Sacral monuments and pilgrimage sites Dekýš

Kalvária v Banskej Štiavnici is an impressive Baroque sacred complex ranking among the most beautiful in all of Europe. It is situated on Scharffenberg hill, translated as Ostrý vrch, at an altitude of 726 m above sea level. It was created at a time when Banská Štiavnica belonged to the largest and most important free royal towns in the Kingdom of Hungary. It was precisely these favorable economic conditions that drove the development of the town culturally as well. Thanks to this, Kalvária Banská Štiavnica was built on the initiative of the Jesuit František Perger.

The foundation stone of the Horný kostol, one of the 22 structures of the calvary, was laid and solemnly blessed on September 14, 1744. The church, also referred to as the "German" church, was completed in 1745, when it was also consecrated. The rest of the complex was gradually built and subsequently consecrated as well. It took seven years, exactly until September 14, 1751. The construction was made possible thanks to financial donations from townspeople. The most prominent among them have their coats of arms placed on the facades of the chapels. On Trinity Sunday in 1751, the calvary was even visited by Emperor Francis Stephen of Lorraine himself.

Despite the construction of the calvary during the peak of the Baroque period, the structures maintained appropriate restraint. Their appearance was not distracting and primarily encouraged the inner reflection and contemplation of pilgrims. The entire complex consists of 17 stations (chapels), 3 churches (Dolný kostol, Sväté schody, Horný kostol), the Ecce Homo station (dungeon), and the Holy Sepulchre (Svätý hrob). The chapels are characterized by an unusual arrangement, as the story of Jesus begins in Nazareth. This is precisely what makes the Banská Štiavnica calvary exceptional.

The first three chapels are preparatory, leading to Dolný kostol. From there, the path continues to the seventh chapel and subsequently to Sväté schody, from where the path forks. The chapels on the left side depict the condemnation and torture of Jesus, ending with the scene of his crucifixion in Horný kostol. You walk around Svätý hrob and return along the other side, where the chapels depict the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary. The statuary of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows is the culmination of the entire pilgrimage, located down below again, near Dolný kostol.

As is often the case with buildings, they require reconstruction over time, and the Banská Štiavnica calvary was no exception. The chapels were reconstructed for the first time in 1894. When the coup came in 1948, the ownership of the calvary passed to the state, which resulted in its gradual deterioration. Between 1978 and 1981, the state funded repairs that were mostly carried out by volunteers from the ranks of local believers. The Velvet Revolution probably had the greatest impact on the calvary; its decorations were stolen and subsequently sold off, and the buildings were devastated. What could be saved was relocated to Slovenské banské múzeum located at Starý zámok. Currently, visitors can view these items during the "Kalvária v azyle" exhibition. In 1993, Banská Štiavnica along with the calvary was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The year 2007 was marked by the calvary's inclusion in the list of the 100 most endangered monuments in the world. It was threatened with complete destruction, but since 2008, an extensive reconstruction has been underway to save this unique place. The buildings are being gradually restored; the reconstruction of Dolný kostol was completed first in 2013, followed by some chapels, the amphitheater, sculptural production, and in 2018, Horný kostol as well.

The calvary is among the popular spots in Banská Štiavnica. However, it is not visited only by believers, although pilgrimages, Holy Masses, or various other cultural events are often held here. Tourists are also interested in the history of the site, its flawless architectural design, the painting and artistic craft underlining the details, as well as the overall setting of the location into the natural environment, with which it creates perfect harmony. If you wish to visit this monument, on our website you will find truly beautiful accommodation near Kalvária v Banskej Štiavnici. Book lodging on the page accommodation Banská Štiavnica and come to experience the unique atmosphere of this magical place and the entire mining town firsthand. You will certainly appreciate our tips for trips and attractions in Banská Štiavnica.

The Benediktínsky kláštor monastery represents a magnificent complex of fortified sacral buildings. It is situated in the village of Hronský Beňadik, in the Žarnovica district. The monastery site extends in the valley of the Hron river, on the southern foothills of Pohronský Inovec. Due to its uniqueness, the monastery has been declared a national cultural monument and one of the seven wonders of the Banskobystrický region. Visitors are awed not only by its monumentality, but also by the combination of sacral and defensive structures and the blending of various architectural styles. The premises of the historical building offer the opportunity to visit a rare basilica, a chapel, a reconstructed part of the granary with a historical exhibition, and the monastery tea room.

The Benediktínske opátstvo abbey was solemnly consecrated as early as 1075. The construction of today's building complex was carried out in the mid-14th century. A Gothic church with a triple sanctuary and the monastic part were built. Decades later, a three-aisled nave, two towers, and a Late Gothic entrance portal were added. At that time, the monastery was complemented by the entire southern wing. The year 1483 was significant when the monastery received a rare relic of the blood of Christ from King Matej I. It is said to be a piece of the cloth with which Veronica wiped Jesus' face during the Way of the Cross. In 1508, the so-called abbatial wing was added to the complex, and a monastic garden was built in the middle of the monastery. In subsequent years, the Kaplnka sv. Krvi chapel was completed.

The early 16th century was closely intertwined with Ottoman invasions. Subsequent architectural modifications of the monastery therefore meant its gradual fortification. Ultimately, both the monastery and the church were rebuilt into a Renaissance fortress. Massive walls and cannon bastions suddenly became part of the complex. In the following years, the monastery building was part of a system of fortresses providing protection to central Slovakia. The Turkish raids significantly damaged the rare architecture. As part of the reconstruction, a large granary was built on the site of the collapsed wing.

Currently, the central part of the building system is formed by the so-called paradise courtyard. It is surrounded by monastic buildings and the temple church, which was elevated to the minor basilica of Bazilika minor sv. Benedikta by Pope František in 2019. It represents a magnificent three-aisled structure with a Gothic entrance portal. The facade with a pair of towers dominates the church. On its southern side, the original Late Gothic Kaplnka sv. Krvi chapel from 1489 is still located today. The furnishings of the church are relatively modest today. Three sculptures of the main altar, the relic of the blood of Christ, a Baroque baptismal font, and the crypt of the Koháry family have been preserved from the original equipment. A very rare monument is the organ from 1714.

Inside the monastic buildings, the huge interior of the granary is accessible to visitors. Just one floor of the four-story space has an amazing area of 800 m2. On the ground floor, an exhibition introducing the history of the St. Benedict abbey to the public is situated. A unique space for relaxation and refreshment is the rare monastery tea room. Its tasteful premises offer not only a pleasant sit-down over a cup of herbal tea, but also the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of the ancient monastery. You can take a tour of the complex individually or with a guide for a symbolic fee.

You can make your journey into the history of this architectural gem of Pohronie more pleasant by a trip to the nearby Starohutský vodopád waterfall or by visiting the interesting interactive information center Energoland located in Kalná nad Hronom. We also recommend relaxation by the nearby Tajch water reservoir and, for horse lovers, a visit to the National Stud Farm in Topoľčianky. And when you find that one day in this region is simply not enough, look for accommodation in the vicinity of the Benediktínske kláštor monastery on our portal. Accommodation in Hronský Beňadik and surrounding areas will certainly not disappoint you with its offer. Alternatively, you can also choose nearby accommodation in Žarnovica. Even in this case, you will not be far from local attractions.