Banská Štiavnica – mining landscape

Banská Štiavnica – mining landscape

This excursion is an excellent study case for landscape ecologists, showcasing changes of landscape in time.

The historic town of Banská Štiavnica is in central Slovakia, in an extinct volcano. The Technical Monuments in city and in its vicinity is an outstanding example of an important mining settlement that has developed since the Middle Ages to the present. It is one of the oldest and most famous mining towns in Europe, was established in the 13th century, although evidence of mining dates to the late Bronze Age. It is characterized by the grand Late Gothic and Renaissance burgher houses, the town hall, and the Late Gothic Church of Saint Catherine and others.

The establishment of the first Mining and Forestry Academy in Europe in 1762 demonstrates the importance of this town as a centre for the education of mining experts. Surviving technical works and landscape components include shafts, tunnels, mining towers, a knocking tower, and a sophisticated water management system. The system of artificially built water reservoirs – ponds and collecting ditches – built in the 16th century and developed in the 18th century, served the needs of the mining industry and provided fresh drinking water for the town. It was the most modern work in the world of its type until the 19th century.

The urban centre of Banská Štiavnica as well as the surrounding landscape featuring vital relics of the mining and metallurgical activities of the past, especially gold and silver mining offer landscape ecologists a glimpse into the history of the development of this unique region which is on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List.

The Banská Štiavnica and selected technical monuments tour offers a captivating journey blending history, mining and landscape heritage. It starts with a journey from Bratislava by bus to Banská Štiavnica centre.

The excursion includes a tour of the city, an explanation of the mining landscape with examples of characteristic landscape and urban elements.

The excursion will start with a city tour and then we will move to the Bartolomej tunnel where we will “mine” like real miners. We will put on a coat, receive a helmet, a flashlight and enter the underground with a guide. Visitors will see a horse-powered “gapel”, which is the only such machine preserved in the underground. The gapel is a transmission mechanism (a huge winding wheel) that moved horses that walked around all the time. The total length of the route is about 1300 meters and can be walked in about 90 minutes. Warm clothing and waterproof footwear are required.

The excursion will continue with a walk to Lake Tajch with views of the city and an explanation of the unique water management system.

Tajchs were built mainly in the 18th century and were designed to accumulate water which then flowed to the water wheels. Today, we could also call them climate change adaptation measures.

The excursion includes lunch in a restaurant and it ends in Bratislava where we will travel by bus.