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| ==History== | ==History== | ||
| Kremnica was among the major ] towns of the world during the ] and ] period. | Kremnica was among the major ] towns of the world during the ] and ] period. | ||
| The first evidence of subsurface mining activities comes from the 9th century. In the 13th century the inhabitants of this area were affected by the invasion of Tatars. After that event Hungarian kings invited new colonist from Germany to replenish the decimated population. They are supposed to have restored the mining activities in the town. | |||
| The first written reference to the town dates back to 1328, when it was granted royal ] by King ]. | |||
| The town's mint is known to have existed already at that time. Since 1335 it coined golden "Kremnica ]s", which were used as international means of payment for their constantly high purity of gold. It was the most important mint, and later the only one, in the ], in ] and in Slovakia; the prosperity brought to the town led to it being nicknamed "Golden Kremnica". | |||
| In 1331 Kremnica became the seat of the Chamber Count (Kammergraf)who was the head of the most important miining and minting chamber of the Kingdom of Hungary. The Count administrated in the Middle Ages all the mines and mints in twelve counties of the kingdom. | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| The ] built from the 13th till the 15th century towers over the town. In the first half of the 14th century it became the residence of the Chamber Count. The seat was immediately fortified with a double wall containing several bastions and towers. The casle represents a unique example of a very well preserved fortification system in Central Europe. In the 14th century it developed into a multifunctional complex of buildings and became thus the center of local administration, church and defence. At the end of 15th century the Cahmber Count moved to a newly build house with a unique diamond vault. Thereafter the residence of the Count in the casle was converted into the St. Catherin's Church. | |||
| At the end of the 14th century Kremnica became the capital of the mining towns in Central Slovakia. The annual production of gold and silver guaranteed the developement of the town. In the 15th century Kreminca was the second most important city in the Kingdom of Hungary. The town was continuously being granted new privileges and the deputies of the town occupied the second place in the Hungarian Parliament(the first place was reserved for the representatives of Buda, capital of the Kingdom). | |||
| Gold mining and coin production in Kremnica culminated in the 14th and 15th centuries. In the 16th century the miners had to moved deeper and the mining conditions deteriorated because of the underground water. The cost of mining increased and the mining was becaming less profitable. The last gold was extracted in Kremnica in 1970, when all the mines were closed. | |||
| ⚫ | The sites of interests also include the Museum of Coins and Medals, the Museum of Skiing and a historical central square with a monumental ] ]. The ] Church of St. Catherine hosts the popular European ] Festival. A 20-km long ], built in the 15th century, is still working, supplying three hydroelectric power plants (one of them located 245 m below the ground). Forested mountains around the town offer plenty of ] and ] trails. | ||
| The ] is claimed to be in the nearby village of Krahule. | The ] is claimed to be in the nearby village of Krahule. | ||
Revision as of 11:38, 4 September 2006
Kremnica (German: Kremnitz, Hungarian: Körmöcbánya) is a town in central Slovakia. It has some 5,800 inhabitants. Kremnica is the site of the oldest still-working mint in the world.
History
Kremnica was among the major mining towns of the world during the Middle Ages and Modern Times period. The first evidence of subsurface mining activities comes from the 9th century. In the 13th century the inhabitants of this area were affected by the invasion of Tatars. After that event Hungarian kings invited new colonist from Germany to replenish the decimated population. They are supposed to have restored the mining activities in the town. The first written reference to the town dates back to 1328, when it was granted royal town privileges by King Charles I of Hungary. The town's mint is known to have existed already at that time. Since 1335 it coined golden "Kremnica ducats", which were used as international means of payment for their constantly high purity of gold. It was the most important mint, and later the only one, in the Kingdom of Hungary, in Czechoslovakia and in Slovakia; the prosperity brought to the town led to it being nicknamed "Golden Kremnica".
In 1331 Kremnica became the seat of the Chamber Count (Kammergraf)who was the head of the most important miining and minting chamber of the Kingdom of Hungary. The Count administrated in the Middle Ages all the mines and mints in twelve counties of the kingdom.
The castle built from the 13th till the 15th century towers over the town. In the first half of the 14th century it became the residence of the Chamber Count. The seat was immediately fortified with a double wall containing several bastions and towers. The casle represents a unique example of a very well preserved fortification system in Central Europe. In the 14th century it developed into a multifunctional complex of buildings and became thus the center of local administration, church and defence. At the end of 15th century the Cahmber Count moved to a newly build house with a unique diamond vault. Thereafter the residence of the Count in the casle was converted into the St. Catherin's Church.
At the end of the 14th century Kremnica became the capital of the mining towns in Central Slovakia. The annual production of gold and silver guaranteed the developement of the town. In the 15th century Kreminca was the second most important city in the Kingdom of Hungary. The town was continuously being granted new privileges and the deputies of the town occupied the second place in the Hungarian Parliament(the first place was reserved for the representatives of Buda, capital of the Kingdom).
Gold mining and coin production in Kremnica culminated in the 14th and 15th centuries. In the 16th century the miners had to moved deeper and the mining conditions deteriorated because of the underground water. The cost of mining increased and the mining was becaming less profitable. The last gold was extracted in Kremnica in 1970, when all the mines were closed.
The sites of interests also include the Museum of Coins and Medals, the Museum of Skiing and a historical central square with a monumental Baroque plague column. The Gothic Church of St. Catherine hosts the popular European Organ Festival. A 20-km long aqueduct, built in the 15th century, is still working, supplying three hydroelectric power plants (one of them located 245 m below the ground). Forested mountains around the town offer plenty of hiking and cross-country skiing trails.
The geographical center of Europe is claimed to be in the nearby village of Krahule.
External links
- Official municipal website Template:Sk icon
- Information for tourists
- Museum of Coins and Medals
- Kremnica Castle
Gallery
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Winter panorama
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Kremnica Town Castle
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Kremnica castle
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Kremnica main square
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Summer panorama
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