Banská Štiavnica (Slovak pronunciation: [ˈbanskaː ˈʂcɪɐʋɲitsa] ⓘ; German: Schemnitz; Hungarian: Selmecbánya (Selmec), pronounced [ˈʃɛlmɛd͡zbaːɲɒ]) is a town in central Slovakia, in the middle of an immense caldera created by the collapse of an ancient volcano.

The fate of Banská Štiavnica has been closely linked to the exploitation of its abundant resources of silver ore.

Roman authors mentioned mining activities of the Cotini, who had lived in present-day central Slovakia until they were deported to Pannonia within the Marcomannic Wars by Rome.

In the High and Late Middle Ages, the town was the main producer of silver and gold in the Kingdom of Hungary.

This new threat led Banská Štiavnica to build powerful fortifications, including two castles, in the 16th century.

Beginning in 1763, the Hofkammer in Vienna, with support from Queen Maria Theresa, transformed the school into the Academy of Mining.

Nowadays, Banská Štiavnica is an important center of recreation and tourism, benefiting from its rich historical heritage.

[10] The heart of the town is the historical Trinity Square (Slovak: Trojičné námestie) dominated by a monumental plague column.

This mine, situated just under the center of the town, has attracted numerous famous visitors, from Emperor Joseph II to Prince Albert of Monaco.

These extraordinary historical monuments are now used mainly for recreation.In Kalvária Banská Štiavnica there is a complex of churches and chapels near Ostry vrch which was built in the eighteenth century by the Jesuits.