ON THIS nice postcard from the 1920s, we see a peripheral part of the mining town of Kremnica. The road winding its way among the houses leads to the Zvolen valley and to the old German village of Krahule. The charming miner’s house on the right stands in this place to this day and was probably there during the visit of King Francis I of Lorraine, the husband of Queen Maria Theresa, in 1751. During his stay, lasting several days, he also visited the neighbouring town of Banská Štiavnica.
As the king was interested in the mining and minting of coins, the residents of Kremnica prepared an interesting programme for him. The welcome they conceived was inventive as the royal guest was greeted by a tiny man – a Lilliputian impersonating Permoník, the legendary dwarf of mining tunnels. Permoník then handed a piece of golden ore, Kremnica's symbol of wealth, to the king.
The diminutive man was a resident of the nearby village of Sklené and his name was Lorenz Daubner. His short performance paid off very well. One of the richest people in the region, Count Esterházy, took him to his court after witnessing the Kremnica performance and supported him until the end of his life.
