Kalvária Banská Štiavnica
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.
