Old Castle - Banska Stiavnica

The castle complex of the Old Castle can be found in the center of Banská Štiavnica, directly above Trinity Square. His piece of Romanesque architecture can be considered the oldest preserved architectural monument in the town of Banská Štiavnica. It dates from the first years of the 13th century, when a community of miners built a large three-nave church here, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. At the end of the 15th century, the church was enlarged and fortified with walls. At the time of the Turkish danger in the middle of the 16th century, an extensive renovation of the building was carried out. At that time, the church began to function as a military fortress, and so it was until the 19th century. It is currently managed by the Slovak Mining Museum.

The expositions at the Old Castle will introduce visitors to the history of the Banská Štiavnica region. Right at the beginning of the tour, they get acquainted with the oldest history of the region through the archeological exposition Miners are coming…

Other expositions of the old chateau include Baroque sculpture, Lapidary, Himmelreich (dungeon and torture chamber), From the history of Banská Štiavnica (the oldest document issued by the town office in Slovakia), Shooting targets and historical weapons, Presentation of the most famous crafts of Banská Štiavnica (Smoking craft, Art , Historical clocks and bells)

Several interesting festivals and theater performances take place in the chateau grounds. You should not miss a visit to the Old Castle if you visit Banská Štiavnica and are among the lovers of history.