economy
Once the Richest City in Europe Has 60 Lakes
The most fascinating cities in Central Europe are certainly Prague, Budapest, and Krakow, but Banská Štiavnica, located in Slovakia.
TL;DR
- Banská Štiavnica is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Slovakia, known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and historical gold and silver mines.
- The town is located in the depression of an ancient volcano, earning it descriptions like 'hidden gem inside a volcano' and 'silver town with 60 lakes'.
- It was a significant economic center, documented as 'Terra banensium' (land of miners) in 1156, and was among the first in Europe to use early steam engines for mine drainage.
- Banská Štiavnica established a mining school in 1735 and a mining academy in 1762, considered the world's first technical university.
- Key landmarks include the Holy Trinity Square with a baroque tower, a 14th-century Gothic town hall, two castles (Old and New), and the baroque Calvary complex.
- An extensive system of artificial reservoirs, canals, and dams, built starting in the 16th century, supplied both the mining industry and the town with water.
- By the 19th century, it was a technologically advanced mining center, often compared to a Silicon Valley of its time, with museums dedicated to its mining history.