Region of Banská Bystrica - Slovakia

Banska Bystrica Region is located in south part of Central Slovakia, and with its extent of 9445 square kilometres is greatest area of the Republic. On south, it borders with Hungary, on west with Nitra and Trenčín regions, on north with Žilina and Prešov regions, and, finally, on east with Košice region.


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SK: Marian Columns – Stone Witnesses of Victories over Epidemics IV
Published: 5.7.2020
Central Slovak mining towns flourished thanks to the mining of precious metals. It acquired considerable property, which was also reflected in their architecture. The period marked by the plague epidemic brought plague columns to their squares as symbols of thanks. Their construction was not spared at all, which makes them so monumental. Today we will go to cities whose bowels were hidden deposits of silver and gold.

Plague epidemics gradually spread throughout Europe. They did not bypass Hungary either, and thus the rich mining areas of central Slovakia. In the years 1575, 1601, 1645, 1679 or 1710, their rampage claimed thousands of victims. As a thank you to God for survival and protection from further destruction, plague pillars were also built here. It forms a kind of spiritual bridge between heaven and earth, by which the people plead with their supplications.

Banská Štiavnica

Only rich cities could have their columns made of more durable stone. Their pomp is based on the Baroque period, which was the so-called golden period for these cities. And although the columns are among the sacral architectural monuments, their construction was mainly contributed by the townspeople or the nobility.

trojiční sloup, Banská Štiavnica; (c) Mgr. Anna Nociarová

Today's area of the Banská Bystrica diocese includes the location of the former important and rich Central Slovak mining towns.

Stříbrná Štiavnica

Banská Štiavnica

Such an attribute belongs to Banská Štiavnica, a tourist-interesting town in the middle of the Štiavnica Hills. The city center is the Holy Trinity Square, surrounded by magnificent buildings.

trojiční sloup, Banská Štiavnica; (c) Wikipedia.org - Richard Managr

The dominant feature of the whole square is one of the largest trinity columns in Slovakia. The Baroque column of the Holy Trinity was built after the retreat of the plague epidemic in 1710–1711. The original column was very simple and it was not until 1759–1764 that it was rebuilt according to the design of sculptor Dionýs Stanetti and stonemason K. Holzknecht. The base of the column consists of sculptures of seven saints, protectors against the plague and patrons of miners (St. Joseph, St. Sebastian, St. Francis Xavier, St. Roch, St. Catherine, St. Barbara, St. Rosalie). The column, which stands out with its canopy architecture, is complemented by a statue of the Immaculate Conception and at the top is dominated by golden rays of gloriola sculptures of the Holy Trinity.

Zlatá Kremnica

In the embrace of the Kremnické hills lies the picturesque town of Kremnica, under which in the past there were gold-rich mines. Although Zlatá Kremnica avoided the greatest plague epidemic - the black death in the 14th century - it came one blow after another. The last one in the 18th century.

Kremnica; (c) Wikipedia.org - SchiDD

The Kremnica people also wanted to thank you for ending the epidemic of 1710 by building a plague column. However, you will no longer find the original very simple plague column from 1711 in the town, because in 1761 it was moved to Horní Ves, where it still stands today.

trojiční sloup, Kremnica (detail); (c) Mgr. Anna Nociarová

The space after him did not remain empty. The townspeople wanted a more magnificent and monumental column, as the city known for gold mining and coinage belongs. The Baroque period raised Kremnica in fine arts to the level of developed Central European cities. Therefore, in May 1765, the city council decided to build a late Baroque column of the Holy Trinity according to the design of a Kremnica burgher and sculptor Dionysus Staneti.

trojiční sloup, Kremnica; (c) Mgr. Anna Nociarová

His design was inspired by the first plague column in Vienna, and his price (22,850 gold) corresponded to this. Finally, they had to invite the Viennese sculptor Vogerle, who became famous for the plague columns in Hainburg and Nitra. Unfortunately, none of the sculptors survived the completion of the work in 1772.

The Plague Column has four ideological plans. It is supposed to commemorate the epidemic, depicting the Holy Trinity, also Immaculate - the Immaculate Virgin Mary, the patron saint of Hungary and finally the saint.

But it had another meaning. Wondering what? We'll tell you in a week.

GPS: 48°27'31.5"N 18°53'35.5"E (Banská Štiavnica)

 

Text: Mgr. Anna Nociarová

Photos: Wikipedia.org: Richard Managr, SchiDD, Infoglobe, A. N.

Edited by: Infoglobe

 


Related Articles

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Published: 28.9.2016
Join us for a tour in central Slovakia. We visit the district of Ziar nad Hronom, precisely the Royal mining town of Kremnica. Once, gold and silver was mined there and there is still a mint in operation. It is one of the oldest constantly operating undertakings in the world.

SVK: Kremnické Bane - Geographical Center Of Europe
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Banská Štiavnica Water Basin - "Teichs" (Ponds)
Published: 15.4.2010
If you ask what the word „Teich“ means (it is a pond, translated from German language). Most of people thrug their shoulders, not knowing exactly, what´s on. Nevertheless, these are unique technical works. Even the international communions decided that Banska Štiavnica and its technical monuments were registered in World Heritage and Cultural Survey of UNESCO.

SK: Marian Columns – Stone Witnesses of Victories over Epidemics V
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After a week, we return to Kremnica, specifically to the late Baroque column of the Holy Trinity, which recalls the plague epidemic.

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SR, Banska Stiavnica: The Most Impressive Calvary in Central Europe
Published: 30.4.2015
In the heart of Slovakia is located a historical town which is also a UNESCO town. We go there today. It is unique Banska Stiavnica famous for history of mining and many important sights.

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Join us for a tour to the Stiavnice region. Banska Stiavnica is sort of its cultural, historic and social center.

SK, Kremnica – Tourism as It Should Be
Published: 5.10.2016
After our introduction to Kremnica last week we set off now to the surroundings of the city. There are several options where to. You can either climb up to Kremnicky stit, go to the towns of Ihrac or Ziar, or visit Kremnice mines nearby. Our destinations were Tri krize, Skalka, Krahule village and we paid visit to recently bulit observation tower.

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