Museums and galleries Banská Štiavnica

In the historically significant town of Banská Štiavnica, you will find a unique museum. Since 1900, it has been the only museum of its kind that showcases mining, its past, development, and constantly improved technologies. Come and take a look inside the museum with a history spanning over 120 years and discover mining science.

By your visit, return to the times when Slovakia was a global superpower, famous for the extraction of precious and base metals, advanced technology, and vocational education that made not only our country famous, but also the beautiful town of Banská Štiavnica. The main headquarters of the mining museum is a national cultural monument, the Kammerhof building. The largest landmark of the historically significant town dates back to the 13th century. It was once the seat of prominent counts and the mining directorate. The Slovenské banské múzeum will introduce you to 8 unique exhibitions in various locations, featuring mineralogical-deposit, art-historical, archaeological, numismatic, and ethnographic collections and funds. The main exhibition Kammerhof is not only about mining technology, but presents all activities, from the simplest to the most complex, related to mining. We recommend visiting it first among the other exhibitions. It will introduce you to this significant industry and its development from the oldest archaeological inventions to the 20th century.

The Banské múzeum v prírode, which is the oldest mining exhibition, will introduce you to extraction and mining from the Middle Ages to the end of the 20th century. The engaging commentary will captivate both young and old. Nový zámok and its exhibition will present you with interesting artifacts such as weapons of the Hungarian and Turkish armies, shooting targets, or paintings and the life of the Koháryovci family, which supported the fight against the Turks. The Starý zámok exhibition offers a tour of the castle grounds even without a guide and portrays mining in its archaeological exhibition titled „Baníci prichádzajú...“. Unique finds of jewelry or inventions will take you back to the pre-Christian era. Through its collections, Galéria Jozefa Kollára showcases the works and art of this artist from the 13th century to the present. Rare works depicting mining activities confirm the significance of the Banská Štiavnica region in this sector. The Berggerricht exhibition is a display venue for over 400 various and rare mineral species from around the world. In the courtyard, you will find the štôlňa Michal, where you can get acquainted with support methods and mining carts once used. Glanzerberg, which is another exhibition site, is an accessible section of an adit ending at a depth of 32 m, with a length of 500 m. At the same time, it is an important site that records the most important visits to the town. The last of the 8 exhibitions is the museum in Handlová focused on industrial brown coal mining.

Banská Štiavnica is also attractive for non-mining points of interest. Get closer to the work of the famous poet Andrej Sládkovič, whose verses are concealed by Banka Lásky – Dom Sládkovičovej Maríny. Is there still a playful child inside you? Then we have a great tip for you. Young and old are welcomed by the creative workshop Terra Permonia, where you certainly won't get bored. Book your accommodation in the vicinity of the Slovenské banské múzeum. Whether you choose a cozy apartment or a picturesque cottage, we believe you will fully enjoy your visit to Banská Štiavnica.

If you like art and find yourself in Banská Štiavnica, we invite you to Galéria Jozefa Kollára, which bears the name of an important native of Banská Štiavnica and representative of Slovak fine art modernism. The gallery is housed in three townhouses in the city center, on Námestie Svätej Trojice. The most valuable exhibits you can see here are two Late Gothic wooden sculptures of St. Barbara and St. Catherine. Their author is the mysterious master "M. S.".

Galéria Jozefa Kollára is a collection-building gallery, meaning it collects, processes, and makes works accessible to the general public. In its collections, you will find artwork from the 13th century to the present day. The permanent exhibition offers a tour of rare works with a mining theme, testifying to the historical and socio-economic importance of this region. The art-historical collection of the gallery features as many as 4,600 exhibits. The gallery is among the "green" institutions and also presents works of art that deal with global warming, nature conservation, or the ecological and sustainable human footprint in the landscape.

Be sure to also view the works of Edmund Gwerk, who captures the landscape from its harsher side in his paintings. In his work, he uses impressive figural compositions that record not only the dramatic atmosphere of the era, but also the specificity of the mining region. In addition to the permanent exhibition, the gallery also collaborates with young artists and presents their work through solo and group exhibitions. During your visit to the gallery, you can also admire the tasteful architecture of the building, courtyards, and unusual corners. The gallery is open from Wednesday to Sunday, between 09:00 and 17:00.

After a great cultural experience, set off for another in the form of a proper adventure and jump into searching for treasure! It was hidden in the depths of the city by the famous polymath and cartographer Samuel Mikovíni. While completing original tasks in the City Game, you will get to know many hidden nooks and interesting streets. Exploring Banská Štiavnica in one day is certainly impossible, so stay longer and discover other great attractions in the surroundings. A rich offer of accommodation near Galéria Jozefa Kollára can be found on our page accommodation Banská Štiavnica. We wish you a successful holiday full of exceptional experiences.

Štôlňa Glanzenberg is located in the oldest mining town in Slovakia, Banská Štiavnica. Its name is derived from the German word "glänzen", which translates as to shine or sparkle. This hereditary (drainage) adit is one of the oldest mining adits in this region. Did you know that the term hereditary comes from the fact that it was constructed by several generations of miners?

The history of Banská Štiavnica is very closely tied to the extraction of precious ores and non-ferrous metals, which were mined here for over a thousand years. The oldest written mention of the adit dates back to 1560. You will find the adit, which originally measured up to 16 km, near the Monument to the Fallen Heroes of World War II, in the park on Kammerhofská ulica. Its main function was the mining of gold-silver ores on the Špitaler vein. In a later period, it served for transport, ventilation, and the descent of technicians.

The opened section, which ends at the Kaufhaus shaft, has a depth of 32 m and a length of 500 m. Štôlňa Glanzenberg was made famous by several visits from monarchs and emperors of the Viennese court. In 1751, it was visited by Crown Prince Francis Stephen of Lorraine (husband of Maria Theresa), who later became Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. The last significant descent was made by Emperor Franz Joseph I on July 7, 1852. At the end of the accessible section, there are the "imperial stairs" connecting the Kaufhaus shaft with the Horna Svätotrojičná štôlňa adit excavated below. At this location, you will find commemorative plaques installed in their honor.

The tour of the adit can be taken by adults and children over 6 years of age. Before entry, museum staff will equip you with a protective coat, helmet, and flashlight, as the adit premises are not illuminated. The total tour time is approximately 90 minutes. The adit can be visited from spring to autumn, and you should always announce your visit in advance by phone. As a nice souvenir of your visit to this unique adit, you can mine a small piece of ore yourself.

After a 1.5-hour excursion in complete darkness, enjoy your time in daylight and visit the beautiful botanical garden, where you have the opportunity to discover over 200 species of domestic and exotic trees. In addition to a abundance of flora, you can also admire the historical buildings of the Mining and Forestry Academy. Take a romantic stay with your partner in Banská Štiavnica. A wide range of accommodation near the Štôlňa Glanzenberg mining adit can be found on our page for accommodation in Banská Štiavnica. Hide the symbol of your love in the world's only love vault, created from the verses of Sládkovič's Marína. In Banka lásky, a vault box is assigned to every letter, punctuation mark, and space. We wish you a wonderful stay full of exceptional moments.

In the picturesque nature of Štiavnické vrchy, you can find a small treasure. It is hidden on the steep slope of the village of Štiavnické Bane, offering a stunning view of the surrounding area. Visit the circular Bašta Štiavnické Bane, which is one of the popular tourist attractions in this region.

Bašta v Štiavnických Baniach was once part of the defense system of the anti-Turkish fortifications. Today, it is one of the restored attractions of the village. This is mainly because the original bastion underwent reconstruction, and its founder built a museum inside dedicated to Maximilián Hell, a native of the village. During the tour, as part of one of the two exhibition sections, you can view information panels concerning, for example, the first observatory in Slovakia founded in 1878, the first mine surveying office, or the first school or hospital established in this mining region. On the next two floors, you will also take a look at significant milestones of the village. The second part of the exhibition is dedicated to the life and work of the aforementioned Catholic priest, Jesuit, astronomer, mathematician, and physicist Maximilián Hell.

The museum is open on weekdays (except Monday). A set of 175 wooden steps will lead you to it. In addition to regular tours, guided visits combined with sky observation are organized twice a year. This is possible thanks to a professional telescope that the village purchased for the exhibition. Naturally, an expert is also invited to these events.

If you would like to enrich your trip with other interesting places, we recommend visiting the beauty of Prírodný park AVES. If you visit this region in summer, there is an opportunity to swim in the surrounding tajchy artificial lakes. The closest to the bastion is Veľké Richnavské jazero. You can visit Škola v múzeu not only with children. With a headlamp on your head, you can explore Banské múzeum v prírode - Banská Štiavnica. After a continuous layer of snow falls, you can ski on the slopes of the popular Salamandra Ski Resort.

Don't feel like rushing back home? Stay longer and book accommodation near Bašta Štiavnické Bane. There is a choice of many apartments or smaller cottages in Štiavnické Bane. It only depends on your preferences which accommodation you choose. We will be happy to help you with your choice.

Baňa Starovšechsvätých v Hodruši-Hámroch represents one of the oldest and best-preserved mining monuments in the region of Central Slovak mining towns, revealing to visitors an authentic underground world unchanged for centuries.

The site is located in the village of Hodruša-Hámre, in the Žarnovica district, within the Banská Bystrica Region. Baňa Starovšechsvätých is exceptional because it has preserved its original medieval and early modern form without significant modern interventions, allowing visitors to admire the precise work of old master miners. During the tour, you pass through narrow and low corridors that were carved by hand using a chisel and hammer, while traces of this strenuous activity are still visible on the walls today. The exhibition includes not only the mining spaces themselves, but also unique underground chambers, technical monuments, and a mining museum housed in the historic building of the knocker (klopačka). Guides, who are often former miners, enrich the commentary with expert knowledge on geology, mineralogy, and the life of the mining community in Hodruša. The atmosphere underground is enhanced by silence and a constant temperature, with the light of miners' lamps highlighting shimmering minerals in precious metal veins. Due to its authenticity and historical value, the mine forms an important pillar of education about Slovakia's technical heritage and reminds us of the importance of the Hodruša mining district for the former European economy.

What can you find here?

In the area and underground of the mine, you will find accessible historic adits, mining exhibitions with tools, and a unique exhibition of minerals and precious metals. The historic knocker building is available, housing further museum exhibits and documents on the village's history. Before entering the underground, visitors are lent a protective coat, helmet, and miner's lantern for safe movement in the corridors.

Who is the place suitable for?

The place is ideal for lovers of history, geology, and technical monuments who are looking for an authentic experience without commercial additives. It is also sought after by school groups as part of educational excursions and tourists who want to discover the true face of medieval mining. Due to the character of the underground, where there are narrow spaces and low ceilings, the visit is not recommended for people with claustrophobia, and reasonable physical mobility and sturdy footwear are required.

What can you visit in the surroundings?

Just a few kilometers from the mine lies the historic Banská Štiavnica (UNESCO) with numerous monuments, such as the Old and New Castles (Starý and Nový zámok). You can also visit nearby artificial water reservoirs known as tajchy, such as Hodrušský tajch, which offers opportunities for swimming in nature, or the picturesque village of Štiavnické Bane. For view enthusiasts, there is a hike to Mount Sitno or a visit to the Calvary in Banská Štiavnica.