burgher's house Burgher house

Welcome to Banska Stiavnica. You are now standing in a place where history breathes in every stone and a chapter is opened in front of your eyes behind a chapter from the rich past of this extraordinary mining city. When you look up and look in front of you, you see a majestic burgher's house, which forms a characteristic and unnoticed part of this picturesque space. You stand in front of a corner baroque object which, by its presence, completes the unmistakable atmosphere of the entire site. Let's take a moment to follow the sound of my voice recording, and let's get together to clarify the story behind these ancient walls.

The view of this building brings us deep into the past, where the first chronicles of this region are written. Already around the year a thousand three hundred began to write the history of medieval creation of the first wooden or brick buildings. The place where you are now has undergone a long development over the centuries, reflecting the transformations of the whole society. Around the year about a thousand five hundred fifty experiences Banská Štiavnica significant development of late-renaissance urban architecture. At that time, space was formed, which gradually became more generous and more durable. A turning point that has determined today's visual form comes about the year seventeen hundred. It is this corner baroque building that grows here, and there are extensive reconstructions on the city palaces that should represent the influence and position of their then owners. The city grew, changed, and with it the houses themselves. About eight hundred and fifty start the next stage, during which the modernization of buildings takes place, rental houses are created and parties are modified to meet new urban and commercial needs. This constant construction development was closed or rather stabilized around the year one thousand nine hundred fifty, when a new era of conservation and registration of the object in the list of monuments began, so we can admire this beauty to this day.

He doesn't want to take a closer look at what you see in front of you. Although the names of the original architects remain in the shadow of history and chronicles have not left us their identity, the building itself speaks clearly. Support your view by seeing the overall expression and ground plan-space composition that has been preserved until today. The townhouse in Banská Štiavnica represents the urban architecture of the late Renaissance and Baroque. When you look at the facade, note that the architecture and visual design of the house show significant signs of late renaissance, which harmoniously connect with the Baroque reconstructions of the later period. Stop for a moment and see the proportions of this corner object, its matter and the way it complements the surrounding urbanism of the city. It is a testimony to the craft skills of builders whose names zwar took time, but their work lasted for generations.

When we think about who walked all these tiles and who breathed life in this house, we will come across an interesting historical plane. Although historical personalities connected directly to this particular house remain unknown and archives have not revealed the names of particular nobles or townsmen who lived here, the whole place is linked to the fate of miners, craftsmen and merchants. All of Banska Štiavnica was a crossroads of culture, finance and science. Imagine the hustle that prevailed in the times when silver and gold were mined around. The inhabitants of this house witnessed the famous time of mining, when educated experts from all over Europe met here. Perhaps it was from behind these windows that they watched the processions, markets, and the city's bustle, which was among the most important in Hungary.

And what is the greatest attraction or some kind of silent mystery of this place? It is fascinating that despite all the centuries full of fires, wars, economic crises and building modifications, this burgher house has preserved its overall expression and ground plan-space composition. Many other objects in other cities have lost their face because of insensitive demolitions or modernizations, but here, at this corner in Banská Štiavnica, as if time had stopped. When you look at Baroque and late-renaissance elements, you look at an authentic fragment of history that has not succumbed to destruction. It's like a living textbook of architecture, where old verses live in perfect harmony under one shrub.

I believe this look has brought you a new look at where you are standing. Banská Štiavnica has countless other stories, corners and historical monuments. I invite you to further explore this unique city, go down the aisles further, let yourself lead by your curiosity and discover other secrets that this mining jewelryry offers you. Thank you for your attention and I wish you a wonderful experience from the next tour. Goodbye.