Holiday apartment in Gelnica: discover mining history and nature

Gelnica lies in the Hnilec Valley in the northeastern part of the Volovské vrchy, northwest of Košice. The town combines a rich mining history with churches, historic buildings, hiking trails and lakes.

Culture

The Banícke múzeum documents mining, folklore, the history of Gelnica, geology and the guild system in its collections. Exhibits include mining tools, mining lamps, old mining maps, wooden models showing how ore was extracted from the mine, miners’ work clothes and festive clothing, mining symbols, and a true-to-scale model of a mine entrance. The Banícke múzeum in Gelnica is housed in a building erected in 1805 from stone taken from the ruins of Gelnica Castle.

Štôlňa Jozef was opened to the public in August 2016 and became part of the exhibition of the Banícke múzeum in Gelnica. In the developing Banský skanzen, a unique historic stamp mill and crushing plant is in operation, powered by water from nearby Turzovské jazero. A unique type of smelting furnace, particularly characteristic of the areas of Smolník, Gelnica and the Hnilec Valley, was reconstructed after 300 years. Hydropower helped Gelnica become the first town in what is now Slovakia to establish a public electricity supply in 1894. Preserved miners’ cottages bear witness to the old mining tradition.

History

The centre of Gelnica was declared a heritage zone in 1992. Hrad v Gelnici is designated as a national cultural monument of Slovakia. The grounds of Hrad v Gelnici are now used as a park, recreational area and destination for walks.

The Rímskokatolícky kostol Nanebovzatia Panny Márie church in Gelnica is a Gothic church dating from the 14th century. It preserves Gothic elements, including original rib vaults in the side aisles and sanctuary, a pastophorium with figurative decoration resting on a high, spiral-twisted, tower-like base, and a stone sedile on the south side of the sanctuary. In Gelnica, the Gotická cesta lists the Rímskokatolícky kostol Nanebovzatia Panny Márie church as its best-known monument.

The Rímskokatolícky kostol Nanebovzatia Panny Márie church in Gelnica is a Neoclassical church of tolerance built in 1784, with a Greek-cross floor plan and no tower. The balustrade of the so-called baníckeho chóru in Gelnica’s Evangelical church contains an elongated niche with a sculptural mining scene and two flanking miner figures.

The stone bridge over the Hnilec in Gelnica was built between 1837 and 1845 as a solid two-arch structure made of rubble stone. It is currently used by pedestrians.

Nature

The Banský náučný chodník begins at Banícke námestie, which is easily accessible from Gelnica mesto railway station. The trail is self-guided and linear, can be walked in both directions, and is open year-round. The Banský náučný chodník and the mining sites along it are maintained.

Vyhliadka mládeže / Gloriet can be reached from Gelnica via a blue-marked mountain trail. It consists of a rocky outcrop with a rest area at an elevation of 785 m, offering views over the whole of Gelnica.

Cycle route No. 2858 begins in Gelnica, is 40 km long, is suitable for touring bicycles, and is described as relatively demanding. Fishing is possible at Spodné jazero. Horné jazero is 17 m deep and serves as a natural swimming pool.

Other places

For further options, you can continue to Nalepkovo, Margecany and Kluknava.

For the overview of the higher-level travel region: Okres Gelnica.