Discover Banská Štiavnica 2026

Once the most important silver and gold mining town of the Kingdom of Hungary, its historic center and the surrounding artificial water reservoirs, known as tajchy, preserve an exceptionally complete record of pre-industrial mining technology.

The 18th-century Baroque calvary, with its 23 chapels along a steep pilgrimage path, ranks among the most impressive sacred building ensembles in Central Europe and offers a wide view over the mining town from its summit.

The Old Castle grew out of an original Romanesque church, while the slender white tower of the New Castle was built in the 16th century specifically to defend against Ottoman attacks; both still shape the town's skyline today.

The ingenious 18th-century system of artificial ponds and water channels once supplied power to the mines and now serves as a popular local recreation area for hiking and swimming around the town.

From Bratislava, Banská Štiavnica is reached by car or bus via Zvolen in about two and a half to three hours, since the town has no rail connection of its own.

Once the most important silver and gold mining town of the Kingdom of Hungary, its historic center and the surrounding artificial water reservoirs, known as tajchy, preserve an exceptionally complete record of pre-industrial mining technology.

The 18th-century Baroque calvary, with its 23 chapels along a steep pilgrimage path, ranks among the most impressive sacred building ensembles in Central Europe and offers a wide view over the mining town from its summit.

The Old Castle grew out of an original Romanesque church, while the slender white tower of the New Castle was built in the 16th century specifically to defend against Ottoman attacks; both still shape the town's skyline today.