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CONTACT :: Mestská turistická informačná kancelária Tourist Information Agency Nám. sv. Trojice 3 969 01 Banská Štiavnica tel/fax: +421 (0)45 - 694 96 53 tikbs@banskastiavnica.sk Mestský úrad Municipal Office Radničné nám. 1 969 01 Banská Štiavnica tel: +421 (0)45 - 694 96 17 msu@banskastiavnica.sk www.banskastiavnica.sk
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In the beginning of the town’s glorious history, there existed a legend
about a goatherd. He was grazing goats on steep rocky slopes bathing
in sunlight when he spotted two lizards – it appeared as if one of them
was covered in silver and the other one in gold powder. The goat
herder ran towards the lizards trying to catch the glittering miracles,
but the lizards were faster and hid under a rock. The young lad rolled
the rock aside, and at that very moment he was blinded by the shine of
gold and silver ore.
We don’t know to what extent this centuries-old legend coincides with reality. However, we do know that in
the 16th century, the grateful inhabitants of Banská Štiavnica placed a golden and a silver lizard on their Coat of
Arms. From the Middle Ages to the present day, these two lizards have been basking in the sun on the facades
of several buildings in the town. The rich history of Banská Štiavnica has endowed its inhabitants and the region
with prose rather than poetry of life. Historical facts document that the establishment of the town on the rocky slopes of the harsh
countryside was not an easy task. It was built by brave, tough treasure seekers on steep hillsides – on terrain which man would prefer
not to settle. Yet the great deposits of gold and silver ore provided the men with strength to fight the rock, diseases, human hostility,
and turned their adventure into the hard and dangerous mining profession. For more than a thousand years, ore rich in precious
metals was mined in the surroundings of Banská Štiavnica. Dozens of tons of gold and thousands of tons of silver left the town gates.
The riches under the ground of Banská Štiavnica were used to erect towns, to finance the opulent existence of the imperial court, to
support science, education and culture, and to finance wars. Banská Štiavnica was like a caring old mother, giving until she had
nothing to give, to be left poor with history and memories as the only remaining riches. December 1993 is of exceptional importance
to the town, because on this date the historic centre of the town along with the antiquated remnants of the town’s mining industry
entered the World Heritage List. The designation of the town as one of the world’s most precious sites was the catalyst for
a purposeful and systematic renovation, encouraging the development of economic activities, culture, and education.
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