Habsburg dominions and the last of the House of Habsburg. She was the sovereign of Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Bohemia, Mantua, Milan, Lodomeria and Galicia, the Austrian Netherlands and Parma...
, transformed the school into the famous Mining Academy, creating the first technical university in the world. In 1919, after the creation of Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
, the Academy was moved to Sopron
Sopron
In 1910 Sopron had 33,932 inhabitants . Religions: 64.1% Roman Catholic, 27.8% Lutheran, 6.6% Jewish, 1.2% Calvinist, 0.3% other. In 2001 the city had 56,125 inhabitants...
in Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
. The student traditions of the Academy are still living in the "successors": University of Miskolc
Miskolc
Miskolc is a city in northeastern Hungary, mainly with heavy industrial background. With a population close to 170,000 Miskolc is the fourth largest city of Hungary It is also the county capital of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén and the regional centre of Northern Hungary.- Geography :Miskolc is located...
, and colleges in Sopron, Székesfehérvár
Székesfehérvár
Székesfehérvár is a city in central Hungary and is the 9th largest in the country. Located around southwest of Budapest. It is inhabited by 101,973 people , with 136,995 in the Székesfehérvár Subregion. The city is the centre of Fejér county and the regional centre of Central Transdanubia...
, and Dunaújváros
Dunaújváros
Dunaújváros is a Hungarian city in Central Transdanubia, along the Danube river. It is in Fejér county.-History:Dunaújváros is one of the newest cities of the country...
.
In 1782, Banská Štiavnica was the third biggest town in the Kingdom of Hungary (with 23,192 or incl. suburbs 40,000 inhabitants), after Pozsony
Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...
(today Bratislava
Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...
) and Debrecen
Debrecen
Debrecen , is the second largest city in Hungary after Budapest. Debrecen is the regional centre of the Northern Great Plain region and the seat of Hajdú-Bihar county.- Name :...
. But the town’s development was too closely linked to the mining activity which had been progressively declining since the second half of the 19th century. Nowadays, Banská Štiavnica is an important center of recreation and tourism, benefiting from its rich historical heritage.
Landmarks
- See: Town hall in Banská ŠtiavnicaTown hall in Banska StiavnicaThe town hall in Banská Štiavnica existed in the 14th century, as a ground floor house in Gothic style, with the name "Stuba Praetoriana" or "Stuba Judicis". Between 1507 and 1679 it was modified and extended in Renaissance style. The Chapel of St...
The heart of the town is the historical Trinity Square dominated by a monumental plague column
Marian and Holy Trinity columns
Marian columns are religious monuments built in honour of the Virgin Mary, often in thanksgiving for the ending of a plague or for some other help. The purpose of the Holy Trinity columns was usually simply to celebrate the church and the faith. However, the plague motif could sometimes play its...
. The square is used for frequent cultural events and there is also a mineralogical museum. Two castles, the so called “old” one (Slovak: Starý zámok) and “new” one (Slovak: Nový zámok
Nový zámok
Nový zámok is a castle in Banská Štiavnica, Slovakia.-History:New Castle - a national cultural monument - is a six-floor Renaissance building with four bastions. It was constructed in 1564-1571 as a watch tower during the Ottoman wars...
), have been transformed into museums.
The open air mining museum offers a two kilometers long underground excursion in mines dated to the 17th century. Another ancient mine open to the public (Slovak: Glanzenberg) is even older. This mine, situated just under the center of the town, has attracted numerous famous visitors, from Emperor Joseph II
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Joseph II was Holy Roman Emperor from 1765 to 1790 and ruler of the Habsburg lands from 1780 to 1790. He was the eldest son of Empress Maria Theresa and her husband, Francis I...
to Prince Albert of Monaco
Albert II, Prince of Monaco
Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco is the head of the House of Grimaldi and the ruler of the Principality of Monaco. He is the son of Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, and the American actress Grace Kelly...
.
The town is surrounded by ancient artificial mining water reservoirs called tajchy
Tajchy
Tajchy are artificial water reservoirs in the Štiavnica Mountains, in central Slovakia. Most of them were built in order to provide energy for the silver mines of Banská Štiavnica in the 18th century. At their height, tajchy comprised a sophisticated system of 60 reservoirs, connected to each...
. Sixty reservoirs were built in the 15th through 18th centuries in order to provide energy for the booming mining industry. They are connected by a more than 100-kilometres long network of channels. These extraordinary historical monuments are now used mainly for recreation.
Demographics
Banská Štiavnica has a population of 10,674 (as of December 31, 2005). According to the 2001 censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, 93.9% of inhabitants were Slovaks
Slovaks
The Slovaks, Slovak people, or Slovakians are a West Slavic people that primarily inhabit Slovakia and speak the Slovak language, which is closely related to the Czech language.Most Slovaks today live within the borders of the independent Slovakia...
and 2% Roma people. Many people are descendants of the Carpathian Germans
Carpathian Germans
Carpathian Germans , sometimes simply called Slovak Germans , are a group of German language speakers on the territory of present-day Slovakia...
, who played a very important role in the medieval history of the town. The religious makeup was 65% Roman Catholics, 18.9% people with no religious affiliation, and 7.6% Lutherans.
Famous people
- Ulrika BabiakováUlrika BabiakováUlrika Babiaková was a Slovak astronomer from Banská Štiavnica who discovered or co-discovered twelve asteroids.-References:...
, (slovak)astronomer - Jozef Karol HellJozef Karol HellJozef Karol Hell was a Hungarian mining engineer and inventor, who invented the water-pillar in 1749 . It is mainly used today for oil extraction...
,(Hungarian) inventor and mining engineer - Maximilian HellMaximilian HellMaximilian Hell, S.J. was a Hungarian astronomer and an ordained Jesuit priest from the Kingdom of Hungary.- Biography :...
, (Hungarian) astronomer - Dezo HoffmannDezo HoffmannDezider Hoffmann was a Slovak photographer, photojournalist and cameraman from Czechoslovakia...
, (Hungarian) photographer - Anton HykischAnton HykischAnton Hykisch is a Slovak writer, politician and diplomat. Hykisch was a member of the Slovak National Assembly from 1990 to 1992 and the first Slovak ambassador to Canada from 1993 to 1997....
, slovak writer, diplomat and politician - Nikolaus Joseph von JacquinNikolaus Joseph von JacquinNikolaus Joseph Freiherr von Jacquin or Baron Nikolaus von Jacquin. was a scientist who studied medicine, chemistry and botany....
, (Dutch) scientist - Andrej KmeťAndrej KmetAndrej Kmeť Andrej Kmeť Andrej Kmeť (November 19, 1841, Szénásfalu, Kingdom of Hungary (today Bzenica, Slovakia) - February 16, 1908, Turócszentmárton (today Martin, Slovakia) was a Slovak botanist, ethnographer, archaeologist, and geologist. He identified several new species of plants and created...
, slovak scientist - Domokos KosáryDomokos KosáryDomokos Kosáry was a Hungarian historian and writer who served as president of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences from 1990 until 1996....
, (Hungarian) historian - Ľudovít LačnýLudovít LacnýĽudovít Lačný is a Slovak chess problem composer and judge.He was born in Banská Štiavnica and studied mathematics, working as a teacher, and as a computer programmer....
, slovak chess problemChess problemA chess problem, also called a chess composition, is a puzzle set by somebody using chess pieces on a chess board, that presents the solver with a particular task to be achieved. For instance, a position might be given with the instruction that White is to move first, and checkmate Black in two...
composer - Master MSMaster MSMaster M. S. was a 16th century painter who specialized in late Gothic art and in early Renaissance art.He was active in Banská Štiavnica and probably led a workshop there. Since his true name is unknown, he is sometimes identified with various other Gothic "masters"...
(Sebestyén), (Hungarian) painter - Samuel MikovínySamuel MikovínySamuel Mikovíny or Mikoviny Sámuel was a renowned Hungarian mathematician, engineer, map maker, and professor. He was a leading representative of science and technology in the 18th century Kingdom of Hungary and Habsburg Monarchy...
, (Hungarian) mathematician, engineer, and cartographer - Alexander PitukAlexander PitukAlexander Pituk was a Slovak and Hungarian chess problem composer and judge.He resided all his life in Banská Štiavnica and worked as a carpenter...
, (Hungarian) chess problem composer - Emília VášáryováEmília VášáryováEmília Vášáryová is a Slovak stage and screen actress, referred to as the First Lady of Slovak Theater. During her over five decades long career, she has received numerous awards including the Meritorious Artist , Alfréd Radok Award , Czech Lion Award Golden Globet Award , and most recently the...
, slovak movie and stage actress - Magda Vášáryová, slovak actress and diplomat
Twin towns — Sister cities
Banská Štiavnica has four sister cities: Huenenberg, SwitzerlandSwitzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
Moravská Třebová
Moravská Trebová
Moravská Třebová is a town in the Svitavy District and lies in the Pardubice Region, Czech Republic. It has around 11,300 inhabitants.Moravská Třebová is located on the Třebůvka River in the landscape of the "Schönhengstgau"....
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
Ptuj
Ptuj
Ptuj is a city and one of 11 urban municipalities in Slovenia. Traditionally the area was part of the Lower Styria region. The municipality is now included in the Podravje statistical region...
, Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
Soragna
Soragna
Soragna is a town and comune in the province of Parma of northern Italy with a population of about 4,800.The town is known from 712, when it was mentioned in a document by the Lombard king Liutprand...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...