Beyond the mountains and valleys, there by golden Banská Štiavnica, nature was exceptionally generous, and even in the past people were able to make the most of this blessing and contribute to it themselves with their knowledge and creations. The history of mining was written here in bold, impossible-to-ignore letters, and anyone who wants to read it must come here too. It is not at all difficult to fall in love with these places, where even the author of Slovakia’s most famous love poem found his muse. This is evidenced by UNESCO’s decision to protect them, as well as by the popularity of this destination among tourists and artists. It is simply impossible to resist the perfect blend of rich history and vibrant cultural spirit embraced by beautiful nature.

Not only lovers of technical and mining monuments will find something to enjoy here, but also artists, nature lovers, and those in love.

Whichever direction you turn at the top of the Štiavnica Calvary, a truly regal view awaits you on all sides. And in the case of one of the most beautiful Baroque structures of this kind in Europe, it truly seems that everything turned out for the best. While in 2007 it was still on the list of the 100 most endangered monuments in the world, its restoration began just a year later. While at other calvaries you usually stop 14 times, at the Štiavnica one it is certainly something extra – as many as 17 stations.

Silver and gold from Štiavnica became part of foreign treasures, but their extraction also brought wealth to the region itself. While in legend it was shown to a shepherd by two lizards, today it is revealed to visitors by the local mining museums and exhibitions. If you want to learn about great pioneering achievements, be sure not to miss the land known as the Miners’ Land.

Long ago, miners set a chain of unique artificial lakes – tajchs – into the landscape. In this way, they harnessed the power of water and spared many people and horses from hard work underground. Today, people come here mainly to relax – in swimsuits, with a fishing rod, with skates, in a boat, or on a bicycle.

No matter how bad things may get in Slovakia, there will always be hope for liberation. According to legend, our saviors – the Knights of Sitno – sleep right here on the highest peak of the Štiavnica Mountains. If you feel the time has come to wake them, choose any of the paths that lead here. From the ruins of the ancient castle, you need only point them in the right direction. And besides, the views from here stretch far and wide.

The chateau in Svätý Anton will attract little and grown-up princesses alike; even a Bulgarian tsar admired it. And a real queen left a wedding gift here for her daughter. But young men will not go wrong in Anton either. A visit to the unique hunting museum is a trophy that will stay with you for a long time.