Top 3 things to see in Špania Dolina

Špania Dolina is among the most visited places in the region.

(Source: Ján Krošlák, Sme)
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Please see our Spectacular Slovakia travel guide.

Špania Dolina is a small village near Banská Bystrica, popular among tourists for its romantic and historic atmosphere. It was one of the mining towns in the region and some of the historic monuments are preserved to this day. Here are some you should not miss.

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1. Water Pipeline

A unique historic water pipeline was built in the 16th century and supplied water for mining places in Špania Dolina to Prašiva in the Low Tatras. The mining water pipeline is the oldest in Slovakia and with its length of 36 km it is also a Slovak recorder.

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The water route runs almost along the contour line with a slight gradient and ends in Špania Dolina. Today, some parts of the route are used for hiking, cycling and winter skiing. An educative path from Banská Bystrica to Donovaly leads concurrently along the route.

2. Astronomical Clock

The Mining Astronomical Clock is located directly on the square, next to the famous Klopačka. The place was created from the half-roofed and repaired former Ferdinand shaft. The clock reminiscent of a closed rock wall is regularly open to reveal itself in all its beauty.

The clock displays a mine model of Špania Dolina. In the upper part, there is a church, several houses and a shaft building. The two miners break ore with hammers. The shaft descends in depth. The mine is full of people - they separate the rock, carry it, put it on the carts, pull it through the shaft to the surface.

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3. Mining educative path

The mining educative path starts at Klopačka, from where it leads through the rising pavement along the shafts on Fajtlova - the steepest section of the pavement - a sightseeing spot on the Maximilián heap, from where there is a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. Other monuments are located at the same height; from there the route continues along the contour and then back down to the square. A ten-stop path will take you about two and a half hours to pass you through the glory of mining history - shafts and galleries hidden in the surrounding forests.

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