Robin's Great Adventure: Middle Slovakia: Banska Stiavnica, Sklene Teplice & Bojnice

Calvary Chapel on a hill overlooking Banska Stiavnica

It is said Slovakia is exactly in the middle of Europe. Well, if that's the case, then my adventure on Saturday, with other English teachers (Doug and Catherine) from Trencin, took us to the middle of the middle with a trip to Banska Stiavnica, Sklene Teplice and Bojnice.

I'm not new to this area having visited Banska Bystrica only a few weeks ago. I was disappointed we weren't able to see Kremnica or Zvolen because I've heard these cities are also worth a look, but that is what happens when you are on a tour.

Banska Stiavnica

Banska translation is mining. Between the 13th and 14th centuries, Banska Stiavnica was one of Europe's main mining centers, and grew into the third-largest town of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. When we arrived we were overwhelmed by the Gothic-Baroque architecture before us. We had very little time, so we concentrated on the main square and the old castle.

Banska Stiavnica is on the UNESCO World Site list with only 10,000 inhabitants and is about 25 miles south of Banska Bystrica.

Holy Trinity Square

Artwork outside the walls of the Old Castle

The Old Castle was turned from a church into a fortress when the town was threatened by the Turks from 1546 to 1559. Many variations of architecture Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque, are found throughout the church/castle grounds.

At the center is the Bell Tower with panoramic views of the city. The tower was originally styled in late Gothic with a square ground plan and then during reconstruction during the Renaissance and then changed again during the Baroque period in the late 18th century.

Old Castle from the outside

Bell Tower

The Himmelreich is a tower from the end of the 14th century and was used in the 16th century as a jail and torture chamber.

Funeral chapel of St. Michael is Romanesque in structure and is adorned with beautiful fresco's and unique carvings.

Funeral chapel of St. Michael

Fresco's in St. Michael's

Clock Room in St. Michael's

There are three bells on the third floor; a Gothic one, A Renaissance one repaired in 1732 and a Baroque one from the 2nd half of the 18th century.

Bell Tower

Doug looking very stoic under one of the bells

Unfortunately we weren't able to take the mine tour but if I ever get the chance to return to this lovely city, I definitely want to take the tour.

While we were there the open-air square was filled with people sitting in cafes and listening to Jazz music. Such a lovely day in this historic city that I won't forget anytime soon.

Sculpture outside Mining Museum

Entrance to one of the mines

Sklene Teplice

Sklene Teplice is a small spa village in the Banska Bystrica region about a 30 minute drive north of Banska Stiavnica. The thermal water can reach about 52 Celsius. The cave waters reach about 42 Celsius and is a wellness attraction for people not only Slovakia but the surrounding countries of Hungary, Austria and Czech Republic.

Hot thermal water drips down through the cave

Wellness Center

Taking a bath

Bojnice

Bojnice Castle

This romantic castle is one of Slovakia's great tourist attractions. First built in the 12th century it was passed to the powerful Hungarian warlord, Matus Cak in 1527 to the Thurzo family who converted it into a comfortable Renaissance residence. The last owner, Jan Frantisek Palffy removed it into the stately residence it is today. Palffy may sound familiar "Ziggy" Zigmund Palffy was an NHL Hockey player from 1996-2006 and currently plays for Slovakia Extraliga. He also played in the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.

You can tell immediately the town relies heavily on tourism. This little hamlet was packet with tourists waiting to see the Castle as well as the famous Bojnice Zoo located next to the Castle. The day we visited, their was a festival complete with camel rides.